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.
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Bible Study: Parables of Jesus
Basics
- Author: Luke, the physician who accompanied Paul on his travels (Col 4:14).
- 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
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
- 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
Maps from Bible-History.com
- New Testament World
- Israel in NT Times
- Kingdom of Herod the Great
- Herod’s Kingdom Divided
- Christ’s Early Ministry
- Nazareth
- Galilee
- New Testament Jerusalem
- New Testament Cities – Once there click on specific area
Maps from Studylight.org
- 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
- Roman Rule in Palestine 63-40 BCE
- The Kingdom of Herod the Great
- Herod’s Building Program
- 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
Inductive Bible Study Maps
- Topography of Palestine
- Palestine Between Old and New Testaments
- Roman Division of Palestine
- Ministry of Jesus
- Bethany, Jerusalem, Emmaus, Mount of Olives, and Bethlehem
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.
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Letter
- Luke-Acts, Theology of – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
- Luke, Gospel of– Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Luke, Gospel of – 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
- Assorted articles-mostly theological journals – Luke
- Assorted articles UK – Luke
Luke, author
- Luke – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Luke – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Luke – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Luke – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Luke, the Evangelist – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Luke, means “luminous, white” – Hitchcock’s Bible Names
Pharisees
- Pharisees – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Pharisees
- Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Pharisees
- Fausset Bible Dictionary: Pharisees
- Holman Bible Dictionary: Jewish Parties in the New Testament
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Pharisees
- Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Pharisees
- Morrish Bible Dictionary: Pharisees
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Pharisees
- McClintock and Strong: Pharisee
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Pharisees
- The Jewish Encyclopedia: Pharisees
Sadducees
- Sadducees – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Sadducees
- Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Sadducees
- Fausset Bible Dictionary: Sadducees
- Holman Bible Dictionary: Jewish Parties in the New Testament
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Sadducees
- Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Sadducees
- Morrish Bible Dictionary: Sadducees
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Sadducees
- McClintock and Strong: Sadducee
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Sadducees
- The Jewish Encyclopedia: Sadducees
Scribes
- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Scribes
- Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Scribes
- Fausset Bible Dictionary: Scribes
- Holman Bible Dictionary: Scribe
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Scribes
- Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Scribes
- Morrish Bible Dictionary: Scribes
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Scribes
- McClintock and Strong: Scribes, Jewish
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Scribes, The
- The Jewish Encyclopedia: Scribes
John the Baptist
- John the Baptist– Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: John the Baptist
- Easton’s Bible Dictionary: John the Baptist
- Fausset Bible Dictionary: John the Baptist
- Holman Bible Dictionary:
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: John the Baptist
- Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: John the Baptist
- Morrish Bible Dictionary: John the Baptist
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: John the Baptist
- McClintock and Strong: John the Baptist
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia: John the Baptist
- The Jewish Encyclopedia: John the Baptist
- Assorted articles-mostly theological journals – John the Baptist
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
Commentaries
- Top 5 Commentaries on Luke by Keith Mathison – Ligonier.org
- Best Commentaries on Luke – Tim Challies
- Commentary Reviews: 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
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
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?
Bible Study Helps
- Bible Study 101
- Interpreting Narratives
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