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[[File:Luke by roslin.jpg|thumbnail|right|300px|A niniature of Saint Luke by the Armenian manuscript illuminator Toros Roslin, 13th century.]]The '''Gospel of Luke''' is has been called "the most [[Aesthetics|beautiful ]] book ever written."due to the excellence of its [[writing]], the [[Literature|literary]] [[genius]] of the author who uses several literary techniques in this [[gospel]] and the carefullness and reliability of its writer [[Luke]] the physician.<ref>''See, e.g.'', [[NRSV]] Study Bible at 1502.</ref><ref>[https://deeperriches.com/themes-more-luke/ Themes and More in Luke]</ref><ref>[https://enterthebible.org/courses/luke/lessons/theological-themes-in-luke#:~:text=Social%20Reversal,societies'%20ways%20of%20determining%20value. Theological Themes in Luke]</ref> It is the first [[history|historian]]'s account of the life of [[JesusChrist]], as written in perfect excellent [[Greek]].<ref>The Gospel of Luke is the finest [[Greek]] among [[the Gospels]], while the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]] is the finest Greek in all of literature.</ref><ref>[https://deeperriches.com/themes-more-luke/ Themes and More in Luke]</ref> [[Luke did not claim to be an eyewitness, but instead one who has ]] "carefully investigated everything from the beginning" ({{bible ref|Luke|1|3}}) who wanted , wanting to "write an orderly account" so that the Greek man recipient [[Theophilus ]] (or the entire world, as the this name means "loved by [[God]]") would "know the certainty of the things" he had been taught. (Luke 1:3-4)  The author Luke was a [[Gentile]], as confirmed by [[Paul]] at [[Colossians]] 4:11,14. The Gospel of Luke is the 3rd and longest [[the Gospel|Gospel]] (indeed, the longest book in the entire [[New Testament]]), placed after [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] and [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] and before the [[Gospel of John]]. [[Papyrus 4]] and [[Papyrus 75]] are two early surviving scrolls of this Gospel. Luke implies the existence of [[Gospels]] before his in {{bibleref|Luke|1|1-3}}: "Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us ...."  [[Theology|Theological]] themes of the Gospel of Luke are: Jesus Christ is the promised [[Messiah]] King of the [[Old Testament]]; Jesus as the [[Son of God]] and Son of Man; Jesus' reliance on God and his frequent [[prayer]]; the [[kingdom of God]] is for the [[Humility|humble]], the [[repentance|repentant]] [[sin]]ner, the poor, the outcast, and the outsider; [[God]]'s [[salvation]]; the Jewish Messiah is not only for the [[Jew]]s, but for the Gentiles as well; the role of the [[Holy Spirit]] in connection to Jesus’ coming and his public ministry; the Messiah King was rejected by the ones He came to save and [[Christian persecution|Christians must be willing to suffer persecution]] and rejection as they follow the example of Christ; and the [[ascension of Christ]].<ref>[https://deeperriches.com/themes-more-luke/ Themes and More in Luke]</ref><ref>[https://enterthebible.org/courses/luke/lessons/theological-themes-in-luke#:~:text=Social%20Reversal,societies'%20ways%20of%20determining%20value. Theological Themes in Luke]</ref>

*The beautiful, emotion-inducing parables [[parable]]s of the [[Prodigal Son|prodigal son]], the [[Good Samaritan|good Samaritan]], and the rich man and Lazarus ({{bible ref|Luke|16|19-31}});

*The promise of [[paradise]] to one crucified alongside Jesus; *This Gospel and}}the [[Gospel of John]] praise the [[Samaritan]]s the most; and*Details about origins the lineage and birth of Jesus; and*"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more." - {{bibleref|Luke|12|48|version=NASB}}; and*Luke's special emphasis on the availability of the full [[forgiveness]] of our sins.

The witnesses to [[Jesus]] on the road to Emmaus were not any of [[the Apostles]] or [[Mark]], and thus only the historian (Luke) could describe that encounter.

Luke may have been was probably inspired by the [[Epistles to the Hebrews]], which is perhaps the best-written Greek work in all of history, and which some of Luke's writings (especially parts of the [[Acts of the Apostles]]) appear to imitate in style and word choice. Luke is considered one of the [[synoptic gospels]] and Luke is generally considered to have borrowed from Mark as one of his sources, as did Matthew. It is unknown if Matthew or Luke borrowed from each other or which came first; some material is common to Matthew and Luke but not found in Mark.

'''The Gospel of Luke''' does not name its author, but as a companion volume to the [[book of Acts]], it can be inferred by the use of "we" when describing part of the [[Saint Paul|Apostle Paul]]'s journeys that the author traveled with [[Paul ]] and [[Luke]], the doctor, becomes the most likely candidate. The extremely sophisticated Greek of Luke also argues for a man who was very educated as does his attention to detail and the medical language in use matches that of other ancient Greek doctors. The ancient church father [[Irenaeus]] ascribed the work to Luke as does the Muratorian Canon. It is also mentioned by Clemente of Alexandria.

Based on the descriptions of places in [[Palestine]], it is generally assumed that the reader was unfamiliar with that land. It's not known where Luke was written, but it is assumed it is outside of [[Palestine]] and to an audience that is non-Jewish.

The Gospel of Luke is generally believed to have been written in the A.D. 70's or 80's, but it is also possible it was written in the late 50's or early 60's based upon the abrupt ending in Acts. [[Columbia University]] researchers estimate a date of authorship of A.D. 85 (plus or minus five or ten years), when Roman Emperor [[Domitian]] reigned.<ref>https://www.college.columbia.edu/core/node/1754#:~:text=The%20Gospel%20According%20to%20Luke,middle%20of%20the%20third%20century.</ref>

The arguments for an earlier date are as followsinclude the following: