Page "Gospel of Luke" Paragraph 2

According to the preface the purpose of Luke is to write a historical account, while bringing out the theological significance of the history.

The evangelist divides history into three stages: the first ends with John the Baptist, the second consists of Jesus ' earthly ministry, and the third is the life of the church after Jesus ' resurrection.

The author portrays Christianity as divine, respectable, law-abiding, and international.

Here, Jesus ' compassion extends to all who are needy, women are important among his followers, the despised Samaritans are commended, and Gentiles are promised the opportunity to accept the gospel.

While the gospel is written as a historical narrative, many of the facts portrayed therein are based on previous traditions of the recorded Gospel story and not on what some might consider to be historical record.