What is Luke about?
Luke offers an orderly narrative of Jesus’ life as the first volume of a two-part work continued in Acts. It highlights the Holy Spirit, prayer, meals, women, people at social margins, wealth and poverty, forgiveness and joy. A long journey toward Jerusalem gathers distinctive parables and teaching before passion, resurrection and promised witness.
A four-part reading map
- Luke 1–2 — births and songs: announcements concerning John and Jesus, Mary’s visit, poetic praise, Bethlehem, shepherds, temple witnesses and the young Jesus.
- Luke 3–9 — preparation and Galilean mission: John, baptism, genealogy, testing, Nazareth, healings, calls, teaching, parables and Peter’s confession.
- Luke 9:51–19:27 — journey to Jerusalem: mission, prayer, hospitality, contested meals and parables including the Samaritan, lost children and rich man.
- Luke 19:28–24:53 — Jerusalem and resurrection: entry, temple teaching, final meal, trials, crucifixion, empty tomb, Emmaus and ascension.
Sample questions and answers
Watch how Luke pairs scenes and characters, and note who is welcomed, reversed, restored or invited to respond with joy.
Who was the mother of Jesus?
Reference: Luke 1:26–35
The angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus.
Who climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus?
Reference: Luke 19:1–10
Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, climbed a sycamore tree because he was short.
Who held the infant Jesus in the temple and praised God?
Reference: Luke 2:25–35
Simeon recognised Jesus as God’s salvation.
Which parable features a traveller helped by a Samaritan?
Reference: Luke 10:25–37
A Samaritan cared for a wounded man when others passed by.
Which angel announced to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus?
Reference: Luke 1:26–38
Gabriel was sent to Mary in Nazareth.
Which parable tells of a son who returned after wasting his inheritance?
Reference: Luke 15:11–32
The younger son returned and was welcomed by his father.
Who was the mother of John the Baptist?
Reference: Luke 1:5–25, 57–60
Elizabeth gave birth to John in her old age.
Who was the father of John the Baptist?
Reference: Luke 1:5–23
Zechariah was a priest and the father of John.
Which elderly prophetess spoke about Jesus in the temple?
Reference: Luke 2:36–38
Anna gave thanks and spoke about the child to those awaiting redemption.
Who was the recipient of both a Gospel and the book of Acts?
Reference: Luke 1:1–4; Acts 1:1
Both Luke and Acts are addressed to Theophilus.
How to study Luke
Read Luke and Acts as connected volumes and track promises that continue across both. Build theme chains for Spirit, prayer, meals, possessions, reversal and joy. Compare the paired infancy scenes for John and Jesus, then map the travel section geographically and thematically. When using Synoptic parallels, preserve Luke’s distinctive placement and wording, especially in parables found only here. Observe how Scripture interpretation and table fellowship frame the Emmaus conclusion.
Context and interpretation note
Luke’s historical preface, census details, chronology and relationship to other Gospels are debated. Wealth and poverty teachings, portrayals of women, Jews, Samaritans and Roman officials require historical care and must not support prejudice or paternalism. Manuscripts vary in several verses. The quiz tests Luke’s sequence and explicit teaching while distinguishing it from Acts and from familiar details supplied by Matthew, Mark or later tradition.