In our Wednesday evening Bible Study we are working our way through the resurrection accounts. There are 3 goals in this study: (1) to gain a better understanding of what the Bible teaches about the resurrection; (2) to gain a better understanding of what the resurrection means for Christians today; (3) to be able to better defend the doctrine of the resurrection.
We have made it through Matthew’s (Matthew 27-28) account and this week we will finish up our study of Mark’s account (Mark 16). Then we will dive into Luke’s account (Luke 24). So it is good to have a basic understanding of who Luke was.
Little is known about Luke, the divinely inspired (2 Timothy 3:16) author of the books of Luke and Acts in the Bible. We do know he was a physician (Colossians 4:14). We know he was a traveling companion, a co-worker, and a friend of the apostle Paul and was with Paul near the end of Paul’s life (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:11). Luke is believed to be the only Gentile to write any part of the New Testament. Paul’s letter to the Colossians draws a distinction between Luke and other colleagues “of the circumcision,” meaning the Jews (Colossians 4:11). Luke is the only New Testament writer clearly identifiable as a Gentile.
Luke was the divinely inspired author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. Luke does not name himself in either of his books, but Paul mentions him by name in three epistles. Both Luke and Acts are addressed to the same person, Theophilus (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1). No one knows exactly who Theophilus was, but we know that Luke’s purpose in writing the two companion books was so that Theophilus would know with certainty about the person and work of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:4). Perhaps Theophilus had already received the basics Christianity but had not as yet been completely grounded in them. Luke was a close friend of Paul, who referred to him as “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14-NASB). Perhaps Luke’s interest in medicine is the reason his gospel gives such a high profile to Jesus’ acts of healing.
Paul also refers to Luke as a “fellow worker” (Philemon 1:24). Luke joined Paul in Troas in Asia Minor during Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 16:6-11). Some scholars speculate that Luke was the “man of Macedonia” whom Paul saw in his dream (Acts 16:9). Luke accompanied Paul on his journey to Jerusalem and Rome and was with him during his imprisonment there (2 Timothy 4:11). Luke’s vivid description of his travels with Paul in Acts 27 seems to indicate that he was well-traveled and well-versed in navigation. Scholars have noted that Luke had an outstanding command of the Greek language. His vocabulary is extensive and rich, and his style at times approaches that of classical Greek (Luke 1:1-4).
At other times Luke’s style seems quite Semitic (Luke 1:5-2:52). He was familiar with sailing and had a special love for recording geographical details. All this would indicate that Luke was a well-educated, observant, and careful writer. Biblical scholars disagree about the circumstances of Luke’s death. Most Catholic scholars contend that he died a natural death at the age of 84 in Greece, while many Orthodox scholars assert that he was martyred after the death of Paul.Luke 24 gives us Luke’s account of the resurrection and the events that followed until Jesus was taken up to heaven. Luke describes how Jesus’ followers learned of His resurrection. The theme of Luke 24 is the fulfillment of prophecy from Jesus and the Old Testament prophets.