The Book of the Gospel – 3

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The third book in the New Testament is the third of the gospel accounts, simply known as “The Gospel According to Luke.” And though the author does not give his name, like so many books in the Bible, there is abundant historical evidence to prove that it was the one to whom it is ascribed, Luke. He is the only one listed by the earliest of writers as the author, and the earliest lists of New Testament books, like the Muratorian Canon (A.D. 170) refer to this as “the third book of the gospel, according to Luke, the well known physician.” Paul, too, in Colossians 4:14 refers to him as “Luke, the beloved physician…” confirming his identity.

Paul’s familiarity with Luke, though, would be grounded in much more than just a casual acquaintance. In Paul’s final address from his Roman prison he referred to the fact that “only Luke is with me” (II Timothy 4:11), indirectly stating the fact that Luke was apparently a common fellow worker with Paul in his travels. This is confirmed even further by the inclusion of such words as “we” and “us” in reference to Paul’s travels recorded in Acts, also believed to have been written by Luke. And though he was a fervent servant of God and successful evangelist in the kingdom, Luke was not an apostle, and thus not an eyewitness of all things recorded in this book. The only conclusion, then, that can be reached as to why it is so perfectly united with the other of the accounts is that it too was inspired of God (II Timothy 3:16).

As Matthew wrote his account to the Jews to prove to them the Messiah-ship of Jesus, and as Mark wrote his account to the Romans to prove to them the Son-ship of Jesus, Luke’s account is believed to have been written primarily to the Greeks to prove to them the perfection of Jesus. Dunn recorded,

“While the Romans sought to conquer humanity, the mission of the Greeks was to perfect humanity. They looked for the ideal man, who would be representative of the whole human race. They idealized human reason, beauty, and truth. They made all of their gods after some form of their idea of perfect humanity. Luke appealed to them by representing Jesus as the ideal, universal man, the perfect expression of reason, beauty, and truth.”

In Luke 2:52, it is stated, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” The rest of the book is set out to prove the degree of perfection with which He increased as He “is portrayed as the highest in social, physical, mental, and spiritual attainment” (Dunn).

Luke is set apart from the other of the accounts in several ways. First, Luke gives the most complete and detailed account of the events leading up to Christ’s birth, including full accounts of the foretelling of John the Baptist’s birth, the foretelling of Christ’s birth, John’s actual birth, and then Jesus’ actual birth. Second, Luke is the only writer to include details from the boyhood of Jesus as he records His time in the temple at the age of twelve conversing with the doctors. Third, much of the information recorded between chapters nine and nineteen (referred to as His Perean ministry) is peculiar to Luke, including various teachings and events in His life.

Another outstanding quality of this particular gospel account is its beauty and precision Luke is known for using skillful medical terminology as well as the highest of literary styles. His record of Calvary is so vivid and filled with imagery that it is as though by reading it you yourself are transported to that scene and are seeing it with your own eyes. Of Luke’s account it is suggested that it is the most versatile in style and language and that he has a great command not only of the Greek but likewise of Hebrew phrases and constructions (Plummer).

Finally, the stated purpose of Luke’s account reveals the intentions as to why it was written at all and as to why it was written by Luke in particular. He recorded:

“Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us. Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed” (Luke 1:1-4).

Thus, Luke states that he wrote intending to with certainty give an orderly record of those things in which they already believed, but in order to strengthen their faith, particularly that of one named Theophilus (“lover of God” or “friend of God”). However, by his writing not only did Luke strengthen just the faith of Theophilus, and not only was an adequate record provided to the Greeks to prove the perfection of Jesus, but likewise has a book been inscribed by inspiration that has stirred faith in many and provided hope in us all.

-Andy Brewer

1 thought on “The Book of the Gospel – 3”

  1. Did Paul ever quote Luke’s gospel, or ever tell any historical details – any miracles, or words of the Lord, any specific event in any specific time and place – from Luke?

    What is the earliest attestation of Luke?
    What is the earliest extant manuscript of Luke?
    Did Luke copy Mark at all?
    Did Luke use Q at all?

    I’ve read that way back into earliest recorded history Pagan gods spoke to people by sending down messengers from the sky. In Luke 1, did God send a messenger down from the sky? Is this evidence of Christianity being influenced by Pagan ideas?

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