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 18
1And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man:
3and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest she wear me out by her continual coming.
6And the Lord said, Hear what the unrighteous judge saith.
7And shall not God avenge his elect, that cry to him day and night, and yet he is longsuffering over them?
8I say unto you, that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
9And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought:
10Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get.
13But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner.
14I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
15And they were bringing unto him also their babes, that he should touch them: but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16But Jesus called them unto him, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God.
17Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein.
18And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
19And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, even God.
20Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and mother.
21And he said, All these things have I observed from my youth up.
22And when Jesus heard it, he said unto him, One thing thou lackest yet: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23But when he heard these things, he became exceeding sorrowful; for he was very rich.
24And Jesus seeing him said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26And they that heard it said, Then who can be saved?
27But he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
28And Peter said, Lo, we have left our own, and followed thee.
29And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or wife, or brethren, or parents, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,
30who shall not receive manifold more in this time, and in the world to come eternal life.
31And he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets shall be accomplished unto the Son of man.
32For he shall be delivered up unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon:
33and they shall scourge and kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
34And they understood none of these things; and this saying was hid from them, and they perceived not the things that were said.
35And it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
36and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant.
37And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
38And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
39And they that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.
40And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
41 What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
42And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight; thy faith hath made thee whole.
43And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.
