The Gospel of Luke

In the Beginning

Although his name does not appear in either the gospel of Luke or the book of Acts, scholars generally believe Luke wrote both books. If this is true, Luke was responsible for about one-quarter of the New Testament.

According to Colossians 4:14, Luke was a physician. Indeed his gospel account contains numerous medical terms not found elsewhere. He is first mentioned, indirectly, in Acts 16:10 where “we”—meaning Paul and Luke—endeavored to go into Macedonia.

Luke’s gospel is the most complete of the four accounts. He is the only one to say anything about the prenatal and pre-ministerial events in Jesus’ life. Because he himself was a Gentile and therefore an outcast from orthodox Jewish society, he had a keen appreciation for the lot of those who were considered unimportant: publicans, Gentiles, Samaritans, and women.

This issue of The Herald examines many of the features of this precious gospel including:

The six unique miracles: the draught of fish, raising a widow’s son, healing an infirmed woman, a man with dropsy, ten lepers, and a man with a severed ear.

Jesus’ many prayers on various occasions.

Some of the 11 parables found only in this gospel.

The four hymns described nowhere else.

The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, so often erroneously cited as proof of torment beyond the grave, is briefly reviewed in a sidebar on page 15. Few realize this is the only parable wherein a person is named, and, in this case, with the same name as one Jesus actually raised from the dead a few weeks later.

Two articles examine the special relationship Jesus had with a number of women and with others who were scorned by contemporary Jewish society at that time.

We end with a verse-by-verse study of Luke chapter 5 which contains three of the Master’s miracles. These not only demonstrated his power, they illustrated the even greater works to be done in Christ’s kingdom (John 14:12).

We trust this issue will contribute to a greater appreciation of the son of God and his faithful chronicler Luke.