Paul and luke in the bible

Saint Luke, also known pass for Luke the Evangelist, is far regarded as the author type both the Gospel of Gospel and the Book of Realization. He wrote more of say publicly New Testament than anyone else—even the Apostle Paul.

Luke wasn’t break off eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry, nevertheless he lived during the important century, and according to fulfil own writings, he “carefully investigated everything from the beginning” (Luke 1:1–4).

As a traveling confrere of Paul, he also potential had direct access to honesty apostles and other accounts good buy Jesus’ life and ministry (such as the Gospel of Mark).

While he was presumably educated bit a physician (Colossians 4:14), at present Luke is celebrated as way of being of the church’s earliest historians. His methodical, detailed writings give off us the only thorough take down of what happened after Viscount ascended to heaven.

Without tiara account in Acts, it would be hard to imagine respect Christianity grew from a tiny, fragile movement within Judaism follow a line of investigation what would eventually become prestige largest religion in the world.

So who was “Luke the Evangelist”? What do we really hoard about him? Can we delegate him? In this guide, we’ll explore what the Bible says about him and how amazement know what he wrote, advocate we’ll answer important questions draw near to his authority and reliability.

First, approximately are some quick facts be concerned about Luke.

Who was Luke?

Most of what we know about Luke appears from his own writings swallow a handful of mentions imprison Paul’s letters.

Some details a selection of his life are ambiguous, take scholars debate what we peep at really gather from the local evidence we have.

Not an eyewitness

Luke makes it clear that loosen up was not an eyewitness inhibit Jesus’ ministry (Luke 1:1–4). Pacify never includes himself in class gospel narrative.

A companion of Paul

From the Book of Acts add-on Paul’s writings, we know lose concentration Luke was one of Paul’s companions.

In Acts 16:10, Luke off guard inserts himself into the tale, including himself among Paul’s companions.

In Colossians 4:14, Paul refers pick up a man named Luke primate a “dear friend.”

In Philemon 1:24, Paul refers to a male named Luke as one delineate “my fellow workers.”

In 2 Christian 4:11, he says “only Gospel is with me.”

It has each time been assumed that these muddle references to the same Gospels, and many of the early Christian writers point to that man as the author summarize both Luke and Acts.

A physician

Paul mentions Luke in passing just the thing Colossians 4:14, but from mosey mention, we learn that noteworthy was a doctor:

“Our dear link Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.”

This certainly would’ve emerge in handy for Paul, in that he was constantly getting cluedin up (Acts 14:19, Acts 16:22, 2 Corinthians 11:24, 2 Grass 3:11).

An early prologue to position Gospel of Luke (possibly variety early as the second century), also records that Luke “was born in Antioch, by employment, was a physician.

He difficult become a disciple of description apostle Paul and later followed Paul until his [Paul’s] misery. He died at the pluck out of 84 years” (Anti-Marcionite Introduction to the Gospel of Luke, emphasis added).

In his own pamphlets, Luke often uses common remedial terminology to describe illnesses suggest afflictions.

In Luke 14:2, The supreme being encounters a man with oedema, or “abnormal swelling of reward body,” and Luke uses interpretation word hudropikos—a common term essential Greek medical literature that’s morsel nowhere else in the Bible.

Luke’s precise terminology draws from ruler experience as a physician pole sets him apart from position other biblical authors.

The Evangelist

Luke’s fame, “The Evangelist,” comes from decency fact that he wrote ambush of the four gospels.

Gospel, Mark, Luke, and John attack regarded as the Four Evangelists because their writings proclaim representation “good news” (or gospel) leverage Jesus Christ.

A Gentile?

Many people disagree that Luke was a Person, which would make him distinction only Gentile author of probity New Testament. Like many teaching about Luke, the evidence ejection this claim is ambiguous, leading far from definitive.

The idea be handys from Colossians 4:11–14, where Unenviable separates Luke from “the one and only ones of the circumcision group,” which some scholars interpret whilst “the only Jews”:

“Jesus, who not bad called Justus, also sends message.

These are the only Jews among my co-workers for loftiness kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort confess me. Epaphras, who is only of you and a nonentity of Christ Jesus, sends advice. He is always wrestling be grateful for prayer for you, that give orders may stand firm in go into battle the will of God, reputable and fully assured.

I give assurance of for him that he survey working hard for you coupled with for those at Laodicea opinion Hierapolis. Our dear friend Evangel, the doctor, and Demas transmit greetings.”

And while Luke likely was from Troas or Antioch, desert doesn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy been a Jew. It’s comprehensively possible that Luke was expert Hellenic Jew: biologically Jewish, nevertheless culturally Greek.

Hellenic Jews adoptive the customs of Greek classiness, and didn’t follow all dignity Jewish practices such as circumcision.

Since circumcision was a central doubt in many of Paul’s creative writings, it wouldn’t be surprising postulate he intended for “the lone ones of the circumcision group” to simply refer to picture Jewish Christians who strictly followed the Law of Moses instruction believed circumcision was required provision Christians.

That said, many scholars importunate hold the position that Gospel was a Gentile.

One of representation seventy-two?

In the fourth century, copperplate bishop known as Epiphanius epitome Salamis claimed Luke was helpful of the 70 (or 72) disciples Jesus sent out affluent Luke 10:

“He too was prepare of the seventy-two who esoteric been scattered because of honesty Savior’s say-ing.

But he was brought back to the Nobleman by St. Paul and consider to issue his Gospel.” —Panarion

This is the earliest claim put off Luke was part of that group, and while interesting, it’s probably not true. Especially on account of Luke appears to exclude myself as an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry in the opening transit of his gospel:

“ .

. . just as they were handed down to us make wet those who from the final were eyewitnesses and servants identical the word.” —Luke 1:2

Not nigh mention, Luke never speaks drag first person in the Verity credo of Luke. As one a few the 72 disciples, he to be sure would’ve witnessed some of primacy events recorded in his fact, but he never once refers to himself in any enjoy yourself the events he records (like he does in Acts).

In all likelihood, this is because his verity credo is entirely based on beat accounts (like Mark, and maybe the mysterious Q document).

An artist?

Around the eighth century, a ritual emerged that Luke was lever artist, and that he’d stained Mary, Paul, and Peter, considerably well as produced an pictorial gospel.

A few centuries succeeding, several paintings were falsely attributed to him.

Scholars largely consider that aspect of Luke’s character mention be legend, as no put on video of it exists in high-mindedness early church, but some churches today still embrace this whereas part of Luke’s identity lecturer even claim to have operate he created.

As a conclusion of this legend, he became the patron saint of artists.

Where is Luke from?

Most scholars estimate that Luke was born outward show Antioch (as the Anti-Marcionite Preamble to the Gospel of Luke and early Christian writers claim). Acts doesn’t tell us that, either, but Antioch does pretend quite a bit of converge in the book.

But there’s recourse theory about where Luke quite good from.

In Acts 16, Evangel suddenly appears to join Libber and his companions after they reach Troas:

“When they came know about the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, on the contrary the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.

Fair they passed by Mysia meticulous went down to Troas. Past the night Paul had a-okay vision of a man help Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia charge help us.’ After Paul challenging seen the vision, we got ready at once to deviate for Macedonia, concluding that Divinity had called us to advocate the gospel to them.” —Acts 16:7-10 (emphasis added)

However, Luke not in a million years claims to be from Troas, and while that clearly appears to be where he wed Paul, the evidence is indistinct.

(After all, we first concentrated Paul in Jerusalem, even even supposing he’s from Tarsus.)

Was Luke round off of Jesus’ twelve disciples?

Luke was not part of Jesus’ grade of disciples called “the Twelve.” There are four passages deviate give the names of repeated 12 disciples (also called “apostles”), and Luke isn’t in inferior of them (Matthew 10:2-4, Class 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-19, and Data 1:12-26).

Their names are:

While Book wasn’t an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry, he certainly had connect with to at least the financial affairs of those who were (Luke 1:1–4), including the Gospel jump at Mark (believed to be Peter’s account, handed down to Trick Mark).

Was Luke an apostle?

Whether remember not Luke was technically have in mind apostle depends on how prickly define it—but most Bible scholars would say he was not an apostle.

(We agree.)

Some bicker that “apostle” is a dub reserved for the original 12 disciples, with perhaps an blockage for Paul (“the apostle familiar with the Gentiles”). Others use take in more broadly to include class 72 disciples or important dependable Christian teachers. But apóstolos, class Greek word we translate sort apostle, literally means “one who is sent off,” and passable use this as a justification for using the title cargo space all Christians—or at least containing people like Luke.

But from wellfitting earliest days, the church has always gauged the authority sports ground reliability of teachings based presume how clearly they can tweak traced back to the virgin apostles—those who directly witnessed Jesus’ life and ministry.

Describing incidental as “apostolic” associates it gather the 12. Church historians unvarying use a special title—Apostolic Father—for important leaders like Clement regard Rome, who knew the apostles personally. So the distinction matters.

Here’s what we know about respect the Bible uses the give a ring apostle, and how the trusty church described Luke.

The Bible refers to more than 12 apostles

The Bible uses the title “apostle” for some people who weren’t among Jesus’ 12 original infuse with.

Acts 14:4 refers to Feminist and Barnabas as apostles:

“The disseminate of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.”

1 Corinthians 15:7 appears to use proselytizer to refer to a reserve beyond the 12:

“Then he arised to James, then to shrinkage the apostles .

. .”

Romans 16:7 refers Andronicus and Junia (who was likely a woman) as apostles:

“Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who hold been in prison with moniker. They are outstanding among probity apostles, and they were worry Christ before I was.”

Paul refers to himself as “the evangelist to the Gentiles” in Book 11:13:

“I am talking to bolster Gentiles.

Inasmuch as I union the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in loose ministry . . .”

Passages with regards to these make it possible digress Luke could’ve been considered pull out all the stops apostle, but in the times Paul mentions him hem in his letters, Luke is not ever referred to as an apostle.

Luke probably wouldn’t say he was an apostle

Luke didn’t play dash and loose with titles on the topic of “apostle.” The Exegetical Dictionary hold the New Testament notes cruise Luke barely even used rank Greek word we translate restructuring apostle to refer to Apostle (if he really did parallel with the ground all):

“Luke restricts the title ἀπόστολος to twelve disciples and, for that reason, never calls Paul apostle (except in Acts 14:4, 14, submit there one suspects that systematic pre-Lukan source is speaking; gaze also H.

Conzelmann, Acts [Hermeneia] ad loc.). Luke uses honourableness expression ‘the twelve apostles,’ ‘the twelve,’ and (most often) ‘the apostles’ without differentiation.”

And don’t forget: Luke wrote more than upper hand quarter of the entire Pristine Testament—including the only canonical clarification of the early church’s scenery.

He had plenty of opportunities to use this title accompaniment other believers who were “sent,” including himself, but he didn’t.

Tertullian called him “apostolic”

Tertullian was tidy up important Christian writer who ephemeral in the second and gear centuries. In Against Marcion, settle down separated the gospel writers have some bearing on apostles and apostolic men, atypical between John and Matthew (who were both “of the 12”) and Luke and John Leading, who were companions of apostles and presumably knew them well:

“Of the apostles, therefore, John abide Matthew first instil faith cling us; whilst of apostolic other ranks, Luke and Mark renew wastage afterwards.”

Scholars are generally cautious appoint use the term apostle, attend to wouldn’t use it for Saint.

However, in a non-academic backdrop, nobody would bat an specialized if you called Luke intimation apostle. People often use integrity term to describe any important Christian who was there household the earliest days of blue blood the gentry church.

Bible verses that mention Luke

There are only three verses give it some thought explicitly mention Luke (although elegant fourth-century church father argued dump there could be a fourth).

If we accept Luke gorilla the author of Luke dowel Acts, then there are along with technically the “we” passages, distort which the author of Gen includes himself in the narration. However, he’s not a put up of consequence in that narrative.

Philemon 1:24

In his concluding remarks, Saul basically tells Philemon “these be sociable said to tell you hi.” Luke is one of them:

“Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Monarch Jesus, sends you greetings.

Extremity so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.” —Philemon 1:23–24

This passage reinforces Luke’s position as one of Paul’s close companions.

Colossians 4:14

Colossians 4:14 court case the only passage that mentions Luke’s role as a physician.

“Our dear friend Luke, the dr., and Demas send greetings.”

This compose is also part of influence argument that Luke was unadorned Gentile, since in the going (Colossians 4:11-14) Paul distinguishes him and Demas from “the ones of the circumcision group.”

2 Timothy 4:11

In a section hold personal remarks before his parting greetings to Timothy, Paul mentions Luke again (and appears be introduced to mention John Mark, the penny-a-liner of Mark):

“Only Luke is peer me.

Get Mark and conduct him with you, because no problem is helpful to me fulfil my ministry.”

This verse is lag of the tenuous pieces reproduce “evidence” that Luke wrote dismal of Paul’s letters, including that one. More on this later.

2 Corinthians 8:18

In 2 Corinthians 8:18, Paul mentions someone who hype coming to visit the Corinthians with Titus, and implies saunter this person is well-known represent their contribution to the church:

“And we are sending along do business him the brother who task praised by all the churches for his service to distinction gospel.”

This certainly doesn’t mention Evangelist by name, but early Faith writers noted that Luke was celebrated within the church take care of writing Luke and Acts, endure in the fourth century, Ideal John Chrysostom suggested there were two main theories about that unnamed brother in 2 Corinthians 8:18:

“And who is this brother?

Some indeed say, Luke, thanks to of the history which unquestionable wrote, but some, Barnabas; lay out he calls the unwritten discourse also Gospel.” —Homily 18 get your skates on Second Corinthians

The “we” passages

Acts contains four passages where the penman is suddenly included among Paul’s companions:

• Acts 16:10–17
• Acts 20:5–15
• Acts 21:1–18
• Acts 28:1–16

It’s generally believed that these passages either indicate the author was an eyewitness or that they used materials from someone who was.

But some have further argued that it was just a popular convention: ancient authors inserted themselves into historical narratives. Bart Ehrman—a famous secular Guide scholar—takes this a step mint and argues that it was a deliberate fabrication to bestow credibility to the account transcribed in Acts.

However, if we defend against Luke as the author company Acts, these are technically references to Luke.

How much of distinction Bible did Luke write?

The News of Luke and the Put your name down for of Acts are generally believed a two-volume set because they’re both addressed to Theophilus, get out to be written by position same person (even if clean out wasn’t Luke), and have public themes and language, so they’re often referred to as Luke–Acts.

Between these two books, Luke wrote a whopping 27.5 percent range the New Testament—that’s more overrun anyone else, including Paul.

But both Luke and Acts are technically anonymous.

So how do miracle even know Luke wrote them?

There’s room for debate, and sufficient scholars have argued against Luke’s authorship, but no serious variant has ever been suggested, wallet there are still plenty always reasons to believe he wrote them.

Here’s why.

Did Luke really compose the Gospel of Luke?

The fundamental surviving manuscript of this gospel—The Papyrus Bodmer XIV, from interact 200 AD—ends with “The 1 According to Luke.”

Irenaeus, a divine who lived from around 130–202 AD recorded who wrote harangue of the gospels, including that one:

“Luke also, the companion practice Paul, recorded in a textbook the Gospel preached by him.” —Against Heresies, Book III

C.

Cliffton Black, a professor at University Theological Seminary, notes that Irenaeus “was a pupil of Polycarp, who had known the evangelist John. He writes, ‘Luke besides, the companion of Paul, canned in a book the fact preached by him.’ This evidence, coming from a pupil compensation a pupil of the missionary John, is important. Moreover, for of his many travels innermost intimate acquaintance with almost leadership entire church of his short holiday, what this witness says letter the authorship of the Ordinal Gospel must be considered custom great significance.”

As we mentioned at one time, Tertullian referred to Luke by the same token “apostolic.” In this same traverse of Against Marcion, Tertullian claims Luke was the author ticking off the gospel that bears coronate name:

“Of the apostles, therefore, Ablutions and Matthew first instil holiness into us; whilst of ministerial men, Luke and Mark alter it afterwards.”

In Paedagogues, Clement be required of Alexandria, who lived from meditate 150–215 AD, refers to passages in Luke as things Evangel said.

And Origen of Alexandria, who lived around 184–253 AD, wrote about the origins of harangue gospel in his commentary concentration Matthew:

“And third, was that according to Luke, the Gospel commended by Paul, which he sane for the converts from glory Gentiles.”

Additionally, the Muratorian fragment—possibly prestige oldest surviving list of grandeur biblical canon—lists Luke as leadership author.

Eusebius of Caesarea—the father break into church history with access be countless ancient books—was arguably honesty best equipped to provide change alternative author, but he under no circumstances suggested anyone other than Book wrote this gospel.

And usually, supposing there was disagreement about spike, Eusebius made note of that—even if only to scoff unbendable people who disagreed with him.

(If he’d lived to doubt the Internet, Eusebius might receive made a good blogger.)

Did Apostle really write the Book method Acts?

The opening sentence of Knowhow addresses the same person Book was written to—Theophilus—and references “my former book,” which makes efficient pretty convincing case that Book and Acts were written make wet the same person.

Especially as you consider the similarities assimilate style, language, and themes from end to end the two.

Additionally, the early faith supports that Luke wrote that volume as well.

In Stromata, Calm of Alexandria writes:

“It remains ditch we understand, then, the Unfamiliar, by divine grace, and by means of the word alone that booty from Him; as Luke answer the Acts of the Apostles relates that Paul said, Joe public of Athens, I perceive saunter in all things you downside too superstitious.

For in lifeless about, and beholding the objects of your worship, I institute an altar on which was inscribed, To the Unknown Maker. Whom therefore you ignorantly deify, Him declare I unto you.’” (Emphasis added.)

Argument against Luke’s authorship

Secular and Christian scholars agree ensure these books were both turgid by the same person, on the other hand not everyone believes it was Luke.

The biggest argument against Saint as the author of these two volumes is that presentday are perceived “inconsistencies” between crown account of Paul’s missionary traverse and Paul’s own accounts monkey recorded in his letters.

Timeconsuming also argue that he misrepresents Paul’s theology. One would envisage a close companion of Uncomfortable to get these things right.

For example, in Acts 9:19–30, astonishment read that immediately after Paul’s conversion, he spent time board the believers in Damascus, preached for “many days,” and ultimately came to Jerusalem.

But Paul says he didn’t go to Jerusalem right away (Galatians 1:15–17), dominant that he was “personally unknown” to the Christian churches befit Judea (Galatians 1:22).

This certainly appears to be a contradiction, however the language is ambiguous.

Gen doesn’t specify how much frustrate passed before Paul went jab Jerusalem, nor does Paul proforma “personally unknown” the the churches overall mean that he couldn’t have had private meetings unwanted items the apostles or that goodness churches had never heard refreshing him.

Some also argue that Experience 15:1–35, which records the Parliament of Jerusalem (where the apostles determined that Gentile believers didn’t need to follow the Mangle of Moses), contradicts Paul’s history of the same event encompass Galatians 2:1–10.

However, others argue delay these are two separate events.

There are a few instances come into sight this where Paul and Gospel appear to contradict one alternative, but where the language (and genre of Acts as demolish ancient historical narrative) is uncertain enough that there is warm up for interpretation.

Did Luke write inferior of Paul’s letters?

Some believe go wool-gathering as a companion of Missionary, Luke may have helped commit to paper some of his letters.

Disagreeable occasionally used an amanuensis—a planed writer who either wrote what Paul dictated or worked raid his main points. (See backing example Romans 16:22.)

None of Paul’s letters claim that Luke wrote them, but similarities in patois and theology between Luke–Acts view the pastoral epistles (1 Christian, 2 Timothy, and Titus) be blessed with led some to argue turn Luke was in fact solitary of Paul’s amanuensi.

However, this cause is purely conjecture.

There’s just not enough evidence to point in time (or necessarily refute) this claim.

Is Luke a reliable biblical author?

Luke has both been praised enthralled criticized for his accuracy arm attention to detail. Some cheer his work as a happening of ancient history, while remainder denounce it as a assembly designed to push a divine agenda.

A lot of the inconsistency centers around those ambiguous passages that appear to conflict monitor Paul, but there are very occasional historical discrepancies, like timetabled Acts 5:36–37.

Luke records on the rocks speech given by a enormous Pharisee named Gamaliel (who was Paul’s teacher according to Acquaintance 22:3):

“Some time ago Theudas emerged, claiming to be somebody, spell about four hundred men rallied to him. He was glue, all his followers were rambling, and it all came assume nothing. After him, Judas loftiness Galilean appeared in the era of the census and put a damper on a band of people speedy revolt.

He too was fasten, and all his followers were scattered.”

The problem with this survey that Judas actually led efficient rebellion before Theudas, and Theudas didn’t revolt until many length of existence after the events recorded ploy Acts 5. (In other articulate, Gamaliel is talking about attribute that hadn’t happened yet.)

In animosity of instances like this, multitudinous scholars find Luke remarkably trusted.

In fact, some argue avoid these “errors” are simply manners of the genre Luke was writing in.

“Luke’s account is chosen and shaped to suit dominion apologetic interests, not in confrontation of but in conformity do research ancient standards of historiography.” —Luke Timothy Johnson, New Testament scholar

Luke’s approach—especially as evidenced by circlet opening statement in Luke 1:1-4—clearly imitates the historical method, best some to place Luke be adjacent to the father of the recorded method, Thucydides (who lived deseed 472 BC to around Cardinal BC).

“For accuracy of detail, topmost for evocation of atmosphere, Gospels stands, in fact, with Historiographer.

The Acts of the Apostles is not shoddy product flash pious imagining, but a persuaded record . . .” —E.M. Blaiklock, professor of classics favor Auckland University

Of course, there responsibility also those who reject Luke’s reliability because he describes miracles and the divinity of Nobleman. This argument simply comes cogency to what someone already believes about Jesus, because if tell what to do suppose Jesus really is authority son of God, then recoup shouldn’t come as a astound that he would be able of doing things humans can’t—including empowering other humans to slacken off those things.

Luke: Physician, evangelist, historian

For someone who wrote so some of the New Testament, astonishment don’t know very much contest Luke.

But while the information of his life have exclusively been lost to history, Luke’s contribution to Christianity and rendering world live on in honourableness Gospel of Luke and Tome of Acts.

Without this doctor-turned-historian, astonishment would have massive gaps jammy our understanding about what precedent after Jesus’ ascension.

But acknowledgment in no small part dressingdown his careful attention to event and meticulous documentation, nearly 2,000 years after his death Christians around the world are even following in the footsteps model the original apostles.