Bible Study – Book Outlines: Luke

Higgins, A. J. (Barrington, NJ)

The Author

Luke was a Gentile and a physician (Col 4:14). He was writing to a Greek audience and detailing the moral perfections of the Son of Man. If we add the book of Acts to his authorship, we discover that Luke penned more of the New Testament than any other writer.

The Attributes

  • The Perfect Man and the Godly Remnant – In Matthew, we have Gentiles coming, but in Luke (the Gospel to Gentiles), the spotlight is on a godly remnant of Jews and their faithfulness.
  • The Perfect Man and His Growth – Only Luke gives us the particulars of His birth and then of His growth and appearance at age 12. He stresses that “the child grew …” It could only be said of Him that He grew “in grace.”
  • The Perfect Man and His Goodness – He is seen doing good; Luke summarizes it in the Acts by saying He went about doing good.
  • The Perfect Man and His Gentleness – He touches the bier and raises the widow’s son. He cares for a thief on a cross and the women on the via dolorosa. He is seen gentle in all His ways throughout the book.
  • The Perfect Man as a Guest – He is a guest at the tables of men (5:29; 7:36; 10:38ff.; 11:37; 14:1; 19:7; 24:30).
  • The Perfect Man and Gladness – Luke is the Gospel of songs (Matthew of sayings, Mark of sighs, John of signs and shouts).
  • The Perfect Man and His Grief – Luke records His tears (19:41) and His agony (22:44) with tears in the garden. We see His heart and His grief, a Man of Sorrows.
  • The Perfect Man and His Glory – We have glory introduced in 2:9,14,32 and 9:32 (they saw His glory); we read of His coming glory in 21:27; people ascribe glory to Him in 19:38. He must enter into His glory in 24:26; He is the Son of the Highest.
  • The Perfect Man and His Greatness – He shall be great (1:32); Levi makes Him a great feast (5:29); He is called a great prophet (7:16); He does great things (8:39); He provides a gospel likened to a great feast (14:16); He will come with power and great glory (21:27); and He gives great joy to His own (24:52).
  • The Perfect Man and His Graces – Each chapter of Luke seems to highlight a different beauty of this perfect Man (ch.7 His appreciation, ch.14 His faithfulness, ch.15 His joy in grace, etc.). In Matthew, as I gaze at Him, it should touch my will; in Mark, as I see the Perfect Servant, it should affect my work; in John, as I see the Son of God in His glory, it should increase my worship; but in Luke, as I gaze on His perfections, it should transform my walk. It should make me more like Him.

The Aspects Characteristic of Luke

  • The Remnant that Awaited Him
  • The Record of His Birth
  • The Rejection He Felt
  • The Refuse of Society He Saved (Publicans, Prostitutes, Prisoners)
  • The Relationships into Which He Brings (Sons in the Family – ch.15, Stewards in the House – ch.16, Servants in the Work – ch.17:7-10, Supplicants Before the Judge – ch.18, Subjects and Their King – ch.19)
  • The Revelation of Eternity He Gave (chs.13,16)
  • The Rich Men (Four)
  • The Redeemer of Widows (Five Widows noted)
  • The Record of Songs (1:42,46,68; 2:10)
  • The Receiver of Worship (2:15,25; 17:11-19; 24:52)
  • The Recliner at Tables (Seven times)

The Arrangement of Material

  • It is vital to see that Luke’s “order” (1:3) is not chronological but moral. He groups events to teach lessons.
  • The perfect Manhood of the Lord Jesus is seen. Aspects of both the meal offering and peace offering can be traced in the Gospel.
  • Matthew introduces subjects with the adverb “then.” Mark connects with the conjunction “and.” Luke resorts to “now” and “it came to pass.”
  • Luke begins with a man in the temple and the people outside praying. It ends with a glorified Man in heaven and the people praising God. It begins with a journey of two who supposed Him to be in the company, and ends with two journeying who did not know He was with them.

Annunciation of the Forerunner and Son of Man (ch.1)

Advent of the Son of Man (ch.2)

Announcement Concerning Him (3:1-20)

Ancestry (3:21-38)

  • Note the difference with Matthew’s ancestry
  • The importance of one line via Solomon and one via Nathan

Activities (chs.4-8)

Ascent to Jerusalem (9:1-19:44)

Appearance in Jerusalem (19:45-21:38)

Atonement Made (chs.22-23)

Ascension (ch.24)

Additional Features

  • Prayer – There are seven prayers that are unique to Luke’s record.
  • Parables – There are 11 parables found only in his Gospel.
  • Poverty – Luke stresses the marks of Christ’s poverty in ch.2.
  • Power – Six miracles are unique to Luke’s account.
  • People – Luke is the Gospel of widows (five), and of devoted women.
  • Person of the Spirit of God – Note the prominence of the Spirit of God in Luke.
  • Salvation and Savior – We get the first mention of “Savior” in Luke.