INTRODUCTION
THERE are several incidental allusions to the person and history of the author of this Gospel in the New, Testament; and, in addition to this, the most ancient Christian writers give some information respecting him, which they inform us was handed down to them by early tradition. From these two sources have been derived the following facts, which are generally considered, by Christian scholars, as satisfactorily ascertained.
His name, though it is not mentioned in the Gospel itself, was Luke. He was a physician, probably of Antioch, in Syria; of the Jewish religion, though perhaps descended from a Greek family. After his conversion to Christianity, he became the intimate friend and companion of Paul. He accompanied him on some of his most important journeys, and thus enjoyed frequent intercourse with the most prominent of the early Christians, and possessed peculiar facilities for becoming acquainted with the history of the early church, and for obtaining accurate information in regard to the life and sayings of Jesus Christ. He accordingly wrote this Gospel, and also the book of the Acts. The considerations which led him to do this are stated in a few introductory verses prefixed to those books.
Both this Gospel and the book of the Acts are addressed to Theophilus, who is supposed to have been some individual of rank, but of whose person and history nothing is known. This address to Theophilus, however, ought, probably, to be considered in the light of an inscription or dedication; as the whole plan and structure of both works indicate that they were intended for general use, and not as mere private communications to a single individual.
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