Bible Blog 2

Luke

Author, Place And Date Of Writing


The opening of Luke Chapter 1 Verses 1 through 4 and Acts Chapter 1 verses 1 and 2 make clear that the two books should be regarded as a single work in two volumes neither name's its author but the we sections of Acts in comparison with what we can know from Pauls Letters about who was with him at different points in his career point to Luke as the author of this work Justin Martyr, The Muratorian Canon, and Irenaeus all support this conclusion.

Luke was one of Pauls most loyal followers and was well versed in greek culture, he was also a doctor. Luke may have been a Gentile convert if so his knowledge of the Old Testament was extraordinary. Syrian Antioch and Philippi are among sites suggested for his hometown

It has been suggested that Luke wrote his gospel either in Caesarae or Rome, a logical assumption is that Luke started writing the gospel at some point during Paul's imprisonment and continued writing until the story caught up the present situation.


Audience


Luke directly addresses someone named Theophilus who could be a non christian Roman official but definately someone with a high position and considerable wealth yet underlying Luke's overt greeting his gospel the most extensive of the four was written to strengthen the faith of chritians and answer the attacks of cultured non christians.



Cultural Facts and Highlights


In the opening to his gospel Luke expresses his desire to give readers a clear and coherent account of the words and deeds of Jesus by A. D. 62 there probably many oral and some written accounts of Jesus' Miracles and teachings.


Did You Know

Each priest was required to serve at the temple for one week every 6 months
thirty was the age at a levite was required to start serving at the temple
in ancient times it was assumed that calamities would only happen to those who were sinful
Synagogues were not only used for worship and school but also community administration an imprisonment of those awaiting trial


Themes

The universality of the gospel
concern for social outcasts
repentance
wealth