Gospel Christology – The Book of Luke
James Clardy Jr
NBST 515: New Testament Orientation
October 2, 2025
2
Contexts Introduction........................................................................................... .........3
Miracle
Worker................................................................................................5
Law &
Faith.....................................................................................................8
Luke the
Physician...........................................................................................9
Conclusion..............................................................................................
.......12
Bibliography........................................................................................... .........13
Introduction
The term “miracle worker” conveys one who holds authority to heal— physically,
mentally, and spiritually—without limitation of time or place. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is
portrayed in precisely this way: as the one through whom God’s restoring power is revealed. For
Luke, miracles are not merely demonstrations of divine strength but signs of God’s kingdom
breaking into the world, bringing wholeness to the broken and hope to the marginalized. 1This
paper will examine Luke’s distinctive presentation of Jesus as miracle worker, with attention to
both the literary design of the Gospel and its theological emphases. Luke highlights Jesus’
ministry to the poor, the sick, women, and outsiders, showing that miracles function as more
than acts of compassion; they reveal God’s inclusive mission.2
1 Victor P. Hamilton, Handbook on the Historical Books (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2001), 482–83.
2 Joel B. Green, The Theology of the Gospel of Luke (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995), 87–89.
3
The thesis of this study is that Luke portrays Jesus’ miracles not simply as displays of power but
as manifestations of God’s kingdom—emphasizing healing, restoration, and the inclusion of
those often overlooked by society. In doing so, Luke provides a theological vision that continues
to shape the church’s understanding of Christ and his mission today.
What has become clear to me is that Luke saw Jesus as a compassionate healer who
genuinely felt and loved all people. That’s why I chose my thesis statement: “Luke portrays Jesus
as a Miracle Worker.” I hope to share my insights from Luke’s perspective—seeing Jesus both as
a physician and as the Great Physician, a true Miracle Worker.
Luke was a well-educated gentile, a doctor, and a close friend of Paul.3 Given his medical
training, Luke approached the subject of healing with particular insight. His Gospel
demonstrates both a concern for historical accuracy and a marked interest in Jesus’ restorative
work. Repeatedly, Luke depicts Jesus ministering to those in physical, spiritual, and social need,
recording these accounts with deliberate care. What is striking is not only the frequency of such
healings but the way they were performed acts characterized by compassion, authority, and the
unmistakable presence of divine power.
From his perspective as a physician, Luke would have found these events especially
significant. His descriptions reveal both professional attentiveness and theological intent. Luke
does not present Jesus merely as a miracle worker but as the Great Physician whose ministry
extends to the whole person. By narrating stories of the blind receiving sight, lepers being
cleansed, the lame walking, the demon-possessed set free, and even the dead being raised,
3 Elwell, Walter A., and Robert W. Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological
Survey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, (2013): 85.
4
Luke underscores that Christ’s miracles function as signs of God’s kingdom breaking into the
present world and as tangible expressions of God’s redemptive mission.
When Luke prepares to tell the story of Jesus, “He did the research work necessary to
assure him of the certainty, the reliability, of the things he had taught.4 He wants Theophilus to
know that faith in Jesus rests on historical facts that stand up under the most severe scrutiny,
founded as they are on firsthand testimony.” 5 With Luke being a doctor, I do think that this was
his experience was to be thorough and certain in not only the details of his life but in
constructing this Gospel for others to read.
I took the time to compare the miracles, healings, rebukes, etc. in the book of Luke to
the books of Matthew and Mark. In my comparison, focusing on the happenings above, I found
in the book of Luke, 17 times5 a miracle or healing was performed. In the book of Matthew, I
found a miracle or healing performed 10 times6 and in the book of Mark I did find a miracle or
healing 10 times.7 With the evidence of the number of miracles found in each of the 3 Gospels,
I believe that Luke’s occupation as a physician influenced his collection, compilation, writing,
and the intricate details of his writings.
4 Elwell, Walter A., and Robert W. Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament: A Historical
and Theological Survey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, (2013): 84. 5 Elwell, Walter A., and Robert
W. Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey. Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Academic, (2013): 87.
5 Luke 5:12, Luke 5:17-26, Luke 6:7, Luke 6:19, Luke 7:1, Luke 7:11, Luke 7:21, Luke 7:47,
Luke 8:27-36, Luke 8:40-56, Luke 9:11, Luke 9:37, Luke 13:10, Luke 13:32, Luke 14:1-6, Luke 17:11-19, Luke 18:35-
43
6 Matthew 4: 23-25, Matthew 8:1-4, Matthew 8:5-13, Matthew 8:14-17, Matthew 8: 28-34,
Matthew 9:1-8, Matthew 9:18-26, Matthew 9:27-34, Matthew 17:14-20, Matthew 20:29-34
7 Mark 1:29-34, Mark 1:40-45, Mark 2:1-12, Mark 3:1-6, Mark 5:1-20, Mark 5:21-43, Mark 7:31-37, Mark 8:22-26,
Mark 9:14-29, Mark 10:46-52
5
Miracle Worker
I believe Luke understood Jesus best as a Miracle Worker. In the 17 times in Luke’s
Gospel account, there are detailed stories of how Jesus healed people by touch, people
touching Jesus, Jesus speaking a soft-spoken statement, Jesus delivering a strong command
through words, people were healed simply by their faith, Jesus rebuking demons, and Jesus
tenderly placing hands on people. This is evident when towards the start of Jesus’ ministry
when Luke writes, “Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s
mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So, he bent
over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. At
sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands
on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, ‘You are
the Son of God!’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew
he was the Messiah.” (Luke 4:38-41).
Jesus healed a large number of people. As a physician, Luke probably was truly amazed
and overwhelmed at the thought of what Jesus was going through when gathering and reading
his compilations. Luke writes, “He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large
crowd of his disciples were there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from
Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear him and
to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, and the people all
tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.” (Luke 6:19 NIV)
I truly believe that Luke was amazed and astonished by the healing power that was
administered and also astonished by the number of people and how the people were healed.
6
As a physician, Luke truly had to be amazed by the way Jesus healed the sick. By word,
by touch, and even not even being close to the person who was ill, dying, or even dead. The
story of the Roman Centurion has several messages attached to it. Faith and an example given
to us all by the least person to give it. Jesus healed his servant by the centurion’s faith by a few
simple words without even being close to the servant. This is amazing and I’m sure to Luke to
the physician. Luke writes, “When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were
listening, he entered Capernaum. There is a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly,
was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to
him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly
with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our
synagogue.” So, Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent
friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under
my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word,
and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I
tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do
this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd
following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Then the men
who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.” (Luke 7:1-10)
Jesus also healed in ways that were controversial in the culture and the time period of
the day. For instance, Jesus knew what to say and how to say things that no one else could
while healing those in need and teaching those who needed teaching about matters of the
heart. Luke tells the following story about Jesus and how he healed and taught at the same
time. “One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there.
7
They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. In addition, the
power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on
a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a
way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat
through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of
Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves,
“Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus knew
what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which
is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know
that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So, he said to the paralyzed man, “I
tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took
what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise
to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” (Luke
5:17-26, NIV). Jesus knew what the Pharisees and teachers were already going to say, and he
delivered the perfect response to a very challenging and confrontational situation. The
Pharisees were so blinded by their pride, selfish motivations, and jealousy that they could not
see the glorious healing that took place right in front of them.
Law & Faith
Jesus also knew of the old ways of the law and faith, the Torah, and all of the rules that
the Jewish nation had to follow. When Jesus did heal a person in need, he was perfect in his
response and actions to keep in line with the Jewish faith and rituals. I believe Luke was
probably also astounded by the way Jesus not only healed but satisfying all of the traditions.
8
The following story is an example that Luke gives the way Jesus exemplified this. “Jesus touches
the man with his hand (5:13); however, that touch, accompanied by the word ‘Be cleansed,’
brings not contamination but healing. Yet restoration to the community will require a trip to the
temple, as the Torah directs. Jesus, like his parents, faithfully observes Mosaic law; his power to
heal does not override the Torah. Jesus does not usurp the role of temple priests. Rather, in
cleansing the man, he heals him 12 and sends him to the priests who will certify that he is clean
and thus able to be restored to the community.”8
Details. Luke also understood Jesus’ healing ministry down to the details. When the
Gospel of Luke is compared to Matthew and Mark, there is a stark contrast in the lacking in
details. Luke provides detailed information about many miraculous healings and wonders. In
one specific example in scripture in Luke 22:50 where a servant of a high priest gets his ear cut
off, Luke details the actions in detail. Jurie Roux in his commentary "The different
manifestations of suffering and the Lukan Jesus” states “To emphasize the reality and brutality
of the ear episode, according to the Luke account, we must compare him to Mark and Matthew.
Mark merely tells how the ear was cut off, but Jesus did not attend to the sufferer (Mk 14:47–
48) and in Matthew Jesus also did nothing to the bleeding servant and only reprimanded the
sword bearer (Mt 26:52). Luke is different and focused on the suffering servant and the healing
of his ear. Luke’s Jesus cared for those in pain while he was himself suffering. This is typical of
Luke’s depiction of Jesus’ healing ministry: Luke provided more information about those who
suffered and often the suffering is more brutally and vividly depicted in Luke than in Mark. And
compared to Mark, the Lucan Jesus treated the sufferers with more compassion and the healing
occurred instantaneously.”9 The Lucan Jesus, again, treated the sufferers with more compassion
8 Carroll, J. T. (2012). Luke (2012): A commentary. ProQuest eBook Central http://ebookcentral.proquest.com: 127
9 le Roux, Jurie. "The different manifestations of suffering and the Lukan Jesus" HTS
9
in his storytelling, thus, I believe Luke was more empathetic to tell the story from a physician
viewpoint.
Luke the Physician
The question that I now have to ask is am I correct in my assumption that Luke did
indeed understood Jesus more from the perspective of Luke being a physician? Did Luke use
more stories and how he told the stories about Jesus and His miracles and healing lead to more
understanding and empathy towards Jesus? With Luke being a physician, did his Gospel give a
more detailed account with no room for compromise in the truth of the life of Jesus? I did
research out and research several journal articles and commentaries on these questions. I do
believe that there is evidence from professors, pastors, and researchers that support this
question and thesis statement.
The commentary by A. Grün entitled, Jesus: The image of humanity states several factors
that relate Luke to Jesus’ activity. Grün addresses on how the Greek people think and view the
body in a holistic state of mind, body, and sole or the art of healthy living. Jesus’ message is one
that immolates this. Grün states “Luke relates the activity of Jesus as a physician. The gracious
messiah takes on the role of the Hellenistic physician. Jesus is described in such a way that the
Greeks learn to understand him and love him. He heals people of their sickness; he lays hands
on them and communicates God's spirit and power to them, and this restores them and gives
them back their original form. However, Jesus doesn't just heal through contact, but also
through his word, through his teaching, in which he teaches people the 'art of healthy living'
after the fashion of Greek medicine. Sometimes he has to prescribe bitter medicine, like the
physician whom Socrates portrays in his dialogue called Gorgias, medicine which at first glance
Theologies Studies / Theological Studies [Online], Volume 75 Number 3 (14 November 2019): 4
10
doesn't suit them. For Luke the words of Jesus are words which lead people to their salvation,
which bring them to their true being. Jesus as physician and therapist is a picture of Jesus which
speaks to people today. They long for healing.”10
Another commentary from Chuck Swindoll entitled “Insights on Luke” provide strong
information as to Jesus being the Great Physician. With Luke gathering, compiling, and literally
engaging and internalizing all of this information with his background, training, and experience,
how could he not be persuaded not to tell Jesus’ story with a physician’s point of view.
“The evidence strongly suggests Luke drew some information from Mark’s Gospel and
then, as he traveled with Paul, gathered scraps of various stories and source materials. These
various accounts, according to
Luke, prompted him to write an excellent account. In this way, you could say the doctor offered
a second opinion. Without diminishing the Lord’s divine identity, Luke presents Jesus as the
embodiment of God’s concern for helpless humanity. Thanks to Luke, the woman healed of her
eighteen-year infirmity (13:10-17), the healing of a man with dropsy (14:1-6), the healing of the
ten lepers (17:11-19). He presumes his readers know very well the realities of living in a sin-sick
world, so he presents the Son of God as the
Great Physician.”11
“Physician, heal yourself!” Luke writes the story of when Jesus was in his hometown of
Nazareth and Jesus’ own people in his hometown recognizes and call to Him as a physician. I
believe Luke understands what Jesus is going through and would like to heal everyone in town,
however, Luke also understands that not only would this be a physically healing but spiritual as
10 Grün, A., & Gr, A. (2006). Jesus: The image of humanity: Luke's account. ProQuest eBook Central
http://ebookcentral.proquest.com: 48-49
11 Swindoll, C. R. (2017). Insights on Luke. ProQuest eBook Central http://ebookcentral.proquest.com: 9, 12
11
well. I believe Luke also is empathetic and also sad about the situation and current state that
Jesus’ hometown people are in. “Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me:
‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard
that you did in Capernaum.’ (Luke 4:23, NIV)”
Monique Cuany in her commentary “"Physician, Heal Yourself! - Jesus' Challenge to His
Own: A Re-examination of the Offense of Nazareth in Light of Ancient Parallels” writes “It is thus
the very fact that Jesus, as a physician, should heal his own, and thus as a prophet should lead
his own people back to God, which is offensive to his hometown, because it implies their
necessity to heal their own sickness and their need for repentance, but, the shocking situation
happens: he cannot. For, tragically, the very people of the physician are not aware of, and refuse
to acknowledge, their need for healing and thus to be healed.12
Conclusion
I truly believe that Luke realizes after all of the talks, discussions, interviews, compilation,
collection, reading, discerning, that there are so many similarities and parallels of a physician
and healer for the physical, mental, and spiritual needs that align with his life, background and
experience. This review and collaboration that turned into the Gospel of Luke not only helped
the people of that day but still lives on and educates the listener, learner, searcher, and believer
today.
Bibliography
12 Cuany, Monique. ""Physician, Heal Yourself!"—Jesus' Challenge to His Own: A Reexamination of the Offense of
Nazareth in Light of Ancient Parallels (Luke 4:22-30)." Novum Testament 58, no. 4 (2016): 347-68. Accessed March
7, 2021. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44507952: 368
12
Elwell, Walter A., and Robert W. Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament: A
Historical and Theological Survey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013.
Swindoll, C. R. (2017). Insights on Luke. ProQuest eBook Central
http://ebookcentral.proquest.com
Grün, A., & Gr, A. (2006). Jesus: The image of humanity: Luke's account. ProQuest eBook
Central http://ebookcentral.proquest.com
Carroll, J. T. (2012). Luke (2012): A commentary. ProQuest eBook Central
http://ebookcentral.proquest.com
Unless otherwise noted, all Biblical references are in the New International Version (NIV).
le Roux, Jurie. "The different manifestations of suffering and the Lukan Jesus" HTS Theologies
Studies / Theological Studies [Online], Volume 75 Number 3 (14 November 2019)
Cuany, Monique. “"Physician, Heal Yourself!"—Jesus' Challenge to His Own:
A Re-
examination of the Offense of Nazareth in Light of Ancient Parallels (Luke 4:22-30)." Novum
Testament 58, no. 4 (2016): 347-68. Accessed March 7, 2021.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/44507952
