The Gospel Writer for the Gentiles

Of the four Gospels, St. Luke is clear that he writes with the desire to bring the fullness of the truth to the Gentiles.  However, there are other themes in his Gospel as well, such as:

• Christ's ancestry to the first man, Adam
• Women as valuable followers, especially Mary
• Gospel of the poor and of social justice
• Prayer has a distinctive role for believers
• God longs to forgive sinners 
• Human leaders can resist but cannot overcome God's will
• The Role of the Holy Spirit

These themes continue in his account of the Acts of the Apostles.



But who was Luke?

Feast day: October 18
Patron of Physicians and Surgeons
Born: Antioch, Turkey
Death: A.D. 70 due to natural causes

Very little is known about him directly, however, we can gather some information from his writings and from others of his time.

Most likely, Luke was a Greek Gentile as he is not mentioned among the Jews.  This would also explain why he had a desire to witness to the overall Gentile community.  According to the early Church historian Eusebius Luke was born at Antioch in Syria.

We know with little doubt that Luke was a physician (Colossians 4:14).  However, do not be fooled into thinking he led a life of leisure and wealth.  Some believe that Luke was actually a slave, as it was common in those days to have a servant to be trained to care for the family illnesses.

Looking at the narrative in Acts, we can conclude that he joined Paul in his journeys in Troas at about the year 51 and accompanied him into Macedonia where they traveled first to Samothrace, Neapolis, and finally Philippi.   On a second journey, they traveled together through Miletus, Tyre, Caesarea, to Jerusalem.  In Paul's final imprisonment, Luke is the only one who stays with him. (2 Timothy 4:11)

We also know that Luke was not present during the events of Jesus life; however, Luke gathered the information from many sources to understand more fully to be able to present the information in an orderly fashion.  (Luke 1:1-3)

We do not know what happened to Luke after the martyrdom of Paul.  However, some believe that he died at 84 after settling in Greece to write his Gospel.  He is often shown with an ox or a calf because these are the symbols of sacrifice, which Luke portrayed the sacrifice Jesus made for all the world in his Gospel.

SIDE NOTE:  I enjoyed painting this saint peg doll.  I even had a little help from my Little Miss.  She told me she was finishing his eyes!  I took a picture along with his front because I wanted to show his traditional bull symbol.