Luke
Gentile Generally understood to be a Gentile (not listed among those 'of the circumcision', Colossians 4:10-14) · Early Church · New Testament
- Also called
- Lucas
- Role
- Physician and faithful companion of Paul
- When
- c. AD 50-60s
What they did
Called 'the beloved physician', he travelled with Paul and stayed with him in his final imprisonment; he is traditionally recognised as the writer of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
Through his careful account God gave the church an orderly record of Christ's life and of the gospel's spread from Jerusalem to the Gentile world.
Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. Colossians 4:14 (KJV)
Bible references
Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. Colossians 4:14 (KJV)
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 2 Timothy 4:11 (KJV)
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. Philemon 1:24 (KJV)
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, Luke 1:3 (KJV)
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Acts 1:1 (KJV)
Family
Scripture records little about this person's family.