There is little doubt that the author of this book is Luke, "the beloved physician" (Col. 4:14). He was a Gentile who is thought to have been a native of Antioch. He accompanied Apostle Paul from Troas on his second missionary journey but remained in Philippi until Paul returned there on his last known missionary expedition (Acts 20:6).  They seem to have been close companions up until Paul's death (2 Tim. 4:11). Paul referred to him as "fellow-worker" in Philemon 1:24. The introductory remarks (Luke 1:1-4) indicate that there were other written accounts of the events surrounding Jesus' life, death, and resurrection that existed at the time this book was written. Apparently, as Luke gathered wealth of information from "eyewitnesses" that he had come in contact with while travelling with Paul, the Holy Spirit burdened his heart with the need to compose another narrative.

The book is thought to have been written sometime between the years A.D. 58 and 60. It is generally agreed that Luke intended his Gospel to be available to the public, particularly the Greek public, even though it was initially written to Theophilus (Luke 1:3). The information that is included and the way that the material is presented indicates that Luke was appealing to the Greek mindset.                                            

Some scriptures to note and comments.  It would be too long to comment on everything:                                                                                               Parents of John the Baptist were Luk 1:6  And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. For commandments etc see Exodus 20.  Note who God chooses.  Paul: Php 3:6  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. They were keepers of the Old Testament and temple service (see 1:-19).  Luk 2:25  And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 

Luk 1:33  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob (Name changed to Israel, so reign over 12 tribe descendants) for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.  1:35 see concordance for holy “thing” (KJV)(i.e. sacred and blameless). 

1:67 prophesy of Zacharias  is God of Jacob has visted to = 68 to redeem HIS people (Jews.  See to v77 how reference is always qualified to specific group).  This coincides with Dan 9:24  Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Dan 9:25  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. Dan 9:26  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince. 

1:77 Luk 1:77  To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Rom 11:1  I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid!!!    

Luk 2:21  And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child (from birth lived by law and died by law  (Exo 12:46  In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof. Joh 19:36  For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. Luk_22:19  And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body…   1Co 5:7  … For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Luk 2:24  And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. Lev 12:6  And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a … young pigeon, or a turtledove, )  2:21 .. , his name was called Yahshua (God saves) , which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Similarly a child has father’s name before even conceived YHWH, Yahweh)  Luk 2:41  Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.   The birth is NOT a pagan Dec 25 sun god story; but one that fits in with history and God’s law, His prophecies for the Jews and their history. 

2:32 Luk 2:32  A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. See Isaiah 9:2, 42:6, 49:6, 60:1-3.  Jews to teach gentiles not visa versa nor gentiles (Christians) replace Jews.  Luk 2:34  And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;  Christians do not understand and speak against the purpose of the Messiah as if he, his apostles and early church were Christians rather than Jews and is for them.   

Luk 3:3  And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; (If one does not understand or has changed bible’s definition of sin, they would not repent for a sin they believe is not a sin, thus will not get it forgiven.  Paramount one knows the list of sins has always and remains the same  1Jn_3:4  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. Doing good works may not save good doers  Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not … in thy name done many wonderful works? Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity).  Luk 5:31  And Jesus answering said... Luk 5:32  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 

Luk 4:4  And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God (see Deut 8:3). Luk 4:8  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve (see Deut 6:13, 10:20). Luk 4:12  And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God (see Deut 6:16).  Foundation in resisting devil and pleasing God is to know and live by God’s Torah, instructions, laws listed Exodus - Deut. 

Luk 4:16  And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. (Also 6:6)  Luk 4:17  And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,  Act 15:21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. (See also Act 13:15, 27) [the weekly service practice was to read the law and prophets.  We do not read of service being around singing as today Christian services] 

Luk 4:31  And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. Luk 4:44  And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee. (An example of who and where and when Yahshua generally taught. For larger crowds he used open spaces). 

Luk 6:13  And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;  [this is relevant for who and how man got the gift of Acts 2.  Act 1:2  Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: Act 1:5  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.  See Luke 18:21.  Also in Luk 9:1 only 12 got the power over devils and curing diseases] 

Luk 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Luk 6:47  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: Luk 6:49  But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. Mat_19:17  And he said … if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 

Luk 8:11 (parable of sower and hearers)  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. [found Exodus to Deut).

Luk 8:18  Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have   Luk 8:21  And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. (remember Matt 7:22 apparent good works that was iniquity against God. So check if you are doing traditions of men or unaltered word of God).         

Luk 9:30  And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:   [these two being representatives of the law and prophets; constantly spoken of throughout the bible] 

Luk 10:25  And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Luk 10:26  He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?  Luk 10:27  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. Luk 10:28  And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. [see also Mat_22:38  This is the first and great commandment. Mar_12:28  And one of the scribes came, and … asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? Mar 12:29  And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: Mar 12:30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mar 12:31  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.  [THE ANSWERS CAME FROM QUOTING GOD’S LAW found listed in Exodus – Deut]. 

Luk 11:23  He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. Rev_3:15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. Rev_3:16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  [one could either be for Yahweh God or against Him.  Recognizing, accepting and trying to do ALL he asks or not]. Luk 11:35  Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.  Luk 11:36  If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. 

Luk 11:28  But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Luk 12:4  And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. Luk 12:5  But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. [without mitigating the need to feed and assist others, ones spiritual salvation outweighs physical.  Many are available to offer physical; but not many true biblical salvation.  Instead they teach religious traditions of men.  Mat_9:37  The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Mat_9:38  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. (teaching biblical spirit and truth)].  Luk 12:15  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luk 12:21  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Luk 12:22  And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. Luk 12:23  The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Luk 12:24  Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?  Luk 12:40  Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. [do not put off learning what God requires of you and doing it]. 

Luk 12:48  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. [IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE Rom_2:13  (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. Jas_1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves]. 

Luk 12:51  Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: [BETWEEN DOERS OF LAW OR NOT??]   Luk 13:3  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  [remember it helps to know what is sin so you can repent of its transgression. 1Jhn :4]. 

Luk 13:24  Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Luk 13:26  Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. (regularly taken communion and listened to thousands of denomination preaching)  Luk 13:27  But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. Luk 13:28  There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. (What did Abraham etc do that you are not ..Gen_26:5  Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. Rev_22:14  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Mat_7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 

Luk 14:17  And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

Luk 14:18  And they all with one consent began to make excuse. [have you an excuse for not being a doer of the commandments of God, what is / are they?  Denomination theology, personal achievement education that takes up your time, favourite pastors that tell you otherwise???  Luk 14:26  If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Luk 14:27  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luk 14:33  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 

Luk 16:14  And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

Luk 16:15  And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.  Luk 16:16  The law and the prophets  until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. [The word "were" was inserted in "were until John" and wrongly gives the impression to the reader, law and prophets as taught by them, have changed] Luk 16:17  And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. 

Parable of rich man and Lazarus; both dead, latter in hell (v23).   Luk 16:27  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: Luk 16:28  For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Luk 16:29  Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. Luk 16:30  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.  Luk 16:31  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. [This implies God does not send one back from the dead to testify as those today claim to have returned from the dead and heaven. Contary to impression given with "were" in 16:16, Yahshua is saying they are what to follow to learn of Him] 

Luk 18:18  And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  Luk 18:20  Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. [The questioner was a practicing Jew i.e. keeper of Exodus 20:8 the seventh day Sabbath.  Some people forget this basic fact when they say it was not mentioned in Yahshua’s reply].  Luk 18:21  And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 

Luk 18:31  Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.   [There is no prophesy that He will take away the commandments of Yahweh]. 

Luke 20:9 Parable of husbandman is similar to God sending prophets who were killed and lastly He sent His son, Yahshua. 

Luk 21:8  And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am.  Many claim to speak for,  interpret or comment on Yahweh’s word.  Yet their comments and direction vary from what God, His son and apostles actually taught.  From what those exalted by Him actually did.  (2 Cor 11:14+)  If God is the same yesterday, today and forever, is not a respecter of persons, then would He not have the same criteria for all generations?    Act 10:34  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  Act 10:35  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 

Luk 21:37  And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. Luk 21:38  And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him. [This practice of teaching in the temple continued after Yahshua’s death by his disciples. There are too many scriptural references to mention here; but see the article “Acts 11-19”.  Here are examples  Act 9:2  And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. Also  Acts 5:21; 21:28; 26:21showing Jews and Gentiles who had turned to Yahweh went there to learn. Act 13:42 -4 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. 

Luk 22:15  And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:  [It was a once per year Jewish Passover, NOT a Christian last supper, weekly communion or other].

Luk 22:19  And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. [ The “this” refers to the annual Passover event with bread rather than animal sacrifice which requires the temple.  That was destroyed 35 or so years later.  See 1Cor 11:24].

Luk 22:20  Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. [Not a new "covenant" as some bibles translate the word for the sinister purpose of thinking there was a cancellation of the previous covenant.  They can now go unto "testify" of the Messiah.] 1Co 11:25  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new²⁵³⁷  testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.  [This is NOT a new as in another numerically new thing; but making something of before fresh i.e. renewing something of the past]. 

Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted¹⁹⁹⁴, strengthen thy brethren.  [convert as in return to, something of the past.  Maybe not the added doctrines of the rabbis; but what God gave to Moses ]   Mat_15:3  But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? Mat_15:6  And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Mar_7:8  For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. Mar_7:9  And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 

Luk 22:37  For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.   Isa 53:12  Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. [ One will continue to understand the bible if they read only the last portion (New testament).  It is a book about a Jewish nation and their Messiah, from who other nations are to learn and follow to get to Yahweh God].

Luk 24:19  And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus (Yahshua) of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:  [The Messiah nor His followers were Christians despite being first called that by others in Antioch halfway through their ministry in Acts 11:26.  Think, what were they called before and why would they change their names?  They did not.  They were another sect of the Jews named after their rabbi’s location, Nazareth  and they followed the Law of God as given to their nation through Moses].  

Act 5:17  Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,  Act 15:5  But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.  Act 24:5  For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:   Act 26:5  Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.   Act 28:22  But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. 

Luk 24:25  Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:  Luk 24:26  Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?  [Understanding the teachings of the Law and prophets is the only way to understand the purpose of the Messiah.  One should spend more time reading the first testament , especially the first five books o the bible, to properly understand the rest.   They then should see they are missing out on a lot of the second testament real teachings and what God requires of them].

Luk 24:27  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Luk 24:44  And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.  [NOWHERE does it say Yahweh god’s holy days or laws would be changed or accepted if changed!!!]

Luk 24:45  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, [The Old Testament]                                                                         Luk 24:46  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  Luk 24:47  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 

That was the purpose of the Messiah and teachings of His church, to teach about sin, that it is as defined in 1Jonn3:4  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.  The list of instructions termed law is found in what God imparted through Moses (though it existed before).  Where there is no sin, there is no transgression. If the law was nailed to the cross, so was sin and transgression (Rom 4:15  for where no law is, there is no transgression).  There would be no wrong doing, nothing from which to be saved and no need of saviour.  Which leads to no need to go to church or do anything of the things religious people do.  

Understand, Yahweh God’s love is one of reconciliation back to Him and living a way healthy and fair to us.  That love is the strongest that He sent His only son (some say Himself in son form) to live and die in order to teach you and give you a way back.  I recommend you take it.  Learn and live by His Laws.  This does not mitigate the need for the saviour; but establishes the need for Him.  We will fail in our efforts to live in harmony with Him and others; but the fact we learn truth and overcome the deceivers deceits is pleasing to Him. Confess our failures, repent and try again and call on the Messiahs blood sacrifice to cleanse you from the sin instead of the former blood of animals.  

Remember the Jews were given the oracles to pass onto the world.  They may have once messed up themselves and due to the consequences they received have added stricter guidance’s.  Simply separate their traditions from the commandments of God and keep the latter.  You should know where to find them Exodus to Deuteronomy.  Not all will be applicable to everyone.  Some are for men, women, priests, those with leprosy etc.  Learn the common ones for everyone (Jew or Gentile) and the specific ones to you. 

Understand, Yahweh God’s love is one of reconciliation back to Him and living a way healthy and fair to us.  Eph 2:16  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: Col 1:20  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Shalom.