Luke: The evangelist, was a Gentile. The date and circumstances of his
conversion are unknown. According to his own statement
(Luke 1:2) he was
not an "eye-witness and minister of the word from the beginning." It
is probable that he was a physician in Troas, and was there converted
by Paul, to whom he attached himself. He accompanied him to Philippi,
but did not there share his imprisonment, nor did he accompany him
further after his release in his missionary journey at this time
(Acts 17:1) On Paul's third visit to Philippi
(Acts 20:5,6) we again
meet with Luke, who probably had spent all the intervening time in
that city, a period of seven or eight years. From this time Luke was
Paul's constant companion during his journey to Jerusalem
(Acts 20:6-38, 21:1-18) He again disappears from view during Paul's
imprisonment at Jerusalem and Caesarea, and only reappears when Paul
sets out for Rome
(Acts 27:1) whither he accompanies him
(Acts 28:2,12-16) and where he remains with him till the close of his
first imprisonment
(Philemon 1:24; Colossians 4:14) The last notice of the
"beloved physician" is in
(2 Timothy 4:11) There are many passages in
Paul's epistles, as well as in the writings of Luke, which show the
extent and accuracy of his medical knowledge.
