The Story of Luke - A Physician, Historian, and Author of the Gospel

Luke was a physician, historian, and author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts of the Apostles. Known as "the beloved physician," he played a fundamental role in the early Christian Church. In addition to accompanying the apostle Paul on missionary journeys, he recorded in detail the life of Jesus and the early years of the Church.

Even without knowing Jesus personally, Luke heard about His life, miracles, and teachings through the apostles and followers of Christ. As a doctor, he was dedicated to caring for people and realized that beyond physical illnesses, their greatest problem was the lack of hope and peace in their hearts.

Curious and studious, Luke had his life transformed upon finding faith in Jesus. Motivated by this encounter, he dedicated himself to researching and sharing the story of Christ. His writings, the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, were addressed to Theophilus, a name meaning "friend of God." But his work extends as an invitation to all to get to know Jesus better and live in His company.

Unlike many biblical writers, Luke was probably a Gentile converted to Christianity. Little is known about his origin, but some records indicate that he was born in Antioch of Syria, lived in the Greek city of Thebes, and devoted himself entirely to spreading the Gospel.

Luke lived a long life, always committed to his mission. He died in Greece at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations. His story shows how God uses the talents and willingness of His children to reveal His truth and carry forward the message of the Gospel.

Life and Story of Luke

Bible Study on Luke

Regarding the life of Luke, there is limited information in the Scriptures and in historical records from the early Church. Many aspects of his story—his origin, family, and death—remain uncertain, but there are some considerations that can help build a partial view of his life.

Luke did not meet Jesus personally

Luke did not meet Jesus personally. He was not an eyewitness to the events of Jesus' life. Luke became a disciple through the testimony of those who witnessed and lived alongside Jesus. Had he had this personal knowledge, he himself would have attested to it in his writings.

As he describes in the introduction of the Gospel of Luke, he gathered detailed accounts from eyewitnesses to write his two books—the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles (Luke 1:1-4).

Luke was a physician in the Bible

Luke is mentioned as a physician in the Bible. Paul refers to him as "the beloved physician" in Colossians 4:14. This important detail suggests that Luke had a solid educational background and possessed skills in the field of healthcare.

He likely used these skills to serve both Paul and others during their missionary journeys. This academic background is also reflected in his writing, which is detailed and precise—remarkable characteristics evident in both his gospel and the book of Acts.

Luke and Paul: United by Faith and Mission

Luke was one of Paul’s most loyal companions. He traveled with the apostle on various missionary journeys and was a crucial support, especially during times of hardship. Paul mentions Luke in his letters, calling him “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14). Luke was also present during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, showing great faithfulness in the apostle’s final days:

Their friendship was marked by mutual support and encouragement, especially in the most difficult moments. Luke recorded in detail the challenges, miracles, and growth of the early church, of which he was both an eyewitness and an active participant.

As Proverbs 18:24 says, Luke was a friend who stuck closer than a brother to the Apostle Paul. United by faith, love, and the calling to spread the message of Christ to the world, both left a legacy that continues to impact generations of believers throughout Christian history.

How Luke died

The Bible does not record how Luke died, nor is there consensus about the manner of his death. Some traditions suggest that he died as a martyr in Greece, while others propose he passed away of natural causes at the age of 84. An ancient document written to introduce the book of Luke, known as the Anti-Marcionite Prologue, records that he died at age 84 in the city of Thebes, Greece.

How Luke Converted

Although the Bible does not record how Luke converted, it is believed that he was reached through the preaching of the apostles. Possibly in Antioch, where the church began to grow among the Gentiles (non-Jews), Luke may have heard about the message of Christ and received it with faith and love.

Since converting to the faith, Luke realized that only Jesus could offer true healing for the soul. From then on, he decided to use his talents to spread this transformative message. He dedicated himself to investigating how everything happened in Jesus’ story, to clarify to Theophilus, a noble acquaintance of his, who was the immediate recipient of his books.

Theophilus had likely already received some teaching about Jesus. But Luke wanted to be sure that he and others would understand who Jesus was. Therefore, he carefully researched everything, talked to people who had known Jesus closely, and wrote the Gospel of Luke.

In this book, he recounted everything from the birth of Jesus to His resurrection. Luke showed how Jesus cared for the poor, the sick, women, foreigners, and all sinners. He wanted everyone to know that God's love is for all, without exception.

More than a writer, Luke became a great evangelist. He also lived as a follower of Jesus, accompanying the apostle Paul on various missionary journeys, including during imprisonments. Through this, he had the opportunity to meet many of the characters who appear in his two books.

On these missions, Luke witnessed miracles, faced challenges, helped preach the Gospel, and learned to trust God even more. In addition to the Gospel of Luke, he wrote another very important book: Acts of the Apostles. In this book, he tells what happened after Jesus ascended to heaven, showing how the church began and how the Holy Spirit sustained Christians in spreading the gospel throughout the world.

In his records, Luke narrated events in which he also participated—not as the protagonist, but as a co-worker in the work the Lord was accomplishing in his time. Thanks to Luke’s careful work, today we can know the story of the early church and continue the work of the Holy Spirit in the world.

What We Learn from Luke's Story

The life and work of Luke offer us many valuable lessons for faith and Christian living.

1. Dedication to God's Mission: Luke dedicated his life to recording the story of Jesus and the early years of the Church. He used his talents as a writer, historian, and physician to contribute to the spread of the Gospel. This teaches us that everyone has gifts that can be used in God's work.

2. Personal Pursuit of Truth: He was dedicated and diligent in his investigations about Jesus. Luke sought, organized, and presented a clear and truthful account of Jesus and the beginnings of Christianity. It is important to pursue truth with diligence and integrity, especially when studying and sharing the Word of God.

3. Humility to Serve: Although Luke played a significant role in the history of the Church, he did not seek personal recognition. He wrote with the purpose of glorifying Christ and edifying others, remaining a faithful servant in God's plan. From this, we learn not to seek personal recognition or protagonism in what we do for God. We should serve God and people with humility and love.

4. Faithfulness in Adversity: Luke was a loyal companion of Paul, staying by his side even during times of imprisonment and hardship (2 Timothy 4:11). His faithfulness is an example of commitment to friends and God's work, even in difficult times.

5. God’s Unconditional Love for Mankind: As a Gentile, Luke reminds us that the Gospel is for all nations. He also emphasized that Christ's compassion is for all people, regardless of their life condition. Therefore, we need to love and proclaim the Gospel to all people, regardless of their origin or social position.

Interested in learning more about the disciples of Jesus? Read, The 12 Apostles of Jesus: Who They Were and What Happened to Them