Luke
About this date: Dates are broad scholarly estimates of composition or final editing, not dates of the events narrated. Traditional attributions and scholarly assessments can differ.
Luke opens by explaining that earlier accounts and eyewitness traditions stand behind his orderly narrative. The Gospel attends to prayer, the Spirit, meals, wealth, mercy, and people at social margins. Its second volume, Acts, continues the story of witness from Jerusalem outward.
Key points
- The preface states a literary aim but does not name the writer within the text.
- Mary's song and Jesus' Nazareth sermon give major themes before the travel narrative.
- Luke's resurrection account leads into the mission narrated in Acts.
Scripture
- Luke 1:1-4 — The preface describes prior accounts, eyewitnesses, and investigation.
- Luke 4:16-30 — Jesus reads Isaiah at Nazareth and announces his mission.
- Luke 10:25-37 — The Good Samaritan answers a question about neighbor love.
- Luke 24:13-53 — Resurrection scenes connect Scripture, table fellowship, and witness.
Primary sources
Irenaeus writes:
Irenaeus directly records the second-century attribution of this Gospel to Luke, Paul's companion; the Gospel's preface itself remains anonymous.
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
Luke 1:3 states:
The preface describes investigation and an orderly account addressed to Theophilus; it does not supply the writer's name.
it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus;
Passage context and translation
The preface describes prior accounts, eyewitnesses, and investigation.
Before the excerpt
even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us,
After the excerpt
that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.