Book of Luke
A detailed narrative of Jesus’ life, showing His compassion for all people.
About the Book of Luke
The Gospel of Luke is the longest of the four Gospels and, together with Acts, forms a two-volume work describing the ministry of Jesus and the birth of the church. Written by Luke, a Gentile physician and traveling companion of Paul, it is notable for its literary quality, its attention to detail, and its particular emphasis on those often overlooked: women, children, the poor, tax collectors, Samaritans, and outsiders.
Luke alone records the parable of the Prodigal Son (chapter 15) — the most complete picture of the Father's love in all of Scripture. He also records the parables of the Good Samaritan (chapter 10), the Rich Fool, the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin, and Lazarus and the Rich Man. Jesus' prayer on the cross — "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" — appears only in Luke.
Luke's Gospel places Jesus firmly in human history, opening with detailed historical references and emphasizing that these events happened in the real world, at a specific time and place. For readers wanting a vivid, human portrait of Jesus — His compassion, His prayer life, His table fellowship with sinners — Luke is indispensable.