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I've read multiple pieces and both make their case that Luke was either a Jew or a Gentile. Is there a definitive answer that I'm overlooking? It may not seem like a big deal, but when I consider how much he actually wrote in both Luke and Acts, it is extensive, more than any other NT author, even Paul. Would the Lord entrust the Word to a Gentile?
Arguments Luke was a Jew
1. The oracles of God Romans 3:1-2 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. This was a rule, revelation from God was given to the Jews.
2. In Acts 21 when the Jews wanted to arrest Paul for bringing Gentiles into the Temple they named Trophimus and not Luke who was Paul's constant companion.
3. Luke had vast knowledge of the Temple. I've seen it argued he may have been a Levite because of his description in Luke 1:8-20 Luke 1:8-20 - Once when Zechariah
4. Luke appeared to have an intimate acquaintance with Mary. He wrote from her point of view and said she "hid these things in her heart." Would a Gentile have had that seeming closeness to Mary?
Arguments Luke was a Gentile
1. In Colossians, I think Chapter 4, Paul makes a list of those "of the circumcision." Luke was not included in the list but he was mentioned moments later. If he was a Jew wouldn't he have listed by Paul?
2. The name Luke was obviously not Jewish. However, neither was Paul (Saul) or Peter (Simon). Could it have been Luke was simply a Gentile name and his Jewish name was something else?
3. His profession. Luke being a physician cause some to believe he was a Gentile. Is there any evidence Jews were not physicians?
I've read multiple pieces and both make their case that Luke was either a Jew or a Gentile. Is there a definitive answer that I'm overlooking? It may not seem like a big deal, but when I consider how much he actually wrote in both Luke and Acts, it is extensive, more than any other NT author, even Paul. Would the Lord entrust the Word to a Gentile?
Arguments Luke was a Jew
1. The oracles of God Romans 3:1-2 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. This was a rule, revelation from God was given to the Jews.
2. In Acts 21 when the Jews wanted to arrest Paul for bringing Gentiles into the Temple they named Trophimus and not Luke who was Paul's constant companion.
3. Luke had vast knowledge of the Temple. I've seen it argued he may have been a Levite because of his description in Luke 1:8-20 Luke 1:8-20 - Once when Zechariah
4. Luke appeared to have an intimate acquaintance with Mary. He wrote from her point of view and said she "hid these things in her heart." Would a Gentile have had that seeming closeness to Mary?
Arguments Luke was a Gentile
1. In Colossians, I think Chapter 4, Paul makes a list of those "of the circumcision." Luke was not included in the list but he was mentioned moments later. If he was a Jew wouldn't he have listed by Paul?
2. The name Luke was obviously not Jewish. However, neither was Paul (Saul) or Peter (Simon). Could it have been Luke was simply a Gentile name and his Jewish name was something else?
3. His profession. Luke being a physician cause some to believe he was a Gentile. Is there any evidence Jews were not physicians?
Hi Priscilla. As you pointed out, Colossians 4:10-14 does strongly suggest that Luke was a Gentile. As for his acquaintance with Mary, whether he was a Jew or a Gentile he would have sought her out in order to interview her about Jesus. Luke stated at the beginning of his gospel account that he investigated everything carefully. He interviewed those who were eyewitnesses, and Mary certainly was an eyewitness.
I am inclined to think that Luke was Gentile.
But regarding whether God would entrust His word to a Gentile, remember that the Church age believer is neither Jew or Gentile, but Church - a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). In the church age the distinction between Jew and Gentile does not exist among believers (Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11). The church is the body of Christ and believers are all part of the body.
Arguments Luke was a Jew
2. In Acts 21 when the Jews wanted to arrest Paul for bringing Gentiles into the Temple they named Trophimus and not Luke who was Paul's constant companion.
Actually, this one works in the opposite direction as indicated in the bolded; there would be no case against a gentile if he were brought into the temple, but against the Jew who did so, apparently. If Luke was not named, he was not named as a Jew who brought gentiles into the temple QED.
Actually, this one works in the opposite direction as indicated in the bolded; there would be no case against a gentile if he were brought into the temple, but against the Jew who did so, apparently. If Luke was not named, he was not named as a Jew who brought gentiles into the temple QED.
Hi nateswift. Maybe I didn't phrase that quite right. Of course, they wanted to arrest Paul not Luke. The point I was making is why did they choose to name only Trophimus the Ephesian as the person Paul brought into the Temple and not also Luke the Gentile, unless Luke was a Jew? I realize Paul would have been the guilty one, had the accusations been true. Thanks for giving me the chance to clarify.
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