Evangelist Luke
Luke is named in Paul's letters as a physician and coworker. The Church receives him as author of the two-volume work Luke-Acts.
Perspective note
Shared subject; this bundled record was originally written with an Orthodox-informed editorial lens.
Tradition note
The identification of Paul's coworker Luke with the author of Luke-Acts is the Church's received tradition. Acts also contains first-person plural travel sections relevant to that reception.
Scripture
- Luke 1:1-4 — The author describes investigation of traditions handed down by eyewitnesses and ministers of the word.
- Acts 1:1-2 — Acts addresses the same recipient and refers back to the first account.
- Colossians 4:14 — Paul sends greetings from Luke, the beloved physician.
- Philemon 24 — Luke is named among Paul's fellow workers.
- 2 Timothy 4:11 — Paul says that Luke alone is with him.
Primary sources
Irenaeus writes:
Irenaeus records the second-century attribution of the Gospel to Luke, Paul's companion; this is later reception evidence rather than a signature in Luke's preface.
Luke also, the companion of Paul, recorded in a book the Gospel preached by him.
Passage context and translation
Irenaeus names Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John while defending the public apostolic Gospel against rival claims. The statement reports his second-century attribution, not a first-person signature in Luke's preface.
Before the excerpt
what had been preached by Peter
After the excerpt
Afterwards, John, the disciple of the Lord, who also had leaned upon His breast