Why It's Written: Luke #1

Why are there four gospels? Why are three of them (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) very similar while the fourth (John) is quite different?

Over the next few months I am going to tackle these questions by examining The Gospel According to Luke.

Luke was written around 85 CE, and while church history identifies Luke as the author (cf. Col 4.14), the gospel itself is anonymous. In fact, not one of the gospels identify their author.

This is noteworthy because of the strong statement it makes: it was the subject of the gospel that was important and not the author. What better way to highlight Jesus than to present his story anonymously.

Luke also composed the book of Acts, which comes after John, in between the gospels and the rest of the NT letters.

So why did Luke write his version? He tells us, in very polished Greek, "I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth about which you have been instructed" (1.3-4).

So Luke researched, talked to eyewitnesses, gathered data, and in the end, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote the third gospel.

As we journey through this book, may we come to better know the truth of the most important story ever told.