LUKE, BOOK OF

The third book of the N.T., the Gospel of Luke, was intended as a defense of the historical data regarding Jesus -- especially on behalf of the Greeks. Authored by Luke, a Gentile physician (Col. 4:14), it places considerable emphasis on Heaven's interest in the Gentiles. It also stresses the human side of the Lord (it records eleven of his prayers). The phrase "Son of man" is found twenty-six times in this book. In addition to being deity, Christ is the perfect man who came to seek and save the lost (19:10). Luke also authored the book of Acts. His credibility as a reliable historian is unreproached.