Early church · companion of Paul around AD 50-67
Luke in the Bible
The beloved physician. Name meaning: From the Greek Loukas, a form of a Latin name (Lucanus); the Bible doesn’t comment on the name
Luke is Paul’s “beloved physician” (Col 4:14). His name appears only three times in the Bible (Col 4:14; Phlm 1:24; 2 Tim 4:11), but, according to tradition, he wrote the third Gospel and the book of Acts, whose narrator begins saying “we” at Troas (Acts 16:10). Faithful to the end, he is the only one who stays with Paul in prison: “Only Luke is with me” (2 Tim 4:11).
Key moments
- The account in Acts shifts to “we” at Troas Acts 16:10
- He is in Philippi when Lydia is baptized Acts 16:14–15
- He is in the upper room at Troas when Eutychus is brought back alive Acts 20:9–12
- He begs Paul not to go up to Jerusalem Acts 21:12
- He sails for Italy with Paul the prisoner Acts 27:1–2
- He survives the shipwreck with 276 people Acts 27:37
- Paul greets him as “the beloved physician” Colossians 4:14
- “Only Luke is with me” 2 Timothy 4:11
Strengths
- Faithfulness
- Friendship
- Humility
- Thoroughness
Weaknesses
The Bible records no fault of Luke’s: it names him only three times (Col 4:14; Phlm 1:24; 2 Tim 4:11). He melts into the “we” of the account and rarely puts himself forward: we owe him a great deal, and we know little about his life.
Lessons for today
- Stay faithful when others leave: “Only Luke is with me,” when Demas had deserted Paul (2 Tim 4:10-11).
- Serve without seeking first place: Luke says “we” and blends into Paul’s team (Acts 16:10; 27:1).
- Every profession can serve the gospel: the “beloved physician” is also Paul’s “fellowlabourer” (Col 4:14; Phlm 1:24).
- Love the truth of the facts: the Gospel that bears his name rests on careful investigation to strengthen faith (Luke 1:3-4).
And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
People around Luke
- Paul — Coworker and friend, with him through his last imprisonment
- Mark — Another of Paul’s coworkers, named with him in Philemon
- Demas — Sends greetings to the Colossians with him, then deserts Paul out of love for this present world
- Aristarchus — A Macedonian from Thessalonica, with them on the ship of Adramyttium
- Timothy — Recipient of the letter in which Paul writes, “Only Luke is with me”
- Theophilus — Recipient of the Gospel and Acts
Stories with Luke
Quiz: how well do you know Luke?
What profession does Paul give Luke?
Paul writes, “Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.” It is the only occupation the Bible gives Luke. Colossians 4:14
To whom is the Gospel of Luke addressed?
The prologue is addressed to “most excellent Theophilus,” so that he may know “the certainty of those things” he has been taught. Acts is addressed to him as well. Luke 1:3–4
What was the name of the island where the shipwreck survivors were taken in?
“When they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita”—Malta today. They had sailed past Cyprus and Crete earlier in the voyage. Acts 28:1
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.