Comprehensive Study Guide to the Gospel of Luke

Eyewitness Status: Luke was not an eyewitness to the miracles and journey of Jesus. Instead, he utilized the assistance of eyewitnesses to write his gospel account.
Specific Eyewitness Sources: A key example of his research is his interaction with Mary, the mother of Jesus. He interviewed her regarding the birth and life of Jesus, which forms a vital portion of his gospel.
Relationship with Paul: Luke was a close friend of the Apostle Paul. Collectively, Luke and Paul authored more than half (> 1/2) of the New Testament.
Origin and Conversion: Luke was of Syrian origin. He converted to Christianity as a result of the resurrection of Jesus.
Education and Profession: Luke is identified as an educated gentile. He was a physician by trade.
Identity: He is the only gentile writer featured in the New Testament.

Writing Order and Detail: Luke authored the third gospel and is noted for being exceptionally detailed in his writing. His style is described as both detailed and orderly.
Research Process: To ensure accuracy, Luke conducted careful research and used eyewitness accounts to create a structured narrative.
Chronology: Luke's gospel is the only one among the four to claim to be written in chronological order.
Focus on Inclusivity: Luke emphasized that Jesus is the Savior of all people. He made a deliberate effort in his writing to ensure everyone felt included.
Emotional Depth: The text uniquely focuses on personal perspective and various personal emotions.
Religious Themes: The gospel is famously known as the "Gospel of Mercy" because it highlights the compassion and mercy of God. Furthermore, it stresses the importance of prayer and the Holy Spirit.

Theophilus: The primary intended audience for the Gospel of Luke is a man named Theophilus. He was most likely a Roman official and a gentile.
Gentile Christians: Much of the audience consists of gentile Christians. The text serves to show them how Jesus is the savior for all people.
The Marginalized: A core audience for this gospel is the marginalized, which include:
- The poor
- Women
- Samaritans
- Outcasts
Audience Distribution: The audience is generally categorized into three main groups.

Joy of Salvation: A prominent theme is the joy associated with salvation. Luke highlights this specifically through his accounts of Jesus’s birth.
The Birth of Jesus: Luke provides unique information regarding the birth of Jesus that is not detailed in the other gospels. He obtained these specifics through discussions with Mary.
Universal Salvation: This is the concept that Jesus is the savior for all individuals, with a specific focus on the less fortunate.
Declaration of Mission: A key example of universal salvation is the story of Zacchaeus (found in Luke $19:1–10$ ). In this account, Jesus declares that he will save the lost.

Setting: Jesus was entering the town of Nain when he encountered a funeral procession.
Action: Jesus raised a widow's only son from the dead.
Breaking Taboos: In performing this miracle, Jesus went against established religious rules regarding the touching of a dead body.
Motivation: Jesus felt deep sympathy for the woman. As a widow who had lost her only son, she was destitute and lacked any remaining financial support or protection.

Gospel Length: Luke is the longest of the four gospels.
Word Count Comparisons:
- Luke: Ranked first (longest).
- Matthew: $18,346$ words.
- John: $15,635$ words.
- Mark: $11,304$ words.
Historical Dating:
- The gospel is believed to have been written around $80$ AD.
- Modern scholars suggest a date range between $80$ AD and $85$ AD.
- Many believe it was written following the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem.

Rejoiced: To show or feel great joy or delight.
The Sabbath: The day of rest for all of the children of Israel. This occurs on the seventh day (Sunday).
Savior: A person who comes to rescue or save someone or something.
Chronologically: Arranged in the order that events occurred, starting from the earliest and moving to the newest.