Why read this book?
Does this book offer anything that can’t be found in the other Gospels? Yes, it offers plenty. Just as a witness at a trial does more than confirm the story of another witness, Luke expands the story of Jesus. You’ll gain new information from Luke and see Jesus from a new perspective. Of all the Gospel writers, Luke gives us the greatest variety of teaching, parables and events from the life of Jesus.
Who wrote this book?
Luke, a companion of the apostle Paul, also wrote Acts. He was probably a Gentile and a medical doctor.
To whom was it written and why?
Luke wrote to Theophilus, probably a Gentile who was either a new believer or someone seeking to learn about Jesus. Theophilus means “lover of God,” leading some to think the book was originally written to a general audience of people who loved God. Luke hoped Theophilus and other readers would learn that God’s love reaches beyond the Jews to the entire world.
When was it written?
Possibly AD 59 to 63, although some think it may have been written 15 to 20 years later.
What to look for in Luke:
Watch for ways that Luke elaborates on the accounts of Matthew and Mark. You’ll find new information here—more stories about Jesus’ birth, for example, and the parable of the Good Samaritan. You’ll also see Luke’s personal perspective in the incidents he included—stories, for instance, that demonstrate Jesus’ interest in the non-Jewish world and the poor.
