Luke

• DatesAbout AD 60–62 on the early view; about AD 80–90 on the view of many scholars (debated)
• GenreGospels and Acts
• AuthorshipAnonymous; tradition names Luke, Paul’s physician and companion
• TimelineJesus the Messiah
• Key textsLuke 1:1–4; Luke 2; Luke 15; Luke 24
• Read the textLuke in the World English Bible
• Covered in classSession 4, Session 11

What the sources say, and how sure we are

• The text says

  The preface says the author investigated what eyewitnesses handed down and wrote an orderly account for Theophilus. Luke 3:1 dates the start of John the Baptist’s ministry by six rulers, including Tiberius and Pontius Pilate.Luke 1:1–4; Luke 3:1–2

• Outside evidence

  An inscription found at Caesarea names Pontius Pilate as prefect of Judea, confirming the office and name used by the Gospels.Pilate Stone, Caesarea

• Debated

  Luke 2:1–2 says Jesus was born during a census under Quirinius, governor of Syria. Josephus dates Quirinius’ census to AD 6, after Herod’s death in 4 BC. Scholars offer several solutions, and none is accepted by everyone.Luke 2:1–2; Josephus, Antiquities 18.1–3

• Debated

  The date depends partly on Acts, which ends with Paul in Rome about AD 62. Some scholars place both books before that, others in the 80s or later.Acts 28:30–31