The Word of Our Lord

The New Testament

Luke

The Holy Gospel According to Luke

Introduction

The Gospel according to Luke is the first part of a two-volume work that continues the biblical history of God's dealings with humanity found in the Old Testament, showing how God's promises to Israel have been fulfilled in Jesus and how the salvation promised to Israel and accomplished by Jesus has been extended to the Gentiles. The stated purpose of the two volumes is to provide Theophilus and others like him with certainty - assurance - about earlier instruction they have received (⇒ Luke 1:4). To accomplish his purpose, Luke shows that the preaching and teaching of the representatives of the early church are grounded in the preaching and teaching of Jesus, who during his historical ministry (⇒ Acts 1:21-22) prepared his specially chosen followers and commissioned them to be witnesses to his resurrection and to all else that he did (⇒ Acts 10:37-42). This continuity between the historical ministry of Jesus and the ministry of the apostles is Luke's way of guaranteeing the fidelity of the Church's teaching to the teaching of Jesus


A synopsis of each chapter is provided below. Please click on the synopsis of the chapter you wish to read.

Chapter 1 - The angel Gabriel foretold the birth of John. He told Mary, "You will have a son named Jesus." Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord!"

Chapter 2 - Mary gave birth in Bethlehem. Angels sent shepherds to see the child. Jesus was presented at the temple. He grew in wisdom and stature.

Chapter 3 - John came from the wilderness preaching repentance. Jesus was baptised. He was son of David, son of Abraham, son of Adam, son of God.

Chapter 4 - Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. In the synagogue he read out, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me." He healed all the sick.

Chapter 5 - Simon, James and John left everything and followed Jesus. Jesus forgave and healed a paralytic. The Pharisees asked him about fasting.

Chapter 6 - Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath. He chose twelve apostles. He said, "Blessed are the poor. Love your enemies. Hear and do my words."

Chapter 7 - Jesus healed a centurion's servant and raised a widow's son. John sent messengers to Jesus. A woman washed Jesus' feet with her tears.

Chapter 8 - Jesus told a parable about a sower. He explained it to his disciples. He calmed a storm, delivered a man and healed Jairus' daughter.

Chapter 9 - : Jesus sent out the twelve. He fed 5,000 men. Peter said, "You are the Christ." Jesus said, "Take up your cross." He was transfigured.

Chapter 10 - : Jesus sent out the seventy-two. A lawyer asked, "Who is my neighbour?" Jesus said, "A man was robbed. He was helped by a Samaritan."

Chapter 11 - : Jesus said, "Pray, 'Father, your kingdom come.' Seek and you will find. Only the sign of Jonah will be given. Woe to you Pharisees!"

Chapter 12 - : Jesus said, "Even the hairs of your head are numbered. Sell your possessions. Be ready for the Son of Man. I came to bring division."

Chapter 13 - : Jesus said, "Repent or you will perish." He healed a woman on the Sabbath. He said, "Seek the narrow door. I must go on to Jerusalem."

Chapter 14 - : Jesus said, "Choose the lowest place. A man gave a banquet but his guests made excuses. To be my disciple you must carry your cross."

Chapter 15 - : Jesus said, "Heaven rejoices when a sinner repents. A son squandered his father's wealth. He returned and his father called a feast."

Chapter 16 - : "A shrewd manager reduced his master's bills before he was fired. Abraham would not send Lazarus to comfort a rich man in Hades."

Chapter 17 - : Jesus said, "If your brother repents, forgive him." He healed ten lepers. He said, "In his day the Son of Man will light up the sky."

Chapter 18 - : Jesus gave parables about prayer. He told a rich man to sell everything. He said, "The Son of Man will be killed but he will rise."

Chapter 19 - : Jesus ate with Zacchaeus. He told a parable about servants in the kingdom. He rode into Jerusalem on a colt and wept over the city.

Chapter 20 - : The elders questioned Jesus' authority. Jesus said, "A man's tenants killed his son." So they asked about taxes and the resurrection.

Chapter 21 - : Jesus said, "The temple will be thrown down. Jerusalem will be trampled. The Son of Man will come in glory. Stay awake at all times."

Chapter 22 - : Jesus took Passover with the disciples. He prayed at the Mount of Olives. Judas betrayed him to the chief priests. Peter denied him.

Chapter 23 - : Jesus was taken to Pilate. The crowd said, "Crucify him!" He was crucified with two criminals. Darkness fell and he breathed his last.

Chapter 24 - The women found the tomb empty. Jesus met two on the road to Emmaus. He appeared to the disciples and opened the Scriptures to them.