Luke Writes His Gospel and Acts

85 CE (approximate)

In the 80s CE, a Gentile physician and companion of Paul composed the longest contribution to the New Testament—a two-volume work tracing God’s redemptive plan from Jesus’s conception to Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. Luke’s Gospel and Acts together tell a unified story: how God’s salvation, promised to Israel, extended through Jesus and the Spirit-empowered church to “the ends of the earth.” Written with literary sophistication for a Greco-Roman audience, Luke-Acts bridges cultures while emphasizing God’s care for the marginalized—women, the poor, outcasts, and Gentiles.

The author:

Church tradition unanimously identifies the author as Luke, “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14) and Paul’s companion (Philemon 24, 2 Timothy 4:11). Evidence supporting this:

“We” passages in Acts: The narrative shifts to first person plural during Paul’s journeys (Acts 16:10-17, 20:5-15, 21:1-18, 27:1-28:16), suggesting the author traveled with Paul

Medical language: The Gospel and Acts use medical terminology, fitting a physician author

Gentile perspective: Luke alone among Gospel writers was likely a Gentile (Colossians 4:11-14 distinguishes him from “those of the circumcision”)

Companion of Paul: Luke had access to Paul’s theology and travels, evident throughout Acts

Luke doesn’t claim to be an eyewitness of Jesus’s ministry. His prologue states: “I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning… so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:3-4). He’s a careful researcher compiling testimony.

Most scholars date Luke-Acts to 80-90 CE, after Mark (used as source) and possibly after Matthew. Some conservative scholars prefer early 60s (before Paul’s death), but the later date better fits the Gospel’s development of Mark’s themes and perspective on Jerusalem’s destruction.

The stated purpose:

Both volumes are dedicated to “most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3, Acts 1:1)—either a specific patron or representative of Gentile “God-fearers” interested in Christianity. Luke writes “so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”

His purpose: demonstrate Christianity’s legitimacy and universality—rooted in Judaism’s promises, authenticated by eyewitnesses, spread by the Holy Spirit, and destined for all peoples.

Gospel of Luke—Content and structure:

Luke’s Gospel is the longest Gospel (24 chapters) and most literary, with elegant Greek. Its structure:

Prologue (1:1-4): Formal dedication to Theophilus, explaining methodology

Infancy narratives (1-2): Annunciations and births of John and Jesus; detailed birth narrative, shepherds, temple presentation, boy Jesus in temple

Galilean ministry (3:1-9:50): Baptism, temptation, teaching, miracles, calling disciples

Journey to Jerusalem (9:51-19:27): Extended travel narrative with distinctive parables and teachings

Jerusalem ministry (19:28-21:38): Entry, temple cleansing, confrontations, apocalyptic discourse

Passion and resurrection (22-24): Last Supper, arrest, trials, crucifixion, resurrection appearances, ascension

Gospel of Luke—Distinctive features:

Birth narrative: Most detailed Christmas story—Mary’s Magnificat, shepherds, angels singing “Glory to God in the highest”

Historical anchoring: Dates events by political rulers (1:5, 2:1-2, 3:1-2)—tying salvation history to world history

Women prominently featured: Mary, Elizabeth, Anna, widow of Nain, sinful woman who anoints Jesus, Mary and Martha, women who support Jesus’s ministry, women at the cross and tomb

Prayer emphasis: Jesus prays at baptism, before choosing disciples, in Gethsemane, on the cross; parables about persistent prayer

Holy Spirit’s role: More references to the Spirit than other Synoptics—Spirit empowers Jesus and directs the church

Concern for the poor and marginalized: Beatitudes address “you who are poor” (not Matthew’s “poor in spirit”); woes to the rich; parables of Good Samaritan, Rich Man and Lazarus, Lost Sheep/Coin/Son

Unique parables: Good Samaritan (10:25-37), Rich Fool (12:13-21), Prodigal Son (15:11-32), Rich Man and Lazarus (16:19-31), Pharisee and Tax Collector (18:9-14)

Journey narrative (9:51-19:27): Extended section unique to Luke, with Jesus “resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (9:51)—teaching disciples as he travels toward his destiny

Joyful tone: More references to joy, gladness, and praise than other Gospels; Gospel begins and ends in temple with worship

Compassion of Jesus: Emphasizes Jesus’s mercy—forgives from cross (“Father, forgive them”), raises widow’s only son, heals ten lepers, restores Malchus’s ear

Acts of the Apostles—Content and structure:

Acts continues the story, showing how Jesus’s mission expands from Jerusalem to Rome. Its structure parallels Jesus’s commission: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Jerusalem (1-7): Ascension, Pentecost, early church, Peter’s leadership, Stephen’s martyrdom

Judea and Samaria (8-12): Philip in Samaria, Ethiopian eunuch, Paul’s conversion, Peter and Cornelius, Antioch church, persecution under Herod

To the ends of the earth (13-28): Paul’s three missionary journeys, Jerusalem council, arrest in Jerusalem, trials, voyage to Rome, Roman imprisonment

Acts—Distinctive features:

Holy Spirit’s activity: Acts is the “Acts of the Holy Spirit”—the Spirit directs, empowers, guides the church

Speeches: About one-third of Acts consists of speeches (Peter, Stephen, Paul)—proclaiming the gospel, defending the faith, addressing Jews and Gentiles

Geographic progression: From Jerusalem (Judaism’s center) to Rome (empire’s center)—showing Christianity’s universal scope

Parallel structures: Peter’s ministry (chapters 1-12) parallels Paul’s (chapters 13-28)—both heal, face opposition, escape prison, proclaim Jesus to Jews and Gentiles

Gentile inclusion: Central theme—from Pentecost’s polyglot miracle through Cornelius’s conversion to Paul’s Gentile mission, God brings all peoples into His family

Opposition and providence: Believers face persecution, imprisonment, shipwreck—yet God’s word advances, the church grows, nothing stops the gospel

“We” passages: Eyewitness participation in Paul’s later journeys

Apologetic elements: Shows Christianity as politically harmless—Roman officials repeatedly find no fault in Christians (Gallio, Felix, Festus, Agrippa)

Major theological themes:

Salvation history: Luke-Acts presents God’s unfolding plan—promised in Old Testament, accomplished in Jesus, extended through the church

Universality: Salvation reaches all—Jews and Gentiles, men and women, rich and poor, insiders and outcasts

Reversal: Mary’s Magnificat sets the tone—God “has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble” (Luke 1:52); first are last, last are first

Journey motif: Jesus journeys to Jerusalem (Luke); gospel journeys to Rome (Acts)—mission and movement characterize God’s work

Witness: Disciples are “witnesses” who testify to what they’ve seen—from Jerusalem to Rome, proclamation spreads

Holy Spirit: The same Spirit who empowered Jesus (Luke 4:1, 18) empowers the church (Acts 2)—continuity between Jesus’s ministry and the church’s mission

God’s faithfulness: Despite rejection, persecution, apparent setbacks, God’s promises are fulfilled—Israel’s Messiah brings salvation to the nations

Literary sophistication:

Luke writes with:

Classical Greek style: More polished than Mark, approaching Hellenistic literary standards
Historical conventions: Prefaces, dating by rulers, geographic precision
Narrative artistry: Parallel accounts, dramatic scenes, vivid characterizations
Thematic unity: Recurring motifs link the two volumes
Apologetic purposes: Presents Christianity as legitimate heir to Israel’s promises, politically harmless movement

Use of sources:

Luke acknowledges using sources (Luke 1:1-3):

Mark’s Gospel: About 50% of Mark appears in Luke
Q source: Material shared with Matthew (possibly written or oral traditions)
L (Luke’s special source): Unique material, possibly from eyewitnesses in Jerusalem
Pauline tradition: Theological influence and travel accounts in Acts

Historical reliability:

Luke’s historical references are generally accurate:

Correct titles for officials (proconsul, politarchs, etc.)
Accurate geography and travel details
Confirmed archaeological finds

However, some tensions exist:

Census details (Luke 2:1-2) are historically problematic
Some Acts speeches may be Luke’s compositions following historical conventions
Chronology occasionally differs from Paul’s letters

Most scholars recognize Luke as a reliable historian by ancient standards, though not modern journalistic standards. He selects and shapes material for theological purposes while maintaining historical grounding.

Canonical status:

Both Luke and Acts were quickly recognized as authoritative. The Muratorian Canon (late 2nd century) includes both. Irenaeus confirms Luke’s authorship and apostolic authority (through connection to Paul).

Significance:

Bridge to Gentile world: Luke made Christianity comprehensible and compelling for non-Jewish audiences

Women’s dignity: Highlighted women’s roles more than any other Gospel—counter-cultural in ancient world

Social justice: Emphasized God’s concern for the poor, oppressed, and marginalized—inspiring liberation theology and social reform movements

Holy Spirit’s role: Established pneumatology—understanding how the Spirit continues Jesus’s work through the church

Missionary vision: Acts provided theological foundation and practical model for Christian mission

Apologetic value: Showed Christianity as politically harmless, historically rooted, divinely directed movement

Historical continuity: Connected Jesus to Israel’s story and the church to Jesus—demonstrating one continuous salvation history

Legacy:

Luke’s birth narrative defines Christmas: shepherds, manger, angels singing. His parables—Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son—are universally known. Acts provides the only account of the early church’s expansion, preserving memories of Pentecost, Stephen’s martyrdom, Paul’s conversion, and the Jerusalem Council.

The physician who traveled with Paul gave Christianity its most comprehensive historical account. Through Luke’s two volumes, believers see:

Gospel: Jesus brings God’s salvation to all, especially the lowly and lost
Acts: The church, empowered by the Spirit, carries that salvation to the world’s ends

Luke’s Jesus says, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). His history demonstrates how that mission expanded from a manger in Bethlehem to a prison in Rome—and continues still, wherever witnesses proclaim: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

The Gospel of outsiders, written by an outsider, for outsiders—showing that in God’s kingdom, no one is outside the reach of His grace.