The Gospel According to Luke

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Overview of the Book

The Gospel according to Luke is the longest gospel among the four gospels in the Bible. If we read the gospel from beginning till the end, we can get an overall understanding about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ from His birth until His ascension to heaven. The gospel is very distinct in its presentation and perspective because it gives its readers a trustworthy collection of information regarding the birth, life, ministry, arrest, trials, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. The very first four verses (Luke 1:1-4) reveal why the messages recorded in this gospel are trustworthy. There are several examples to point these out from an external perspective as well as from an internal perspective. However, below mentioned are a few factors which emerge from Luke 1:1-4.

  • Firstly, the matters and messages recorded in this gospel by the author (Luke) are already fulfilled and happened in the past [the life and ministry of Jesus Christ] (Luke 1:1);
  • Secondly, the author (Luke) states that what has been written in the gospel is handed down by the eyewitnesses of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:2a);
  • Thirdly, the message has been handed down by the servants of the word in addition to the eyewitnesses (Luke 1:2b);
  • Fourthly, the author affirms that he himself investigated and examined the facts about the message he received from the eye-witnesses and the servants of the Word, prior to passing these messages on to others (Luke 1:3)
  • Fifthly, the gospel is written in a systematic manner from Jesus’ birth, life, ministry, arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, commissioning of His disciples for the mission work, and accession to Heaven (Luke 1:4)

Luke specifically noted that God’s plan for human salvation was accomplished through the life, ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus (Luke 22:39-24:8). Jesus Himself affirmed that everything written about Him in the Old Testament is about to be fulfilled (prophecy from Isaiah 61:1-2 [58:6], fulfilled in Luke 4:18-19; Jesus’ prediction in Luke 18:31-33, fulfilled in Luke 22:39-24:8; Isaiah 53:12 fulfilled in Luke 22:37; Luke 24:26-27). Jesus said to His disciples, This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms (Luke 24:44).

Luke’s gospel (along with his other writing – the Acts of the Apostles) not only agrees with what the other gospels (the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John) record about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, but goes beyond to give its readers a clear picture of God’s overall historical purpose and the role of the church within it. The Old Testament includes God’s plan of blessing all the nations of the earth through one nation, that is, the nation of Israel (Genesis 12:1-4; 22:17-18; Galatians 3:7-9). In order to accomplish that purpose, God had chosen the Israelites and separated them as a holy nation, a kingdom of priests, a special people, and treasured possession unto Himself (Exodus 19:6; Deuteronomy 7:6). However, they failed as a nation in this matter due to their rebellion and disobedience of God commands. Therefore, Christ incarnated in the form of a human being and came in to this world to fulfill what God desired for the nations of the earth – to bless all the nations (Genesis 3:15; Deuteronomy 18:15-19). Thus, Jesus came in to this world to fulfill what God desired in the Old Testament (Matthew 28:18-20; Revelation 7:9-11). Luke’s gospel narrates the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and Acts of the Apostles narrates the life and ministry of the New Testament Church. Thus, the purpose of Christ’s coming would be fulfilled. We can notice that in the place of the nation of Israel, God chose the Church to be a blessing to all the peoples of the earth. In nutshell, the Church became an instrument in the hands of God to bring His blessings to all the nations of the earth. Consequently, the Old Testament Era ended with the ministry of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-25; 3:1-20); and the New Testament Era began with the ministry of Jesus Christ (Luke 4:14-21).

Authorship of the Book

Christian tradition identifies Luke as the author of this book. It is believed that he was from Antioch, which is one of the prominent Roman Colonies in the Syrian region. His profession as a physician (Colossians 4:14) reveals that he was an educated person. His writings highlight that he was well aquatinted with Roman political situations and he was very familiar with Greek culture. Also, we can understand that, as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, he became well-versed with the Jewish religious laws and traditions. Acts 16:10 shows that Luke joined Apostle Paul during his missionary journeys and remained with him as a loyal friend until the last moments in Paul’s life. 2 Timothy 4:11 (also refer Philemon verse 24) states that only Luke was with Apostle Paul during his imprisonment in Roman prison while everyone else had deserted him. From this we can understand that Luke was considered as one of the faithful ministry associates of Apostle Paul.

We can also assume that Luke was not counted among Jesus’ disciples while He was on earth. However, Luke acknowledges that the information included in his gospel was received from the eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life and ministry (Luke 1:2). One thing is sure, he received the message through the eye-witnesses as well as through revelation, and his close association with Apostle Paul, who personally received the revelation from Jesus. Below mentioned are a few biblical evidences that support Luke as the author of the gospel.

The gospel is addressed to Theophilus: Two Biblical books were addressed to Theophilus and they are the gospel according to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. It is believed that Luke wrote the gospel according to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles as one project but as Part One and Part Two. Later, Part One that focuses on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ was separated and counted along with the gospels as ‘The Gospel According to Luke.’ And Part Two which focuses on the events that occurred after the ascension of Christ, which includes the coming of the Holy Spirit, the beginning, establishment, and expansion of the New Testament Church and the ministry of the Apostles during their life time.

  • The author’s connection to the Eye-witnesses of Jesus’ life and ministry: The author might have had close association with the apostles and other disciples who were the eye-witnesses of Jesus’ life and ministry (Luke 1:2). The gospel of Luke included two of very important parables – the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), and the Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32), which we do not read in any other gospels.
  • The Gospel includes Jesus’ Ministry not only among the Jews but also beyond the borders of Jewish territory and among the neglected groups in society: Jesus’ ministry in the regions of Tyre and Sidon is the best example of Jesus ministering beyond the Jewish borders (Luke 6:17).
  • The gospel emphasizes much more on physical healing: Being a physician [medical doctor] (Colossians 4:14), Luke focused much on physical healing and the best examples for these are Peter’s Mother-in-law who suffered with high fever (Luke 4:38); and a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body (Luke 14:2).
  • The use of academic and advanced level of the Greek language, and the literary style point out that the gospel is written by a highly learned person: By profession Luke was a physician (medical doctor), which means he was a highly educated person.

Bible scholars, historians, and theologians from the first century until now were not able to present any specific evidence to attribute the authorship of the gospel according to Luke to a particular writer. However, in the light of the above-mentioned-matters, despite all other arguments, we can come to a conclusion that the gospel according to Luke is written by Luke, the physician.

The Recipients of the Gospel

The key purpose of the gospel according Luke is to give its readers a detailed account of Jesus’ life and ministry from the point of view of eye-witnesses. Luke 1:3 states that the gospel is addressed to the most excellent Theophilus. The name Theophilus means: ‘friend of God’ or ‘beloved of God.’ However, it is hard to identify who this person is. Theophilus could be a person or a title given to a person who is ardently following God. Many Bible Scholars believe that this gospel was written mainly for Gentile readers, at the same time the gospel is also aimed at Jewish readers. The reasons for this are that the gospel according Luke emphasizes much on both the Hellenistic culture as well as the Jewish culture. In addition to this, Roman political context, the Jewish Religious context, and the Grecian cultural context are all evident in the gospel. For these reasons many believe that the gospel was written while Luke was either in Antioch or one of the cities in Asia Minor, such as Ephesus or Smyrna. Antioch, the then capital of the Roman province of Syria, was the seat of Hellenistic culture. At the same time, Antioch was the center of Christian faith in the Gentile world because the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (Acts 11:26). From all that we have discussed here, we can come to a conclusion that the Gospel According to Luke is written predominantly for the believers who have come from the Gentile world, then for the Diaspora Jewish readers, and also for everyone who would want to follow Jesus Christ.

Date and Place of Writing

Regarding the date of writing, the gospel according to Luke is not very specific. What we can understand is that when Luke finished writing the Acts of the Apostles, Apostle Paul was in Roman custody (prison) in Rome (Acts 28:16, 30-31). It is believed that Luke might have started writing Acts of the Apostle as early as AD 60 and completed it sometime between AD 70-80. With this in mind, it is possible that the gospel according to Luke must have been written prior to that of the Acts of the Apostles. In the light of this, we can agree with most Bible scholars that the gospel according to Luke is written sometime between AD 58-62. In fact, it does not matter when the gospel is actually written, what matters here is that the accuracy of the content it brings forth to its readers. The gospel is the result of the revelation of God, inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and based on the eye-witnesses’ testimony. The gospel is accepted by the Church Fathers and set apart as Canonical and of divine origin.

The place of writing of the gospel according to Luke is also disputed among Bible historians and scholars. The gospel begins with the Old Testament pattern of religious activities and enters in to the beginning of the New Testament pattern of religious activity. So, it is visible that the gospel connected with both the Old Testament and the New Testament with the birth of Christ. The Old Testament prophecy regarding the birth of Christ is fulfilled in the New Testament with the birth, life, and ministry of Jesus Christ. Since Luke accompanied Apostle Paul during his missionary journeys, it could have been written from a place anywhere between Jerusalem and Rome. The gospel reflects the Jewish religious context, the Roman political context, and the Grecian cultural context. In the light of all these, we can come to a conclusion in this regard that Luke must have been either in Antioch or in one of the cities in Asia Minor, such as Ephesus or Smyrna at the time of writing. Antioch, the then capital of the Roman province of Syria, was the seat of Hellenistic culture. At the same time, Antioch was the center of Christian faith in the Gentile world because the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (Acts 11:26). So, most probably, the gospel was written while Luke was in one of these cities: Antioch, Smyrna, or Ephesus.

Underlying Messages in the Gospel of Luke

  • The election of the children of Israel as God’s possession (Luke 3:23-34)
  • The Place of the Israelites, as His chosen nation, in the plan of God (Luke 2:25-38)
  • God’s Promise of salvation through Jesus Christ for the nation of Israel (Luke 1:65-75)
  • God’s Promise of salvation extended to the world through the heir of the nation of Israel – Jesus Christ (Luke 2:29-32)

What makes the Gospel of Luke unique?

There are several factors that makes the Gospel According to Luke a very unique gospel among the New Testament writings, particularly among the gospels including the Synoptic gospels. Below mentioned are a few among many special qualities, so that we may understand its uniqueness:

  • Luke’s gospel is the longest gospel among the New Testament gospels: Although Gospel according Matthew has more chapters (28) than the gospel according to Luke (24), the overall content of writing (words) is more in Gospel according to Luke than in Matthew.
  • The gospel according to Luke is the longest book in the New Testament: Although both the gospel according to Matthew and Acts of the Apostles have Twenty-Eight (28) chapters each and Luke has only Twenty-Four (24) chapters, based on the overall number of verses and words, the gospel according to Luke is larger than the other two (Luke – 24 Chapters/1151 Verses; Matthew – 28 Chapters/1071 Verses; and Acts – 28 Chapters/1006 Verses).
  • The gospel according to Luke is the only gospel that continues the Mission of Jesus in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. The gospel according to Luke begins with the birth, life, and ministry of Jesus Christ, and ends with His suffering, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to heaven; whereas the Acts of the Apostles begins with the coming of the Holy Spirit (as Jesus promised John14:15-31) and ends with the well established New Testament churches in the First century. In fact, the gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are like a one volume book. It’s as if the Acts of the Apostles begins as the next chapter of the gospel according Luke.
  • The Gospel according to Luke is the only book that is written by a Gentile convert. Most probably, Luke was born and raised as a Gentile but later became a follower of Jesus Christ and joined the apostles and early Christians. Luke was one of the most trusted ministry companions of Apostle Paul.
  • Luke’s Gospel portrays Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, God incarnate, and the Savior of Mankind. Jesus is the hope of the hopeless and helpless; the oppressed and downtrodden.

The Major Themes in the Gospel of Luke

There are an untold number of themes mentioned in the gospel from beginning till the end. Below mentioned  are a few of these themes:

The Authenticity (Luke 1:1-4): We can understand the authenticity of the gospel when we read the very first four verses of the gospel

The Connection between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant (Luke 1:5-2:52): The Old Testament prophecies regarding Christ’s coming for humanity’s redemption is fulfilled through Jesus’ life and ministry

God’s Love for all of Humanity (Luke 6:35-36; 9:51-19:27): Luke 23:44-49 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

The Kingdom of God (Luke 9:2; 12:32; 17:20-21): Jesus focused on various themes during His preaching and teaching ministry. Yet one of the most important themes Jesus focused on was the Kingdom of God. Not only that, Jesus announced the coming of the Kingdom of God to govern human lives and hearts.

Repentance (Luke 13:1-9; 17:3): Luke 5:31-32 And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance”

Divine Provision (Luke 9:10-17): Luke 12:22-31 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes …. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well

Salvation: Luke 19:9-10 Today salvation has come to this house, Jesus told him, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost

Forgiveness (Luke 17:3-4): Luke 6:37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven

Healing (Luke 5:12-16; 7:1-17): Luke 9:1-6 … 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick … 6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. There are so many examples of Jesus healing many in Luke’s gospel.

Discipleship (Luke 6:12-16): The gospel of Luke points to the fact that Discipleship involves accepting Jesus as the Master of your life and becoming more like Him. Jesus called ordinary people, they accepted Him as their master and He trained them to be His Disciples and Apostles.

Prayer: Prayer is placed with great importance

Jesus’ Prayer in various occasions:

    • During His Baptism (Luke 3:21)
    • During His Temptations (Luke 5:16)
    • Prior to Choosing the Disciples (Luke 6:12)
    • On the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:29)
    • Prior to Teaching the Disciples How to pray (Luke 11:1)
    • At the Institution of the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:14-23)
    • Praying for Peter (Luke 22:32)
    • In the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:44)
    • On the Cross (Luke 23:46)

Jesus told three parables about consistent prayers:

    • Seeking a Friend’s Help at Midnight (Luke 11:5-8)
    • The Unjust Judge and the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8)
    • The Pharisee and Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)

Luke gives Special Attention to the Parables in Jesus’ Teachings

When we read through the gospel according to Luke, we can notice that Luke gives special attention to the parables that Jesus used in His teachings. A parable is a story (usually a familiar story) that is used in teaching or preaching to explain a spiritual truth to its hearers. Luke, in his gospel, quoted many parables which Jesus used in His teaching and preaching. Some of these parables are only recorded in Luke’s gospel. For instance:

  • The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-42)
  • The Parable of a Friend’s Visit at Midnight (Luke 11:5-10)
  • The Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)
  • The Parable of the Watchfulness of Servants (Luke 12:35-48)
  • The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9)
  • The Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24)
  • The Parable of the Cost of Building a Tower (Luke 14:28-30)
  • The Parable of King who wages War against his enemy (Luke 14:31-35)
  • The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7)
  • The Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10)
  • The Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32)
  • The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-15)
  • The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)
  • The Parable of the Unprofitable Servants (Luke 17:7-10)
  • The Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8)
  • The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)
  • The Parable of the Ten Minas (Luke 19:11-27)

Luke noted Jesus’ Compassion and Care towards Various Groups of People

The gospel reflects Jesus’ sympathy and empathy towards people from all kinds of walks. In fact, very specifically, Jesus cared for the needy, disadvantaged, and underprivileged people in society. Below mentioned are a few examples of the people groups whom Jesus cared for and whose sinful actions were forgiven. He became the channel between humanity and the Lord God Almighty, so that these groups of people would be reconciled with the Lord God Almighty:

Jesus had compassion for the people in need, the downtrodden, and the marginalized. Jesus nurtured those who were uncared for by religious leaders and others. Jesus said, For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10; also refer 5:31 32; 15:4-7; 32). As prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 59:1 Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. Jesus invited everybody and opened the door of the Kingdom of God to anyone who is willing to enter into it.  Luke narrated several incidents that show that Jesus cared for the needy, the helpless, the downtrodden, the neglected, and so on (refer Luke 6:21-22; 8:43-47; 14:12-24; 16:19-31). Below mentioned are a few examples:

  • The Sinners (Luke 5:32; 7:37;18:10-14; 15:1)
  • The Tax Collectors (Luke 15:1-7; 19:2-8)
  • The Immoral woman (Luke 7:36-50)
  • The Sick (Luke 6:19; 8:50; 13:12)
  • The Demon possessed (Luke 8:2)
  • The Lepers (Luke 17:12)
  • The Ignorant Samaritans (Luke 10:33)
  • The Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:43)
  • The Lowly (Luke 1:48)
  • The Poor (Luke 4:18a)
  • The Afflicted (Luke 4:18b)
  • The Oppressed (Luke 6:22A)
  • The Outcast (Luke 6:22b) [He also conversed with people of Samaria, Sidon, Tyre]
  • The one who believed and trusted the Lord God Almighty (Luke 7:2-8)

Jesus cared for the helpless Women and Children (Luke 1:5-24:11)

  • Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-7, 25, 41-44, 57-60)
  • Mary, Mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38, 46-55)
  • Anna, the prophetess who blessed baby Jesus (Luke 2:36-38)
  • Peter’s Mother-in-law (Luke 4:38-39)
  • The widow in the town called Nain (Luke 7:11-17)
  • Women who traveled to serve Jesus and His disciples (Luke 8:1-3)
  • The Twelve year old girl (Luke 8:41-42, 49-56)
  • The woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years (Luke 8:43-48)
  • Martha and Mary of Bethany (Luke 10:38-42)
  • The woman who blessed Mary for being Jesus’ Mother (Luke 11:27-28)
  • The woman who had been crippled for Eighteen years (Luke 13:10-17)
  • The woman in the parable of the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10)
  • The widow in the parable of the wicked judge (Luke 18:1-5)
  • The poor widow who gave everything (Luke 21:1-4)
  • Women who were present at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion (Luke 23:27, 49)
  • The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee prepared spices (Luke 23:55-56)
  • The Women who came to Jesus’ tomb on the first day of the week (Luke 24:1-3)
  • The announcement of the Angels to the women that Jesus had risen (Luke 24:4-11)
  • Jesus cared for the Children (Luke 18:15-17)
  • Luke highlighted Jesus’ infancy stage (Luke 2:40)
  • People were also bringing babies (Luke 18:15)
  • Jesus rebukes His disciples for hindering the children (Luke 18:16a)
  • Children and the Kingdom of God (Luke 18:16b)
  • Jesus’ invites people to be like children to inherit the Kingdom of God (Luke 18:17)

Jesus Sternly Warned against the following Groups In Luke's Gospel

Jewish Religious Leaders

    • The Pharisees (Luke 11:37-54; 12:1)
    • The Sadducees (Luke 11:37-54)
    • The Teachers of the Law (Luke 20:45-47)
    • The Religious Leaders (Luke 5:21-26)

The corrupted Political leaders

    • Herod (Luke 13:31-32)

Luke 6:20-23 ‘The Blessed’ sayings of Jesus in Luke

  • Blessed are you who are poor – for yours is the kingdom of God
  • Blessed are you who hunger now – for you will be satisfied
  • Blessed are you who weep now – for you will laugh
  • Blessed are you when people hate you – great is your reward in heaven

Summary of Luke’s Gospel

The gospel according to Luke is all about Jesus and His Mission from His birth to His ascension to heaven. Its narratives of Jesus’ life and ministry begin with the announcement of Jesus’ birth and concludes with Jesus’ arrest, trials, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and His ascension to heaven.

From the opening verses of the gospel, we can understand that the narratives in it are thoroughly examined and evaluated by the author (Luke) and only what is true and genuine is recorded for the edification of its readers then and now. Since Luke was a devoted ministry companion of Apostle Paul, he was keen on narrating the life and ministry of Jesus Christ very accurately. Luke was determined to give an error-free account.  These accounts include the announcements made to Zechariah regarding the birth, life, and ministry John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ; the announcement made to Mary regarding the birth, life, and ministry of Jesus; the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem; the announcement made to the shepherds who were in the field watching their flocks at night regarding the birth of Jesus; the newborn baby Jesus being wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger; and young Jesus going to Jerusalem Temple with his parents to attend the Feast of Passover at the age of twelve and He talking with prominent Rabbis in the temple court; and so on. Luke presented Jesus as a friend of anyone who has goodwill, regardless of the person’s identity, whether the person is a Jew, Samaritan, or a person from different a race or nationality, or a so-called outcast. Jesus’ earthly ministry began with His baptism by John the Baptist and His commissioning by the Heavenly Father, and concluded with His post-resurrection appearances to the Disciples and others, the commissioning of His disciples to carry out the Mission of God, and His ascension to Heaven. Today, we are so privileged to be part of God’s eternal plan and purpose. Jesus made it possible for us! Glory to God! Amen!

An Outline of the Gospel According to Luke

1:1-4 Preface to the gospel: The testimony of the eyewitnesses and the servants of the Word

1:5-2:52 Infancy of John the Baptist and Jesus

    • 1:5-25 Announcement of John the Baptist’s Birth
      • 1:5a The context: the reign of Herod king of Judea
      • 1:5b-25 The Ministry of Zechariah and Elizabeth
      • 1:5b-6 The background of Zechariah and and his wife Elizabeth
      • 1:7-13 God’s Faithfulness and Promise to Zechariah and Elizabeth
      • 1:14-22 John’s Personality, Ministry Responsibility and Identity
      • 1:23-25 God’s Favor upon Zechariah and Elizabeth
    • 1:26-38 The Angel Gabriel’s Visit to Mary and Announcement of Jesus’ Birth
    • 1:39-56 Mary and Elizabeth Celebrating God’s Faithfulness in their lives
    • 1:57-80 The Birth of John the Baptist and Zechariah’s Song of Praising God
      • 1:57-66 Celebration at the Birth of John the Baptist
      • 1:67-80 Zechariah’ Song of Praise and Prophecy about Jesus and John
    • 2:1-52 The Birth of Jesus and His Childhood
      • 2:1-7 The Birth of Jesus according to the Word of God
      • 2:8-20 Angel’s Declaration of the Birth of Christ to the Shepherds
      • 2:21-40 The circumcision of baby Jesus and the Firstborn Male Consecration
      • 2:41-51 Jewish Custom of Celebrating the Festival of the Passover
      • 2:52 Jesus’ submission and obedience to His parents

3:1-4:13 John Begins his Ministry and Jesus Prepares for His Public Ministry

    • 3:1-20 God at work in John’s life: God’s Call and Commission with the Message
      • 3:1-6 The beginning of John’s Ministry in the Wilderness
      • 3:7-14 John’s Ministry and Message to the descendants of Abraham
      • 3:15-18 John’s Testimony about Jesus and His Ministry
      • 3:19-20 John’s rebuke of Herod and Herod’s Revenge on John
    • 3:21-22 Jesus’ Baptism, Anointing, and Commissioning for Ministry
    • 3:23a Jesus began His Public Ministry at the age of Thirty
    • 3:23b-38 The Genealogy of Jesus: From Jesus to Adam
    • 4:1-13 Jesus is Tested in the Wilderness Prior to Entering the Mission Field
      • 4:1-2 The Context of Jesus’ Test: the Place, the Tempter
      • 4:3-13 Jesus’ Tests in the Wilderness by the Devil
        • 4:3-4 Test # One: Food – the lust of flesh
        • 4:5-8 Test # Two: Authority and Splendor of this world – the lust of eyes
        • 4:9-12 Test # Three: Show off to the world who you are – the pride of life
        • 4:13 Jesus’ Irrevocably Brave Response quoting from the Scripture

4:14-21:38 Jesus begins His Public Ministry across the Regions in Galilee

    • 4:14-15 Jesus returns to Galilee in the power of the Spirit
    • 4:16-30 Jesus’ Ministry at Nazareth (hometown) and People’s Rejection of Him
      • 4:16-21 Jesus’ Ministry at the Synagogue in Nazareth
      • 4:22-30 People were amazed but the Religious Leaders Rejected Jesus
    • 4:31-44 Jesus’ Ministry at the town of Capernaum in Galilee
    • 5:1-6:16 The Call of Disciples and Expansion of His Ministry in Galilee
      • 5:1-11 Jesus Calls Disciples through Miraculous Catch of Fish
        • 5:1-3 Jesus and the large crowd by the Lake of Gennesaret
        • 5:4-7 Jesus’ authority and Power displayed in action
        • 5:8-11 Jesus Called His First Disciples at Gennesaret
      • 5:12-16 Jesus heals a Man covered with leprosy
      • 5:17-26 The Jewish Religious Leaders Questions Jesus’ authority
        • 5:17-20 Jesus minister to People from Israel and Judea
        • 5:21-26 Jewish Religious Leaders Confront Jesus
      • 5:27-32 Jesus Calls Levi and Levi’s Response to Jesus’ call
      • 5:33-39 Jewish Leaders Confronts Jesus regarding Fasting/Prayer
      • 6:1-11 The Jewish leaders Confronts Jesus regarding Sabbath laws
        • 6:1-5 Questions Regarding plucking the head of grain on Sabbath
        • 6:6-11 Jesus heals the man with the shriveled hand on Sabbath
      • 6:12-16 Jesus Choose the Twelve and Appoint them to be Apostles
    • 6:17-49 Jesus’ special Teaching known as the Sermon on the Plain
      • 6:17-19 A large crowd follows Jesus from all over Israel and Judea
      • 6:20-26 Jesus’ Teachings regarding Blessings and Woes
        • 6:20-23 Jesus’ Teachings on the inheritors of Blessings
        • 6:24-26 Warnings of Woes against the unrighteous
      • 6:27-36 Jesus’ Teaching on Kingdom Values: Love and Mercy
        • 6:27 A call to Love and do good
        • 6:28 A call to Bless and Pray
        • 6:29 A call to bear suffering and lose
        • 6:30 A call to Give without demanding it back
        • 6:31-36 A call to do to others as we would have them do to us
      • 6:37-42 Jesus’ Teachings on Kingdom Principles
        • 6:37 Jesus’ teachings: Do not judge or condemn but forgive
        • 6:38 Jesus’ teaching on giving: Give generously
        • 6:39-42 Jesus shares Parables to teach His followers
          • 6:39 The parable of a blind leading another blind
          • 6:40 The student and the teacher comparison
          • 6:41-42 The Plank and a speck of sawdust
      • 6:43-45 Jesus invites His followers to bear Good Fruit
      • 6:46-49 The examples of Wise and foolish builders
        • 6:46-47 Jesus’ call to obey His Commands
        • 6:48 Building a house on the rock that remained strong
        • 6:49 Building the house on the sand that was collapsed
        • 6:49b The lesson: Listen the Word, obey it and practice it
    • 7:1-8:18 Jesus in Capernaum: Fulfilling the Messianic Purpose
      • 7:1-10 Jesus’ heals the Centurion’s servant in Capernaum
      • 7:11-17 Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son – The giver of life
      • 7:18-35 The clarification of Jesus’ identity by John the Baptist
      • 7:36-50 Jesus was anointed at the house of the Pharisee by sinful woman
      • 8:1-3 Jesus along with a large crowd Travels doing Ministry
      • 8:4-15 Jesus teaches through the parable of the Sower
        • 8:4-8 The Seed falls into various kinds of fields
        • 8:8b-9 Disciples asks the meaning of the parable
        • 8:10-15 Jesus explains the meaning of the Parable of the Sower
      • 8:16-18 The parable of the Lamp on a Stand
    • 8:19-21 Jesus’ mother and brothers visits Him
    • 8:22-9:17 Jesus affirms His authority and power in various realms
      • 8:22-25 Jesus’ authority and power over nature
      • 8:26-39 Jesus’ authority and power over the demonic forces
      • 8:40-48 Jesus’ authority and power over sin and sickness
      • 8:40-42; 49-56 Jesus’ authority and power over death
      • 9:1-6 Jesus Imparts His authority and power to His Disciples
      • 9:7-9 Herod’s questions on Jesus’ authority and power
      • 9:10-17 Jesus the Bread of life: Feeding the Five Thousand
    • 9:18-50 Jesus’ identity as Messiah and the purpose of His Coming revealed
      • 9:18-21 Peter’s Declaration/Confession of Jesus as the Messiah
      • 9:22 Jesus Predicts His own suffering and Death as part of His Mission
      • 9:23-27 Jesus warns His disciples regarding sufferings and hardships
      • 9:28-36 The transfiguration of Jesus revealed His Heavenly Glory
      • 9:37-43a Jesus Delivers a demon-possessed person
      • 9:43b-45 Jesus Predicts His suffering and death again to His disciples
      • 9:46-48 Jesus’ guidelines to achieve True Greatness in life
      • 9:49-50 Jesus’ guidelines to identify who is against you and who is for you
    • 9:51-19:27 Jesus’ Ministry during His Final Journey to Jerusalem via Samaria
      • 9:51-53 Samaritans oppose as they were entering Samaria
      • 9:54-56 The disciples’ reaction towards the Samaritans Jesus’ rebuke
      • 9:57-62 Jesus Teaches about the Cost of following Jesus
      • 10:1-24 Commissioning and Sending out the Seventy-Two Two-by-Two
        • 10:3-16 Jesus’ special Instructions to those Sent out
        • 10:17-24 The Ministry outcome and Reports of the Seventy-Two
      • 10:25-37 Jesus Shares the Parable of the Good Samaritan
      • 10:38-42 Jesus at the Home of Martha and Mary
      • 11:1-13 Jesus’ Teachings on Prayer
        • 11:1-5 Jesus Teaches His disciple how to Pray
        • 11:6-10 The Prayer Principles: Ask, Seek and Knock
        • 11:11-13 Jesus’ illustrates how we receive what we ask for in prayer
      • 11:14-54 The Religious Leaders oppose Jesus and His ministry
      • 12:1-13:35 Jesus Teaches His Disciples and His followers to be Righteous
        • 12:1-12 Jesus warns as well as encourage His Disciples
        • 12:13-21 Jesus’ Teachings against those who trust in their material wealth
        • 12:22-34 Jesus’ Teachings against the unnecessary anxieties/worries in life
        • 12:35-48 Jesus Teaching to be a vigilant and watchful servant always
        • 12:49-53 Through Jesus’ sufferings He will redeem/restore people
        • 12:54-56 Jesus’ Teaching on understanding and interpreting Times
        • 12:57-59 Jesus’ Teachings on the need of reconciling with our adversary
        • 13:1-9 Jesus’ Teachings on the importance of repentance
        • 13:10-17 Jesus heals a crippled woman on the Sabbath
        • 13:18-21 Kingdom of God is like the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
        • 13:22-30 The example of the narrow door as the way of salvation
        • 13:31-33 Pharisees warns Jesus regarding Herod’s threat to kill Him
        • 13:34-35 Jesus laments over Jerusalem for their unbelief
      • 14:1-35 Jesus Extends His Ministry Across the regions as He Travels
        • 14:1-24 Jesus in the house of a prominent Pharisee
        • 14:25-35 Jesus Explains the Cost of Being a Disciple
      • 15:1-16:31 Jesus Continuous to teach the crowd through Parables
        • 15:1-7 The Spiritual Significance of the Parable of the Lost Sheep
        • 15:8-10 The Spiritual Significance of the Parable of the Lost Coin
        • 15:11-32 The Spiritual Significance of the Parable of the Lost Son
        • 16:1-15 The Parable of the Rich Man’s Shrewd Manager
        • 16:16-17 The Connection and distinction between the Old and New Laws
        • 16:18 Jesus’ warns against the hidden dangers in Divorce
        • 16:19-31 Jesus shares the end results of Rich Man and Lazarus’ Life
      • 17:1-18:34 Jesus’ teachings on True Discipleship and the Kingdom of God
        • 17:1-10 Jesus teaches on the responsibility of a True disciple
        • 17:11-19 Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy
        • 17:20-37 Jesus’ Teachings on the Coming of the Kingdom of God
        • 18:1-8 Jesus shares the Parable of the Persistent Widow
        • 18:9-14 Jesus shares the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
        • 18:15-17 Jesus teaches showing the example of the Little Children
        • 18:18-30 Jesus, the Rich Ruler, and the Kingdom of God
        • 18:31-34 Jesus Predicts His suffering and Death a Third Time
      • 18:35-19:27 Jesus’ Ministry in and around Jericho
        • 18:35-43 Jesus heals a Blind Beggar near Jericho
        • 19:1-9 Jesus at the House of the Chief Tax Collector Zacchaeus
        • 19:10 Jesus reaffirm the purpose of His coming: Seek and Save the Lost
        • 19:11-27 Jesus sharing the Parable of the Ten Minas
    • 19:28-21:38 Jesus begins His Ministry in Jerusalem and its surrounding regions
      • 19:28-44 Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem as King
      • 19:45-46 Jesus enters Jerusalem Temple and Cleanse it
      • 19:47-21:4 Jesus faces opposition from the Religious Leaders
        • 19:47-48 The Religious Leaders plot to kill Jesus
        • 20:1-40 Religious Leaders’ Trying to Trap Jesus with questions
        • 20:41-44 Jesus is both the Messiah as well as a Davidic descendant
        • 20:45-47 Jesus’ warning against the Teachers of the Law
        • 21:1-4 Jesus Commends on a widow’s offering and her generosity
      • 21:5-38 Jesus Predicts Jerusalem’s fall and the signs of the End Time
    • 22:1-23:56 Jesus’ Last Days on Earth: Betrayal, Arrest, Trial, Crucifixion, Death, Burial
      • 22:1-46 Jesus’ Earthly Ministry Continues as He prepares for His Death
        • 22:1-6 Judas’ agrees to betray Jesus as Religious Leaders plot to Kill Jesus
        • 22:7-38 Jesus prepares Himself for His suffering and Death
        • 22:7-16 Preparations made for Jesus’ Last Passover Meal
        • 22:17-20 Jesus Institutes Lord’s Supper
        • 22:21-23 Jesus discloses who is going to betray Him
        • 22:24-30 Jesus’ teachings on who would be great in the Kingdom
        • 22:31-34 Jesus predicts Peter’s denial of Jesus
        • 22:35-38 Jesus prepares the Disciples for ministry after His death
        • 22:39-46 Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives prior to His arrest
      • 22:47-23:25 Jesus’ Arrest, Religious and Civil Trials and Crucifixion
      • 23:26-43 The Crucifixion of Jesus at Golgotha/Calvary
        • 23:26-31 Jesus was led to the place called Skull (Golgotha)
        • 23:32-43 Jesus was Crucified between two criminals
      • 23:44-49 Jesus’ Death on the Cross as He Prayed to God the Father
      • 23:50-56 The Burial of Jesus in a New Tomb cut in the Rock
    • 24:1-53 Resurrection of Jesus from the dead and His Ascension to Heaven
      • 24:1-12 The Empty Tomb declares the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead
      • 24:1-3 The arrival of the Women at the Tomb on the first day of the week
      • 24:4-8 Angels declares Jesus’ Resurrection to the women at the Tomb
      • 24:9-11 The women’s report Jesus Resurrection to the Eleven and others
      • 24:12 Peter at the witnessing the empty Tomb where Jesus was buried
      • 24:13-43 The Appearances of Jesus after His Resurrection
      • 24:13-35 Jesus appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus
      • 24:36-43 Jesus appears to the disciples in Jerusalem
      • 24:44-45 Jesus fulfills the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms
      • 24:46-48 Jesus Commissions His Disciples to Carry out God’s Mission
      • 24:49 The Promise of sending the Holy Spirit
      • 24:50-53 Jesus Blesses His Disciples as He was ascending to Heaven

*For a detailed outline of Luke’s gospel in PDF format, please click the button below.

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