Rachel Evans
The Bible lists the names of the twelve apostles in the gospels, and it is clear that Luke is not among them. However, some argue that the term apostle can be used more broadly to include the seventy disciples or important early Christian teachers, which would include Luke as he was a disciple of Paul. The Catholic Encyclopedia states that anyone sent by God or Christ could be called an apostle, which extends the term beyond the original twelve. While the church has traditionally gauged the authority of teachings based on their connection to the original twelve apostles, Luke is still considered a saint by the Catholic Church and other major denominations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Was Luke one of the 12 apostles? | No |
| Was Luke one of the 70 apostles? | Yes |
| Was Luke a disciple? | Yes |
| Was Luke a disciple of Paul? | Yes |
| Was Luke a physician? | Yes |
| Was Luke a martyr? | Yes |
| Was Luke a saint? | Yes |
| Was Luke a historian? | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Luke is celebrated as a historian and author of the Gospel of Luke
Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, is widely regarded as a historian of the early Christian church. He is not explicitly mentioned by name in the canonical gospels, but the early church fathers, including Irenaeus and Tertullian, attributed the third gospel to him. Luke is believed to have been a Gentile and a companion of the apostle Paul, accompanying him on his missionary journeys.
The Gospel of Luke is unique among the four gospels in that it presents a detailed and ordered account of the life of Jesus, with a particular emphasis on his humanity and his compassion for the marginalized and the poor. Luke's gospel includes well-known episodes such as the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, as well as the only infancy narrative of Jesus found in the New Testament.
As a historian, Luke is known for his meticulous research and attention to detail. He likely made use of multiple sources, including oral traditions and written accounts, and structured his narrative to provide a coherent and chronological account of Jesus' life and ministry. Luke's gospel also demonstrates an interest in the historical and political context of the time, mentioning key figures such as Emperor Augustus and providing details of the Roman rulers during the events he describes.
Luke's gospel is also characterized by its emphasis on universality and salvation for all people. Luke presents Jesus as the savior of the whole world, not just the Jewish nation, and includes episodes that emphasize the inclusion of Gentiles and the rejection of exclusivity. This theme continues in the Acts of the Apostles, which describes the spread of the early Christian message beyond Palestine to the wider Roman world.
The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are significant not only for their theological contributions but also for their historical insights into the early Christian community. Luke's writings provide valuable information about the social and cultural context in which the church was established, as well as the challenges and controversies it faced in its early years. His works continue to be studied by scholars seeking to understand the development and spread of Christianity in its formative period.
In addition to his historical contributions, Luke is also remembered as a saint in both the Catholic and Orthodox traditions, with a feast day celebrated on October 18. His symbol is the ox, representing strength and sacrifice, and he is often depicted in art with a book or scroll, emphasizing his role as an evangelist and author of the gospel.
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The Bible lists 12 apostles, none of whom are Luke
Luke, on the other hand, was a disciple and travelling companion of Paul, an apostle who came after Jesus' death and resurrection. Luke is believed to have been a physician and is regarded as a saint by Christians. He is also known as Luke the Evangelist and is considered one of the church's earliest historians. He wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, which includes the only canonical account of the early church's history.
There is some debate over whether Luke could be considered an apostle. The term "apostle" can be defined as "one who is sent off", and some use this definition to include people like Luke, who had direct access to the original apostles and wrote about their teachings. However, most Bible scholars and Christian traditions reserve the term for the original 12 disciples, with perhaps an exception for Paul, who is often referred to as "the apostle to the Gentiles".
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Luke was a disciple of Paul, who was an apostle
While Luke is traditionally regarded as one of the Four Evangelists, he was not one of the Twelve Apostles or disciples of Jesus Christ. However, he is believed to have been a disciple of Paul, who was an apostle of Jesus Christ.
Luke, also known as Luke the Evangelist, is traditionally believed to be the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. He is mentioned briefly in the New Testament and is referred to as a physician or "one who heals" in the Epistle to the Colossians. Luke is described as a "fellow labourer" in the Epistle to Philemon and as a "beloved physician" in the same letter.
Luke is believed to have been a close companion of Paul, accompanying him on several missionary journeys, including to Troas in Asia Minor during Paul's second missionary journey, as mentioned in Acts 16:6–11. Luke was also with Paul in Philippi during his second missionary journey, as indicated in Acts 17:1, and travelled with him again during his third journey, as mentioned in Acts 20:5. Luke further accompanied Paul on his journey to Jerusalem and Rome and was with him during his imprisonment there, as recorded in 2 Timothy 4:11.
Luke's presence in Rome with Paul near the end of the latter's life is attested by 2 Timothy 4:11, which states, "Only Luke is with me". Luke's account of his travels with Paul in Acts 27 indicates that he was well-travelled and knowledgeable about navigation. He is also believed to have been well-educated, with a strong command of the Greek language and an extensive vocabulary.
While Luke is not numbered among the Twelve Apostles or disciples of Jesus Christ, he is considered a significant figure in Christian tradition as a disciple of Paul and the author of two books of the New Testament.
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Some argue 'apostle' is a title reserved for the original 12 disciples
The original twelve apostles or disciples of Jesus Christ were Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Judas Iscariot, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alpheus), Bartholomew, Judas Thaddeus, and Simon Zelotes. Luke is not considered to be one of the twelve apostles or disciples of Jesus Christ. However, he was a disciple of the apostle Paul and is believed to have authored the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of Apostles.
The terms "disciple" and "apostle" have different meanings in Western and Eastern Christianity. In Western Christianity, Jesus's followers are typically referred to as "disciples," while in Eastern Christianity, they are usually called "apostles." The original Greek word for "disciple," "mathetes," refers to a student or someone learning from a mentor. On the other hand, the Greek word for "apostle," "apostolos," means someone sent out for a specific purpose or goal.
While the twelve apostles were Jesus's closest followers and the primary teachers of his gospel message, there were other disciples referenced in Scripture who were not considered apostles. Paul, for example, described himself as an "apostle of the Gentiles," even though he was not one of the original twelve. Similarly, Luke, while not one of the original twelve apostles, is considered one of the Seventy Apostles by Epiphanius and is venerated as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
Therefore, while the title of "apostle" is not exclusively reserved for the original twelve, they hold a significant place in Christian theology and tradition as the ones commissioned by Jesus to spread his teachings to all nations.
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Luke is regarded as a saint by the Catholic Church
While Luke is regarded as a saint by the Catholic Church, he is not believed to be one of the Twelve Apostles. The Twelve Apostles were the primary disciples of Jesus, and their names are listed in the Bible. These names include Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot.
Luke is believed to have been a disciple of the apostle Paul and a physician. He is described as "Saint Luke the Evangelist" and is considered the patron saint of artists, physicians, bachelors, notaries, butchers, and brewers. He is also believed to have been a martyr, reportedly hanged from an olive tree.
The term "apostle" is derived from the Greek word "apostolos," meaning "one who is sent off." While some reserve the title for the original Twelve Disciples, others use it more broadly to include the Seventy Disciples or important early Christian teachers. The Gospel of Luke mentions these Seventy Disciples or Apostles, who were early emissaries of Jesus.
Luke is known for writing a significant portion of the New Testament, including the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. His writings provide valuable insights into the early history of the church and the spread of Christianity.
In summary, while Luke is revered as a saint by Catholics and other Christians, he is not considered to be one of the original Twelve Apostles of Jesus. His role as a disciple, physician, and historian contributes to his sainthood and his significant contributions to the New Testament.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Luke was not one of the twelve apostles. The Bible clearly lists the names of the twelve apostles in the gospels, and Luke is not among them.
Whether or not Luke was an apostle depends on how you define it. Most Bible scholars would say he was not an apostle, as he was not one of the original twelve disciples. However, some use the term "apostle" more broadly to include the 70 or 72 disciples or important early Christian teachers, and in this sense, Luke could be considered an apostle.
Yes, Luke was a disciple of the apostle Paul and later followed Paul until his martyrdom.
Yes, Luke is believed to have been a physician. The Epistle to the Colossians refers to him as "one who heals", and he is described as a physician in Colossians 4:14.
Yes, Luke is known as "Luke the Evangelist". He wrote more than a quarter of the entire New Testament, including the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.
