New Testament survey (03): Luke

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)

Overview

[1] Luke, from Thru The Bible Radio with Dr. J. Vernon McGee ©, with free downloads Notes & Outlines (PDF), Complete 5-Year Study (MP3), Elisabeth: The First Person to Worship Jesus (PDF), Listen to a Picture (PDF), Why Angels Do Not Sing! (PDF), Why Four Gospels? (PDF), and Why Jesus Died! (PDF).

Dr. Luke wrote his Gospel with a twofold purpose. First, his purpose was literary and historical. Of the four Gospels, Luke’s Gospel is the most complete historical narrative. There are more wide–reaching references to institutions, customs, geography, and history of that period than are found in any of the other Gospels. Secondly, his purpose was spiritual. He presented the person of Jesus Christ as the perfect, divine Man and Savior of the world. Jesus was God manifest in the flesh.

Luke was the beloved physician of Colossians 4:14, “Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.” He used more medical terms than Hippocrates, the father of medicine. The choice of Luke by the Holy Spirit to write the third gospel reveals that there are no accidental writers of Scripture. There was a supernatural selection of Luke. There were “not many wise” called, but Luke belongs to that category. He and Paul were evidently on a very high intellectual level as well as a high spiritual level. This explains partially why they traveled together and obviously became fast friends in the Lord. Dr. Luke would rank as a scientist of his day. Also he wrote the best Greek of any of the New Testament writers, including Paul. He was an accurate historian, as we shall see. Luke was a poet; he alone records the lovely songs of Christmas. Luke was an artist; he sketches for us Christ’s marvelous, matchless parables. (Read the complete article)

[2] Gospel of Luke, from gotquestions.org (this website is also available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese-Myanmar, Cebuano, Chinese- Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malaysian, Persian-Farsi, Portuguese, Quechua, Sesotho, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, Zulu, and 70 other languages)

Called the most beautiful book ever written, Luke begins by telling us about Jesus' parents; the birth of His cousin, John the Baptist; Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, where Jesus is born in a manger; and the genealogy of Christ through Mary. Jesus' public ministry reveals His perfect compassion and forgiveness through the stories of the prodigal son, the rich man and Lazarus, and the Good Samaritan. While many believe in this unprejudiced love that surpasses all human limits, many others—especially the religious leaders—challenge and oppose the claims of Jesus. Christ's followers are encouraged to count the cost of discipleship, while His enemies seek His death on the cross. Finally, Jesus is betrayed, tried, sentenced and crucified. But the grave cannot hold Him! His Resurrection assures the continuation of His ministry of seeking and saving the lost. (Read the complete article)

[3] The Gospel According to Luke, from Blue Letter Bible

Luke is often viewed as the historian of the apostolic age, yet many do not fully recognize him as a theologian as well. The author develops many themes in his Gospel. One of the most notable themes is of Redemption History by which he views the world in three major time periods. First, the time of the "Law and the Prophets" was in effect until John the Baptist (Luke 16:16a). After that came the time period of Jesus, when "the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached" (Luke 16:16b). The last time period begins after the ascension of Christ and continues until his return. This is the period of the church.

The idea of salvation is also prevalent in Luke's Gospel. The words “salvation/deliverance” and “salvation/saving power” are used by Luke, but are not found in Matthew and Mark. Not only is the theme of salvation evident, but Luke also demonstrates Jesus as being sympathetic towards Samaritans and Gentiles (e.g. Good Samaritan, Luke 10:30-37; Centurion, Luke 7:2-10, see also Luke2:32). (Read the complete article)

[4] Luke, from Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)

WRITER: The writer of the third Gospel is called by Paul "the beloved physician" Colossians 4:14 and, as we learn from the Acts, was Paul's frequent companion. He was of Jewish ancestry, but his correct Greek marks him as a Jew of the dispersion. Tradition says that he was a Jew of Antioch, as Paul was of Tarsus.

DATE: The date of Luke falls between A.D. 63 and 68.

THEME: Luke is the Gospel of the human-divine One, as John is of the divine-human One. The key-phrase is "Son of man," and the key-verse Luke 19:10. "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." In harmony with this intent, Luke relates those things concerning Jesus which demonstrate how entirely human He was. His genealogy is traced to Adam, and the most detailed account is given of His mother, and of His infancy and boyhood. The parables peculiar to Luke have distinctively the human and the seeking note. But Luke is careful to guard the Deity and Kingship of Jesus Christ Luke 1:32-35. Luke, then, is the Gospel of "the man whose name is The BRANCH" Zechariah 6:12.

Luke has seven chief divisions:

1. The Evangelist's Introduction, Luke 1:1-4.
2. The human relationships of Jesus, Luke 1:5-2:52.
3. The baptism, ancestry, and testing of Jesus, Luke 3:1-4:13.
4. The ministry of the Son of man as Prophet-King in Galilee, Luke 4:14-9:50.
5. The journey of the Son of man from Galilee to Jerusalem Luke 9:51 to 29:44).
6. The final offer of the Son of man as King to Israel, His rejection and sacrifice, Luke 19:45-23:56.
7. The resurrection, resurrection ministry, and ascension of the Son of Man, Luke 24:1-53.

The events recorded in this book cover a period of 39 years.

Discussion

[1] The name “Luke” is mentioned only three times in the New Testament (Luke was a physician, Colossians 4:14, and a companion of Paul, 2 Timothy 4:11 and Philemon 1:24). Luke is also credited for writing the Book of Acts (compare Luke 1:1-4 with Acts 1:1-3).

[2] Luke traces Christ’s genealogy through Mary up to Adam, the father of the human family (Luke3: 23-38).

[3] Matthew emphasizes that Jesus was born the Messiah. Mark emphasizes that Jesus was the Servant of Jehovah. Luke stresses the fact that Jesus was the perfect Man. John presents the fact that God became a Man.

Matthew presents the Lord Jesus as the Messiah, King, and Redeemer. Mark presents Christ as the mighty Conqueror and Ruler of the world. John presents Christ as the Son of God. Luke presents the perfect, divine Son of God as our great High Priest, touched with the feeling of our infirmities, able to extend help, mercy, and love to us. (Luke, from Thru The Bible Radio with Dr. J. Vernon McGee)

[4] Luke records several songs: Elisabeth’s greeting of Mary (Luke 1:42-45); the Magnificat of Mary (Luke 1: 46-55; compare this with Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10); the prophecy of Zacharias (Luke1: 67-79); Simeon and Anna.

[5] Jesus began His public ministry in His hometown of Nazareth (Luke 4:18-20). He read Isaiah 61:1, 2 (omitting “the day of vengeance of our God”) and announced its fulfillment that very day.

[6] Luke records six miracles not mentioned in the other Gospels.

• The miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:2-11)
• Raising of widow’s son at Nain (Luke 7:11-17)
• Healing a woman with 18 years infirmity (Luke 13:11-17)
• Healing of a man with dropsy (Luke 14:1-6)
• Cleansing of ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19)
• Healing of servant's ear during arrest (Luke 22:50-52)

[7] The story of the beggar Lazarus and the rich man is not a parable but an actual happening (Luke 16:19-31).

[8] Luke records 18 parables not mentioned in the other Gospels.

• Two debtors (Luke 7:41-43)
• Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
• Friend at midnight (Luke 11:5-13)
• Rich fool (Luke 12:16-21)
• Watching servants (Luke 12:35-40)
• Faithful and wise steward (Luke 12:42-48)
• Barren fig tree (Luke 13:6-9)
• Unprepared builder (Luke 14:28-30)
• Dinner guests (Luke 14: 15-24)
• Humbled guest (Luke 14:7-11)
• Feast invitations (Luke 14:12-14)
• King’s war plans (Luke 14:31-33)
• Lost sheep, lost coin, and the prodigal son (Luke 15:4-7; 8-10; 11-32)
• Unjust steward (Luke 16:1-13)
• Servant’s duty (Luke 17:7-10)
• Unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8)
• Pharisee and publican(Luke 18:9-14)
• Ten pounds or minas (Luke 19:11-27)

[9] Luke’s account of Christ talking with the disciples on the road to Emmaus prove that His resurrection was physical and not merely spiritual (Luke 24:13-35; 1 Corinthians 15:44).

Further study (Be like the Bereasn! Acts 17:11)

[1] Luke: Introduction, Outline, and Argument, by Daniel B. Wallace, Th.M., Ph.D. (also available in Croatian)

[2] Materials by Bob Deffinbaugh, Th.M.

• Preface to the Gospel of Luke
• Series Title: Luke: The Gospel of the Gentiles
• From Invisibility to Invincibility (Luke 24:36-53)
• The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:21-28; 1 Samuel 16:1-13; 2 Samuel 7:8-13)

[3] Eyewitness Testimony in Luke’s Gospel, by James M. Arlandson, Ph.D

Sermons on Luke 19:10 (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] The Extent of the Atonement, by Richard E Powell, Fort Caroline Baptist Church

[2] “Zacchaeus, the Little Man With the Big Heart” by Stephen Filyer, Bothwell and Clachan Baptist Churches

[3] The Gospel for the Outcast - Christ's Call to Sinners, by Michael Stark, New Beginnings Baptist Church

[4] The 4 Pillars, and Zaccheus, by Cedric Thomas

[5] The Love For One - O'Grady - 9'2'07, by Ralph Andrus

[6] Changing Your Condition By Changing Your Position, by Daniel P. Thompkins, Jr.

[7] “Religious misunderstandings” by Timothy Ford

[8] Sons of Abraham, by Lim Siew Gaik

[9] Pictures of Faith on the Way to the Cross, by Jason Button

[10] The Day God Came Looking, by William F. Snorgrass

[11] He Came To Bring Salvation. by Clayton Womble

[12] Amazingly Saved, by Rev. William D. Bishop III

For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.