Many people often cite Luke as being the only Gentile writer from the Bible. It is mentioned that his writings are directed to another Gentile who goes by the name of Theophilus. Is this really true?
Lets take a look at why people believe that Luke is a Gentile. Where does this viewpoint come from? This is more of a traditionalistic viewpoint than anything else. The book of Colossians is often cited as a major reason. In Colossians 4:10-11 it states " 10My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me." The point that is attempted to be made is that since Luke is not mentioned as one of Paul's workers for the kingdom of God, it must necessarily follow that Luke is a Gentile. However, it is also recognized that Luke was never mentioned as someone who was actively involved with the preaching ministry. In fact, Luke in Colossians 4:14 is recognized as being Paul's physician. This does not preclude him from being a part of those who were of the circumcision.
A second argument that has been made for Luke being a Gentile is his name. Lucas is recognized as a Roman name. Interestingly enough, all of the people who are mentioned alongside Paul in Colossians 4:10-11 go by Roman names. As a matter of fact, those especially familiarized with the Messianic Jewish movement know that Paul is a Romans name, and that his real name is Rav Shaul. Peter's Hebrew name was Simon. The Jews who lived in the Diaspora used a Jewish name and a Roman name. The Roman name was used for conduct in business and the Jewish name was used while in the synagogue. So this could lend credence to the fact that Luke was simply a Roman name used by someone who was conducting business with a Gentile audience. So the arguments that are made about Luke being a Gentile are flimsy at best.
What arguments do we have that Luke was a Jew? There are several. We'll start with the oracle that Paul talks about in Romans. He states "What advantage has the Jew? “Much every way, chiefly because that unto them were committed the oracles of God” (Rom. 3:1-2). The rule was that Jews were the vehicle for revelation. With this in tact the burden is now against those arguing for the counterposition.
A second point to consider when evaluating this position is that Gentiles were never brought into the temple. This crime was punishable by death. It has been mentioned that Paul never did bring a Jew into the temple, but Trophimus was a Gentile who got Paul arrested for the belief that Paul was bringing Gentiles into the temple. It is mentioned by Luke that this never happened. He only brought Trophimus to Jerusalem. Being that Luke was not a controversial figure while travelling with Paul in Jerusalem, it must be thought that Luke was a Jew.
A third point is Luke's knowledge of the Temple. He had a very intimate knowledge of the rotating selection of Levitical Priests. He describes the position of the priest before the altar of incense where the angel appears to Zecharia in Luke 1:8-20. This knowledge convinces the author further that Luke was potentially a Levite. The knowledge of the Temple is given by Luke in a more grounded fashion than any writer within the New Testament.
The last point which demonstrates that Luke was a Jew is his intimate knowledge of Mary, the mother of Yeshua. He is able to relate the story of Yeshua's birth from the perspective of Mary and even mentions that he knew what was hidden in Mary's heart (Luke 2:19, 51). This view has led some to believe that Luke may have been the personal physician of Mary as well. Also, Paul never mentions anything regarding the story of Mary. It is therefore, unlikely that he got this information from Paul.
With these points in tact it becomes quite conclusive that Luke was indeed a Jew, not a Gentile.
Shalom,
hamashiachagape
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