A Look at Luke: Friend to Theophilus

by David Chadwick

Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke as a letter to the “most excellent Theophilus” (verse 4). Who is Theophilus? This friend to Luke is another important piece in understanding who authored this book.

Luke was a Greek, undoubtedly impassioned to reach those like himself. This should inspire each of us. We, most likely, have been given keys by God to reach others like us as well. Maybe you are a businessman. You have skills and knowledge to reach other businessmen. Maybe you are a mom. Chances are you have unique insights to reach other moms. And so on and so forth.

Theophilus most certainly lived up to his description, “most excellent.” In ancient times, this term was most often used for people of great importance. He was probably a person of great cultural influence and someone of high-ranking social standing.

Yes, most of Jesus’s followers in the early church were people of no means. Converted slaves. Common people. Fishermen. But that doesn’t mean that Jesus does not love people of influence. He does! He loves all people! Joanna, wife of someone in King Herod’s inner circle, chose to follow Jesus. Barnabas had great wealth and decided to follow Jesus. Jesus will use anyone, rich or poor, young or old, Jew or Gentile, to make up his team and build his kingdom!

Sometimes, it’s actually important for high-standing people to be converted so that they can influence those around them toward the gospel of Jesus. Luke, as an outstanding doctor, probably had the ability to speak to people with means and bring them to Jesus. Could it be that Luke was responsible for Theophilus’s conversion to Jesus? Perhaps!

Finally, it is important to note that some scholars don’t think Theophilus was an actual person, but that he represented a general people. The name Theophilus means “lover of God” (“Theo” is God and “philus” is a form of “philea,” which is a Greek term for love). Ultimately, none of us will know the full truth until heaven one day, but whether Luke was writing to an individual or to a group of people who were lovers of God, the truths of his writings are timeless and apply to all of us.

A Look at Luke: The Importance of Eyewitnesses

by David Chadwick

The Gospel of Luke gives an account of the life of Jesus that is significant. Written by a physician with a tremendous attention to detail, Luke’s perspective was heavily focused on the important reality that God took on human flesh to accomplish his mission.

What else do we know about Luke? Let’s keep unpacking Luke 1:1-4.

Dr. Luke counted on the testimonies of actual eyewitnesses. He emphasized in verse 2 that his compilations included information delivered to him from “those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word.” It seems as though these eyewitnesses must have been the 12 apostles, minus Judas and then Matthias, and Paul. Luke must have spent countless hours talking with them, verifying their stories, and ensuring their accuracy. Since there are multiple accounts of the same stories between Matthew, Mark, and Luke, one can assume they talked and compared notes.

Luke had an especially close relationship with Paul. Surely, while traveling together on missionary journeys, as is outlined in Acts 16:22 and beyond, Luke must have taken copious notes from Paul about what he knew, what he had seen, and all he heard from those around him.

In case you didn’t know, Luke also wrote the book of Acts. Luke and Acts go together. In fact, it appears Luke wrote both as one volume. This will become evident as you read Luke 24 and then Acts 1.

Between the 12 apostles, Paul, and the others, Luke received a plethora of information about Jesus in order to pen this Gospel for his primary audience, the Greek people.

Trust the Gospel of Luke. It was Dr. Luke’s account of Jesus’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension after having spent countless hours with important eyewitnesses who saw these events.

Luke desired to pass on everything he knew of the life of Jesus both to the people of that day and to us as well. His careful study of all eyewitness accounts gives credence to the gospel. Luke recounts words of people who saw and experienced Jesus. We are grateful to Luke for the number of hours he spent making the stories come alive for us.

A Look at Luke: The Beloved Physician

by David Chadwick

As we continue to learn more about Luke in order to further appreciate this New Testament author, let’s turn our eyes back to Luke 1:1-4. What else does Scripture teach us about him?

Luke was a physician. In fact, Paul called him “the beloved physician” in Colossians 4:14.

Apparently, Dr. Luke joined Paul in his missionary journeys in Acts 16:10-11, and they obviously became close friends. He may have even cared for Paul physically when he was imprisoned and/or in peril. We all know that Jesus, the Great Physician, is the ultimate supernatural healer. But it is clear through the life of Luke that God also uses gifted and competent doctors to provide exceptional care.

Why is knowing that Luke was a physician so important to fully comprehending his writings? Because doctors, by nature and practice, are aware of details. They see things that others may not see. They pay attention to intricacies that others may overlook. Having an understanding of the brilliance of medical professionals should remind us that Luke wrote this book with painstaking detail.

Luke described this Gospel as being “a narrative of all things” and an orderly account (Luke 1:1, Luke 1:3). Then in verses 3-4, Luke wrote that his desire was “to write an orderly account” for his friend, Theophilus, so that Theophilus could have “certainty concerning the things [he had] been taught.”

From the beginning of Jesus’s birth narrative in chapters 1-2 to Jesus’s resurrection in chapter 24, Luke tried to make sure that everything he wrote was true, specific, and detailed. His writings were carefully documented, checked, and rechecked to ensure accuracy.

God used all kinds of people from all different professions in order for his purposes to be accomplished on this earth. In the case of Luke, God chose a brilliant physician to document a crucial account of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Let’s keep leaning into Dr. Luke’s wisdom as his writings teach us more about Jesus!