Saint Luke, the Evangelist, is primarily known as the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, distinguished by his detailed historical narratives and profound emphasis on God's compassion and the universal scope of salvation.
Saint Luke, the Evangelist, traditionally identified as a physician and a Gentile convert, served as a devoted companion and chronicler to Saint Paul, documenting much of the early Church's history. He is credited with authoring the third Gospel, which uniquely highlights Jesus's compassion for the marginalized, women, and the poor, and the Acts of the Apostles, which narrates the spread of the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit through the apostles. His writings are celebrated for their literary quality and historical detail, providing essential insights into the life of Christ and the formative years of the Christian community, and he is revered as the patron of physicians, surgeons, and artists.
Saint Luke, the Evangelist, stands as a singular figure among the New Testament authors, uniquely identified as a Gentile, a physician, and a devoted companion of Saint Paul. Though not one of the original twelve apostles, his contributions to the Christian tradition are foundational, primarily through his authorship of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Born likely in Antioch of Syria, a prominent center of early Christianity, Luke's background as an educated professional—a physician, as mentioned by Saint Paul in Colossians 4:14—suggests a man of intellect and meticulous observation. This medical background is often cited as influencing the precise and detailed nature of his historical accounts, particularly his keen attention to individuals, their ailments, and their healing.
Luke's literary output comprises two volumes that form a continuous narrative, making up approximately a quarter of the entire New Testament. His Gospel, the third chronologically, meticulously details the life, ministry, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Acts of the Apostles, serving as a sequel, chronicles the birth and spread of the early Church, beginning with Christ's ascension and continuing through the missionary journeys of Saints Peter and Paul. Luke’s stated purpose in his Gospel, to provide an "orderly account" after having "investigated everything carefully from the very first," underscores his commitment to historical accuracy and theological truth, written for "most excellent Theophilus" and, by extension, for all believers.
What truly distinguishes Luke’s Gospel is its profound emphasis on God’s universal love and compassion, particularly for the marginalized. Luke highlights Jesus's interactions with women, the poor, the sick, and sinners, often presenting parables unique to his account, such as the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, and the Rich Man and Lazarus. He also places a significant emphasis on prayer and the role of the Holy Spirit, depicting Jesus as a man of prayer and showing the Holy Spirit as the guiding force behind the early Church's expansion. Luke’s narrative style is characterized by its warmth, literary elegance, and a deep sense of joy and praise, consistently portraying salvation as a gift available to all, regardless of their background.
Luke's close association with Saint Paul is well-documented within the Acts of the Apostles, where the use of "we" passages indicates his presence on parts of Paul’s missionary journeys, most notably the second and third, and during Paul's imprisonment in Rome. He was Paul's faithful companion, often the only one with him in his final days, as noted in 2 Timothy 4:11: "Only Luke is with me." This intimate relationship provided Luke with firsthand accounts of the apostolic ministry and the challenges faced by the burgeoning Christian communities, which he diligently recorded in Acts, offering invaluable insights into the formative years of the Church.
Beyond his scriptural contributions, tradition attributes to Saint Luke another significant role: that of an artist. He is widely considered the patron saint of painters, and numerous icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary are traditionally ascribed to his hand, including the famous Salus Populi Romani in Santa Maria Maggiore. While historical evidence for this artistic vocation is limited, the tradition speaks to his detailed descriptive abilities evident in his writings, which often paint vivid pictures of events and characters. This artistic association, coupled with his medical background, naturally led to his patronage of physicians, surgeons, artists, and even notaries, reflecting the diverse aspects of his legacy.
Saint Luke's importance to Christianity cannot be overstated. His meticulous historical accounts provide the bedrock for understanding the life of Christ and the rapid spread of the Gospel in the first century. His theological insights, particularly his emphasis on God's mercy, the Holy Spirit's guidance, and the universal call to salvation, continue to inspire and challenge believers today. Though the exact details of his later life and death are shrouded in tradition—some accounts suggest he died peacefully in Greece, others that he suffered martyrdom—his enduring legacy as a compassionate evangelist, diligent historian, and faithful disciple remains a beacon for the Christian world, celebrated annually on October 18th.
Amidst the bustling streets of Antioch, before his journeys with the Apostle Paul, there lived a man named Luke, a physician by trade, whose hands were accustomed to the delicate work of healing and whose mind was keen for meticulous observation. Yet, beyond the healing arts and the profound narratives he would one day pen, tradition whispers of another extraordinary gift he possessed: that of an artist. It is said that Luke, with a heart overflowing with devotion, sought to capture not merely the words of the Gospel, but the very countenances of those who walked with the Lord.
His most celebrated artistic endeavor, shrouded in pious legend, was the creation of icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Imagine, if you will, the gentle physician, now with a palette in hand, studying the features of the Mother of God, perhaps even having been granted the singular grace of her presence or at least the vivid recollections of eyewitnesses. With each stroke of his brush, Luke was not just applying pigment to wood; he was attempting to render the ineffable grace and profound humility of the woman who bore the Savior of the world. He sought to create a window into heaven, a tangible connection to the sacred.
One such legend recounts how, moved by a profound spiritual inspiration, Luke began to paint the Theotokos, the God-bearer. As he worked, he poured his entire soul into the task, striving for not just an earthly likeness, but a spiritual resonance. It is said that the Blessed Mother herself approved of his work, perhaps even appearing to him, guiding his hand, or bestowing a blessing upon the finished image. These icons, though perhaps not physically extant today as his original works, became the prototypes for countless Marian images throughout Christian history, influencing the very way believers visualize the Mother of God.
This artistic vocation of Saint Luke, though a matter of tradition rather than scriptural certainty, beautifully illuminates his character and faith. It speaks to his deep reverence for the Incarnation, his profound love for the Blessed Mother, whose story he so richly details in his Gospel, and his desire to communicate divine truth through every available medium. Just as his Gospel meticulously recorded the historical events of salvation, his alleged icons sought to capture the spiritual essence and beauty of those central to that story. He was a man who understood that truth could be conveyed not only through words but also through the visual, touching the heart and soul in a unique way.
Thus, Luke, the Physician, the Evangelist, and the Artist, offered his multifaceted talents entirely to the service of God. His supposed artistic endeavors are a testament to his comprehensive devotion, his commitment to making the sacred tangible and accessible, and his profound understanding of the human need to behold the divine. The tradition of his painting icons stands as a beautiful symbol of how faith can inspire creativity, transforming the ordinary materials of the world into vessels of grace and devotion, forever linking him to the spiritual artistry of the Church.
Late 1st Century AD (c. 80-90 AD)
Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it out for you in an orderly sequence, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.
In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years. Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of [the] Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward their children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.” Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. But when he came out he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept indicating to them and remained speechless. When his days of ministry were completed, he returned home. After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
And Mary said:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on his lowly handmaid.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.”
Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
Then Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people.
He has raised up for us a horn of salvation
within the house of David his servant,
as he proclaimed by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,
to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to Abraham our father,
that he would grant us that, rescued from the hand of enemies,
we might serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness
before him all our days.
And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God
by which the daybreak from on high will visit us,
to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.
1910
St. Luke, the author of the third Gospel and of the Acts of the Apostles, is without doubt the most literary of the New Testament writers. His knowledge of Greek is considered to be superior to that of the other evangelists, and his vocabulary is extensive and varied. He is also unique among the evangelists in that he was not an eyewitness to the events he narrates concerning the life of Christ, but rather gathered his information from those who were “eyewitnesses and ministers of the word” (Luke 1:2). This methodical approach, stated explicitly in his prologue, underscores his commitment to historical accuracy.
Tradition identifies Luke as a physician, a detail mentioned by St. Paul in Colossians 4:14, where he refers to him as “Luke, the beloved physician.” This background likely influenced his careful attention to detail, his interest in healing miracles, and his compassionate portrayal of Jesus’ ministry to the sick and suffering. His Gospel frequently highlights instances of healing and Jesus’ tender care for the marginalized, including women, the poor, and sinners. For example, the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) are unique to Luke’s Gospel, powerfully illustrating divine mercy and forgiveness.
The Gospel of St. Luke is characterized by several theological emphases. It presents Jesus as the universal Savior, whose message is for all people, Gentiles as well as Jews. This universalism is evident in his genealogy of Jesus, which traces Christ’s lineage back to Adam, signifying his connection to all humanity (Luke 3:23-38). Luke also places a strong emphasis on the Holy Spirit, portraying the Spirit as actively present from the Annunciation, throughout Jesus’ ministry, and empowering the early Church. The themes of prayer, joy, and the inclusion of the poor and outcast are also prominent throughout his narrative.
Luke’s second volume, the Acts of the Apostles, serves as a direct continuation of his Gospel, detailing the growth and spread of the early Christian community from Jerusalem to Rome. It chronicles the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the ministry of St. Peter, and particularly the missionary journeys of St. Paul. The “we” passages in Acts (e.g., Acts 16:10-17, 20:5-15, 21:1-18, 27:1-28:16) strongly suggest that Luke was a traveling companion of Paul, providing him with firsthand accounts of the apostolic preaching, the establishment of churches, and the challenges faced by the nascent Christian movement. This intimate connection to Paul makes Acts an invaluable historical source for understanding the early Church.
Acts also emphasizes the continuity between Judaism and Christianity, demonstrating how the Christian message is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. It highlights the role of the apostles as witnesses to Christ’s resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit in enabling them to proclaim the Gospel boldly. The narrative showcases the resilience of the early Christians in the face of persecution and their unwavering commitment to spreading the Good News, culminating in Paul’s arrival in Rome, symbolizing the Gospel’s reach to the heart of the Roman Empire.
Beyond his literary contributions, tradition holds that St. Luke was also an artist, specifically the first iconographer. Numerous icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary are attributed to his hand, though these are understood as archetypes that inspired later Marian iconography rather than direct physical artifacts. This tradition underscores Luke’s visual acuity and his profound devotion to the Mother of God, whose unique role in salvation history he details more extensively than any other evangelist. This artistic association has led to his patronage of painters, sculptors, and other artists, alongside his patronage of physicians and surgeons. His feast day, October 18, is a time for the Church to reflect on his profound contributions as a historian, theologian, and faithful disciple, whose writings continue to illuminate the life of Christ and the mission of the Church.
Many Catholic healthcare institutions, hospitals, and medical schools worldwide hold special Masses and blessings for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare workers, often including the blessing of medical instruments.
Saint Luke is traditionally identified as a physician and is the patron saint of physicians, surgeons, and other medical professionals.
Artists' guilds, art academies, and churches, particularly in regions with a strong artistic heritage or Eastern Christian communities, may hold special events, exhibitions, or prayer services for artists and iconographers.
Pious tradition holds that Saint Luke was the first iconographer, having painted the first icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In Padua, Italy, where relics believed to be those of Saint Luke are venerated in the Basilica di Santa Giustina, special devotions and pilgrimages occur on his feast day.
The Basilica di Santa Giustina in Padua is believed to house the tomb and relics of Saint Luke.