Bible Learning
Reading the Gospel of Luke: A Beginner’s Guide
Who Luke was, what makes his Gospel special, and a simple plan to read it in four weeks.
Luke wrote his Gospel “in orderly sequence” for a friend named Theophilus, so that he might know the truth of what he had been taught (Luke 1:1–4). Luke also wrote the Acts of the Apostles, its second volume.
What to look for
- Mercy: only Luke tells the parables of the Good Samaritan (10:25–37) and the Prodigal Son (15:11–32).
- The poor and the outsider: shepherds, widows, tax collectors and Samaritans are close to Jesus.
- Prayer: Jesus prays at every important moment, from his baptism to the cross.
- Mary: the Annunciation, the Visitation and the Magnificat come from Luke.
- Joy: the Gospel begins and ends with people praising God.
A four-week plan
- Week 1: chapters 1–6 — birth, baptism and the first teaching.
- Week 2: chapters 7–12 — healing, discipleship and the journey to Jerusalem.
- Week 3: chapters 13–18 — the parables of mercy.
- Week 4: chapters 19–24 — Jerusalem, the Passion and the road to Emmaus.
Read about one chapter a day. Underline one verse, and ask: what does this show me about Jesus?
For reflection
- Which parable of mercy speaks most to me, and why?