Luke

Read this book by chapter and explore its background.

Purpose To write a reliable historical account of the life of Jesus that would confirm the truth of the Christian message
Author Luke, a physician and occasional companion of the apostle Paul
Date Either around AD 59–63, during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, or between AD 70–90, using the Gospel of Mark as a source
Setting Written during a time of increasing tension between Jews and Christians, in which Luke sought to demonstrate that those who believed that Jesus was the Messiah, both Jews and gentiles (non-Jewish people), formed the new people of God

Overview Article

Luke describes the coming of Jesus as good news for the whole world. It is for people of every race, age, gender, ethnic group, and social position.

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Key People, Places, and Terms

Themes

Praise and Rejoicing in Luke–Acts 20 In Luke's Gospel, those who receive God's grace praise him for his wonderful acts ( Luke 1:44 , 46 , 64 , 68 ; 2:13 , 38 ; 5:25–26 ; 7:16 ; 13:13 ; 17:15–18 ; 18:43 ; 19:37 ; 24:53 ). In the book of Acts, praise follo... The Messianic Banquet 18 Through his teaching and miracles, Jesus showed that the messianic banquet was ready. The messianic banquet is a special feast that God promised to prepare when the Messiah came. He invited all people to come and rece... Jesus’ Prayers 14 In Luke’s gospel, Jesus prays during important moments in his life: At his baptism ( Luke 3:21 ). The Coming of the Spirit of God 12 In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God sometimes "came upon" people to give them power for God's work and to prophesy ( Numbers 24:2 ; Judges 3:10 ; 1 Samuel 10:10 ; 16:13 ; Ezekiel 11:5 ). During Jesus' time, many p... Hope for the Messiah 11 In the first century, many Jews hoped the Messiah (God's chosen one) would come. They thought this rescuer would defeat Israel's enemies and bring peace and prosperity to God's people. The Hebrew word "Messiah" and th... Rich and Poor in the Gospel of Luke 11 In Luke’s Gospel, entering or becoming excluded from the kingdom of God involves a reversal of worldly wealth. Mary, the mother of Jesus, proclaimed that God would elevate the poor and humble while humbling the rich a... The Suffering Prophet 11 In the Gospels, Jesus has many titles, such as Messiah (or Christ), Son of David, Son of Man, Son of God, and Lord. In Luke, an important title is "Prophet." Jesus is the prophet Moses predicted in Deuteronomy 18:15 .... Angels 8 In the Bible, angels are God's messengers who carry out his plans and tell his will to humans ( Genesis 16:7–12 ; Numbers 22:22–34 ; Judges 13:3–21 ; 2 Kings 1:3 , 15 ; Zechariah 1:4–12 ). The Hebrew Old Testament and...
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The Son of God 8 Jesus' healings, exorcisms (casting out demons), raising the dead, and teachings resulted in wonder, awe, amazement, and fear (for example, Mark 1:22 , 27 ; 4:41 ; 5:15 , 20 , 33 ; 7:37 ; 9:15 ; 10:24 , 26 , 32 ; 12:1... Persecution 8 Persecution refers to systematic mistreatment, harassment, or oppression of an individual or group because of their identity, beliefs, or practices. In religious contexts specifically, persecution involves the targeti... The Coming of God’s Kingdom 7 A key part of Jesus' message was that God's kingdom had come. The people of Israel eagerly awaited this reality. It would fulfill God's many promises that had not yet become a reality: The Holy Spirit would return, as... Baptism 7 Baptism has been a key part of Christianity since it began ( Acts 2:38 ). In Judaism, "baptism" and "baptize" referred to a religious cleansing ceremony. The law of Moses required water to cleanse people from ceremoni... The Messiah 7 The Greek word christos has the same meaning as the Hebrew word mashiakh. It means "anointed one" (or "chosen one"). Both words translate as "Messiah" or "Christ." In the Bible, the Messiah is someone chosen by God fo... Encounters with Jesus 6 Jesus' miracles and parables (symbolic stories with a special meaning) often take away the focus on his encounters with people that changed their lives. In these encounters, Jesus deals with individuals as they are. H... The Climax of Scripture 6 The gospel story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is important. It shows Jesus' victory over death and reveals his role as the Messiah (God's chosen one). It also connects to Old Testament prophecies about h... The Day Is Coming 6 Jesus prophesied three future events in the Synoptic Gospels: One event was his own death and resurrection ( Mark 8:31 ; 9:31 ; 10:33–34 ). This had already happened before the Gospels were written. Concern for the Poor 5 God instructed Israel to care for its people's well-being. Israel's covenant (special agreement) with God and its view of itself as a large family helped prevent claims to privilege. A family should support members in... Miracles 5 Miracles often happened in the Bible. They were especially common during the time of Moses and the ministries of Elijah, Elisha, Jesus, and his apostles. The Bible does not try to prove miracles. It just reports them.... Christian Giving 4 Generous Christian giving shows true grace. We see this in "our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich" ( 2 Corinthians 8:9 ; P... Eating Together 4 For the Pharisees and other practicing Jews, eating meals together was a religious event. Righteous Jews followed many rules to avoid ceremonial pollution during meals. They did this to show their commitment to the la...

Related Articles

Outline

Use of the Old Testament in Luke

38 quotations from 9 Old Testament books

Total quotations 38
Connected books 9
Most-connected book Deuteronomy 10

All References

Luke OT Passage Compare
Luke 2:24 Leviticus 12:8
Compare
OT Text
  • But if she cannot afford a lamb, she shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. Then the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’”
NT Text
  • A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons
Luke 3:4 Isaiah 40:3
Compare
OT Text
  • A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
NT Text
  • A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him
Luke 3:5 Isaiah 40:4
Compare
OT Text
  • Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain.
NT Text
  • Every valley shall be filled in, and every mountain and hill made low. The crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth
Luke 3:6 Isaiah 40:5
Compare
OT Text
  • And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
NT Text
  • And all humanity will see God’s salvation
Luke 4:4 Deuteronomy 8:3
Compare
OT Text
  • He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
NT Text
  • Man shall not live on bread alone
Luke 4:8 Deuteronomy 6:13
Compare
OT Text
  • Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.
NT Text
  • Worship the Lord your God and serve Him
Luke 4:10–11 Psalm 91:11–12
Compare
OT Text
  • For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
NT Text
  • He will command His angels concerning You they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone
Luke 4:12 Deuteronomy 6:16
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OT Text
  • Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.
NT Text
  • Do not put the Lord your God to the test
Luke 4:18 Isaiah 61:1
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OT Text
  • The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,
NT Text
  • The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release
Luke 4:19 Isaiah 61:2
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OT Text
  • to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn,
NT Text
  • to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
Luke 7:27 Malachi 3:1
Compare
OT Text
  • “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.
NT Text
  • This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You
Luke 8:10 Isaiah 6:9–10
Compare
OT Text
  • And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
NT Text
  • though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand
Luke 10:27 Leviticus 19:18
Compare
OT Text
  • Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
NT Text
  • Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself
Luke 10:27 Deuteronomy 6:5
Compare
OT Text
  • And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
NT Text
  • Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and
Luke 12:53 Micah 7:6
Compare
OT Text
  • For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.
NT Text
  • They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law
Luke 13:35 Psalm 118:26
Compare
OT Text
  • Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.
NT Text
  • Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord
Luke 18:20 Exodus 20:12
Compare
OT Text
  • Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
NT Text
  • honor your father and mother
Luke 18:20 Exodus 20:13
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not murder.
NT Text
  • do not murder
Luke 18:20 Exodus 20:14
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OT Text
  • You shall not commit adultery.
NT Text
  • Do not commit adultery
Luke 18:20 Exodus 20:15
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not steal.
NT Text
  • do not steal
Luke 18:20 Exodus 20:16
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
NT Text
  • do not bear false witness
Luke 18:20 Deuteronomy 5:16
Compare
OT Text
  • Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
NT Text
  • honor your father and mother
Luke 18:20 Deuteronomy 5:17
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not murder.
NT Text
  • do not murder
Luke 18:20 Deuteronomy 5:18
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not commit adultery.
NT Text
  • Do not commit adultery
Luke 18:20 Deuteronomy 5:19
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not steal.
NT Text
  • do not steal
Luke 18:20 Deuteronomy 5:20
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
NT Text
  • do not bear false witness
Luke 19:38 Psalm 118:26
Compare
OT Text
  • Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.
NT Text
  • Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in
Luke 19:46 Isaiah 56:7
Compare
OT Text
  • I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”
NT Text
  • My house will be a house of prayer
Luke 20:17 Psalm 118:22–23
Compare
OT Text
  • The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
NT Text
  • The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone
Luke 20:27–28 Deuteronomy 25:5
Compare
OT Text
  • When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her.
NT Text
  • some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to question Him Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him
Luke 20:37 Exodus 3:6
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OT Text
  • Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
NT Text
  • Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of
Luke 20:37 Exodus 3:15
Compare
OT Text
  • God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.
NT Text
  • Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of
Luke 20:42–43 Psalm 110:1
Compare
OT Text
  • The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
NT Text
  • David himself says in the book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet
Luke 21:27 Daniel 7:13
Compare
OT Text
  • In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.
NT Text
  • At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud
Luke 22:37 Isaiah 53:12
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OT Text
  • Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.
NT Text
  • Scripture must be fulfilled in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors
Luke 22:69 Psalm 110:1
Compare
OT Text
  • The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
NT Text
  • seated at the right hand of the power of God
Luke 23:30 Hosea 10:8
Compare
OT Text
  • The high places of Aven will be destroyed— it is the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”
NT Text
  • they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us
Luke 23:46 Psalm 31:5
Compare
OT Text
  • Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD, God of truth.
NT Text
  • Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this