The Great Historian of Christ & His ChurchIntroduction to Dr. Luke

Welcome to a journey with Dr. Luke as he records the Good News of Jesus Christ and the growth of the early church for his patron, Theophilus... In this first lesson, we are going to meet the writer of the third Gospel and the Book of Acts...

Luke was probably a gentile not a Jew yet he wrote over a quarter of the New Testament, more than any other writer...

Luke is mentioned by name only three times, yet he was universally regarded asthe writer of the third Gospel and the Book of Acts until the nineteenth century... Even then, the arguments against his authorship failed...

Without naming himself, Luke attests to the accuracy of his accounts with several passages in the Book of Acts that include the words we and us as he describes the events as a personal witness or participant...

Luke, alone, records that Jesus spent all night in prayer prior to selecting the twelve apostles...

In fact, the Greek words for pray and prayer occur 127 times in the New Testament... Luke is responsible for more than a third of those passages...

Luke probably intended that the third Gospel and Acts were a single work... The apostle Paul captures the structure in his letter to the Galatian churches... First Godsent His Son to redeem all mankind (Luke's Gospel)... Then, He sent the Holy Spirit into the hearts of men to spread the message (Acts)...

Luke was a master of the Greek language and the historian's skill... He uses over 800 words that are found nowhere else in the New Testament... The literary qualityof his Gospel is regarded as among the very best of ancient literature...

As we journey through the book of Luke, consider the way that he presents the “Greatest Story Ever Told,” the Good News of God's gift of His Son, Jesus Christ... Please plan to also study parallel accounts in the other Gospels...

Following are several New Testament texts that will help us begin our journey... Please read them and the surrounding scriptures... Also, refer to the Bible version that you usually use for study...

Luke 1:1-4 (New English Translation – NET) Now many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2like the accounts passed on to us by those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning. 3So it seemed good to me as well, because I have followed all things carefully from the beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so that you may know for certain the things you were taught.

Acts 1:1-2 (NET) I wrote the former account, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after he had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

Acts 1:7-8 (NET) Jesus told them, “You are not permitted to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.”

Colossians 4:14 (NET) Our dear friend Luke the physician and Demas greet you.

2 Timothy 4:10-11 (NET) For Demas deserted me, since he loved the present age, and he went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help to me in ministry.

Philemon 1:23-24 (NET) Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you.24Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my colaborers, greet you too.

Acts 16:10-13 (NET) After Paul saw the vision, we attempted immediately to go over to Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. 11We put out to sea from Troas and sailed a straight course to Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis, 12and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of that district of Macedonia, a Roman colony. We stayed in this city for some days. 13On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate to the side of the river, where we thought there would be a place of prayer, and we sat down and began to speak to the women who had assembled there.

Luke 6:12-13 (New American Standard Bible – NASB) It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. 13And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles.

Galatians 4:4-6 (New King James Version – NKJV) But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

Study Questions and Thoughts

What do you most want to draw from this class?

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What areas of the Gospel of Luke or the Book of Acts do you particularly want to visit in depth in our study?

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Why do you think the Holy Spirit included a gentile among the writers of the Gospel record?

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If you have previously studied Luke's work, what was the most impressive portion for you?

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What life lessons do you hope to take from this study?

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Welcome to a journey with Dr. Luke as he records the Good News of Jesus Christ and the growth of the early church for his patron, Theophilus... In this first lesson, we are going to meet the writer of the third Gospel and the Book of Acts.A

Luke was probably a gentileB not a Jew yet he wrote over a quarter ofthe New Testament, more than any other writer...

Luke is mentioned by name only three times, yet he was universally regarded as the writer of the third Gospel and the Book of Acts until the nineteenth century... Even then, the arguments against his authorship failed...

Without naming himself, Luke attests to the accuracy of his accounts with several passages in the Book of Acts that include the words we and us as he describes the events as a personal witness or participant.C

A Luke’s style is compressed to the highest degree; and he expects a great deal from the reader. He does not attempt to sketch the surroundings and set the whole scene like a picture before the reader; he states the bare facts that seem to him important, and leaves the reader to imagine the situation. But there are many cases in which, to catch his meaning properly, you must imagine yourself standing with Paul on the deck of the ship, or before the Roman official; and unless you reproduce the scene in imagination, you miss the sense. Hence, though his style is simple and clear, yet it often becomes obscure from its brevity; and the meaning is lost, because the reader has an incomplete, or a positively false idea of the situation. It is always hard to recreate the remote past; knowledge, imagination, and, above all, sympathy and love are all needed. But Asia Minor, in which the scene is often laid, was not merely little known, but positively wrongly known. (St.Paul The Traveler And The Roman Citizen; by W.M. Ramsay – RAMSAY)

B Luke tells Jesus' story from the unique perspective of a Gentile, a physician, and the first historian of the early church. Though not an eyewitness of Jesus' ministry, Luke nevertheless was concerned that eyewitness accounts be preserved accuratelyand that the foundations of Christian belief be transmitted intact to the next generation. In Luke's Gospel are many of Jesus' parables. In addition, more than any other Gospel, it gives specific instances of Jesus' concern for women. (Life Application Study Bible; © 2004 by Tyndale House Publishers Inc. – “LASB”)

C Acts 16:10-17; Acts 20:5-21:18 & Acts 27:1-28:16

Luke, alone, records that Jesus spent all night in prayer prior to selecting the twelve apostles...

In fact, the Greek words for pray and prayer occur 127 times in the New Testament... Luke is responsible for more than a third of those passages...

Luke probably intended that the third Gospel and Acts were a single work... The apostle Paul captures the structure in his letter to the Galatian churches... First God sent His Son to redeem all mankind (Luke's Gospel)... Then, He sent the Holy Spirit into the hearts of men tospread the message (Acts)...

Luke was a master of the Greek language and the historian's skill... He uses over 800 words that are found nowhere else in the New Testament... The literary quality of his Gospel is regarded as among the very best of ancient literature...

As we journey through the book of Luke, consider the way that he presents the “Greatest Story Ever Told,” the Good News of God's gift ofHis Son, Jesus Christ... Please plan to also study parallel accounts in the other Gospels...

Following are several New Testament texts that will help us begin our journey... Please read them and the surrounding scriptures... Also, refer to the Bible version that you usually use for study...

Introduction to the Book of Luke

Luke 1:1-4D (New English Translation – NET) NowE many have undertakenF to compile

D The Literary Prologue – In Luke’s day the more sophisticated writers would often introduce their books with a piece of stylish prose written in the classical style. (Those with literary pretensions generally imitated the Greek of a much earlier period than was commonly spoken.) Luke’s introduction here is superb in this regard. (The Inter-Varsity Press Bible Background Commentary: New Testament; © 1993 by Craig S. Keener – “IVPBBC”)

E tn Grk “Since” or “Because.” This begins a long sentence that extends through Luke 1:4. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence and the tendency of contemporary English style to use shorter sentences, the Greek sentence has been divided up into shorter English sentences in the translation. (New English Translation Bible Notes Apparatus – “NET_Bible”)

F Forasmuch as many - It has been doubted who are referred to here by the word “many.” It seems clear that it could not be the other evangelists, for the gospel by “John” was not yet written, and the word “many” denotes clearly more than “two.”Besides, it is said that they undertook to record what the “eye-witnesses” had delivered to them, so that the writers did not pretend to be eye-witnesses themselves. It is clear, therefore, that other writings are meant than the gospels which we now have, but what they were is a matter of conjecture. What are now known as spurious gospels were written long after Luke wrote his. It is probable that Luke refers to “fragments” of history, or to narratives of “detached” sayings, acts, or parables of our Lord, which had been made and circulated among the disciples and others. His doctrines were original, bold, pure, and authoritative. His miracles had been extraordinary, clear, and awful. His life and death had been peculiar; and it is not improbable - indeed it is highly probable that such broken accounts and narratives of detached facts would be preserved. That this is what Luke means appears farther from Luke 1:3, where “he” professes to give a regular, full, and systematic account from the very beginning - “having had perfect understanding of “all things from the very first.” The records of the others - the “many” - were broken and incomplete. His were to be regular and full. (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible; Albert Barnes (1798-1870) - “Barnes”)

an accountG of the things that have been fulfilledH

G tn This is sometimes translated “narrative,” but the term itself can refer to an oral or written account. It is the verb “undertaken” which suggests a written account, since it literally is “to set one's hand” to something (BDAG 386 s.v. ἐπιχειρέω). “Narrative” is too specific, denoting a particular genre of work for the accounts that existed in the earlier tradition. Not all of that material would have been narrative. (NET_Bible)

H tn Or “have been accomplished.” Given Luke's emphasis on divine design (e.g., Luke 24:43-47) a stronger sense (“fulfilled”) is better than a mere reference to something having taken place (“accomplished”). (NET_Bible)

among us,I 2like the accounts passed onJ to us by those who were eyewitnessesK

I Luke’s word here for “account” was used for a narrative of many events, as distinct from a narrative of a single event, and was most characteristically (though certainly not only) applied to works of history. Writers compiling a work usually started with one main source and wove in secondary material from another source or sources. (Most scholars agree that Luke begins with Mark as his main source and weaves in other material, including “Q”). Writers also normally explained whythey were writing a work if other books on the same subject had appeared. Some writers invoked length (see 2 Maccabees) or stylistic considerations to explain the need for a new work; other authors thought earlier writers had investigated matters inadequately (Josephus, Artemidorus) or had embellished them rhetorically (Tacitus); still others simply wished to compile earlier works more thoroughly (Quintilian). (IVPBBC)

J “Handed down” was sometimes a technical term in the ancient world. Disciples of rabbis normally passed down first-generation traditions carefully. Oralstorytellers were also adept at memorizing and passing on stories accurately. Because Luke writes while eyewitnesses are still alive, and because they were accorded a place of prominence in the early church, we may be sure that his traditions are reliable. (Eyewitness sources were accepted as the best.) (IVPBBC)

K Eyewitnesses (autoptai) is an old Greek word and appears in the papyri also. It means seeing with one’s own eyes. It occurs here only in the N.T. We have the very word in the medical term autopsy. Greek medical writers often had the word. It is a different word from epoptai (eyewitness) in 2 Peter 1:16, a word used of those who beheld heavenly mysteries. (Word Pictures In The New Testament; by Archibald Thomas Robertson – “RWP”)

2 Peter 1:16 NET. For we did not follow cleverly concocted fables when wemade known to you the power and return of our Lord Jesus Christ; no, we were eyewitnesses of his grandeur.

and servants of the wordL from the beginning.M 3SoN it seemed good to me as well,O

L sn The phrase eyewitnesses and servants of the word refers to a single group of people who faithfully passed on the accounts about Jesus. The language about delivery (passed on) points to accounts faithfully passed on to the early church. (NET_Bible)

M tn Grk “like the accounts those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word passed on to us.” The location of "in the beginning" in the Greek shows that the tradition is rooted in those who were with Jesus from the start. (NET_Bible)

N tn The conjunction “so” is supplied here to bring out the force of the latter part ofthis Greek sentence, which the translation divides up because of English style. Luke, in compiling his account, is joining a tradition with good precedent. (NET_Bible)

O sn When Luke says it seemed good to me as well he is not being critical of the earlier accounts, but sees himself stepping into a tradition of reporting about Jesus to which he will add uniquely a second volume on the early church when he writes the Book of Acts. (NET_Bible)

because I have followed all things carefully from the beginning,P

P There was a lot of interest in Jesus, and many people had written firsthand accounts about him. Luke may have used these accounts and all other available resources as material for an accurate and complete account of Jesus' life, teachings,and ministry. Because truth was important to Luke, he relied heavily on eyewitnessaccounts. Christianity doesn't say, “Close your eyes and believe,” but rather, “Check it out for yourself.” The Bible encourages you to investigate its claims thoroughly (John 1:46; John 21:24; Acts 17:11-12) because your conclusion about Jesus is a life-and-death matter. (LASB)

From the beginning apparently refers to the beginning of the ministry of Jesus as was true of the apostles (Acts 1:22) and of the early apostolic preaching (Acts 10:37-43). The Gospel of Mark follows this plan. The Gospel of Luke goes behind this in chapters 1 and 2 as does Matthew in chapters 1 and 2. But Luke is not here referring to himself. The matters about the childhood of Jesus Christ would not form part of the traditional preaching for obvious reasons. (RWP)

John 1:46 NET. Nathanael replied, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip replied, “Come and see.”John 21:24-25 NET. This is the disciple who testifies about these things and has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25There are many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.Acts 1:21-22 NET. “... Thus one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time the Lord Jesus associated with us, 22beginning from his baptism by John until the day he was taken up from us — one of these must become a witness of his resurrection together with us.”Acts 17:11-12 NET. These Jews were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they eagerly received the message, examining the scriptures carefully every day to see if these things were so. 12Therefore many of them believed, along with quite a few prominent Greek women and men.

to write an orderly accountQ for you, most excellent Theophilus,R

Q sn An orderly account does not necessarily mean that all events are recorded in the exact chronological sequence in which they occurred, but that the account produced is an orderly one. This could include, for example, thematic or topical order rather than strict chronological order. (NET_Bible)

R Theophilus means “one who loves God.” The book of Acts, also written by Luke, is likewise addressed to Theophilus. This preface may be a general dedication to all Christian readers. Theophilus may have been Luke's patron, who helped to finance the book's writing. More likely, Theophilus was a Roman acquaintance of Luke's with a strong interest in the new Christian religion. (LASB)

THEOPHILUS [thih AHF uh luhs] (lover of God) — a Christian to whom Luke dedicated the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. The fact that Luke spoke of Theophilus as “most excellent” indicates that he was a prominent man of high rankand possibly a Roman. He may have chosen the name when he was converted to Christianity. According to tradition, both Luke and Theophilus were natives of Antioch in Syria. Much speculation surrounds Theophilus, but little is known for certain about him. (Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary; General Editor Ronald F. Youngblood; Copyright © 1995 by Thomas Nelson Publishers. - NNIBD)

Theophilus – Lover of God, a Christian, probably a Roman, to whom Luke dedicated both his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. Nothing beyond this is known of him. From the fact that Luke applies to him the title “most excellent”, thesame title Paul uses in addressing Felix (Acts 23:26; Acts 24:3) and Festus (Acts 26:25), it has been concluded that Theophilus was a person of rank, perhaps a Roman officer. (Illustrated Bible Dictionary,: M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., 1897 – Easton)

4so that you may know for certainS the things you were taught.T

S tn Or “know the truth about”; or “know the certainty of.” The issue of the contextis psychological confidence; Luke's work is trying to encourage Theophilus. So in English this is better translated as “know for certain” than “know certainty” or “know the truth,” which sounds too cognitive. "Certain" assumes the truth of the report. On this term, see Acts 2:36; Acts 21:34; Acts 22:30; and Acts 25:26. The meaning “have assurance concerning” is also possible here. (NET_Bible)

T Literary introductions often specified the purpose of the work (e.g., in Josephus’ Against Apion: “to teach all who wish to know the truth” about the Jewish people); here Luke wishes to provide “exact information” (“exact truth”—NASB; “certainty”—NIV). It was proper for a good historian to check the data thathad come to him. Books would often open with a dedication to the wealthy patron who sponsored the writing project. (Luke-Acts is not just a private work; Luke’s Gospel is within 3 percent of the length of Acts, both fitting the standard size of scroll for publication.) Theophilus, the name of the sponsor, was a common Jewishname. “Most excellent” could literally mark him as a member of a high class in Roman society (the equestrian order), although Luke may use the title only as a courtesy. Theophilus’ desire for verification was reasonable in view of the many competing claims to religious truth in the Roman Empire. (IVPBBC)

Introduction to ActsU

Acts 1:1-2 (NET) I wrote the formerV account,W Theophilus,

U In a two-volume work it was customary to recapitulate the theme or the end of the first volume in the beginning of the second. Thus Luke 24:36-53 is recapitulated in Acts 1:1-14, repeating many points in greater detail. Historians hadfreedom to arrange materials in their own words and to paraphrase, and readers would have regarded different wording in two volumes of the same work as variation for the sake of readability, not as an accidental oversight. (IVPBBC)

In the book of Acts, Luke continues the story he began in his Gospel, covering the 30 years after Jesus was taken up into heaven. During that short time the church was established, and the Good News of salvation was spread throughout theworld, even to the capital of the Roman Empire. Those preaching the Good News, though ordinary people with human frailties and limitations, were empowered by the Holy Spirit to take it all over the world. In the book of Acts we learn about the nature of the church and how we, like these early believers, can turn our world upside down. (LASB)

V tn Or "first." The translation "former" is preferred because "first" could imply to the modern English reader that the author means that his previous account was the first one to be written down. The Greek term πρῶτος (prōtos) does not necessarily mean "first" in an absolute sense, but can refer to the first in a set or series. That is what is intended here — the first account (known as the Gospel of Luke) as compared to the second one (known as Acts). (NET_Bible)

W tn The Greek word λόγος (logos) is sometimes translated "book" (NRSV, NIV) or "treatise" (KJV). A formal, systematic treatment of a subject is implied, but the word "book" may be too specific and slightly misleading to the modern reader, so "account" has been used. sn The former account refers to the Gospel of Luke, which was "volume one" of the two-volume work Luke-Acts. (NET_Bible)

about all that Jesus began to do and teachX 2until the day he was taken upto heaven,Y after he had given ordersZ by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

X This is not an uncommon way to begin a second volume. “Began” may indicate that Acts continues a report of Jesus’ works through the church, but it is common Lukan style and may simply reflect a Semitic or Koine (the common Greek dialect)figure of speech. Theophilus seems to be the patron, or sponsor, of the work, to whom Luke formally dedicates it (as was the custom; see comment on Luke 1:3-4).(IVPBBC)

Y tn The words “to heaven” are not in the Greek text, but are supplied from Acts 1:11. Several modern translations (NIV, NRSV) supply the words “to heaven” after “taken up” to specify the destination explicitly mentioned later in Acts 1:11. (NET_Bible)

Z tn Or “commands.” Although some modern translations render ἐντειλάμενος (enteilameno) as “instructions” (NIV, NRSV), the word implies authority or official sanction (G. Schrenk, TDNT 2:545), so that a word like "orders" conveys the idea more effectively. The action of the temporal participle is antecedent (prior)to the action of the verb it modifies (“taken up”). (NET_Bible)

Acts 1:6-8AA (NET) So when they had gathered together, they began to ask him, “Lord, is this the time when you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”AB 7Jesus told them, “You are not permitted to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.AC

AA During the years of Jesus' ministry on earth, the disciples continually wondered about his Kingdom. When would it come? What would be their role? In the traditional view, the Messiah would be an earthly conqueror who would free Israel from Rome. But the Kingdom Jesus spoke about was, first of all, a spiritual Kingdom established in the hearts and lives of believers (Luke 17:21). God's presence and power dwell in believers in the person of the Holy Spirit. (LASB)

AB This question was the most natural one for the disciples to ask Jesus. He hadbeen talking about the kingdom (Acts 1:3), and the references to the outpouring of the Spirit in the Old Testament were all in the context of Israel’s restoration (Isaiah32:15; Isaiah 44:3; Ezekiel 36:25-28; Ezekiel 37:14; Ezekiel 39:29; Joel 2:28–3:1).(IVPBBC)

AC Jewish apocalyptic writers often saw history as divided into epochs determined by God, yet they sometimes used their calculations of the epochs to predict that they were near the end. Jesus says that the Father has determined the time but not revealed it. (IVPBBC)

Like other Jews, the disciples chafed under their Roman rulers. They wanted Jesus to free Israel from Roman power and then become their king. Jesus replied that God the Father sets the timetable for all events—worldwide, national, and personal. If you want changes in your life that God hasn't yet made, don't become impatient. Instead, trust God's timetable. (LASB)

8But you will receive powerAD when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,AE

AD The “power” believers receive from the Holy Spirit includes courage, boldness, confidence, insight, ability, and authority. The disciples would need all these gifts to fulfill their mission. If you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, youcan experience the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. (LASB)

AE Jesus had instructed his disciples to witness to people of all nations about him (Matthew 28:19-20). But they were told to wait first for the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49). God has important work for you to do for him, but you must do it by the power of the Holy Spirit. We often like to get on with the job, even if it means running ahead of God. But waiting is sometimes part of God's plan. Are you waiting and listening for God's complete instructions, or are you running ahead of his plans? We need God's timing and power to be truly effective. (LASB)

and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.”AF

AF Although the time of Israel’s restoration might be unknown, the end-time mission given to Israel, to be Spirit-anointed witnesses (Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 42:4, Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 43:10-12; Isaiah 44:3, Isaiah 44:8), is being given now. The disciples are thus to serve as the prophetic remnant within Israel. (When Israel had disobeyed God, he had always kept a remnant. Different ancient texts referred to different places by the phrase “ends of the earth.” Writers commonly meant Ethiopia (Acts8:27), but in Acts the short-term strategic goal is Rome (the Psalms of Solomon 8:15 uses “ends of the earth” thus), to make an urgent impact on the empire. From a long-range perspective, however, all peoples are meant (Psalm 67:1, Psalm 67:7; Isaiah 45:22; Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 52:10; so Acts 13:47). (IVPBBC)

This verse describes a series of ever-widening circles. The Good News was to spread, geographically, from Jerusalem, into Judea and Samaria, and finally to the ends of the earth. It would begin with the devout Jews in Jerusalem and Samaria, spread to the mixed race in Samaria, and, finally, be offered to Gentiles all over theworld. God's Good News has not reached its final destination if someone in your family, your workplace, your school, or your community hasn't heard the Good News about Jesus Christ. Make sure that you are contributing in some way to the ever-widening circle of God's loving message. (LASB)

Three New Testament Mentions of Luke by Name

Colossians 4:14 (NET) Our dear friend Luke the physicianAG and Demasgreet you.

2 Timothy 4:10-11 (NET) For Demas deserted me, since he loved the present age, and he went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me.AH Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help to me in ministry.

Philemon 1:23-24 (NET) Epaphras,AI my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus,greets you. 24Mark, Aristarchus,AJ DemasAK and Luke, my colaborers, greet you too.

AG Physicians were well educated but were often slaves or freedpersons, with relatively low social status. Although most physicians were men, women physicians besides midwives are known. It is possible that Luke studied medicine in Laodicea (where there is evidence of a prominent medical practice) or practiced for a healing cult in Hierapolis (before his conversion); the readers seem to have heard of him. (IVPBBC)

AH Although “Mark” was a common name, among the limited number of close associates of Paul it almost certainly refers to John Mark of Acts, as in Colossians 4:10. Others besides Luke were with him in Rome (2 Timothy 4:21), but Luke was the only traveling companion he and Timothy had shared; he was probably also theonly one in Rome specifically to be with Paul. (IVPBBC)

AI sn Epaphras is probably a shortened form of the name Epaphroditus. This is probably the same individual whom Paul spoke of as "my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier" in Philippians 2:25 (see also Philippians 4:18). He is also mentioned in Colossians 1:7 and Colossians 4:12, where he is a founder of the church in Colossae (BDAG 360 s.v. ᾿Επαφρᾶς). (NET_Bible)

AJ sn Aristarchus accompanied Paul on his collection-journey when Paul left for Rome in Acts 27:2. He is also mentioned as a fellow prisoner in Colossians 4:10. (NET_Bible)

AK sn Demas is most likely the same individual mentioned by the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:10. Apparently, he later on abandoned the faith because of his love of the world. (NET_Bible)

Introductions to the “We” Sections of Acts

Acts 16:10-13 (NET) After Paul saw the vision, weAL attempted immediately to go over to Macedonia, concluding that God had called usto proclaim the good news to them. 11We put out to sea from Troas and sailed a straight course to Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis, 12and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of that district of Macedonia, a Roman colony. We stayed in this city for some days. 13On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate to the side of the river, where we thought there would be a place of prayer, and we sat down andbegan to speak to the women who had assembled there.

Acts 20:5-7 NET. These had gone on ahead and were waiting for us in Troas. 6WeAM sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and within five days we came to the others in Troas, where we stayed for seven days. 7On the first day of the week, when we met to break bread, Paul began to speak to the people, and because he intended to leave the next day, he extended his message until midnight.

AL In contrast to the views of some scholars (who regard “we” as a fictitious literary device because it appears in novels as well as in historical works), “we” in ancient texts normally meant “we.” Luke is writing a historical work (novels did not have historical prologues), so he is no doubt reporting that he was with Paul as an eyewitness on this and subsequent occasions when he uses the term. Personal eyewitness experience was considered the most dependable source for history. (IVPBBC)

AM The “we” picks up where it left off; Paul had left Luke in Philippi. They spendthe week in Philippi for the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. When one adds the remaining days (with parts of days reckoned as wholes, as generally in antiquity) presumed in the narrative, from their arrival in Philippi to their arrival in Jerusalem requires over thirty days. Thus they would arrive in Jerusalem before Pentecost (fifty days after Passover) and would still make one of the three major pilgrimage festivals. “Five days” (i.e., parts of five—perhaps four) was a slow voyage to Troas.) but may include the half-day land journey from Philippi to Neapolis. (IVPBBC)

Acts 27:1-4 NET. When it was decided weAN would sail to Italy,AO they handed over Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. 2We went on board a ship from Adramyttium that was about to sail to various ports along the coast of the province of Asia and put out to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3The next day we put in at Sidon, and Julius, treating Paul kindly, allowed him to go to his friends so they could provide him with what he needed. 4From there we put out to sea and sailed under the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us.

AN sn The last "we" section in Acts begins here and extends to Act_28:16 (the previous one ended Acts 21:18). (NET_Bible)

Some commentators have suggested that the “we” here characterizes fictitious sea voyages; but it was used just as often in genuine historical narrative. Greek writing had long included passages describing other lands from the vantage point of ships voyaging by their coasts, and these included genuinely historical accounts.This narrative is clearly eyewitness history; the details of the voyage, including thenumber of days it took to reach particular harbors given the winds mentioned, fit exactly the report of one who had undertaken such a voyage. This point was shownalready in the nineteenth century by an experienced Mediterranean mariner, James Smith, whom most subsequent commentaries follow on the nautical details. (IVPBBC)

AO That we should sail - The use of the term “we” here shows that the author of this book, Luke, was with Paul. He had been his traveling companion, and though he had not been accused, yet it was resolved that he should still accompany him. Whether he went at his own expense, or whether he was sent at the expense of the Roman government, does not appear. There is a difference of reading here in the ancient versions. The Syriac reads it, “And thus Festus determined that he (Paul) should be sent to Caesar in Italy,” etc. The Latin Vulgate and the Arabic also read “he” instead of “we.” But the Greek manuscripts are uniform, and the correct reading is doubtless what is in our version. (Barnes)

Luke Notes Jesus' Prayer Life (Luke 6:12 – 13)

This is the only reference in the New Testament to praying “all night.” Verse 14 begins a listing of the apostles by name starting with Peter... Note the differences in the various renderings:

New American Standard Bible (NASB) It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. 13And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles...

New International Version (NIV) One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles...

Easy to Read Version (ERV) A few days later, Jesus went out to a mountain to pray. He stayed there all night praying to God. 13The next morning he called his followers. He chose twelve of them and called them apostles. These are the ones he chose...

King James Version (KJV) And it came to pass in those days, that hewent out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles...

New King James Version (NKJV) Now it came to pass in those daysthat He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles...

Luke 6:12-13 NET. Now it was during this time that Jesus went out to the mountain to pray,AP

AP And continued all night in prayer to God - There has been a difference of opinion about this passage, whether it means that he spent the night in the act of “praying” to God, or in a “place” of prayer. The Jews had places of prayer, called “oratories,” built out of their cities or towns, where they could retire from the bustle of a city and hold communion with God. They were built on the banks of rivers (compare Act_16:13), in groves, or on hills. They were rude inclosures, made by building a rough wall of stone around a level piece of ground, and capableof accommodating a small number who might resort thither to pray. But the more probable opinion is that he spent the whole night in supplication; for:

1. This is the obvious meaning of the passage.

2. The object for which he went out was “to pray.”

3. It was an occasion of great importance. He was about to send out his apostles - to lay the foundation of his religion - and he therefore set apart thistime especially to seek the divine blessing.

4. It was no unusual thing for Jesus to spend much time in prayer, and we are not to wonder that he passed an entire night in supplication.

If it be asked why Jesus should pray “at all” if he was divine, it may be replied thathe was also a “man” - a man subject to the same sufferings as others, and, “as a man,” needing the divine blessing. There was no more inconsistency in his “praying” than there was in his “eating.” Both were “means” employed for an end, and both were equally consistent with his being divine. But Jesus was also “Mediator,” and as such it was proper to seek the divine direction and blessing. In “this” case he has set us an example that we should follow. In great emergencies, when we have important duties, or are about to encounter special difficulties, we should seek the divine blessing and direction by “prayer.” We should set apart an unusual portion of time for supplication. Nay, if we pass the “whole night” in prayer, it should not be charged as enthusiasm. Our Saviour did it. Men of the world often pass whole nights in plans of gain or in dissipation, and shall it be esteemed strange that Christians should spend an equal portion of time in the far more important business of religion? (Barnes)

and he spent all nightAQ in prayer to God.AR 13When morning came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles.AS

AQ sn This is the only time all night prayer is mentioned in the NT. (NET_Bible)

AR tn This is an objective genitive, so prayer “to God.” (NET_Bible)

AS sn The term apostles is rare in the gospels, found only in Matthew 10:2, possiblyin Mark 3:14, and six more times in Luke (here plus Luke 9:10; Luke 11:49; Luke 17:5; Luke 22:14; Luke 24:10). (NET_Bible)

In Galatians 4:4-6, The Apostle Paul describes the two elements of the Gospel story: The earthly life and work of Jesus Christ and then the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to guide the growth and development of the church after Jesus returned to the Father...

(New King James Version – NKJV) But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,5to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

(New International Version – NIV) But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

(Contemporary English Version – CEV) But when the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him. His Son obeyed the Law, 5so he could set us free from the Law, and we could become God's children. 6Now that we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. And his Spirit tells us that God is our Father.

(New Living Translation – NLT) But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5God sent Him to buyfreedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children. 6And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”

(New American Standard Bible – NASB) But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

(New English Translation – NET) But when the appropriate timeAT had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those who were under the law,AU so that we may be adopted as sons with full rights.AV 6And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit ofhis Son into our hearts,AW who calls “Abba! Father!”

AT tn Grk "the fullness of time" (an idiom for the totality of a period of time, with the implication of proper completion; see L&N 67.69). (NET_Bible)

AU Jewish texts often speak of the fulfillment of appointed times in history as a way of recognizing God’s perfect wisdom in and sovereignty over history. (Some commentators have compared “the fullness of the time”—NASB—to how ripe Greco-Roman culture was for the spread of Christianity; yet others could counter by citing the almost insurmountable obstacles that this culture presented to the early Christians.) Here Paul compares this fulfillment to the point at which a boy attains maturity and is considered an adult (about thirteen or fourteen years old). “Born under law” means that Jesus was obligated to keep the law of Moses. (IVPBBC)

AV tn The Greek term υἱοθεσία (huiothesia) was originally a legal technical term foradoption as a son with full rights of inheritance. BDAG 1024 s.v. notes, "a legal t.t.of 'adoption' of children, in our lit., i.e. in Paul, only in a transferred sense of a transcendent filial relationship between God and humans (with the legal aspect, notgender specificity, as major semantic component)." Although some modern translations remove the filial sense completely and render the term merely "adoption" (cf. NAB), the retention of this component of meaning was accomplished in the present translation by the phrase "as sons." (NET_Bible)

AW Roman adoptions required a witness of the transaction: the Holy Spirit performsthis function here. That the Spirit should testify is natural, because Judaism understood the Spirit especially as the one who inspired the prophets; the Spirit here inspires believers, speaking to them as he did to the prophets, to remind them of their calling as God’s children. “Abba” is the Aramaic word for “Papa,” a term of special intimacy rarely if ever used in Judaism to address God directly. (IVPBBC)