Grace and peace to you, beloved! This book of Luke summary by chapter offers a quick glance through the book in the Bible. The Gospel of Luke is the third book in the New Testament.
Written by Luke, a physician and companion of Paul, this Gospel is a detailed account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke emphasizes Jesus’ compassion, His concern for the downtrodden, and the universality of His saving mission.
(Also Read: The Book of Mark Summary by Chapter)
Table of Contents
The Book of Luke Summary by Chapter
Chapter 1 – The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
In Chapter 1, the angel Gabriel announces to Zechariah that his wife, Elizabeth, will give birth to John the Baptist. Elizabeth conceives.
Gabriel also tells Mary that she will conceive by the Holy Spirit and give birth to Jesus. Mary visits Elizabeth, and they rejoice together. Zechariah’s tongue is loosened at John’s birth, and he prophesies.
Chapter 2 – The Birth of Jesus
Chapter 2 celebrates the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Angels announce His birth to shepherds, who visit Him.
Mary and Joseph present Jesus at the temple, where Simeon and Anna recognize Him as the Messiah. The chapter concludes with Jesus growing in wisdom and stature.
Chapter 3 – John the Baptist Prepares the Way
In Chapter 3, John the Baptist preaches repentance and baptizes in the Jordan River. He prepares the way for the Messiah.
Jesus is baptized, and His genealogy through His earthly father, Joseph, is recorded.
Chapter 4 – Jesus Begins His Ministry
Chapter 4 sees Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. He begins His ministry in Galilee, teaching and astounding people with His authority.
In Nazareth, He proclaims Himself as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy but is rejected. He casts out demons and heals many.
Chapter 5 – The Calling of the First Disciples
In Chapter 5, Jesus calls His first disciples: Simon Peter, James, and John, after a miraculous catch of fish. He heals a leper and a paralyzed man.
Jesus calls Levi and dines with tax collectors and sinners, teaching about the new wine in new wineskins.
Chapter 6 – The Sermon on the Plain
In Chapter 6, Jesus heals on the Sabbath, causing disputes with the Pharisees. He chooses the Twelve Apostles.
Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Plain, teaching about blessings, love for enemies, judging others, and building on a firm foundation.
Chapter 7 – Jesus Heals and Forgives
In Chapter 7, Jesus heals a centurion’s servant and raises a widow’s son from the dead. He commends John the Baptist and forgives a sinful woman, highlighting His compassion and authority.
Chapter 8 – Parables and Miracles
In Chapter 8, Jesus teaches the Parable of the Sower and calms a storm. He casts demons out of a man into pigs, heals a woman with a bleeding disorder, and raises Jairus’ daughter from the dead.
Chapter 9 – Jesus Sends Out the Twelve and Is Transfigured
In Chapter 9, Jesus sends out the Twelve Apostles. He feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fish. Peter confesses Jesus as the Messiah.
Jesus is transfigured and converses with Moses and Elijah. He heals a demon-possessed boy and foretells His death.
Chapter 10 – The Seventy-Two Sent Out
In Chapter 10, Jesus sends out seventy-two followers to preach and heal. They return with joy, reporting success.
Jesus then praises the Father for revealing things to the humble. He tells the Parable of the Good Samaritan, illustrating love for neighbors. At Mary and Martha’s home, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet to learn, while Martha is busy with preparations.
Chapter 11 – Jesus Teaches on Prayer
In Chapter 11, Jesus teaches His disciples the Lord’s Prayer. He emphasizes perseverance in prayer through the Parable of the Persistent Friend.
Jesus drives out a demon and refutes the claim that He drives out demons by Beelzebub. He speaks against the Pharisees and teachers of the law for their hypocrisy.
Chapter 12 – Warnings and Encouragements
In Chapter 12, Jesus warns against hypocrisy and the greed of storing earthly treasures. He encourages trust in God’s provision and to be ready for His return.
He speaks of bringing division and the importance of interpreting the times.
Chapter 13 – Repentance and the Kingdom of God
Chapter 13 has Jesus calling for repentance. He heals a crippled woman on the Sabbath, which angers the synagogue leaders.
Jesus uses the parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast to describe the Kingdom of God and speaks about the narrow door to enter it.
Chapter 14 – Jesus Teaches on Humility and Discipleship
In Chapter 14, Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath and teaches on taking the lowest place at feasts. He tells the Parable of the Great Banquet, emphasizing inclusion in God’s Kingdom.
Jesus teaches about the cost of discipleship and the importance of counting the cost before following Him.
Chapter 15 – Parables of the Lost
Chapter 15 is beloved for the Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son, showing God’s boundless love and joy in the repentance of sinners.
Chapter 16 – Parables on Wealth and the Afterlife
In Chapter 16, Jesus tells the Parable of the Shrewd Manager, teaching about the use of wealth. He speaks of faithfulness in handling worldly wealth and the dangers of serving money.
Jesus also tells the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, teaching about the afterlife and the finality of one’s choices on earth.
Chapter 17 – Teachings on Forgiveness and Faith
In Chapter 17, Jesus teaches on forgiving others and the importance of faith, even as small as a mustard seed.
He heals ten lepers, but only one returns to thank Him. He speaks about the coming of the Kingdom of God and the days of the Son of Man.
Chapter 18 – Parables on Prayer and Teachings on Riches
In Chapter 18, Jesus tells the Parables of the Persistent Widow and the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, teaching about persistence in prayer and humility.
Jesus blesses children, converses with a rich ruler about eternal life, and predicts His death and resurrection for the third time.
Chapter 19 – Zacchaeus and the Triumphal Entry
In Chapter 19, Jesus meets Zacchaeus, a tax collector, leading to his repentance. He tells the Parable of the Ten Minas to illustrate responsible stewardship.
Jesus makes a triumphal entry into Jerusalem, weeps over it, and clears the temple.
Chapter 20 – Authority Questioned and Teaching in the Temple
In Chapter 20, Jesus’ authority is questioned by the religious leaders. He tells the Parable of the Tenants, exposing the leaders’ schemes.
Jesus discusses paying taxes to Caesar, the resurrection, and declares Himself as David’s son and Lord. He warns against the hypocrisy of the religious leaders.
Chapter 21 – The Widow’s Offering and the End Times
In Chapter 21, Jesus commends a poor widow for giving all she had to the temple. He foretells the destruction of the temple and the signs of the end times, urging vigilance and prayer.
Chapter 22 – The Last Supper and Jesus’ Arrest
Chapter 22 covers the Last Supper, where Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper. He predicts Peter’s denial and His betrayal by Judas.
Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane and is arrested. Peter denies Him, and Jesus faces trial before the Sanhedrin.
Chapter 23 – Jesus’ Crucifixion and Death
In Chapter 23, Jesus is brought before Pilate and Herod, and despite finding no guilt, Pilate bows to the crowd’s demand for crucifixion.
Jesus is crucified between two criminals and dies. He is laid in a tomb.
Chapter 24 – The Resurrection and Ascension
In the final chapter, Chapter 24, the women discover Jesus’ empty tomb and are told by angels that He is risen.
Jesus appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and later to the rest of the disciples. He commissions them to preach repentance and forgiveness, and He ascends into heaven.
(Read Also: The Book of John Summary by Chapter)
Conclusion
Oh, what a glorious journey through the Gospel of Luke, dear ones! In these chapters, we witness the compassion and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ.
From His birth to His ministry, His sacrifice on the cross, and His glorious resurrection and ascension, the Gospel of Luke presents us with a Savior full of grace and mercy. May our hearts be ever grateful and responsive to the boundless love of Jesus Christ. Let’s share His love and message with the world, for the glory of His name! Amen!