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 24
1But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.
2And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
3And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
4And it came to pass, while they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel:
5and as they were affrighted and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
6He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7saying that the Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
8And they remembered his words,
9and returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest.
10Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James: and the other women with them told these things unto the apostles.
11And these words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they disbelieved them.
12But Peter arose, and ran unto the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths by themselves; and he departed to his home, wondering at that which was come to pass.
13And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was threescore furlongs from Jerusalem.
14And they communed with each other of all these things which had happened.
15And it came to pass, while they communed and questioned together, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
17And he said unto them, What communications are these that ye have one with another, as ye walk? And they stood still, looking sad.
18And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said unto him, Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which are come to pass there in these days?
19And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
20and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
21But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. Yea and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things came to pass.
22Moreover certain women of our company amazed us, having been early at the tomb;
23and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
24And certain of them that were with us went to the tomb, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
25And he said unto them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
26Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory?
27And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go further.
29And they constrained him, saying, Abide with us; for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in to abide with them.
30And it came to pass, when he had sat down with them to meat, he took the bread and blessed; and breaking it he gave to them.
31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32And they said one to another, Was not our heart burning within us, while he spake to us in the way, while he opened to us the scriptures?
33And they rose up that very hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
34saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
35And they rehearsed the things that happened in the way, and how he was known of them in the breaking of the bread.
36And as they spake these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
37But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a spirit.
38And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart?
40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here anything to eat?
42And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish.
43And he took it, and ate before them.
44And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me.
45Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures;
46and he said unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day;
47and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 Ye are witnesses of these things.
49And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.
50And he led them out until they were over against Bethany: and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
51And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven.
52And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
53and were continually in the temple, blessing God.
