Luke

Luke is the only Gentile author of Scripture — a Greek physician, a careful historian, and a gifted storyteller who gave us both the third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, together comprising more than a quarter of the entire New Testament. Tradition identifies him as a companion of St. Paul, and Paul himself calls Luke "the beloved physician" (Col 4:14). His two-volume work traces the story of salvation from the birth of John the Baptist to Paul's arrival in Rome.

Luke's Gospel has a distinctive character that sets it apart from the other three. It is the Gospel of mercy, joy, and the Holy Spirit. It is Luke who preserves the parables of the Prodigal Son, the Good Samaritan, and the Pharisee and the Tax Collector — stories that reveal the boundless compassion of God. It is Luke who gives us the most detailed account of the Nativity, including the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Magnificat, and the presentation in the Temple. It is Luke who records Jesus' words of forgiveness from the cross and His promise to the good thief.

Ancient tradition holds that Luke was also a painter, and that he painted the first icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary — which is why he is the patron saint of artists and painters. In Catholic liturgy, Luke's symbol is the ox or bull, traditionally associated with sacrifice and priestly service, because his Gospel opens in the Temple with Zechariah's priestly duties. Luke's careful, empathetic, and beautifully crafted narrative has shaped Catholic devotion more deeply than perhaps any other biblical text.