Overview of Luke

Luke

Author: Luke

Time: 6 B.C.–A.D. 30

Summary: Luke (who also wrote the book of Acts) was a Greek physician. His

book emphasises the humanity of Jesus and his compassion, as well as

the power of the Holy Spirit and prayer. He describes Jesus’ acceptance

of Gentiles, women, children and the poor. The writing is characterised

by historical detail and a warm, sensitive understanding of Jesus and of

those around him.

Luke’s Gospel was written particularly for Greeks who delighted in wis-

dom, beauty and system. Luke tells the story of Jesus, unfolding his

development in a systematic manner. Luke was an artist with the pen,

drawing the portrait of Jesus as the perfect man.

Key verse: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his

cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,

but whoever loses his life for me will save it” (9:23–24)

1. The Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:1–4

2. The coming of Jesus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:5–2:52

a) The predictions of Jesus’ birth 1:5–56

b) The birth of John the Baptist 1:57–80

c) The birth and childhood of Jesus 2

3. The preparation of Jesus for his public ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:1–4:13

a) His forerunner 3:1–20

b) His baptism 3:21–22

c) His genealogy 3:23–38

d) His temptation 4:1–13

4. Jesus’ ministry in Galilee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:24–9:9

a) The beginning of the ministry in Galilee 4:14–41

b) The first tour of Galilee 4:42–5:39

c) A Sabbath controversy 6:1–11

d) The choice of the 12 apostles 6:12–16

e) The sermon 6:17–49

f ) Miracles in Capernaum and Nain 7:1–18

g) The inquiry of John the Baptist 7:19–29

h) Jesus and the Pharisees 7:30–50

i) The second tour of Galilee 8:1–3

j) The parables of the kingdom 8:4–21

k) The trip across the Sea of Galilee 8:40–9:9

5. Jesus’ withdrawals from Galilee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:10–50

a) To the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee 9:10–17

b) To Caesarea Philippi 9:18–50

6. Jesus’ ministry in Judea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:51–13:21

a) Journey through Samaria to Judea 9:51–62

b) The mission of the 70 10:1–24

c) The lawyer and the parable of the Good Samaritan 10:25–37

d) Jesus at Bethany with Mary and Martha 10:38–42

e) Teachings in Judea 11:1–13:21

7. Jesus’ ministry in Perea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:22–19:27

a) The narrow door 13:22–30

b) Warning about Herod 13:31–35

c) At a Pharisee’s house 14:1–23

d) The cost of discipleship 14:24–35

e) Some parables 15–16

f ) Miscellaneous teachings 17:1–10

g) Ten healed of leprosy 17:11–19

h) The coming of the kingdom 17:20–37

i) The persistent widow 18:1–8

j) The Pharisee and tax collector 18:9–14

k) Jesus and the children 18:15–17

l) The rich young ruler 18:18–30

m) Prediction of Jesus’ death 18:31–34

n) Healing a blind man at Jericho 18:35–43

o) Zacchaeus 19:1–10

p) The parable of the 10 minas 19:11–27

8. Jesus’ last week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19:28–23:56

a) The triumphal entry 19:28–44

b) The cleansing of the temple 19:45–48

c) The last controversies with the Jewish leaders 20

d) The Olivet prophecy concerning the end of the age 21

e) The Last supper and Gethsemane 22:1–46

f ) The arrest, trial and death of Jesus 22:47–23:56

9. The resurrection of Jesus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

a) Jesus is raised 24:1–12

b) The post-resurrection ministry 24:13–49

c) Jesus ascends to heaven 24:50–52