Zondervan Niv Study Bible: The Gospel Of Luke

At the start of the Gospel of Luke, the author who we understand to be Luke expresses the reason behind writing this account. Kent Dobson states that Luke used the greek word ‘Diēgēsis’ which means “narrative” or “account,” from the root “to tell.” Luke was using the word as a Greek historian might, intending to provide an accurate account. (Zondervan NIV Study Bible, 2014)

The Gospel of Luke was intended for Theophilus, it has been debated who Theophilus was, whether a man, most likely a Gentile, or that the name was a general one, applied to every Christian as the name means “one who loves God”. Readers are not given much insight into this but what we do know is that the Gospel of Luke was written not just for one man but to a representative of readers to help and strengthen their faith. (Berkhof, 2004)

From the style of writing and His

Other features of the Gospel of Luke is that it is continued in the book of Acts, though once again the author does not identify themselves the style and language of the books is very similar and both are addressed to Theophilus.

Both these factors comes out noticeably in Luke’s writings. As Luke used medical terminology and also focused on the fact that a Christian does not need to be a Jew but God had come to all people. This is seen clearly in Luke 2:32 ‘A light for revelation to the Gentiles’ (Zondervan NIV Study Bible, 2014) This is in accordance with the prophecies in the Old Testament, Isaiah 49; Isaiah 9:6-7; Psalm 98:3; Malachi 4:2. The Gentiles are represented as sitting in darkness that is, in ignorance and sin. Christ is a "light" to them, as by him they will be made acquainted with the character of the true God, his law, and the plan of