References
The most common Old Testament book referenced in Luke is Isaiah (Luke 2:32, 3:4 - 6, 4:18 - 19, 7:22, 8:10, 19:46 and 22:37). The second most quoted book is the Psalms (4:10 - 11, 13:35, 20:17, 20:42 - 43 and 23:46) with the third being Deuteronomy (4:4, 4:8, 4:12 and 20:28).
Luke does not record his own name either in his gospel or the Book of Acts.
The Greek word rhema (Strong's Concordance #G4487) is recorded the most in Luke (19 times) then the book of Acts which he also authored (14). In the King James Bible this word is translated as "nothing" (Luke 1:37), "word(s)" (verse 38, 20:26), "saying(s)" (verse 65, 2:17) and "thing(s)" (2:15, 19). Some Pentecostals believe rhema is the Holy Spirit's "voice" that guides a believer.
A Most Unique Author
The gospel of Luke has 1,151 verses in the King James, more than any other New Testament writing. Even more astonishing is the number of verses which record information such as events, parables, and teachings not found in the other three gospel accounts. About 54%, or 620 verses, of Luke's content is unique to his book!
[Why Is the King James Hard to Read?]
Luke is the only one of the four Gospel writers who revealed his method and purpose at the beginning of his book (Luke 1:1 - 4).
Luke is the only one of the New Testament eight writers who was a Gentile (non-Jew). Matthew, John and Peter were Jewish. Paul, from the tribe of Benjamin (Romans 11:1) and Mark, who was a Levite (his relative Barnabas was one, Acts 4:36) were also Jews. James and Jude, as physical half-brothers of Jesus, were also Jewish.
Luke is not only the largest gospel, it also is the biggest book in the entirety of the New Testament. It is a staggering 88 times larger, in terms of King James words, than 3John which is the smallest! Even his first chapter, with 80 verses, is the largest in the New Testament.
Luke's gospel has broader goals and is written for a wider audience than the other three gospels. He also gives a greater overall coverage of Jesus' life than Matthew, Mark or John.
One-of-a-kind Miracles
Luke was not one of Jesus' followers during his ministry and therefore did not see his miracles. What he lacked in experience, however, he more than made up for by thoroughly researching what took place. This included interviewing those who had seen the Lord's miracles. Some of the unique miraculous events he records are below.
The Lord, in his third recorded miracle during his ministry, causes Peter to miraculous catch a huge quantity of fish. The number of fish is so great that it begins to break Peter's net and almost sinks the two boats needed to store them (Luke 4:16, 5:4 - 11).
[Why Do Fish Symbolize Christians?]
Jesus takes pity on a widow from Nain, whose only son had died, by resurrected him from the dead as his body was being carried for burial (Luke 7:11 - 16)!
The Lord casts a demon out of a man who was made speechless by an evil spirit. Such a merciful act earned him the scorn of others who accused him of using the authority of Beelzebub (Satan the devil) to perform the miracle (Luke 11:14 - 23)!
[What Are the Different Names for Devils?]
A demon is cast out of a woman who had caused her to be crippled for 18 years (Luke 13:10 - 13). In early 30 A.D., less than three months before his crucifixion, Jesus heals ten leprous men (17:11 - 19). While traveling into Jericho he heals a blind man who loudly cried out for mercy from the Lord (18:35 - 43).
Unique Parables
Jesus gave at least seventy parables during his ministry. Some of his most famous ones found only in the book of Luke include the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30 - 37), the rich fool (12:16 - 22) and the barren fig tree (13:6 - 9). Others are the lost coin (15:8 - 10), the prodigal son (15:11 - 32) and the unjust steward (16:1 - 9).
[Meaning of Good Samaritan Parable!]
[Meaning of Prodigal Son Parable]
The third gospel also uniquely records the parables of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19 - 31), the unprofitable servant (17:7 - 10), the Pharisee and the tax collector (18:10 - 14) and the pounds (19:12 - 27).
Revealing Teachings
Luke reveals many of Jesus' teachings not found elsewhere in the Bible. These include letting the dead bury the dead (9:57 - 62), the Father giving him all things (10:21 - 24), and an outline on how to pray (11:1 - 4).
Other teachings include demon possession can become worse (Luke 11:24 - 26), Jonah is the only sign given to prove He was the Messiah (verses 29 - 32), and that Christians should let their light shine (verses 33 - 36).
[Why Didn't Jesus Bring Peace?]
[What Is the Unpardonable Sin?]
Luke also writes about Jesus' warning to the Pharisees and Scribes (Luke 11:37 - 54), his teaching on the unpardonable sin (12:8 - 10), and that God will take care of us if we make him our priority (verses 22 - 34). He also reveals we should be ready for the Lord's return (verses 35 - 48), that Jesus came to bring division (verses 49 - 53) and that we should settle quickly with those who have a cause against us (58 - 59).
The third gospel also uniquely conveys the teaching that time and chance happen to all humans (Luke 13:1 - 5).
Distinct Events
Luke records a host of events not found elsewhere in the New Testament. These include John the Baptist's conception (Luke 1:5 - 25), Jesus' conception (verses 26 - 38), and Mary visiting Elizabeth and praising God in her Magnificat (verses 39 - 56). He also writes about John the Baptist's birth and prophecies (verses 57 - 80), angels announcing Jesus' birth to Bethlehem's shepherds (2:1 - 20) and the Lord's circumcision (verse 21).
[Timeline of Jesus Conception and Birth]
Luke also uniquely discusses Jesus' presentation at the temple, the prophecies given by Simeon, and a woman named Anna spreading the word about his birth (Luke 2:22 - 38). He additionally records Jesus and his parents' visit to Jerusalem when he is twelve years old (verses 40 - 52).
Other events written about during the Lord's ministry include John the Baptist being cast into prison (Luke 3:19 - 20) and later called a great prophet (7:16 - 18). He also records Jesus declaring, in Nazareth, that his ministry is beginning in a Jubilee Year (4:16 - 30).
[When Are the Next Jubilee Years?]
Luke is also the only one to list some of Jesus' female supporters (Luke 8:1 - 3) as well as the time James and John wanted to call fire down from heaven (9:51 - 56)! Jesus' selection and training of 70 disciples is also mentioned (10:1 - 20), Martha fretting over her sister Mary (10:38 - 42) and Pilate sending Jesus to Herod (23:5 - 12).
[Who Were the 70 Disciples Jesus Trained?]
Bountiful Blessings
According to the book Number in Scripture by Bullinger, there were 94 people in Luke who received a direct blessing from Jesus. The place in the gospel which recorded the blessing, and the number who received it, are Luke 7:12 (1 person), 7:37 (1), 8:3 (2), 9:59 (1), 10:1 (70), 10:38 (1) and 13:11 (1). The remaining blessings and those who received it are found in Luke 14:2 (1 person), 17:12 (10), 18:35 (1), 19:2 (1), 22:51 (1), 23:43 (1) and 24:13 (2).
Duplicates
Luke is the only one of the gospels that records Jesus, on four separate occasions, using a name or title twice in the same verse.
And why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' but you do not practice what I say? (Luke 6:46)
Then Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are full of care and troubled about many things . . . (10:41).
Once the Master of the house has risen up and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside the door and knock, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us' . . . (13:25).
Then the Lord said, "Simon, Simon, listen well. Satan has demanded to have all of you, to sift as wheat . . ." (22:31).
A Young Jesus Speaks!
The book of Luke is the only gospel to record the words Jesus spoke before he became an adult. These words were spoken after Mary and Joseph left Jerusalem and lost track of twelve-year-old Jesus.
After a frantic search Mary and Joseph find Jesus at Jerusalem's temple talking with teachers about God's law. The Lord's response to their chastisement reveals that he, at an early age, was fully aware of who he was and his purpose on earth!
[Was Jesus the God of the Old Testament?]
But when they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You dealt with us in this manner? Look, Your father and I have been very distressed while searching for You."
And He (Jesus) said to them, "Why is it that you were looking for Me? Don't you realize that I must be about My Father's business?" (Luke 2:48 - 49).
Luke 1 to 6 Outline - 7 to 12 Outline
13 to 18 Outline - 19 to 24 Outline
Luke 1 to 6 Questions - 7 to 12 Questions
13 to 18 Questions - 19 to 24 Questions