Patron Saint of artists, bachelors, physicians, and surgeons Saint Luke was a physician, evangelist, and historian who authored the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. A probable Gentile convert from Antioch, he was a loyal companion to Paul the Apostle on his missionary journeys, serving as his physician and chronicler. Luke is known for his beautifully written, historically accurate accounts Based on the prologue of his own Gospel, Luke was not an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry; rather, he accurately investigated everything anew and wrote down his findings in an orderly sequence (see –Luke 1:14). According to Saint Paul’s epistles, it is likely that Mark, the author of the first Gospel, and Luke knew each other well and that Luke used Mark’s Gospel as a source.
He was probably the only one of the four Gospel writers not of Jewish origin. Additionally, Luke’s Gospel appears to have been written in Greek. His Greek grammar and structure are excellent, suggesting he is well educated in Greek language, literature, and culture.
Luke’s Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles make up a two-volume single work, both written for “Theophilus.” Theophilus might have been Saint Paul’s lawyer, a wealthy benefactor who commissioned the work, or, literally, a “friend of God.”.
St.Luke includes parables and events that are not included in the other Gospels. These include early events from the Annunciation to Zechariah (–Luke 1:525) through Jesus at the age of Twelve in the Temple (–Luke 2:4152); A Sinful Woman Forgiven (–Luke 7:3650); Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary (–Luke 10:3842); and Zacchaeus the Tax Collector Climbs a Tree (–Luke 19:110).
Additionally, there are several parables only found in Luke, which include the Good Samaritan (–Luke 10:2537); Lost Sheep (–Luke 15:37); and Prodigal Son (–Luke 15:1132).
Only St. Luke includes details from Mary’s life, suggesting that he either had an intimate knowledge of these events directly from the Blessed Mother or was privileged to receive a reliable and detailed account of them from another source. Early tradition states that Saint Luke died at the age of eighty-four in Boeotia, Greece, although an ancient belief says he died as a martyr.
Gladys Da Silva