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 **

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Bible Study: Parables of Jesus

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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 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

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 

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

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
• 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

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