A Summary of the Book of Luke | GotQuestions.org

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In today's video we're going to survey and briefly summarize the book of Luke. Then afterward, as always,

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I'll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end. As for the author, the

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Gospel of Luke does not identify its author. From Luke 1 -4 and Acts 1 -3, it is clear that the same author wrote both

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Luke and Acts, addressing both to most excellent theophilus, possibly a Roman dignitary.

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The tradition from the earliest days of the Church has been that Luke, a physician and a close companion of the

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Apostle Paul, wrote both Luke and Acts. This would make Luke the only Gentile to pen any books of Scripture.

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As for the date of writing, the Gospel of Luke was likely written between AD 58 -65.

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Now for the purpose of writing. As with the other two synoptic Gospels, Matthew and Mark, this book's purpose is to reveal the

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Lord Jesus Christ and all He began to do and to teach until the day He was taken up to heaven,

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Acts 1 -1 -2. The Gospel of Luke is unique in that it is a meticulous history and orderly account consistent with Luke's medical mind, often giving details the other accounts omit.

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Luke's history of the life of the great physician emphasizes his ministry to and compassion for Gentiles, Samaritans, women, children, tax collectors, sinners, and others regarded as outcasts in Israel.

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Here are a few key verses. Luke 2, verses 4 -7, So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

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He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him, and was expecting a child.

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While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.

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She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

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Luke 3, verse 16, John answered them all, I baptize you with water, but one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whom sandals

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I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

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Luke 4, verses 18 -19, 21 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

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He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the

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Lord's favor. Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. Luke 18, verses 31 -33

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Jesus took the twelve aside and told them, We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the

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Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock Him, insult

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Him, spit on Him, flog Him, and kill Him. On the third day He will rise again.

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Luke 23, verses 33 -34 When they came to the place called the

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Skull, there they crucified Him, along with the criminals, one on His right, the other on His left.

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Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 24, verses 1 -3

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On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.

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They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

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Now for a brief summary. Called the most beautiful book ever written, the Gospel of Luke begins by telling us about Jesus' parents, the birth of His cousin,

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John the Baptist, Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, where Jesus is born in a manger, and the genealogy of Christ through Mary.

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Jesus' public ministry reveals His perfect compassion and forgiveness through the stories of the prodigal son, the rich man and Lazarus, and the

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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.

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Christ's followers are encouraged to count to the cost of discipleship, while His enemies seek His death on the cross.

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Finally, Jesus is betrayed, tried, sentenced, and crucified, but the grave cannot hold

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Him. His resurrection assures the continuation of His ministry of seeking and saving the lost.

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As for connections, since Luke was a Gentile, his references to the Old Testament are relatively few compared to those in Matthew's Gospel, and most of the

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Old Testament references are in the words spoken by Jesus, rather than in Luke's narration. Jesus used the

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Old Testament to defend against Satan's attacks, answering him with, It is written in Luke 4, verses 1–13.

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To identify Himself as the promised Messiah in Luke 4, verses 17–21.

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To remind the Pharisees of their inability to keep the law and their need of a Savior in Luke 10, verses 25–28 and 18, verses 18–27.

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And to confound their learning when they tried to trap Him and trick Him in Luke 20. Here's some practical application.

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The Gospel of Luke gives us a beautiful portrait of our compassionate Savior. Jesus was not turned off by the poor and the needy—in fact, they were a primary focus of His ministry.

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Israel at the time of Jesus was a very class -conscious society. The weak and downtrodden were literally powerless to improve their lot in life and were especially open to the message that the kingdom of God is near you,

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Luke 10, verse 9. This is a message we must carry to those around us who desperately need to hear it.

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Even in comparatively wealthy countries—perhaps especially so—the spiritual need is dire.

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Christians must follow the example of Jesus and bring the good news of salvation to the spiritually poor and needy.

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The kingdom of God is near, and the time grows shorter every day. Want to learn more?

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Subscribe so you don't miss the next video! Visit GotQuestions .org for more great content. And check out the details section below this video, there you'll find one book

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I read and one book I recommend, along with links to several related questions. If you'd like to learn about Bible Munch, or if you're interested in Bite -sized devotionals, subscribe to Bible Munch on YouTube, it's linked right here.