The Gospel of Luke
The Gospel of Luke is a New Testament account of Jesus’s birth, teaching, death, and resurrection. Traditionally attributed to Luke, it gives particular attention to poor people, women, and outsiders. Its stories of mercy and forgiveness have shaped Christian belief and much later literature.
What The Gospel of Luke contains
The birth of Jesus
Mary gives birth to Jesus in Bethlehem and lays him in a manger. Shepherds hear an angel’s announcement and come to see the child.
In The Gospel of Luke, shepherds leave their flocks after hearing heavenly news, then find Mary, Joseph, and the baby together.
In The Gospel of Luke by Traditionally attributed to Luke
The Good Samaritan
Jesus tells of a traveller who is robbed and left injured. A Samaritan helps him after other travellers pass by, making compassion more important than social divisions.
In The Gospel of Luke, the Samaritan treats the wounded man, takes him to an inn, and arranges for his care.
In The Gospel of Luke by Traditionally attributed to Luke
The Prodigal Son
A younger son wastes his inheritance and returns home expecting disgrace. His father welcomes him, while his older brother resents the celebration.
In The Gospel of Luke, the father runs to meet his returning son and later goes out to speak with the angry older brother.
In The Gospel of Luke by Traditionally attributed to Luke
The road to Emmaus
After Jesus’s death, two followers meet him on a journey but do not recognise him. They understand who he is when he breaks bread with them.
In The Gospel of Luke, the travellers hurry back to Jerusalem after recognising Jesus at their evening meal.
In The Gospel of Luke by Traditionally attributed to Luke
How to recognise The Gospel of Luke in stories
- Look for a manger, shepherds, and angels announcing Jesus’s birth.
- Notice a compassionate stranger or a parent welcoming a wayward child.
- Watch for an unrecognised companion revealed through the breaking of bread.
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How is Luke different from the other Gospels?
The Gospel of Luke includes distinctive stories and places strong emphasis on mercy and people pushed aside by society. The Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, and the journey to Emmaus appear in Luke but not in the other three New Testament Gospels.
Did Luke write this Gospel?
Christian tradition attributes The Gospel of Luke to Luke, a companion of Paul, but the text does not name its author. Its opening explains that the writer drew on earlier accounts and testimony. The same writer is generally understood to have written Acts of the Apostles.
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