Luke was not a prophet.
Luke was a doctor who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament. If we look at the number of verses, Luke’s writings make up the largest portion of the New Testament, even more than Paul’s letters. Among all the writers of the Bible, Dr Luke is the only one who was a physician by profession. The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are written as historical accounts and are arranged in chronological order, meaning they follow the flow of time.
It may seem unusual for a doctor to write parts of the Bible, especially since history is usually written by historians. For example, the book “Guns, Germs, and Steel” was written by a scientist, not a historian. Similarly, Luke’s medical knowledge may have influenced how he observed and documented events. Even though Luke was a doctor, the Bible doesn’t mention him practicing medicine. Instead, his logical thinking and attention to detail—traits often found in medical professionals—seem to have shaped his writing.
Unlike prophets who recorded visions or direct revelations from God, Luke didn’t have direct contact with Jesus Christ. Instead, he met Paul during Paul’s second missionary journey and stayed with him until Paul’s death. Luke also never saw the resurrected Christ whom Paul encountered.
Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke by carefully listening to and recording stories he heard from others. For the Acts of the Apostles, he likely relied on accounts shared by people until Acts 16, where he began describing himself. This conclusion is supported by the fact that there is no mention in the Bible of Jesus directly teaching Luke or of Luke receiving dreams or visions as guidance.
After Acts 16, Luke starts using the word “we” in his writing, indicating that he was personally present during the events he described. It is also mentioned in 2 Timothy, a letter written shortly before Paul’s death, that Luke was with Paul. This suggests that the second half of the Acts of the Apostles is based on Luke’s firsthand experiences rather than secondhand accounts.
Luke, who received training in Hippocratic medicine
Luke, who was trained in Hippocratic medicine, wrote two letters addressed to Theophilus, a Gentile. Since Theophilus was not Jewish, Luke likely focused on providing logical explanations instead of relying solely on signs and miracles to make his points. Luke also appears to repeat cases in the letters, possibly to emphasize proof and credibility.
Historically, Hippocratic medicine rejected the idea that disease was a divine punishment. Instead, it explained illness as a result of natural causes and effects. This approach introduced the theory that the human body is made up of four essential fluids, and illnesses occur when these fluids become unbalanced. Restoring balance among the fluids was believed to maintain good health.
Although this theory has been outdated by modern science, it was a groundbreaking effort to explain disease in a rational way. As a result, Hippocrates is often called the father of medicine. During Hippocrates’ time, there were restrictions on dissecting human bodies, so knowledge of anatomy was limited. Instead, medical understanding was based on observations of animal anatomy, which shaped early ideas about human structure and function.
Humans from a Biblical perspective
Luke records the individual human being Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Luke, and the unit of people centered on blood in the Acts of the Apostles. While explaining the origin of humans, he explains the individual Jesus Christ who became flesh, all peoples created by Adam’s blood, the church created by God’s blood, and the new man Christ who is the union of Jesus and the church.
As a doctor, he records the origin of humans, the process of human development, the meaning of humans, and God’s intentions for humans through specific cases. And for more details on this, you can refer to the other three gospels, Matthew, Mark, John, and the letters of Paul.
Doctors study the history of medicine to understand how knowledge of the human body has developed over time. Similarly, Luke explored the origin of humans through the Old Testament. Luke carefully and logically traces Jesus’ origin back to God, showing that Jesus Christ is God in human form, who came to earth in the flesh.
Why Did Luke, a Doctor, write the Bible?
Doctors often repeat important information to make sure people understand it clearly. This approach is also the safest way to ensure learning. Medical education is similar to growing bean sprouts—important lessons are taught over and over again. While much of the information may be filtered out, the key points remain and grow, just like bean sprouts thrive with repeated watering.
Luke used a similar method in his writings. He carefully examined historical events, witness accounts, and the work of those spreading God’s Word. Then, he presented the same message from different viewpoints, showing how Jesus Christ, as the Word became flesh, fulfilled God’s plan. His goal was to help Theophilus, a Gentile, gain confidence in what he had learned about Jesus Christ—a role that fits well with the work of a doctor, who must explain complex information clearly.
Doctors understand how the human body grows and develops. Similarly, the Book of Acts describes the growth of the kingdom of God—the spread of God’s word, the clarification of misunderstandings about His kingdom, and a deeper understanding of His plan. Luke presents this story from a historical perspective, helping readers grasp human nature and God’s purpose, viewing people as a nation that represents the kingdom of God.
Luke’s writings in the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts provide insights into the structure and function of humans—not just as individuals, but also as communities and nations. By studying these books, readers can better understand the relationship between God and humans and learn how to live healthy, meaningful lives as God intended.
Although the Bible does not show Luke treating people as a doctor, it seems that he offered guidance on necessary treatment methods for those he worked with. Luke didn’t specifically organize how to combine the medicine of his time, which used signs and wisdom, with treatments for illness. This can be better understood by looking at the letters of Paul, which I will discuss later.
At that time, medicine wasn’t divided into specialties like internal medicine, surgery, or pediatrics. Instead, basic fields like anatomy, physiology, and pathology were studied as one whole. Luke applies this holistic perspective to explain the origin of humans, their growth, and their purpose—both as individuals and as nations. He also highlights God’s plan for humanity and the role of Jesus in fulfilling that plan.
As a Korean doctor, I firmly believe that by studying Luke’s records in detail, we can discover the fundamental answer to the question, “What is a human?”
Dec 29, 2024