Who Was Luke?
It’s unlikely that students of Scripture are unfamiliar with Luke, the author of the gospel that bears his name, as well as its sequel, the book of Acts. However, although most readers are familiar with his gospel account, not as many are acquainted with the man himself. Therefore, it will be good for us to consider who Luke was, both to encourage us toward godly living and to fix our eyes on Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior whom Luke exalts.
A Careful Scholar
Luke was a careful researcher. Though he was not an eyewitness of Jesus’ life and ministry, “it seemed good to [him] also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account” so that others “may have certainty” of the faith (Luke 1:3–4). Both of his written works (Luke and Acts) display how closely he followed things pertaining to the faith and how diligent he was in recording the words and works of our beloved Savior and Lord.
That Luke was a careful scholar is further demonstrated by his gospel being the longest of the four gospel accounts with information that is not included in the others. The parables of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37), the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32), and the shrewd manager (Luke 16:1–9) are unique to Luke. Jesus’ seeking Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1–10), raising the widow’s son at Nain (Luke 7:11–17), asking God the Father to forgive His enemies (Luke 23:34), and speaking to the criminal on the cross beside Him (Luke 23:43) are also only recorded in Luke’s gospel account. Luke alone begins his gospel narrative by detailing why he is writing, to whom he is writing, and the aim for which he is writing. Furthermore, it is only Luke who writes a continuation of his gospel account in the book of Acts.
A Beloved Physician
Luke was also a beloved physician. In Paul’s final greetings to the Colossian believers, he writes, “Luke the beloved physician greets you” (Col. 4:14). That he was beloved reveals something of his character. That he was a physician reveals something of his intellect. It’s not hard to see how he was able to closely follow the things of Jesus’ life and ministry and carefully compose one of the New Testament Gospels. That he greets the saints in Colossae displays that his circle of influence was broader than his hometown.
Luke was a worshiper of God first and foremost, then a worker for God, and finally a witness to others about God.
A Fellow Worker
Luke was also a fellow worker for the gospel. When Paul writes to Timothy, instructing him to do his best to “come to me soon” (2 Tim. 4:9), he juxtaposes Demas’ desertion with Luke’s loyalty: “Luke alone is with me” (2 Tim. 4:11). In his letter to Philemon, he includes Luke among his fellow workers (Philem. 24). To be a fellow worker alongside Paul was no small sacrifice. At the end of the book of Acts, Luke uses the pronoun “we” numerous times, alerting us to the fact that he sailed for Rome with Paul. This trip included the storm at sea, shipwreck, and stay on Malta (Acts 27–28). How wonderful it must have been for Luke and Paul to enjoy refreshing fellowship with brothers in Puteoli (a port city in southwest Italy) immediately prior to being greeted by their brothers in Rome (Acts 28:13–16).
A Follower of Christ
Luke was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. He was a worshiper of God first and foremost, then a worker for God, and finally a witness to others about God. His “orderly account for . . . most excellent Theophilus” was written so this man could have “certainty” regarding the truth of Christianity (Luke 1:3–4). Luke’s love for Jesus shines forth on every page of his gospel account. He wrote with conviction, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so that all might know that Jesus is the One who has fulfilled everything written about Him “in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms” (Luke 24:44). He is the Christ who died and rose again, so that “repentance for the forgiveness of sins [can and] should be proclaimed in his name to all nations” (Luke 24:47). Luke wrote not as an eyewitness, but as a witness who pointed to Jesus, in whom “all the promises of God find their Yes” (2 Cor. 1:20).
As we consider Luke’s careful biblical scholarship, precision as a beloved physician, loyalty as a fellow worker for the gospel, and fervor as a follower of Christ, may we be encouraged in our own worship, work, and witness. Let us give careful consideration of the truth of Scripture so that we might help others grow in their understanding of the gospel. Let us take up the work God has called us to do in order to benefit those around us. Let us faithfully work alongside fellow believers for the sake of the gospel. And let us joyfully follow Christ in trust and obedience, that others “may see [our] good works and give glory to [our] Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).
