New Testament
Luke
24 chapters · World English Bible
Book context
Luke begins with a short preface: many had already written accounts, and the author, having traced everything carefully, writes an orderly account for “most excellent Theophilus” so that he may know the certainty of what he was taught (1:1 to 4). The Gospel pays close attention to people others overlooked and sums up Jesus’ mission as seeking and saving the lost (19:10). The author is not named; church tradition attributes the book to Luke, a companion of Paul. Acts is also addressed to Theophilus (Acts 1:1), and the two books are widely read as one work in two parts.
Why we say this
HisFullGlory editorial · common interpretation · not yet reviewed by a theological reader
From the text itself
Sources
Notes summarise their sources in our own words. Where Christians or scholars disagree, the note says so. Notes are not original-language evidence and do not replace the text.
AI explanation
About Luke as a whole · Written by an AI model · Not reviewed by a theological reader
This explanation was written by an AI model to help you get started. It names no sources and can contain mistakes. Scripture comes first, and context with sources is shown separately on this page.
What this book is about
A man sits down to write to a friend. Many have already tried to set the story in order, and he has traced everything accurately from the first, so that Theophilus may know the certainty of what he was taught. That is how Luke begins, as a careful account of the life of Jesus.
It opens with the births of John the Baptist and Jesus, and with songs of praise still used in worship. Then Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem, and much of the book is that long journey, filled with teaching. Along the road Luke shows special interest in the poor, in women, in outsiders and in prayer. Some of the best-known parables are found only here, among them the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son.
The journey ends in Jerusalem, at the cross and the empty tomb. On the road to Emmaus the risen Jesus walks beside two sad travelers and opens the Scriptures to them. The book closes with his ascension, and the disciples return to Jerusalem with great joy.
Background
Early tradition names the author as Luke, a doctor and companion of Paul. The book is addressed to a man called Theophilus and is the first half of a two-part work that continues in Acts. It is commonly dated to the 70s or 80s; some date it to the early 60s.
How Christians read it
Luke says he drew on eyewitnesses and earlier accounts, and most scholars think Mark was one of them. Readers differ on how to hold together Luke's sharp words about wealth with other parts of Scripture. His account has shaped the Christian year more than any other: Christmas, the ascension and Pentecost all rest largely on Luke and Acts.
About this explanation
Written by Claude Sonnet 5.5, an AI model, on 14 October 2026. It draws on the WEB text and general knowledge and was not checked against sources by a person. Every quotation from Scripture is checked automatically against the WEB text.