BIBLE BOOK GUIDE
Luke
24 chapters
Through an orderly account, Luke presents Jesus as the merciful Savior-Messiah for sinners and outcasts, who sends His followers to proclaim repentance and forgiveness to all nations.
Luke
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Why this book was written
Written in the 60s AD for Gentile readers and early Christian disciples, Luke's purpose was to provide an accurate and ordered account of Jesus' life for those who had not witnessed His ministry, to strengthen their faith, equip them as witnesses, and to show how God's salvation extends from Israel to all nations.
Structure
- 1–4Prologue and Beginnings: Preparing the Way of Salvation
- 5–9Jesus' Ministry: Authority, Mercy, and Discipleship
- 10–19Journey to Jerusalem: Shaping Disciples for the Cost
- 20–23Passion and Cross: The Accomplishment of Salvation
- 24Resurrection and Great Commission: Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth
Major themes
The Universality of Salvation
Luke repeatedly emphasizes that Jesus' gospel is for all peoples, from Zechariah's prophecy (Luke 2:30-32) to the pre-ascension commission (Luke 24:47). Salvation crosses boundaries of ethnicity, gender, and status.
Mercy and Concern for the Marginalized
Luke uniquely highlights Jesus' care for the poor, women, sinners, Samaritans, and tax collectors — the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), and Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10).
The Holy Spirit and Prayer
Luke gives more attention to the Spirit's presence and power (Luke 1:35; 4:1; 11:13) and to Jesus' modeled prayer life (Luke 3:21; 5:16; 9:18; 22:39-46).
The Journey of Discipleship
Luke centers on the 'travel narrative' to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51–19:44), showing disciples learning faith, humility, and self-denial as they follow Jesus.
The Historical Jesus and Salvation History
Luke opens with careful historical methodology (Luke 1:1-4), anchoring Jesus in the history of Rome and Israel (Luke 2:1-2; 3:1-2), presenting salvation arriving in real time and space.
Joy and Praise
Luke is filled with canticles — the Magnificat, Benedictus, and Nunc Dimittis (Luke 1:46-55; 1:68-79; 2:29-32) — and culminates in resurrection joy (Luke 24:52-53).
How it points to Christ
Luke presents Jesus as the Spirit-filled Son of Man (Luke 1:35; 4:1,14,18) and the promised Davidic Messiah-Christ-Lord (Luke 2:11; 1:32-33). He proclaims the Jubilee (Luke 4:16-21), fulfills Isaiah, embodies the merciful Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33-35), dies for sinners, rises, and commissions repentance and forgiveness to all nations (Luke 24:46-47). In Luke, Christ is both the historical figure and the risen Lord who indwells believers by the Spirit (Luke 24:49).
Key verses
- 1:1–4Luke's prologue showing his careful investigation to give certainty to the teachings Theophilus had received.
- 2:10–11The angel announces the good news of great joy—a Savior, Christ the Lord, the gospel's core for all people.
- 4:18–19Jesus declares His mission to proclaim liberty and healing—the program of salvation Luke emphasizes.
- 7:36–50The sinful woman's repentance and forgiveness highlight Luke's theme of mercy and faith.
- 9:23–24The cross-shaped discipleship: denying oneself and taking up the cross to find true life.
- 15:7Joy in heaven over one sinner who repents—a key verse for Luke's repentance and joy motif.
- 19:10The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost—Jesus' mission in Luke in one sentence.
- 24:46–48The risen Christ declares Scripture fulfilled and sends disciples as witnesses, launching the great commission.
Films & series on Luke
Each has a guide: scripture sources, where it departs from the Bible, discussion questions, and where to watch

Jesus
Film · 1979
Three and a half years of Jesus' ministry, as told in the Gospel of Luke.

The Chosen
Series · 2019
The life of Christ through the eyes of those who encountered him.

The Gospel of Luke
Film · 2015
THE GOSPEL OF LUKE, more than any other, fits the category of ancient biography. Luke, as "narrator" of events, sees Jesus as the "Savior" of all people, always on the side of the needy and the deprived. Narrated in the NIV by British actor Richard E. Grant and in the KJV by Sir Derek Jacobi, this epic production featuring specially constructed sets and the authentic countryside of Morocco has been critically acclaimed by leading religious scholars as a unique and highly authentic telling of the Jesus story.

Jesus of Nazareth
Series · 1977
Dramatizes the Birth, Life, Ministry, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, largely according to the Holy Bible's New Testament Gospels.
Reflections on Luke
People in this book
Questions for reflection
- ·In Luke, do you primarily know Jesus as Savior, Lord, or fellow traveler on the road? How are all three experienced in your life?
- ·How does the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) challenge you to cross social, religious, or ethnic boundaries to love your neighbor?
- ·Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) inverts worldly status — for what 'exaltation of the lowly' do you need to thank God today?
- ·Jesus prays urgently in Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46). Is your prayer life marked by the same earnestness, watchfulness, and submission to the Father's will?
- ·On the Emmaus road, the risen Jesus expounds Scripture (Luke 24:25-27, 32). How do you see Christ in the Old Testament? How does the Spirit make your heart burn?
Want to read Luke start to finish? Open the reader for parallel Chinese/English text and ask anything as you go.
Start reading LukeLuke
Chapter 13
1Now there were some present at that very season who told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2And he answered and said unto them, Think ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they have suffered these things?
3I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.
4Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, think ye that they were offenders above all the men that dwell in Jerusalem?
5I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
6And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none.
7And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it also cumber the ground?
8And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9and if it bear fruit thenceforth, well; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.
10And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath day.
11And behold, a woman that had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years; and she was bowed together, and could in no wise lift herself up.
12And when Jesus saw her, he called her, and said to her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13And he laid his hands upon her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14And the ruler of the synagogue, being moved with indignation because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, answered and said to the multitude, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the day of the sabbath.
15But the Lord answered him, and said, Ye hypocrites, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound, lo, these eighteen years, to have been loosed from this bond on the day of the sabbath?
17And as he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame: and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
18He said therefore, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I liken it?
19It is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his own garden; and it grew, and became a tree; and the birds of the heaven lodged in the branches thereof.
20And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
21It is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened.
22And he went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and journeying on unto Jerusalem.
23And one said unto him, Lord, are they few that are saved? And he said unto them,
24Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are;
26then shall ye begin to say, We did eat and drink in thy presence, and thou didst teach in our streets;
27and he shall say, I tell you, I know not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and yourselves cast forth without.
29And they shall come from the east and west, and from the north and south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
30And behold, there are last who shall be first, and there are first who shall be last.
31In that very hour there came certain Pharisees, saying to him, Get thee out, and go hence: for Herod would fain kill thee.
32And he said unto them, Go and say to that fox, Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures to-day and to-morrow, and the third day I am perfected.
33Nevertheless I must go on my way to-day and to-morrow and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
34O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her own brood under her wings, and ye would not!
35Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
