Early Christian Evangelist, Healer, Artist, Gospel Writer

Approx 5AD- Approx 89AD

Luke was a physician and friend of the Apostle Paul, likely Syrian by birth, well educated in Greek medicine and language arts, and drawn into the ministry of Jesus.

Luke wrote both the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts, which make up a quarter of the New Testament. Through his stories, we get a more full and beautiful picture of Jesus’ life -- he gives us the most famous passages of Jesus’ birth and glimpses of Jesus as a child. He also leans into his doctor lens and crafts stories of Jesus’ healing with particular tenderness, like the stories of the woman who bled for twelve years, was desperate to even just touch Jesus’ cloak, and whom Jesus called daughter. Or the paralytic man brought through a roof of a crowded house by his friends. He also brought us the beloved Parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son.

Some say Luke created the first icons of Mother Mary. 

Luke uses “we” phrases as he documents the work of the Apostles, and particularly the travels of Paul. This, in addition to references of him in Paul’s letters, make it seem like he and Paul were close friends and ministry partners, traveling from new Christian community to new Christian community for the development and empowerment of the early church together.