Luke

The path of Luke

1. Before Jesus. He was a physician. Colossians 4:14
2. Before Jesus. According to Tradition: According to tradition, he was from Antioch. Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History III, 4, 6
3. With Jesus. Paul names him among his co-workers, together with Mark. Philemon 1:24
4. With Jesus. In several parts of Acts, the author tells of Paul’s journeys using “we”. Acts 16:10-11; NAB note on Hch 16, 10-17
5. With Jesus. He was with Paul while Paul was in prison. The Second Letter to Timothy says that only Luke was with him. 2 Timothy 4:11
6. Afterward. The author of the Gospel and of Acts dedicated both books to a certain Theophilus. Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1
7. Afterward. According to Tradition: According to Saint Irenaeus, Luke, Paul’s companion, set down in writing the Gospel that Paul preached. Saint Irenaeus, Against Heresies III, 1, 1

Words of Luke

“It seemed good to me also, having diligently attained to all things from the beginning, to write to thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mayest know the verity of those words in which thou hast been instructed.” Luke 1:3-4

At the beginning of the Gospel that Tradition attributes to Luke.

“The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach.” Acts 1:1

At the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles, which Tradition also attributes to Luke.

What they were like

• He was careful: he looked into everything from the beginning before writing. Luke 1:3
• He was faithful to Paul: he stayed with him when others had left. 2 Timothy 4:10-11

The greatest thing they did

• The Gospel according to Saint Luke keeps the songs of Mary, of Zechariah and of Simeon. Luke 1:46-55; Luke 1:68-79; Luke 2:29-32
• Acts tells how the Gospel went from Jerusalem all the way to Rome. Acts 1:8; Acts 28:14-16

Not to be confused with

• Lucius of Cyrene was one of the prophets and teachers in Antioch. Luke was the physician who was Paul’s companion. Their names are similar, but the Bible does not say they are the same person. Acts 13:1; Colossians 4:14

In the Church today

Feast day: October 18, Saint Luke, Evangelist (feast). General Roman Calendar

In art, recognized by: A bull or an ox, because his Gospel begins with the priest Zechariah in the Temple Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Gospel of Saint Luke”; Luke 1:5-9

What people ask

Did Luke know Jesus?

The Bible does not say. At the start of his Gospel, the author explains that he carefully looked into what the eyewitnesses had handed on. Luke 1:2-3

Was Luke a physician?

Yes. Paul calls him “Luke the most dear physician”. Colossians 4:14

Is it true that Luke painted the Virgin Mary?

It is a legend. The first writings that call him a painter date from the tenth and fourteenth centuries. The painting in Rome attributed to him is probably a copy. Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Gospel of Saint Luke”

What does only the Gospel of Luke tell?

Among other things, the angel’s announcement to Mary, the shepherds of Bethlehem, the prodigal son and Zacchaeus. Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:8-20; Luke 15:11-32; Luke 19:1-10

Why does Acts sometimes say “we”?

A NAB note explains that in those parts the author writes as one of Paul’s companions. Acts 16:10; NAB note on Hch 16, 10-17

Who Luke is connected to

• Paul · the beloved physician

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible