Author: Not stated but traditionally attributed to Luke, a Gentile physician (Colossians 4:14) and a missionary companion of the apostle Paul (2 Timothy 4:11).
Date: Possibly the AD 70s-80s, as the gospel was spreading throughout the Roman Empire.
In Ten Words or Less: Jesus is Savior of all people, whether Jew or Gentile.
Details: Luke’s Gospel is addressed to a man named Theophilus (1:3), “to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us” about Jesus Christ (1:1). It’s unclear who Theophilus was, though some believe he may have been a Roman official—and Luke’s book is the least Jewish and most universal of the four Gospels. Luke traces Jesus’ genealogy beyond Abraham, the patriarch of the Jews, all the way back to Adam, “the son of God” (3:38), common ancestor of everyone. Luke also shows Jesus’ compassion for all people: Roman soldiers (7:1–10), widows (7:11–17), the “sinful” (7:36–50), the chronically ill (8:43–48), lepers (17:11–19), and many others—including a criminal condemned to die on a cross beside Jesus (23:40–43). As with all the Gospels, Luke shows Jesus’ resurrection, adding detailed accounts of His appearances to two believers on the Emmaus road and the remaining eleven disciples. As the Gospel ends, Jesus is ascending into heaven—setting the stage for a sequel of sorts, Luke’s book of Acts.
From Know Your Bible, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.
