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 21
1And he looked up, and saw the rich men that were casting their gifts into the treasury.
2And he saw a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
3And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than they all:
4for all these did of their superfluity cast in unto the gifts; but she of her want did cast in all the living that she had.
5And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said,
6As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in which there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
7And they asked him, saying, Teacher, when therefore shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when these things are about to come to pass?
8And he said, Take heed that ye be not led astray: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am he; and, The time is at hand: go ye not after them.
9And when ye shall hear of wars and tumults, be not terrified: for these things must needs come to pass first; but the end is not immediately.
10Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;
11and there shall be great earthquakes, and in divers places famines and pestilences; and there shall be terrors and great signs from heaven.
12But before all these things, they shall lay their hands on you, and shall persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name's sake.
13It shall turn out unto you for a testimony.
14Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate beforehand how to answer:
15for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand or to gainsay.
16But ye shall be delivered up even by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
17And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
18And not a hair of your head shall perish.
19In your patience ye shall win your souls.
21Then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains; and let them that are in the midst of her depart out; and let not them that are in the country enter therein.
22For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23 Woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! for there shall be great distress upon the land, and wrath unto this people.
24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led captive into all the nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
25And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows;
26men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh.
29And he spake to them a parable: Behold the fig tree, and all the trees:
30when they now shoot forth, ye see it and know of your own selves that the summer is now nigh.
32Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all things be accomplished.
33Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
34But take heed to yourselves, lest haply your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you suddenly as a snare:
35for so shall it come upon all them that dwell on the face of all the earth.
36But watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
37And every day he was teaching in the temple; and every night he went out, and lodged in the mount that is called Olivet.
38And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, to hear him.