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The writer of this book is Luke, the doctor (or physician)
mentioned by the apostle Paul who called him "the beloved
physician" (Colossians 4:14). Luke was Greek by birth.
He lived for some years at Antioch in Syria. He became a Christian
and later joined Paul in his missionary journeys. Luke also
wrote the book called The Acts of the Apostles. He
addressed both Acts and Luke to a Christian called Theophilus
- which means "beloved of God" (Acts 1;1-2, Luke
1:1-4).
Luke records names, places and events with meticulous care,
showing Jesus as both Son of God and Son of
Man, descended from Adam (chapter 3). He also records
many events in the life of Jesus which are not included in
the other gospels.
In this book we learn of angels -
a) one visits Zacharias to foretell the birth of John the
Baptist, forerunner of Jesus (1:11-20),
b) the same angel visits Mary to tell her about the special
son she is to have (1:36-38),
c) an angel announces the birth of Jesus to shepherds on the
plains of Bethlehem (2:8-12),
d) a multitude of angels are heard praising God at the birth
of Jesus (2:13-14).
Luke also includes several parables told by Jesus, which
the other gospel writers do not mention. Chapter 15, for example,
contains three parables about 'lost things' - the Iost
sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.
Luke, more than the other gospel writers, makes frequent
reference to historical details and puts events in an orderly
way.
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