Sunday, May 4, 2008

Day 13 - Luke 12:57-18:30

The only possible way to place a date on the book of Luke is to establish a date for the book of Acts. It is clear from the opening paragraph of each book that they were written as two volumes, presumably to the same man known to us only as Theophilus:

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4)

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:1-3)

Since Acts is the sequel to Luke and may be dated around AD 61 – 62, Luke must have been written earlier, presumably in about AD 60 or 61.

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