Luke study section

Luke chapter summaries

A one-line summary of every chapter. Open any chapter for the full study.

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Chapter list

Chapters 1–2

The Birth of the Savior

The announcements and births of John and Jesus, framed by the songs of Mary, Zechariah, the angels, and Simeon, and the worship of the shepherds.

  • Chapter 1 (c. 6–5 BC): The births of John and Jesus are announced; Mary’s Magnificat and Zechariah’s song praise God’s saving mercy.
  • Chapter 2 (c. 5 BC): Jesus is born in Bethlehem, worshiped by shepherds, presented in the temple to Simeon and Anna, and found teaching at twelve.

Chapters 3–4

The Ministry Begins

John the Baptist’s preaching, Jesus’ baptism and genealogy back to Adam, the temptation, and the sermon at Nazareth that announces good news to the poor.

  • Chapter 3 (c. AD 26): John the Baptist preaches repentance and baptizes Jesus; the genealogy traces Jesus back to Adam and to God.
  • Chapter 4 (c. AD 26): Jesus is tempted in the wilderness and announces His mission at Nazareth, reading from Isaiah, then teaches and heals in Galilee.

Chapters 5–9

The Galilean Ministry

The calling of disciples, teaching and healing, the Sermon on the Plain, and Peter’s confession with the transfiguration.

  • Chapter 5 (c. AD 27): The miraculous catch of fish, the calling of the first disciples and Levi, and the healing of a leper and a paralytic.
  • Chapter 6 (c. AD 28): Jesus is lord of the Sabbath, chooses the Twelve, and preaches the Sermon on the Plain with its blessings and woes.
  • Chapter 7 (c. AD 28): Jesus heals a centurion’s servant, raises a widow’s son, commends John, and forgives a sinful woman who anoints Him.
  • Chapter 8 (c. AD 28): The parable of the sower, the stilling of the storm, the Gerasene demoniac, and the raising of Jairus’s daughter.
  • Chapter 9 (c. AD 29): The Twelve are sent out, the five thousand are fed, Peter confesses Christ, and the transfiguration occurs, as Jesus turns toward Jerusalem.

Chapters 10–18

The Journey to Jerusalem

Luke’s long travel narrative (beginning when Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem,” 9:51), rich with parables found nowhere else — the Good Samaritan, the prodigal son, the rich fool, and the Pharisee and the tax collector.

  • Chapter 10 (c. AD 29): The seventy-two are sent; the parable of the Good Samaritan; and Mary and Martha welcome Jesus.
  • Chapter 11 (c. AD 29): Jesus teaches the disciples to pray, casts out a demon amid accusation, and pronounces woes on the Pharisees.
  • Chapter 12 (c. AD 29): Warnings against hypocrisy and greed, the parable of the rich fool, and calls to trust God and be ready.
  • Chapter 13 (c. AD 29): Calls to repentance, healing on the Sabbath, parables of the kingdom’s growth, and a lament over Jerusalem.
  • Chapter 14 (c. AD 29): Teaching at a banquet on humility, the parable of the great feast, and the cost of discipleship.
  • Chapter 15 (c. AD 29): The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son — heaven’s joy over the found.
  • Chapter 16 (c. AD 29): The parable of the shrewd manager, teaching on money, and the rich man and Lazarus.
  • Chapter 17 (c. AD 29): On forgiveness and faith, the ten lepers cleansed, and the coming of the kingdom.
  • Chapter 18 (c. AD 30): The persistent widow, the Pharisee and the tax collector, the children, the rich ruler, and a blind man healed.

Chapters 19–21

In Jerusalem

Zacchaeus, the triumphal entry, the cleansing of the temple, controversies with the leaders, and teaching on the last things.

  • Chapter 19 (c. AD 30): Zacchaeus is saved, the parable of the ten minas, the triumphal entry, and the cleansing of the temple.
  • Chapter 20 (c. AD 30): The parable of the tenants and a series of questions by which Jesus silences His opponents.
  • Chapter 21 (c. AD 30): The widow’s offering and the discourse on the temple’s destruction and the coming of the Son of Man.

Chapters 22–24

The Passion and Resurrection

The Last Supper, Gethsemane, the trials, the crucifixion, the empty tomb, and the risen Christ on the Emmaus road.

  • Chapter 22 (c. AD 30): The Last Supper, Jesus’ agony in Gethsemane, His arrest, and Peter’s denial.
  • Chapter 23 (c. AD 30): Jesus before Pilate and Herod, the crucifixion, His prayer for His enemies, the penitent thief, and His burial.
  • Chapter 24 (c. AD 30): The resurrection, the walk to Emmaus, the risen Christ opening the Scriptures, and His ascension.

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