What Are the Purpose and Themes of the Book of Luke?

Luke’s purpose in writing his gospel was (see the Prologue 1:1-4): (1) to provide an “orderly account” of the events of the life of Christ; (2) to show how those events “connect” to the church; (3) to spread the saving truth about the Lord Jesus Christ to all nations (cf. 24:47).

Bock notes, “Four issues were particularly problematic in the church of Luke’s time” (Bock, Luke, 1, 2). (1) Gentile inclusion in salvation; (2) the largely negative response to Jesus by the Jewish nation; (3) how “the person and teaching of a crucified Jesus fits into God’s plan” (Bock, Luke, 2); (4) what are believers in this new community (disciples who follow Jesus) to be? “Luke-Acts says Jesus is Lord of all, so salvation can go to all” (Bock, Luke, 3). The major theme of Luke’s gospel, however, revolves around a simple question, “Who is Jesus?” Nearly every strand of the narrative is related to this question and its vitally important answer—Jesus is the Messiah (Christ).