Luke's Gospel

Luke's account is the third of the trilogy of synoptic gospels, portraying Jesus' humanity to a Greek readership. A Gentile and physician by profession, Luke is regarded by Bible scholars as a first class historian by his meticulous record of details in his gospel narrative, as well as the book of Acts.

A constant companion of Paul throughout his second and third missionary journeys, Luke had ample opportunities to interact with and listen to firsthand accounts from surviving witnesses, including Jesus' very own disciples in Jerusalem, and also when Paul delivered the relief fund and presented his reports to the apostolic council.

Luke is the longest among the four gospel narratives and is considered the most thorough and complete. Together with Acts, Luke's writings make up one-third of the New Testament which, next to Paul's epistles (which also form a third of the NT), are remarkably powerful and influential coming from the pen of a non-Jew. As a Greek literate, he would no doubt be familiar with the Hellenistic philosophies and works of Plato, Socrates and Aristotle.

Ancient Greek culture and society espouse an ideal devoted to excellence and perfection—Utopia, and what a perfect human might be. This could be the reason why Luke uses the title 'Son of Man' on Jesus Christ, and wrote his gospel in a persuasive style not unlike many Greek literature to engage his readers. But instead of the legends and mysteries ascribed to the gods and heroes of Greek mythologies, Luke gives a very factual and verifiable account of the Son of God veiled in human flesh, in the most down-to-earth encounters of ordinary daily life, as One Who was seen, heard, touched, and even loved like no other human before or ever will.

19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

OUTLINE OF LUKE

1. Introduction of the Son of Man (1:1-4:13)
        a. Events preceding His Birth (1:1-56)
        b. Events accompanying His Birth (1:57-2:38)
        c. Events in His Early Years (2:39-52)
        d. Events before His Public Ministry (3:1-4:13)
2. Ministry of the Son of Man (4:14-9:50)
        a. Acceptance and Rejection (4:14-30)
        b. Demonstration of Power (4:31-5:28)
        c. Public and Private Teachings (5:29-6:49)
        d. Miracles and Parables (7:1-8:56)
        e. Equipping the Disciples (9:1-50)
3. Rejection of the Son of Man (9:51-19:27)
        a. Mission and Prayer (9:51-11:13)
        b. Encounters with Religious Leaders (11:14-54)
        c. Warnings (12:1-59)
        Hypocrisy | Covetousness | Second Coming
        Cost of Discipleship | Discerning the Times
        d. Teachings (13:1-18:30)
        Kingdom of Heaven | Sabbath | Discipleship
        Repentance | Stewardship | Second Coming
        Prayer | Giving to the Poor
        e. Nearing the end of His Ministry (18:31-19:27)
4. Final Week of the Son of Man (19:28-23:56)
        a. Triumphal Entry (19:28-48)
        b. Public Ministry (20:1-21:4)
        c. Olivet Discourse (21:5-22:6)
        d. Passover and Arrest (22:7-53)
        e. Trials, Crucifixion and Burial (22:54-23:56)
5. Authentication of the Son of Man (24:1-53)
        a. Resurrection (24:1-12)
        b. Emmaus Road Encounter (24:13-32)
        c. Appearance, Commission, Ascension (24:33-53)