This is part of a year-long series. Learn more about this series here.

Below is a summary of the Gospel of Luke I wrote for a seminary class. The professor broke Luke into four sections, and we were instructed to outline the significant events and flow of thought for each section. The point of such an assignment is to grasp a big-picture view of Luke’s Gospel and to understand how the material he included drives his narrative forward. If you’ve never done so, I would encourage you to read the entire Gospel of Luke in one sitting so you can experience the flow of his story of Jesus.

Luke 1:1-4:13

This first section of Luke chronicles the preparation and arrival of both John the Baptist and Jesus. Luke provides the backstory of John the Baptist’s conception and birth, and he anchors each development with prophecies: the angel appears to Zechariah (1:8-20); Zechariah prophecies at John’s birth (1:67-79). Luke does the same with Mary and the development of Jesus’ birth and purification: Gabriel appears to Mary (1:26-38); Elizabeth blesses Mary (1:42-45); Mary’s Magnificat (1:46-55); an angel appears to the shepherds, and they relay his message to Mary (2:8-20); Simeon prophecies and Anna gives thanks regarding Jesus (2:25-38). Jesus’ ministry is foreshadowed with his three-day stint in the temple as a twelve year old (2:41-52), and then Luke moves into the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus. John preaches repentance and baptizes the crowds plus Jesus (3:1-22). Luke solidifies Jesus’ connection to God with a genealogy (3:23-38), and the preface to Jesus’ ministry is complete with his temptation in the wilderness (4:1-13).

Luke 4:14-9:50

The second section of Luke constitutes Jesus’ Galilean ministry. Jesus returns to Galilee after his baptism, and his ministry there is comprised of both teaching and healing. The first detailed account of this section is Jesus’ rejection at Nazareth (4:16-30), which establishes and foreshadows opposition from Jews. Jesus performs many healings throughout Galilee; they include physical conditions (5:12-16), spiritual conditions (4:38-41), resurrecting a widow’s son (7:11-17). He also calms the storm on the sea (8:22-25), which establishes his authority over nature. Throughout his time in Galilee, Jesus taught in the synagogues and gained a following (4:42-44). Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain (6:17-49) was given to his disciples — whom he had been calling (5:1-11, 27-32, 6:12-16) — after healing many in the crowds that followed him. The role of the disciples increases: women follow and support Jesus (8:1-3); the twelve are commissioned (9:1-9); the disciples assist in the feeding of the 5,000 (9:10-17); Peter confesses Jesus is the Christ (9:18-22). The section ends with the sequence of the Transfiguration, the disciples’ inability to cast out a spirit, and the disciples’ quarrel about who among them will be the greatest (9:26-50).

Luke 9:51-19:27

Jesus now turns toward Jerusalem. The section begins with Jesus teaching on discipleship, presumably responding to the disciples’ ambition to be the greatest (9:51-10:42). Jesus is accused of being in league with Beelzebul (11:14-26), to which Jesus responds with a series of stern teachings about the sign of Jonah, the Pharisees, being heavenly-focused, and the reality of the coming tension between following Christ and living in the world (11:29-12:59). This is summed up with a call to repentance (13:1-9). Jesus then heals on the Sabbath and teaches on the nature of the Kingdom of God (13:10-14:35). Chapters 15-19:27 is a mashup of Jesus responding to situations and him continuing to contrast following him against the way of the religious leaders. The parables from 15:1-16:31 are in response to the Pharisees and experts in the law complaining about him. The ungratefulness of Jesus’ ministry is highlighted in the healing of the 10 lepers (17:11-19). Jesus concludes this section by teaching the disciples about persevering towards the Kingdom despite the coming difficulties, as well as Zacchaeus and the parable of the 10 minas representing the contrast between responding in faithfulness verses indifference.

Luke 19:28-24:53

The fourth section of Luke narrates Jesus’ Triumphal Entry, his final days in Jerusalem, his Passion, and his resurrection appearances to his disciples. Jesus’ Triumphal Entry sets off a series of events: Jesus mourns the coming judgement of Jerusalem; he cleanses the temple; the chief priests and experts in the law challenge Jesus’ authority (19:28-20:8). Jesus’ parable of the tenants is told in response to the leaders refusing to acknowledge John’s ministry as being from God (20:1-19). This instigates a series of challenges from the leaders to Jesus (20:19-47). Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple (21:5-9), and then he teaches on the coming persecution, Son of Man, and destruction of Jerusalem (21:10-33). His summary teaching about this is for the disciples to “stay awake” (21:34-38). Judas decides to betray Jesus (22:1-6). Jesus shares the Passover meal with his disciples and then goes to the Mount of Olives, where he is arrested (22:7-53). Jesus is tried by the chief priests, Pilate, Herod, and is sentenced to death (22:63-23:25). He is crucified and buried (23:26-56). The women discover the empty tomb, but the disciples do not believe them, though Peter is intrigued (24:1-12). Jesus appears to his disciples on two occasions (24:1-43). He opens their minds to understand the Scriptures and gives them their final commission before ascending into heaven (24:44-51). The disciples respond by worshipping and blessing God in the Jerusalem temple (24:52-53).