TThe Unknown Author

The Gospel of Luke

This man, Luke (“Loukas” or “Lucas”), was most likely a Greek gentile.  But little if anything is known about the man and his origin.  Some scholars even suggest that he was a Hellenistic Jew, who is, of the Jewish faith but laced with Greek culture.  Two centers of the Hellenists were Antioch of Syria and Alexandria.

Writings from the latter half of the second century identify Luke as the author of the third gospel and Acts.   In particular, their prologue asserts that Luke was from Antioch of Syria – which is the birthplace of the Christian Church and the home base from which Paul and his associates set sail as missionaries to the gentiles.   His birthdate is not known but according to a fairly early and widespread tradition, he lived until the age of eighty-four.  His tomb was located in Thebes and later transferred to Constantinople in 357 AD.

Most scholars agree that Luke was indeed a Greek and a physician.  Regardless of his medical training and its prestige, God, and His Spirit, had other plans for this man.  He is mentioned on three separate places in the Bible by St. Paul (Colossians 4; 2 Timothy 4; and Philemon 23) – but never does he list his name in either Luke or Acts.

As a physician, he would be quite used to doing research.  In his opening sentences in Luke 1, he says, “Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning,” (Luke 1:3) is indicative of his research for his books.

Humble and Compassionate

If you read the Hippocratic Oath (listed at the end of the article), one gets the good feeling that physicians, in general, are compassionate human beings.  As a healthcare professional myself, I can attest to the condition of compassion that was ingrained into me during my professional training and clinical experience.  If one does NOT have compassion, he (or she) cannot be a servant.  Agree?  We know truly little of Luke’s background, his training, or his professional practice as a physician; but one can be sure that ancient physicians were tied more to the “art” of medicine than the professional aspects.  This “art” concept implies service – pure and simple!

Luke’s compassion is further exemplified in the extensive healing miracles of our LORD in his gospel.  Once you review Table II, I think you will agree that Luke, the doctor, was extremely impressed with the results of Jesus’ various miracles.

The humble nature of Luke is most pronounced by the lack of his identity in either of his two books – Luke and Acts.  Second, he never addresses himself as an esteemed physician, only Paul does. By always pointing to the Christ, he avoids any reference to himself thus diverting attention away from God and His plan of salvation in Jesus, the Christ.  The closest he comes to including himself in the audience is in Acts 16:11 by using the pronoun “we.”

Luke’s gospel is the largest of the four gospels.  And as you would expect, it contains most of Jesus’ healing miracles.  The Luke-Acts combination contains 2,158 verses making Luke the author of 27.2% of the N. T.  Paul, the author of thirteen books, wrote only 2,033 verses or 25.5% of the N. T.  (source:neverthirsty.org/bible-qa) Some scholars also suggest that Luke is associated with the Pastoral Letters and Hebrews – as author or amanuensis – based on the Greek language similarities of Luke-Acts.

“St. Luke the Evangelist” is a day celebrated by Christendom on October 18th each year – as an evangelist, a historian, a physician, a pastor, a missionary, a companion, a brother, and a theologian.

The Luke-Acts Work

The two books of Luke encompass some 60 years in history.  The gospel of Luke is not the first gospel written nor did Luke personally witness all the events listed in his gospel, but for sure, he was associated with John Mark who also knew Matthew.  Thus, Luke had first-hand knowledge of many of the Jesus events in his earthly ministry.

As a Greek, Luke appears to write to a gentile audience and leaves nothing to chance as he (in detail) tells of the Incarnate Christ.  He has the most detail of Jesus’ birth, his death, and resurrection.  Luke, while not listed as a teacher, could certainly be classified as such.

The first four chapters of Luke provide details about the Christ (Greek; Messiah, Hebrew) and His predecessor, John the Baptist.  Luke is confident of his salvation and those who trust in the LORD Jesus Christ.  Listen! “Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught,” (Luke 1:4) writes Luke.

Just who is this “Theophilus?” Well, the name is rather self-explanatory.  “Theo” is a name for God.  And “philo” is one of the four Greek words for love.  So, he is a “God lover!”  Some would assert that he was a person, probably a Roman official as he was addressed, “most excellent.”  But some scholars suggest it was an honorary title which would include anyone who fits that description.  And still others, suggest he might have been Paul’s lawyer while in Rome.  Regardless of the origin of the name (or title), the detail used by Luke to his readers is unparalleled.

Author’s Note:  As I study and write about this great author of the gospel, I am reminded of my high school days in the early-1960’s.  In December of each year, we would have a school assembly in the gymnasium when one of the English teachers would stand on stage at the dais and read the Luke 2 Christmas story to us.   I did not realize at the time how meaningful it was until much later in life when Christians are persecuted, and religion has been taken out of our schools. And by the way, my high school is now closed with many other public schools declining in attendance as parents are seeking a more structured environment for their child’s education – including Christ.

Luke: The Gospel

As with many other biblical books, the date of its origin is somewhat in question.  Most scholars place the date of Luke’s gospel between 55 and 60 AD, with some as late as 63 AD.  While others even suggest dates after the Temple’s destruction between 75 and 80 AD.  Since Luke does not mention the Temple’s destruction, one would tend to believe the earlier date timeline for its authorship.

Luke, led by the Holy Spirit, is confident that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah) and that his message was to convince his audience (namely gentiles) that Jesus was the Promised One for Israel and all those who believe in Him.  After his prologue (Luke 1:1-4), he begins by bridging the O. T. to current times by the connecting the dots, so to speak.  He begins with the pronouncement of the promised Elijah in Malachi, which is fulfilled in John the Baptist.  His detail is unmatched leaving nothing to chance for the gentile reader.  Following the dialogue with Zechariah, Luke continues with the angel of the LORD appearing to the mother of our LORD.  Her comment, “I am the LORD’s servant” (Luke 1:38), is particularly important since she was single and betrothed to a man of the lineage of David.   Her song of thanksgiving reminds us of the “Song of Hannah,” (1 Samuel 2) sung centuries long ago regarding the miraculous gift of her son, Samuel.

The prophet, John the Baptist, is born and his father, Zechariah, sings a wonderful song of praise for he and his wife having been blessed with a son who was to set the stage for the Messiah.

Jesus’ birth was in a humble setting, that is, a manger in Bethlehem.  And His first visitors were lonely shepherds.  Each of these circumstances should remind you and me that God came to the world in servant-like surroundings. Each of the births was miraculous (John and Jesus), but Mary’s more so as her impregnation was from God Himself.

Luke’s lists many details about the “temple,” including the dedication of Mary and Joseph’s son first born.  (See Table I: The Temple in Luke). Luke’s next statement details the presentation of Jesus at the temple.  If this were to a Jewish audience, it would have been expected, but in this case, the gentile audience needed to hear the details.  His presentation also includes the witnesses of Simeon and Anna, who have been patiently waiting for the fulfillment of promise.

Table I: The Temple in Luke

Source: Lutheran Bible Companion, Volume 2, pp 268-69

Luke tells his audience of the boy Jesus at his bar mitzvah (age of 12). The O. T. required that the first born be dedicated to the LORD.  Having left Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph had assumed their son was with their group but were surprised when he was not to be found.  Having returned to Jerusalem, they found Him in the Temple preaching and teaching with the learned ones.  Luke tells us, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52)

Enter John the Baptist. It is the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar (29 AD), when John began his ministry as the forerunner of the Messiah.  Luke quotes the O. T. Isaiah 40:3-5 that continues to connect the dots for the gentiles back into history.  His message was to “repent and be baptized.”

This ministry was basically highlighted by John’s baptism of his cousin, Jesus, as the God Man, Jesus.  Yes, Jesus needed to be baptized as He was the Son of David, and also the Savior of the world.  As He represented sin for us, he needed to be baptized showing His human relationship to the world.

Luke continues his detailed “connection of the dots,” with the genealogy of Jesus from Joseph, his earthly father back to God Himself.

Jesus: The Beginning. . .and The End

Luke spends three chapters detailing the LORD’s beginning, including tracing his lineage back to the Son of God.  Why?  First, even though Joseph was not his biological father, he was in David’s line.  The angel of the LORD said, “the holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35) While other gospel writers record the birth; none goes into the detail that Luke does – showing God’s human line and His divine line.

Jesus, and his cousin John, both came from very humble beginnings, yet each was in the lineage that was foretold in the O. T.  Each boy led very basic lives prior to their adult ministries.   Scripture is silent to each’s boyhood until it is time for God’s plan to unfold.  Following His baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert. At the completion of his 40-day temptation by the Evil One, Luke begins his journey into various miracles of Jesus, especially those of a healing nature.

Let us take a look at all of Jesus’ miracles.  According to learnreligions.com/miracles-of-jesus-700158, Jesus performed a total of thirty-seven miracles during his three-year ministry.  Luke records twenty of the miracles and 85% (or 17) are of a healing nature, including raising people from the dead.

The table below lists all the “healing” miracles of Jesus recorded by the physician Luke.

Table II: Healing Miracles of Jesus in Luke

Following his time in Galilee, He begins His movement toward Jerusalem to fulfill God’s plan of salvation – to redeem those who confess Jesus as their LORD and Savior.

Luke 19 tells us of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem that was prophesied of old.  Like in his beginning, Jesus enters on a lowly beast of burden but with shouts of praise like a victorious king returning from battle.  Luke spends a great deal of his book on Jesus’ time in Jerusalem prior to his arrest, trial, and crucifixion.  And why?  Luke continues in his theme of “connecting the dots,” that Jesus is the Christ and that through Him is salvation based on His atoning death and glorious resurrection.  Jesus spends most of His time at the temple teaching, all the while, the chief priests and Jewish leaders were seeking to destroy Him.

Luke now turns to the last days of Jesus with his disciples.  First, He shares the Passover meal with them saying all the Hallel Psalms as was the custom.  Second, He celebrates the great LORD’s Supper with them as He said: “this cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”  (Luke 22:20) Finally, they follow him to the Mount of Olives where He prayed earnestly. (Read the High Priestly Prayer in John 17). The end is drawing near, as one of the twelve betrays the LORD, while one of the insider trio disowns Him, as predicted.

Luke continues with all the trial rhetoric – yes, even false testimony – that in the end, would render Jesus guilty!  But of what?  His conviction, not rebutted by Jesus, was carried out by His horrible death on the cross.  In the midst of the crucifixion scene, Luke makes a point to insert the faith of the centurion who said, “surely this was a righteous man.” (Luke 23:47).  Yes, even the Roman leader confessed that Jesus was special!

His burial was not regular by any means.  Joseph of Arimathea, a leading Jewish man, went to Pilate and asked for the body.  Jesus’ burial was not in a grave with other corpses, rather, it was in a new grave – cut into rock – to eliminate any argument that it was someone else who was raised.  His resurrection was also no less than spectacular.   Luke concludes his gospel with several resurrection details. The women came to apply their prepared spices and found the stone rolled away from the grave.  Shocked (Luke uses “wondering”), they found two men in clothes that gleamed like lightening.  “Why stand you looking for the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5).  The angels reminded them that He had told them that in three days He would be raised to life.

Luke is the only gospel writer who inserts the story of the two men walking to Emmaus.  Low and behold, the risen LORD joins them while their eyes were closed.  “And beginning with Moses and the prophets, He explained to them what was said in the scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)

Yes, they ran back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples what had transpired.  Then, Jesus appears to the gathered disciples and said: “peace be with you.”  Their minds were now opened to scripture and its prophesies.  Jesus’ ultimate action is to send them off into the world to tell others about the Savior and His redemptive act.  And then. . . He rises to the right hand of God.  Amen.

What Then Can We Say?

Luke, a learned man in medicine – but also not naïve in the history of the people of God – was called by the Holy Spirit to be His witness in many ways.  His gospel details history of God’s calling of His people, then connects them to all of us in faith by Jesus’ atoning death, glorious resurrection, and ascension.

But Luke’s work is not done.  Yes, Luke continues his writing in Acts of the Apostles that begins with Jesus’ ascension, to Pentecost, and then the beginnings of the Christian Church.  In the end, many believers were evacuating from Rome due to persecution, but unlike many of his cohorts, Luke did not abandon Paul in his last days, rather, stayed with him to the end.

This paper is not intended to go through the Acts of the Apostles, rather, to encourage you to read the history and beginnings of the Christian Church and its leaders, including Luke the physician.

Author’s Note: In 2001, I wrote and taught a detailed Bible class, essentially on the book of Acts, and the beginnings of the Christian Church.  It is entitled, “The Broadcast Word, The Seed Scattered: The Beginnings of the Christian Church.”

For some who may read this article, the complete Bible study listed above is posted on this website: myfaithinreflection.com.

Peace

Connected in Him, I stand

GHR

The Hippocratic Oath: Translated by Michael North, National Library of Medicine, 2002.

“I swear by Apollo the physician, and Asclepius, and Hygiea and Panacea and all the gods and goddesses as my witnesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this contract:

To hold him who taught me this art equally dear to me as my parents, to be a partner in life with him, and to fulfill his needs when required; to look upon his offspring as equals to my own siblings, and to teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or contract; and that by the set rules, lectures, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to students bound by this contract and having sworn this Oath to the law of medicine, but to no others.

I will use those dietary regimens which will benefit my patients according to my greatest ability and judgment, and I will do no harm or injustice to them.

I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan; and similarly, I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.

In purity and according to divine law will I carry out my life and my art.

I will not use the knife, even upon those suffering from stones, but I will leave this to those who are trained in this craft.

Into whatever homes I go, I will enter them for the benefit of the sick, avoiding any voluntary set of impropriety or corruption, including seduction of women or men, whether they are free men or slaves.

Whatever I see or hear in the lives of my patients, whether in connection with my professional practice or not, which ought not to be spoken of outside, I will keep secret, as considering all such things to be private.

So long as I maintain this Oath faithfully and without corruption, may it be granted to me to partake of life fully and the practice of my art, gaining the respect of all men for all time.  However, should I transgress this Oath and violate it, may the opposite be my fate.

Dating: Hippocrates lived 460-370 BC.  The oath was written circa 400 BC and not translated into English until the 1700’s.  It was re-written by Louis Lasagna in 1964 and is often referred to as the “Lasagna Oath.”