---
title: "What Are the Purpose and Themes of the Book of Luke?"
canonical: "https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/questions/what-are-the-purpose-and-themes-of-the-book-of-luke"
markdown: "https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/questions/what-are-the-purpose-and-themes-of-the-book-of-luke.md"
type: "questions"
typeTitle: "Questions"
authors:
  - "Kevin Zuber"
date: "2024-11-29"
updated: "2026-09-15"
topics:
  - "Interpreting the Bible"
perspective: "Learn"
relatedBook: "The Moody Bible Commentary"
relatedBookUrl: "https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/books/the-moody-bible-commentary"
---

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

> Luke's Gospel presents an orderly account of Jesus's life, addressing key questions about Gentile inclusion, Jewish rejection, and the crucifixion's role in God's plan—all answering one central question: Who is Jesus?

**Type:** Questions  
**Published:** November 29, 2024  
**Authors:** [Kevin Zuber](https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/authors/kevin-zuber)  
**Topics:** [Interpreting the Bible](https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/topics/interpreting-the-bible)  
**Perspective:** Learn

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).

## For Further Reading

[The Moody Bible Commentary](https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/books/the-moody-bible-commentary)

by Michael A. Rydelnik and Michael Vanlaningham