Luke’s Purpose in Writing

Matthew begins his gospel by tracing the genealogy of Jesus back to Abraham (Matt. 1:1–17). Mark opens his gospel with John the Baptist’s fulfilling biblical prophecy (Mark 1:1–8). John starts his gospel by looking at the Son of God before His incarnation (John 1:1–18). As we see in today’s passage, the first thing Luke tells us in his gospel is his reason for writing.

This prologue to Luke’s gospel gives us some vital historical and theological information. First, we learn that Luke is not the first person to set about the task of providing a written record of the founding events of the new covenant people of God. We read in Luke 1:1 that many had already “undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us.” Luke here speaks of other written sources of the life of Jesus. Although the evangelist does not identify these sources specifically, the gospel of Mark is almost certainly included, and perhaps the gospel of Matthew is as well. Luke writes not to replace other accurate accounts of the life and ministry of Christ but to complement them with other details and to offer his own unique divinely inspired perspective.

In Luke 1:2, the evangelist notes that he is carrying on the tradition of “eyewitnesses and ministers of the word.” Luke was not one of Jesus’ disciples during His earthly ministry, but he is endeavoring to hand on the truth about Christ to others just as they did. Luke has “followed all things closely for some time past” so that he may “write an orderly account” (v. 3). In other words, the gospel that Luke provides for us is based on careful research and is structured so that we will have a trustworthy, well-organized record. Luke’s references to “eyewitnesses and ministers of the word” in verse 2 indicate that the information for his gospel account comes from the testimony of Jesus’ original disciples and others who knew Jesus firsthand. Since Luke includes so much information about Mary the mother of Jesus and the family of John the Baptist, he may have interviewed them directly.

Luke writes for a man named Theophilus (v. 3), whose name means “lover of God” and who was probably a relatively new believer when Luke composed his gospel. Theophilus is receiving this gospel for the sake of discipleship, so that he might have certainty regarding the things he has learned about Jesus (v. 4). Ultimately, Luke writes not just for Theophilus but for the entire church as well.