From secular sources it seems evident that Luke was a Greek. It is significant that he became the historian who would give to the world such a history of the life and teachings of Jesus and of the beginning and growth of the early church. It is also significant that he never mentions himself in his writings, and his name occurs only three times in the Bible.
Although not an eyewitness to the personal ministry of Jesus, Luke is minute in his details and specific in his descriptions. He was a physician and an evangelist. Perhaps especially fitting him for his writing of history was his close association with the disciples, the apostles, and especially Paul. The "we" passages in Acts tell of this close association, even through the tempestuous voyage to Rome and throughout his imprisonments there. The sources, other than inspiration, were most certainly first-hand.
In many respects Luke is a unique work. The eloquent Greek in which it was written shows Luke to be a painter, with words as his brushes. We are extremely indebted to Luke for many parables and miracles we would not know about but for him.
Luke goes about his work methodically, presenting Jesus as the perfect man, the infallible teacher, the Messiah, and the expression of God's extreme interest in fallen man. The author lays down a basic foundation for solid historical faith, and seems to strive to show Gentiles that there is no conflict between their accepting the gospel and their loyalty to Rome. The gospel was not simply for Jews; it was for everyone.
486 pgs.
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