Luke
maleNew TestamentMeaning: “Light-giving”
A physician and faithful companion of Paul, the careful historian who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.
Biography
Luke was a physician and devoted companion of Paul, and the author of two of the New Testament's longest books — the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, together making up about a quarter of the New Testament. Paul calls him "Luke, the beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14).
The careful historian
Luke opens his Gospel explaining his method: "having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order... that thou mightest know the certainty of those things" (Luke 1:3–4). His writings are marked by careful research, attention to the poor, women, and outsiders, and beloved accounts found nowhere else — the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, and the Christmas narrative.
Faithful to the end
Luke joined Paul's journeys (the "we" sections of Acts) and stayed with him to the last. In Paul's final letter, with others having forsaken him, Paul writes simply, "Only Luke is with me" (2 Timothy 4:11) — a quiet testimony to a faithful friend.
Life Timeline
Joins Paul’s missionary travels (the "we" sections of Acts)
Remains with Paul to the end: "Only Luke is with me"
Themes & lessons from Luke
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Luke appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
4 verses in 4 books2 Corinthians1 verse
2 Corinthians 13:14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.
Colossians1 verse
Colossians 4:14
Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
2 Timothy1 verse
2 Timothy 4:11
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
Philemon1 verse
Philemon 1:24
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
Frequently asked about Luke
Who was Luke in the Bible?
A physician and faithful companion of Paul, the careful historian who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.
What does the name Luke mean?
The name Luke means “Light-giving”.
What did Luke do in the Bible?
Luke served as physician, evangelist.
Where does Luke appear in the Bible?
Luke is mentioned 4 times across 4 books: 2 Corinthians, Colossians, 2 Timothy, Philemon.
What can we learn from Luke?
The story of Luke touches on themes of letters, philemon, physician, trinity, the — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Luke's life.
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