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THE KING'S BUSINESS
hem and to rejoice with the shepherds in the field and the angels in heaven." ~ Concerning Luke, the Evangelist, Dr. A. T. Robertson gives the following: Paul alone names Luke (Col. 4: 14; 2 'rim. 4:11; Phile. 24). He does not
a freedman, from the large number of physicians who belonged to that class, the Greeks and Romans being accus– tomed to educate some of their domes– tics In the science of medic1ne 'and to grant them freedom in requital of ser– vices. Luke represents the views of Paul as Mark does of Peter. There is also a similarity of style between Luke's writings and Paul's which arises from their spiritual sympathy and long Intimacy. Some two hundred words and phrases are found in their writings which are more or less foreign to the other New Testament writers. Luke's long residence In Greece makes it prob– able that he had Greek readers in mind when he wrote and his gospel is ac– cordingly for the Gentiles. It is the gospel of the poor and outcast. The humblest and most sinful are shown not to be excluded from the Saviour. It is the Gospel of womanhood. Woman comes prominently into view as dis– cerning God's promises. She appears as ministering to the Lord and receiv– ing his ministry. The word "woman" Is found in Matthew and Mark together forty-nine times and in Luke alone forty-three. It is the Gospel of prayer. Luke reveals the prayer-life of the Lord and he alone gives the prayer par– ables of the Friend at midnight and the Unjust Judge. It is the Gospel of song. The songs of Zacharias, Eliza– beth, Mary, Simeon and the anthem of the angelic host, are the last of the Hebrew Psalms as well as the first of Christian hymns. They can be liter– ally translated back into the Hebrew without losing their beauty. Finally, Luke's is the Gospel of infancy. He alone tells the story of the birth of John the Baptist as well as the details of the birth of Christ. "His Gospel sheds a sacred charm over infancy, as perpetuating the paradise of innocence in a sinful world. The first two chap– ters will always be the favorite chap– ters for children and all who delight to gather round the manger of Bethle-
mention his own name In the Gospel or in the Acts. In Col. 4: 14
OOMMENT TAKEN FROM Dr. A. T. Robertson
Luke is distinguished by Paul from those "of the circumcision." He was believed by the early Christian writers to have come directly from heathendom to Christianity. His first appearance with Paul at Troas (Acts 16:10-12) is in harmony with this idea. The classic introduction to the Gospel ( 1: 1-4) shows that he was a man of culture. He was a man ot the schools, and his Greek has a l!terary fiavor only ap– proached in the New Testament by Paul's writings and by the Epistle to the Hebrews. He first meets Paul at Troas just before the vision of the Man from Ma– cedonia (Acts 16:10-12), and a con– versation with Paul about the work In Macedonia may well have been the hu– man occasion of that vision and call. Luke remains in Philippi when Paul and Silas leave (Acts 16:40, "They departed"). He Is here when Paul comes back on his third tour bound for Jerusalem (Acts 20: 3-5). He shows also a natural pride in the claims of Philippi to the p.rimacy in the province as against Amphipolis and Thessalop.lca (Acts 16: 12, "the first of the district"). On the whole, then, we may consider Philippi as the home of Luke, though he was probably a man who had traveled a great deal, and may have been with Paul in Ga– latia before coming to Troas. He may have ministered to Paul in his sickness there (Gal. 4: 14). His later years were spent chiefiy with Paul away from Philippi (cf. Acts 20:8-28, 31 on the
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