Who Was Luke, and Why Did He Write This Gospel?
Jesus in History, A Historical Reading of Luke: part 1
When you pick up the Gospel of Luke, you’re reading a document that has shaped history for nearly two thousand years. But who exactly was Luke, and what prompted him to carefully record the life and teachings of Jesus?
Luke: Physician, Companion, and Historian
Early church tradition identifies Luke as a physician and companion of the Apostle Paul. In the letter to the Colossians, Paul mentions Luke explicitly, referring to him as “Luke, the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14, ESV). Historical context and style reinforce the idea that Luke was highly educated, likely familiar with Greek historical writing and medical practices common in the first-century Roman world.
Many scholars also believe Luke was a Gentile. In Colossians 4:10–14, Paul distinguishes between Jewish and non-Jewish coworkers. He names Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus as those “of the circumcision,” and then lists others like Epaphras and Luke separately. This omission from the Jewish group has led to the common inference that Luke was likely a Gentile. Early Church Fathers such as Irenaeus and Jerome affirmed Luke’s authorship of the Gospel and Acts. Jerome, in particular, notes that Luke was a physician from Antioch and skilled in Greek writing (Jerome, De Viris Illustribus, Chapter 7).
Luke’s Audience and Intent
Luke addresses his Gospel to a figure named Theophilus, likely a Gentile of high social standing. Scholars debate whether Theophilus was a specific patron or representative of a broader Gentile audience. Historian Justo González argues that Theophilus symbolizes any educated Gentile interested in understanding Christianity within its historical and cultural framework (González, “The Story of Christianity,” 2010).
In Luke’s prologue (Luke 1:1-4), he explicitly states his intent to offer a carefully researched, orderly account of Jesus’ life. His emphasis on thorough investigation and eyewitness testimony underscores Luke’s commitment to historical accuracy, reflecting common practices of Greek historians like Herodotus and Thucydides, who prioritized credible sourcing and factual reliability.
Historical Methodology
Luke sets himself apart by grounding Jesus’ narrative within verifiable historical events. His detailed references to historical figures such as Herod the Great, Caesar Augustus, and Pontius Pilate indicate his intent to firmly root his account in history. Archaeologist and historian Craig Evans highlights Luke’s accuracy regarding historical persons, places, and customs as evidence of his careful research methods (Evans, “Jesus and His World,” 2013).
For example, Luke’s precise dating of John the Baptist’s ministry, “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar” (Luke 3:1), aligns closely with Roman historical records. Historian F.F. Bruce praised Luke as a “historian of the first rank,” underscoring his consistent attention to detail and factual correctness (Bruce, “The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable?” 2003).
Luke’s Distinct Emphases
Beyond historical rigor, Luke’s Gospel uniquely highlights social issues and marginalized groups. He consistently features women, Gentiles, and the poor more prominently than other Gospel writers. Scholar Amy-Jill Levine points out that Luke’s attention to these groups reflects broader Greco-Roman social dynamics and indicates Luke’s intention to present Jesus as a universal savior whose message transcends cultural and ethnic barriers (Levine, “Short Stories by Jesus,” 2014).
Why Does This Matter?
Understanding who Luke was and why he wrote this Gospel helps us appreciate the layers of depth and intention behind his words. Luke wasn’t simply narrating events, he was making a case for the historical reality of Jesus and the universal relevance of His teachings. As we explore Luke through this historical lens, we gain clarity on the cultural forces shaping the Gospel’s narrative.
In the weeks ahead, we’ll continue exploring Luke’s careful placement of Jesus within historical context, enhancing our understanding of the world Jesus inhabited and the revolutionary nature of His message.
Curious about the world Jesus lived in? If you’re following along with my Luke study and want to better understand the political, cultural, and religious landscape of the first century, I created a historical reference guide just for that.
It’s a deep dive into the setting of Luke’s Gospel to help bring the text to life.
You can read it here:
Bookmark it for quick access anytime questions come up.
Sources Cited:
Jerome, De Viris Illustribus, Chapter 7
González, Justo L., “The Story of Christianity,” HarperOne, 2010.
Evans, Craig, “Jesus and His World,” Westminster John Knox Press, 2013.
Bruce, F.F., “The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable?” Eerdmans, 2003.
Levine, Amy-Jill, “Short Stories by Jesus,” HarperOne, 2014.