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Portrait of LukePortrait · Luke

Early Church · New Testament

Luke

Physician and Evangelist

Name meaning
From Lucania
Name origin
Greek: Λουκᾶς (Loukas), possibly “from Lucania”; origin uncertain

Quick facts

Occupation
  • Physician
  • Evangelist
  • Companion of Paul
Birthplace
Antioch (traditionally; not stated in Scripture)
Modern-day location
Traditionally Antioch, modern Antakya in Hatay Province, Turkey; Scripture does not state his birthplace.
Family
  • Fellow worker of Paul
  • Called “the beloved physician”
First mention
Luke 1:1-4 (authorial prologue)
Last mention
2 Timothy 4:11 (traditional attribution)
Key artifacts
  • Scroll and pen
  • Physician’s medicine case
  • Travel journal

Key verses

  • “having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order.”

    Luke 1:3

  • “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

    Luke 19:10

  • “Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.”

    Colossians 4:14

Biography

Early Life

Luke’s background is not fully described in Scripture. The New Testament calls him a physician and records his companionship with Paul.

Defining Biblical Moments

He wrote an orderly account of Jesus’ life and the Acts of the Apostles, including detailed narratives of the early church and Paul’s journeys.

Strengths

Luke is associated with careful investigation, clear storytelling, and attention to people at the margins.

Weaknesses & Lessons

The biblical text gives few personal details; claims about his birthplace or later life remain traditional rather than certain.

Life Lessons for Today

The biblical text gives few personal details; claims about his birthplace or later life remain traditional rather than certain.

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Luke appears in The Life of Jesus & The Early Church, alongside more profiles like this one.

Page #25 in The Life of Jesus & The Early Church

The Life of Jesus & The Early Church front cover

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