Luke said he was writing to let the man named Theophilus know the order and certainty of the things he had heard, which were about the Lord Jesus. An account of an event is of no real value unless accurate as to time, persons, and places. The life of Jesus was the most important of all events of the world, and now that we have read through the account by Luke, we can see how carefully he wrote.
First, the names of the rulers connected with Judea and Galilee where these great events took place were written, and the leaders in the temple of God in Jerusalem, which was the center for the nation, are told (Luke 1:55There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. (Luke 1:5); Luke 3:1-21Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, 2Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. (Luke 3:1‑2)).
The story of the birth of the prophet John is fully told to show he was the messenger God sent before the Messiah, to tell of Him, as was foretold (Malachi 3:11Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:1)).
The shepherds who heard the angels’ message that Christ was born were the first witnesses to see Him and “made known abroad” the great news.
Simeon and Anna were well known and just persons of the temple who knew God’s promise of a holy Child to come. When they saw the Baby Jesus they said, by the Spirit, that He was the One to come, and were true witnesses to many.
The age of Jesus as a boy when He astonished the wise teachers in the temple is given, and would be remembered by many. His age when He began to go about the land teaching God’s words, is written (Luke 2:42-4842And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. (Luke 2:42‑48); Luke 3:2323And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, (Luke 3:23)).
The twelve men who went with Him, heard His words, and saw all His miracles, were certain He was the Messiah; they all loved Him (except Judas). There were also seventy other disciples who knew Him and His power (Luke 10).
Towns and places in all the land are named where Jesus went and the people heard Him teach of God in the synagogues, on the streets, and by the sea. Hundreds were cured of every sort of disease, and thousands twice ate of the bread He supplied. Crowds in Jerusalem saw Him enter as the lowly King. Many people and priests saw and heard Him speaking in the temple. Some well-known people who believed Him to be the Christ are named: Jairus, leader of a synagogue of Galilee; a centurion (captain of Roman soldiers); several women of Galilee are named, one being Joanna, whose husband was the governor’s steward (Luke 7:1-101Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. 3And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. 4And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: 5For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. 6Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: 7Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 9When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 10And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick. (Luke 7:1‑10); Luke 8:3, 413And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. (Luke 8:3)
41And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: (Luke 8:41)).
So there were many persons whom Theophilus could ask if these events were true, for he seems not to have lived in that land. Do you think any of those who had been healed or had eaten of the food Christ gave them in the desert, would not say that he was different from all others?
The governor Pilate and Herod of Galilee who were the judges at the trial of Jesus, had not seen Him before, yet they believed Him to be innocent, and the captain of the soldiers who guarded Him said, “Certainly this was a righteous man.”
Further Meditation
1. How old was the Lord Jesus when he astonished the teachers in the temple for the first time?
2. What made the Lord’s life so remarkable was its perfection in every way. There will never be another life like it. What does 1 Peter 2 tell us to do when we look at His life?
3. If you’ve enjoyed reading Bible Talks on Luke you might find some of the other Bible Talks titles helpful as well. There are Bible Talks available on all the gospels and more.