Luke wrote more than one quarter of the whole New Testament-the book of Luke and the Acts.
Luke was an educated man, a physician, and a sometime companion of Paul.
He was with Paul on parts of both the second and third missionary tours.
He was undoubtedly Paul’s private physician-as Paul suffered from several physical ailments. Paul called him the “beloved physician.” Col. 4:14.
Luke was a good reporter and a fairly good historian. He talked with many eyewitnesses of Jesus’ lifework.
As might be expected, Luke pays special attention to things of interest to a physician:
The great fever.
Jairus’s daughter’s eating meat.
The good Samaritan.
First aid.
Prayer miracles.
Luke had Matthew (Isador), Mark, and Q (Andrew’s notes). About one-third comes from Mark. Along with Matthew he derives much from Q (252 verses), but almost half of Luke is original. He also had Paul’s story and a brief record made in A.D. 78 at Antioch by one Cedes. See Urantia Book, UB 121:8.8.
Apparently Luke got many verses from the Cedes manuscript; this document paid special attention to women.
The Cedes book was rich in parables: notably, good Samaritan, rich fool, rich man and Lazarus, and the Pharisee and tax collector.
Luke is the best organized book in the New Testament.
While Luke was not a classicist-writing in the international style of Greek-he did write the best literary work of the New Testament, except for the book of Hebrews.
Luke’s literary skill is best shown in the way he polished up many of Mark’s rather crude passages, for example:
Mark: “And at even, when the sun did set.” Mark 1:32. (King James Version)
Luke: “Now when the sun was setting.” Luke 4:40. (King James Version)
It was never intended that the book of Acts should be separated from Luke.
Luke wrote in A.D. 82 at Achaia. He planned to write three books on Christianity, but he died in A.D. 90 just before finishing Acts. Urantia Book, UB 121:8.8.
In a general way, Luke may be said to be the Gospel according to Paul.
The Marcion defection. Marcion was born A.D. 85 in Roman Pontus on the Black Sea. He visited most Christian churches and went to Rome about A.D. 139. He gave $30,000 to the Rome church (later returned) and made a big “stir.” He rejected all of the Old Testament. Luke was his gospel -with some writings of his own. He also used some of Paul’s letters. Later on, he rewrote Luke. He had Jesus come full-fledgedly from heaven with divine authority on earth. It was Marcion’s new testament that forced the “fathers” to get busy with a real New Testament.
Luke’s special motives:
A. To make a good literary production.
B. To make a universal appeal.
C. To be humanitarian (emphasis on the poor).
D. To put emphasis on prayer.
E. To magnify the Holy Spirit.
F. To make clear that Christianity was in no way a subversive religion- get it out of trouble with the Roman authorities.
G. To tell the story with little or no theology. There are few quotations from the Old Testament.
The angel and Mary. “And the angel said to her. 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” 1:30.
Jesus’ birth. “And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” 2:7.
Peace on earth and good will. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!’” 2:13,14.
About the Father’s business. “And he said to them, ‘How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’” 2:49.
Jesus grows up. “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.” 2:52.
The Holy Spirit and fire. “‘I baptise you with water;…he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.’” 3:16.
Jesus’ baptism. “And a voice came from heaven, ‘Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.’” 3:22.
The forty days. “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit for forty days in the wilderness, tempted by the devil.” 4:1,2.9.
The sundown healing. “Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.” 4:40.
Catching men. “And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.’” 5:10.
Authority to forgive sins. “‘But that you nay know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins.’” 5:24.
To call sinners. “‘I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’” 5:32.
Lord of the sabbath. “And he said to them, ‘The Son of man is lord of the sabbath.’” 6:5.
His prayer life. “In these days he went out into the hills to pray; and all night he continued in prayer to God.” 6:12.
Turn the other cheek. “‘To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also.’” 6:29.
Show mercy. “‘Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.’” 6:36.
The log in your own eye. “‘Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?’” 6:41.
The widow’s son. “And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ And the dead man sat up, and began to speak.” 7:14,15.
Someone touched me. “But Jesus said, ‘Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me.’” 8:46.
Net dead, but sleeping. “But he said, ‘Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.’” 8:52.
Peter’s confession. “'But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, ‘The Christ of God.’" 9:20.
Looking back. “‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” 9:62.
The good Samaritan. “‘Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed mercy on him.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” 10:36,37.
Troubled about trifles. “‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.’” 10:41,42.
He who seeks finds. “‘For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.’” 11:10.
Neglecting weighty matters. “‘But woe to you Pharisees! for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God.’” 11:42.
Hairs of your head. “‘Even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.’” 12:7.
Needless anxiety. “‘Do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on.’” 12:22.
“‘Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.’” 12:27.
Gaining the kingdom. “‘Fear not, little flock, for it is your father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.’” 12:32.
Good salt. “‘Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?’” 14:34.
Joy in heaven. “‘There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.’” 15:7.
One leper in ten. "Then said Jesus, 'Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?. 17:17,18.
Ought always to pray. “That they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” 18:1.
The tax collector. “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinnerl’” 18:13.
Sojourn with Zacchaeus. “Jesus…looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today.’” 19:5.
The faithful servant. “‘Well done, good servant ! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’” 19:17.
Paying taxes. “He said to them, ‘Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’” 20:25.
Watchful waiting. “‘But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare.’” 21:34.
The terrible cup. “‘Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.’” 22:42.
Following at a distance. “Then they…led him…into the high priest’s house. Peter followed at a distance.” 22:54.
Thief on the cross. “‘Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingly power.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’” 23:42,43.
Jesus’ spirit. “Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.’” 23:46.
Power from on high. “‘But stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.’” 24:49.
The ascenaion. “Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them.” 24:50,51.