Gospel of Luke Resources

Everything you need to kick start your study of the Gospel of Luke: maps, charts, key words, history, background, outlines, and links to help you study.

Jump to: Background; ** Maps; ** Key Words; ** Encyclopedias; ** Commentaries; ** Articles; ** GotQuestions ** Next **

---

Bible Study: Parables of Jesus

---

Basics

• Author: Luke, the physician who accompanied Paul on his travels (Col 4:14).
• Who was Luke?
• Theophilius (Luke 1:3): His name is Greek for “lover of God”. Scholars debate whether he was a real person or a personification for believers.
• Date: c. 60-70 AD; Luke’s gospel and Acts were written at the same time, probably before Nero’s persecutions (64 AD) and the destruction of the temple (70 AD).
• Audience: Gentiles
• Purpose: to confirm the Word and message of salvation; present a theology of God’s faithfulness; to legitimate full fellowship for the Gentiles and a defense of the new community.

Structure

Geography provides the basic structure; Jerusalem as the center of the narrative

• 1:1-2:52 – Introduction of John the Baptist and Jesus
• 2:1-4:13 – Preparation for ministry: Anointed by God
• 4:14-9:50 – Galilean ministry: The Revelation of Jesus
• 9:51-19:44 – Journey to Jerusalem: Jewish reject and the New Way
• 19:45-24:53 – The Innocent slain and raised

Contrasts the reactions of the crowd, the opponents and the disciples.

• Crowds – 9:57-61
• Disciples – 10:1-12
• Opponents – 10:13-16
• Disciples – 10:25-37
• Crowds – 10:38-42 (Mary as model of discipleship response by crowds)
• Disciples – 11:1-13 (The Lord’s prayer)
• Opponents – 11:14-26
• Crowds – 11:27-36
• Opponents – 11:37-54
• Disciples – 12:1-12
• Crowds – 12:13-21
• Disciples – 12:22-53
• Crowds – 12:54-57

Unique to Luke

• Four miracles: Luke 7:11-17; Luke 12:10-17; Luke 14:1-16; Luke 17:11-19
• Several parables including the Good Samaritan, Rich Food and Prodigal Son
• Various famous stories including Martha & Mary, Zaccheus, Jesus’ words from the cross

Key Themes

• “Today” (11x) and “now” (14x) is the time for slvation
• “It is necessary” (40x)
• Holy Spirit – frequent mention of the role of the Spirit
• Women given more emphasis; almost always has a female counterpoint to every male
• Luke records that Jesus prays at every critical juncture (Luke 3:21; Luke 6:12; Luke 9:18; Luke 9:28-29; Luke 10:21; Luke 11:1; Luke 22:32; Luke 22:41-46; Luke 23:34; Luke 23:46).
• Poor, children and outcasts given more attention along with warnings to the rich
• Joy and praise at what God has done (in contrast to Mark’s emphasis on suffering)

Genre: Understanding the Gospels

Section 1: Background

Background & Outlines

Luke Study NASB Study Text

Luke Overview (Blue Letter Bible)

Introduction to New Testament Jewish Groups

Bible Atlas: Nazareth

Bible Atlas: Galilee

Bible Atlas: Bethlehem

Bible Atlas: Jerusalem

Bible Atlas: Jordan River

Chronology of Acts/Epistles (Blue Letter Bible)

Ray Stedman: Overview of each Book

John MacArthur: Author, Date, Background

Ligonier: Introduction to the Gospels

Ligonier: Introduction to Luke

Biblehub: Timeline of Luke

NIV: Introduction to Luke

ESV: Introduction to Luke

ESV: Global Message of Luke

David Malick (Bible.org): Introduction to Luke

David Malick: An Argument Of The Gospel Of Luke

James van dine: Intro to Luke

Comparison of Sermon on the Mount and Sermon on the Plain

List of the miracles of Jesus

Section 2: Maps

Maps from Holman Bible Atlas

Rome’s Emergence as a World Power

Early Rome

Roman Expansion in the 3rd & 2nd centuries BCE

Civil Wars amidst Roman Expansion in 1st century BCE

Roman Empire in the Age of Augustus

Romans, Palestine, and Herod the Great

Roman Rule in Palestine 63-40 BCE

The Kingdom of Herod the Great

Herod’s Building Program

The World of Jesus

The Division of Herod’s Kingdom

Palestine under the Herods

Palestine in the Time of Jesus (1)

Palestine in the Time of Jesus (2)

Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls

The Life and Ministry of Jesus

Jesus’ Birth and Early Childhood

The Birth, Childhood, and Baptism of Jesus

John the Baptist

Galilee in the Time of Jesus

Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee and Journey to Jerusalem

The Ministry of Jesus around the Sea of Galilee

The Ministry of Jesus beyond Galilee

Jesus’ Ministry according to John

Jesus’ Journeys from Galilee to Judea

Jesus in Judea and Jerusalem

Jerusalem in the New Testament Period

The Passion Week in Jerusalem

Maps from Bible-History.com

New Testament World

Israel in New Testament Times

Herod the Great’s Kingdom

Herod’s Kingdom Divided

Herod’s Temple

Jerusalem at the time of Jesus

Jesus’ Early Ministry

Jesus in Galilee

Nazareth-Galilee

New Testament Jerusalem

Apostles’ Journeys

World of the New Testament

Section 3: Key Words

Key Words in Luke

Occurrences are based on New American Standard Text. “4x/3v” means the word appears 4 times in 3 verses. “3x” means the word appears 3 times in 3 verses.

Jesus (101x) – Strong’s G2424; son/Son (81) – Strong’s G5207; Son of Man (27x); Son of God (11x); Christ (12x)

God (115x) – Strong’s G2316; Father/father (40x) – Strong’s G3962

spirit/Spirit (30x) – Strong’s G4151 in Luk 1:15; Luk 1:17; Luk 1:35; Luk 1:41; Luk 1:47; Luk 1:67; Luk 1:80; Luk 2:25; Luk 2:26; Luk 2:27; Luk 3:16; Luk 3:22; Luk 4:1; Luk 4:14; Luk 4:18; Luk 4:33; Luk 8:29; Luk 8:55; Luk 9:39; Luk 9:42; Luk 9:55; Luk 10:21; Luk 11:13; Luk 11:24; Luk 12:10; Luk 12:12; Luk 13:11; Luk 23:46; Luk 24:37; Luk 24:39.

kingdom (43x) / kingdom of God (31x) – Strong’s G932; in Luk 1:33; Luk 4:43; Luk 6:20; Luk 7:28; Luk 8:1; Luk 8:10; Luk 9:2; Luk 9:11; Luk 9:27; Luk 9:60; Luk 9:62; Luk 10:9; Luk 10:11; Luk 11:2; Luk 11:17; Luk 11:18; Luk 11:20; Luk 12:31; Luk 12:32; Luk 13:18; Luk 13:20; Luk 13:28; Luk 13:29; Luk 14:15; Luk 16:16; Luk 17:20; Luk 17:21; Luk 18:16; Luk 18:17; Luk 18:24; Luk 18:25; Luk 18:29; Luk 19:11; Luk 19:12; Luk 19:15; Luk 21:10; Luk 21:31; Luk 22:16; Luk 22:18; Luk 22:29; Luk 22:30; Luk 23:42; Luk 23:51.

heaven (26x) – Strong’s G3772 in Luk 2:15; Luk 3:21; Luk 3:22; Luk 6:23; Luk 9:16; Luk 9:54; Luk 10:15; Luk 10:18; Luk 10:20; Luk 10:21; Luk 11:16; Luk 12:33; Luk 15:7; Luk 15:18; Luk 15:21; Luk 16:17; Luk 17:29; Luk 18:13; Luk 18:22; Luk 19:38; Luk 20:4; Luk 20:5; Luk 21:11; Luk 21:33; Luk 22:43; Luk 24:51.

faith (12x) – Strong’s G4102 in Luk 5:20; Luk 7:9; Luk 7:50; Luk 8:25; Luk 8:48; Luk 12:28; Luk 17:5; Luk 17:6; Luk 17:19; Luk 18:8; Luk 18:42; Luk 22:32.

believe (9x) – Strong’s G4100 in Luk 1:20; Luk 8:12; Luk 8:13; Luk 8:50; Luk 20:5; Luk 22:67; Luk 24:11; Luk 24:25; Strongs G569 in Luk 24:41.

life (16x – 7 Greek words) – Strong’s G5590 (psuche) in Luk 6:9; Luk 9:24; Luk 12:22; Luk 12:23; Luk 14:26; Luk 17:33; Luk 18:18. Strong’s G2222 (zoe) in Luk 10:25; Luk 12:15; Luk 16:25; Luk 18:18; Luk 18:30. Strong’s G326 (anazao) in Luk 15:24. Strong’s G2244 (helikia) in Luk 12:25. Strong’s G1295 (diasozo) in Luk 7:3. Strong’s G979 (bios) in Luk 8:14; Strong’s G982 (biotikios) in Luk 21:34.

death (12x) – Strong’s G2288 in Luk 1:79; Luk 2:26; Luk 9:27; Luk 22:33; Luk 23:15; Luk 23:22; Luk 23:32; Luk 24:20. Strong’s G2642 in Luk 20:6; Strong’s G2289 in Luk 21:16; Strong’s G337 in Luk 22:2; Luk 23:32.

bread (14x) – Strongs G740 in Luk 4:3; Luk 4:4; Luk 6:4; Luk 7:33; Luk 9:3; Luk 11:3; Luk 14:1; Luk 14:15; Luk 15:17; Luk 22:1; Luk 22:7; Luk 22:19; Luk 24:30; Luk 24:35.

Section 4: Encyclopedias

Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

Letter

Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: Luke-Acts, Theology of

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Luke, Gospel of

Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Luke, Gospel According to

Fausset Bible Dictionary: Luke, the Gospel According to

Holman Bible Dictionary: Luke, Gospel of

Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Luke, Gospel of

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Luke, Gospel of

Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Luke, Gospel of

McClintock and Strong: Luke, Gospel of

Morrish Bible Dictionary: Luke, Gospel According to,

The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Luke

Assorted articles-mostly theological journals – Luke

Assorted articles UK – Luke

Luke, author

McClinktock & Strong: Luke

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Luke

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Luke

Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Luke

Fausset’s Bible Dictionary: Luke

Holman Bible Dictionary: Luke

Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Luke

Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Luke, the Evangelist

Morrish Bible Dictionary: Luke, Lucas

Nutall Encyclopedia: Luke

Luke, means “luminous, white” – Hitchcock’s Bible Names

Alfred Edersheim

Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Temple —Its Ministry and Services 

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Old Testament History

Whyte’s Dictionary of Bible Characters

Herod That Fox

James the Lord’s Brother

John

John the Baptist

Joseph and Mary

Lazarus

Mary Magdalene

Nicodemus

Peter

Pontius Pilate

Pilate’s Wife

Zacchaeus

Zacharias and Elizabeth

Section 5: Commentaries

Commentaries

Top 5 Commentaries on Luke by Keith Mathison – Ligonier.org

Best Commentaries on Luke – Tim Challies

Commentary Reviews: Luke

Biblehub Commentaries: Luke

Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible: Luke

Albert Barnes Notes on the Whole Bible: Luke

Alfords Exegetical Commentary: Luke

Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible: Luke

Geneva Study Bible: Luke

Reformation Study Bible Notes: Luke

The Biblical Illustrator: Luke

Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: Luke

Section 6: Articles

Articles

Craig Blomberg: When is a Parallel Really a Parallel? A Test Case: The Lucan Parables (pdf)

FF Bruce: Luke’s Presentation of the Spirit in Acts (pdf)

Septimus Buss (1906) – The Trial of Jesus 

DA Carson – Luke – Introductory Comments

Larry Overstreet: Roman Law and the Trial of Christ 

James Stalker (1894) – The Trial and Death of Jesus Christ

James Van Dine – Analysis of Luke

Johnny Sanders (2005) – Its the Gospel According to Luke

Darrell L. Bock: Historical Backgrounds to the Gospels and Life of Jesus

James M. Arlandson: Historical Reliability of the Gospels

Greg Herrick: Introduction to Atonement in Luke-Acts

Peter L Smith: Chronology & Synopsis of the Passion Week

Daniel B Wallace: The Problem of Luke 2:2 “This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria”

James M. Arlandson: Are There Contradictions in the Gospels?

James M. Arlandson: Historical Reliability of the Gospels

James M. Arlandson: Archaeology and the Synoptic Gospels: Which way do the rocks roll?

Alfred Edersheim – The Life & Times of the Messiah

Luke 10:25-37, 11:5-13 The Second Series of Parable

Luke 11:14-36, Mt 12:22-45 The First Perean Discourses

Luke 11:37-54 The Morning Meal, et al

Luke 12:1-13:17 – To the Disciples – Two Events and Their Moral

Luke 13:22, John 10:22-42 – At the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple

Luke 12:13-21 Three Parables of Warning to the Nation – The Foolish Rich Man, Barren Fig Tree, Great Supper

Luke 13:6-9 The Barren Fig Tree

Luke 13:23-30,31-35,14:1-11,25-35,17:1-10 – Christ’s Discourses in Perea

Luke 15 Three Parables of the Recovery of the Lord

Luke 16 Unjust Steward…Jewish Notions of Hades

Luke 22:1-6 Judas His Character and Apostasy

Luke 18:1-14, Mt 18:23-35 The Three Last Parables of the Peraean Series

Luke 22:7-13 Make Ready for Passover

Luke 22 The Paschal Supper

Luke 22:31-53 Gethsemane

Luke 22:54-71 Before Annas and Caiaphas

Luke 23:1-25 – The Morning of Good Friday

Luke 23:26-38 – Crucified, Dead and Buried

Luke 24 On the Third Day He Arose from the Dead

Section 7: Got Questions

GotQuestions.org

Treat like any commentary: read carefully, read thoughtfully and require proof.

Gospel of Luke – Bible Survey

Why did God give us four Gospels?

What is the harmony of the Gospels?

When were the Gospels written?

Who was Theophilus at the beginning of Luke and Acts?

Who was John the Baptist in the Bible?

What were the key events in the life of Jesus Christ?

Who was Luke in the Bible?

Why are Jesus’ genealogies in Matthew and Luke so different?

What is the Magnificat?

When were Joseph and Mary considered married?

How old was Mary when Jesus was born?

Why is the virgin birth so important?

Does Luke’s claim that Jesus was born in Bethlehem at the time of Quirinius’ census match the historical record?

Why is the order of Jesus’ calling His disciples different in some of the gospels?

Who were the twelve (12) disciples / apostles of Jesus Christ?

Why did Jesus choose Peter, James, and John to be His inner circle?

What was the meaning and purpose of Jesus’ temptations?

How many times did Jesus cleanse the temple? Why did He cleanse the temple?

What does it mean that Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath?

What is the Sermon on the Mount?

What is the Sermon on the Plain?

What can we learn from Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000?

What is the significance of Jesus calming the storm?

What is the meaning of “Physician, heal thyself” in Luke 4:23?

What is the meaning of the story of the woman with the issue of blood?

What does it mean that Jesus had nowhere to lay his head?

What does it mean that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45)?

Did John the Baptist lose his faith in Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 11:3; Luke 7:19)?

What does it mean to gain the whole world but lose your soul?

Why did Jesus ask the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”

What did Jesus mean when He said ‘Let the dead bury the dead’ (Luke 9:60)?

Who were the 70 (or 72) disciples in Luke 10?

What does it mean to shake the dust off your feet?

What did Jesus mean when He said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven”?

Just how narrow is the narrow gate?

What does it mean that a house divided cannot stand?

Who is greatest in the kingdom?

Who was the Queen of the South?

Why did Jesus mention Tyre and Sidon in Luke 10:14?

Who is my neighbor, biblically speaking?

What is the leaven of the Pharisees?

What does it mean that ‘to whom much is given, much will be required’ (Luke 12:48)?

What did Jesus mean when He instructed us to hate our father and mother (Luke 14:26)?

What does it mean to ‘count the cost’ (Luke 14:28)?

What is an alabaster box?

Why did Jesus teach in parables?

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Good Samaritan?

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Rich Fool?

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Mustard Seed?

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Sower?

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son?

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Fig Tree?

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Vineyard?

What is the meaning of the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin?

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector?

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard?

What is the meaning of the parable of the friend in need (persistent neighbor)?

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24)?

What is mammon?

Why did Jesus mention the tower of Siloam in Luke 13:4?

Why would God leave the 99 to find 1?

Is Luke 16:19-31 a parable or an account of events that actually occurred?

What should we learn from the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16?

What is Abraham’s bosom?

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)?

What did Jesus mean when He spoke of making friends by worldly wealth (Luke 16:9)?

What is the story of the ten lepers in the Bible?

What did Jesus mean when He said, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21, KJV)?

What does it mean to “remember Lot’s wife” in Luke 17:32?

What does it mean to have mustard seed faith?

What did Jesus mean when He told people, “Your faith has made you well”?

Why are there two demon-possessed men in the Gerasene tombs in Matthew, but only one in Mark and Luke?

Why did Jesus allow the demons to enter the herd of pigs?

Did Jesus heal two blind men (Matthew 20:29-34) or one blind man (Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43)?

What does it mean that the house of prayer had been turned into a den of thieves?

Why did Jesus tell the rich young ruler he could be saved by obeying the commandments?

What does Jesus want us to learn from what He said about the widow’s mite?

What is the significance of the triumphal entry?

What does it mean that “the rocks will cry out” in Luke 19:40?

What are the times of the Gentiles?

What happened in the upper room?

What did Jesus mean when He said, “This is my body, broken for you”?

What did Jesus mean when He said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood”?

What does it mean to watch and pray?

Why did Jesus sweat blood in the Garden of Gethsemane?

Why did Jesus ask God to “let this cup pass from me”?

What is the significance of Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss?

What was the reason behind Peter’s denial of Jesus?

What is the significance of the rooster crowing in regards to Peter denying Jesus three times?

Who helped Jesus carry the cross?

What happened during Jesus’ last hours on earth?

Why did the crowds shout, “Crucify Him!” when Pilate wanted to release Jesus?

Why did Jesus say “Father, forgive them” on the cross?

What can we learn from the thief on the cross?

What did Jesus mean when He said, “Today you will be with me in paradise”?

Why did Jesus say, “Into your hands I commit my spirit,” on the cross?

What are the last seven sayings of Christ and what do they mean?

What was the significance of anointing spices in the Bible?

Can the various resurrection accounts from the four Gospels be harmonized?

What happened on the road to Emmaus?

Section 8: Next

Next: Gospel of John

Previous: Gospel of Mark

Series: Resources by Book

Photo by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash