King James Version
Luke
Luke in the King James Version (1769), public domain in the United States.
Background and History
The chapters above are the King James text. This essay is the setting of Luke: who is said to have written it, when and where, what happens in it, and how the text has been copied.
At a Glance
| Author | Luke the physician, companion of Paul, in the early tradition (Irenaeus, the Muratorian fragment, Origen). The same writer wrote Acts. The Gospel itself is anonymous. |
|---|---|
| Date | AD 62–90 in one survey. Conservative scholars often place it about AD 60–62, before Acts. Many critical scholars place it about AD 80–90. |
| Place written | Not named in the book. Later tradition names Greece. This page does not add a modern town. |
| Genre | Gospel: an ancient biography with a historian’s preface, written to Theophilus. |
| Chapters | 24 |
| Verses | 1151 in the King James Version |
| Key verse | Luke 19:10Luke 19:10 · King James VersionFor the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.Luke 19:10 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
Who Wrote It
Luke opens with a preface in Luke 1:1–4Luke 1:1–4 · King James Version1:1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
1:2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
1:4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
Luke 1:1–4 · King James VersionOpen the Source (1), addressed to most excellent Theophilus. The writer says many have drawn up accounts, that eyewitnesses handed down the events, and that he has traced everything carefully. He does not give his name. Acts 1:1Acts 1:1 · King James VersionThe former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Acts 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source addresses the same Theophilus and refers to the former treatise, so one writer wrote both books.
Irenaeus says in Against Heresies 3.1.1 that Luke, the companion of Paul, recorded in a book the Gospel Paul preached. (2) The Muratorian fragment calls the third Gospel Luke’s, a physician whom Paul took with him, who had not seen the Lord in the flesh. (3) Origen, reported by Eusebius in Church History 6.25, calls the third Gospel the one commended by Paul and written by Luke for converts from the Gentiles. (4) Colossians 4:14Colossians 4:14 · King James VersionLuke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
Colossians 4:14 · King James VersionOpen the Source names Luke the beloved physician, and 2 Timothy 4:112 Timothy 4:11 · King James VersionOnly Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
2 Timothy 4:11 · King James VersionOpen the Source says only Luke is with Paul.
The we passages of Acts, beginning in Acts 16:10Acts 16:10 · King James VersionAnd after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Acts 16:10 · King James VersionOpen the Source, put the writer with Paul at points of the journeys. That supports the tradition. Critical scholars who doubt it argue that the Paul of Acts differs from the Paul of the letters and that the we may be a literary device. Many scholars, including some critical ones, still accept Luke as the author. Who Wrote the Book of Acts? sets out that argument.
Who It Is Not
Lucius of Romans 16:21Romans 16:21 · King James VersionTimotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
Romans 16:21 · King James VersionOpen the Source and of Acts 13:1Acts 13:1 · King James VersionNow there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Acts 13:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source are sometimes identified with Luke, but the texts do not make that identification and this page does not adopt it. Theophilus is the recipient, not the author.
When and Where
Bible Gateway’s survey gives AD 62–90. (5) The earlier view rests on Acts ending with Paul under house arrest in Rome, alive, with no report of his trial. Since Luke came before Acts, an early Acts means an earlier Luke. The later view reads Luke 21:20Luke 21:20 · King James VersionAnd when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
Luke 21:20 · King James VersionOpen the Source, where Jerusalem is surrounded by armies, as reflecting AD 70, and holds that Luke used Mark. Luke 3:1Luke 3:1 · King James VersionNow in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
Luke 3:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source dates John’s ministry to the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar, the most precise date in the Gospels.
Audience and Setting
Theophilus is named in Luke 1:3Luke 1:3 · King James VersionIt seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
Luke 1:3 · King James VersionOpen the Source, and the Gospel’s concern for Gentiles, Samaritans, women, and the poor fits a wide Greek-speaking audience. The stated purpose in Luke 1:4Luke 1:4 · King James VersionThat thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
Luke 1:4 · King James VersionOpen the Source is that the reader might know the certainty of the things he was taught.
Rulers at the Time
Caesar Augustus decrees a census in Luke 2:1Luke 2:1 · King James VersionAnd it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
Luke 2:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source, with Cyrenius as governor of Syria in Luke 2:2Luke 2:2 · King James Version(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
Luke 2:2 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Luke 3:1–2Luke 3:1–2 · King James Version3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
3:2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
Luke 3:1–2 · King James VersionOpen the Source names Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod the tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip, Lysanias, and the high priests Annas and Caiaphas. This page does not print reign dates, because a chronology was not checked for this essay. The census under Cyrenius is a known historical question discussed under Apologetics Questions.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Births | John the Baptist and Jesus, the shepherds, and the temple. Luke 1–2 |
| Galilee | Baptism, Nazareth sermon, healings, and the Twelve. Luke 3–9 |
| Journey to Jerusalem | Parables of the lost, the Good Samaritan, and the prodigal son. Luke 9–19 |
| Jerusalem | Passion, resurrection, Emmaus, and the ascension. Luke 19–24 |
| Composition | AD 62–90 in one survey. (5) |
Places in This Book
| Ancient name | Modern-day location | References |
|---|---|---|
| Nazareth | Nazareth, northern Israel. | Luke 1:26Luke 1:26 · King James VersionAnd in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,Luke 1:26 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| Bethlehem | Bethlehem, West Bank. | Luke 2:4Luke 2:4 · King James VersionAnd Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)Luke 2:4 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| Jericho | Jericho, West Bank. Tell es-Sultan is the ancient mound. | Luke 19:1Luke 19:1 · King James VersionAnd Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.Luke 19:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| Emmaus | Uncertain. Several sites west of Jerusalem have been proposed, and this page does not choose one. | Luke 24:13Luke 24:13 · King James VersionAnd, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.Luke 24:13 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| Jerusalem | The Old City of modern Jerusalem. | Luke 24:52Luke 24:52 · King James VersionAnd they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:Luke 24:52 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
What Is Happening
Luke 1 and Luke 2 tell the births of John and Jesus side by side. Luke 3 and Luke 4 are John’s preaching, the baptism, the genealogy back to Adam, the temptation, and the sermon at Nazareth. Luke 4–9 are the Galilean ministry. Luke 9:51Luke 9:51 · King James VersionAnd it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
Luke 9:51 · King James VersionOpen the Source turns Jesus toward Jerusalem, and the long journey through Luke 19 holds much material found only in Luke. Luke 19–23 are the last week and the cross. Luke 24 is the resurrection, the road to Emmaus, and the ascension.
Key Themes
Luke 19:10Luke 19:10 · King James VersionFor the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:10 · King James VersionOpen the Source says the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost, which Luke 15 illustrates with three parables. The Holy Spirit is active from Luke 1:35Luke 1:35 · King James VersionAnd the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:35 · King James VersionOpen the Source onward. Prayer, joy, and concern for the poor recur, as in Luke 4:18Luke 4:18 · King James VersionThe Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luke 4:18 · King James VersionOpen the Source. The book is careful history in purpose, as its preface says.
Apologetics Questions
The census in Luke 2:1–2Luke 2:1–2 · King James Version2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
Luke 2:1–2 · King James VersionOpen the Source is the best-known historical challenge. Critics argue that the known census of Quirinius came after Herod’s death. Defenders propose an earlier enrollment, a different reading of the Greek word first, or an earlier role for Quirinius. This page states the question and does not claim it is settled. Luke’s accuracy on titles and places in Acts is often cited in his favor. The genealogy in Luke 3 differs from Matthew 1, and that difference is discussed on the Matthew page.
How the Book Points to Christ
The angel calls Jesus Saviour, Christ the Lord, in Luke 2:11Luke 2:11 · King James VersionFor unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11 · King James VersionOpen the Source, using the title Lord that the Greek Old Testament uses for God. The Son of the Highest is conceived by the Holy Ghost in Luke 1:35Luke 1:35 · King James VersionAnd the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:35 · King James VersionOpen the Source. The risen Jesus opens the Scriptures about himself in Luke 24:27Luke 24:27 · King James VersionAnd beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luke 24:27 · King James VersionOpen the Source and receives worship in Luke 24:52Luke 24:52 · King James VersionAnd they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
Luke 24:52 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Jesus is God.
Text and Manuscripts
Codex Sinaiticus contains Luke complete. (6) Luke 22:43–44Luke 22:43–44 · King James Version22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Luke 22:43–44 · King James VersionOpen the Source, the angel and the sweat like drops of blood, and Luke 23:34Luke 23:34 · King James VersionThen said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Luke 23:34 · King James VersionOpen the Source, Father, forgive them, are absent from some early copies and present in others. The verse pages state those differences.
Canon Reception
Luke was received with the other Gospels without dispute. Marcion in the second century used a shortened Luke, and the church’s rejection of that edition is part of the history the canon article tells. Irenaeus names Luke. (2) The Muratorian fragment names Luke as the third Gospel. (3)
Further Reading
Who Wrote Matthew, Mark, and Luke? and Who Wrote the Book of Acts? set out the authorship case. Is the Bible True? covers the manuscripts.
References
- Gospel of Luke, 1:1–4; 3:1Luke 1:1–4 · King James Version1:1
Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
1:2Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
1:3It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
1:4That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
Luke 1:1–4 · King James VersionOpen the Source. King James Version - Against Heresies, 3.1.1Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1 · Ante-Nicene Fathers, New Advent
Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching at Rome, and laying the foundations of the Church. After their departure, Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, did also hand down to us in writing what had been preached by Peter. Luke also, the companion of Paul, recorded in a book the Gospel preached by him. Afterwards, John, the disciple of the Lord, who also had leaned upon His breast, did himself publish a Gospel during his residence at Ephesus in Asia.
Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1 · Ante-Nicene Fathers, New AdventOpen the Source (Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies 3.1.1, about AD 180, Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1, on New Advent. Irenaeus names Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as the writers of the four Gospels.) - Muratorian fragment, LukeMuratorian fragment, on Acts · Roberts-Donaldson, Ante-Nicene Fathers 5
Moreover, the Acts of all the Apostles are comprised by Luke in one book, and addressed to the most excellent Theophilus, because these different events took place when he was present himself; and he shows this clearly-i.e., that the principle on which he wrote was, to give only what fell under his own notice-by the omission of the passion of Peter, and also of the journey of Paul, when he went from the city-Rome-to Spain.
Muratorian fragment, on Acts · Roberts-Donaldson, Ante-Nicene Fathers 5Open the Source (Roberts-Donaldson translation, Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 5. The Latin is damaged and the English follows restorations. The fragment lists the books read in the church and those rejected.) - Church History, Book 6, 6.25 (Eusebius, Church History 6.14 and 6.25, reporting Clement of Alexandria and Origen. Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series, vol. 1, on New Advent.)
- When Was Each Book of the Bible Written?, Luke (Jacob Edson, Bible Gateway, 16 September 2024. The survey gives Luke as AD 62–90. It is one editor’s approximation, not a manuscript date.)
- Codex Sinaiticus, About the manuscriptCodex Sinaiticus: content · Codex Sinaiticus Project
Codex Sinaiticus, a manuscript of the Christian Bible written in the middle of the fourth century, contains the earliest complete copy of the Christian New Testament.
Codex Sinaiticus: content · Codex Sinaiticus ProjectOpen the Source (The Codex Sinaiticus project’s description of the manuscript, a fourth-century Greek Bible with the earliest complete copy of the New Testament.)
The King James Version (1769) is in the public domain in the United States.