It is surprising that someone who is mentioned as rarely in the Scriptures as Luke would have such a vital role in the writing thereof. His name is mentioned only three times, yet he wrote two of the most important accounts in the Bible—carefully researched accounts of both Christ’s life and a history of approximately the first thirty years of the early church.
Luke
Nothing is recorded of Luke’s birth or death, but a bit can be deduced about his character and livelihood. In one of his epistles Paul used the nickname beloved physician to describe Luke. This implies that he was kind and amicable—a man cherished by the Christian community. Luke was apparently a Gentile medical doctor who accompanied and cared for Paul on at least a portion of his second and third missionary journeys. For a time he was also the sole companion of the imprisoned Paul in Rome shortly before the apostle’s martyrdom.
For any who ever wonder about the reliability and trustworthiness of the Bible, Luke offers assurance of meticulous attention to detail and verified truth. At the beginning of his gospel account, the physician writes: “Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were actual eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account… so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.” Now that’s the sort of historian who can be trusted!
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM LUKE?
Luke must have been remarkably intelligent. He served both as a medical doctor and a respected historian. Yet instead of spending his life chasing fame or amassing wealth, Luke was content to devote his years to zealously researching biblical accounts and being the personal physician to an aging apostle who couldn’t pay him a cent for his services. We can learn from such a selfless and caring professional.
BIBLE VERSES ABOUT LUKE
Colossians 4:14; Philemon 24; 2 Tim. 4:11
WHAT QUESTIONS DOES THIS HELP TO ANSWER?
- Who was Luke in the Bible?
- Is the Bible reliable?
- Is the Bible historically accurate?
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