Outline of Luke: To seek and save the lost

Two births foretold 1:5–80

Gabriel promises John to Zechariah and Jesus to Mary; the songs praise God for His covenant, and John is born.

1. 1
   Luke 1: God remembers His holy covenant

   God promises John the forerunner and Jesus, Son of the Most High and David's heir, keeping His oath to Abraham.

   So that you may know the certainty 1:1–4 · Zechariah at the altar of incense 1:5–25 · Gabriel sent to Mary 1:26–38 · The mother of my Lord 1:39–45 · My soul magnifies the Lord 1:46–56 · His name is John 1:57–66 · He has visited and redeemed His people 1:67–80

The Savior born 2:1–40

Born in David's city and hailed by angels, the child is presented in the temple, where Simeon and Anna greet Him.

1. 2
   Luke 2: A Savior, Christ the Lord

   The Savior is born in David's city, hailed by angels and Simeon, and found at twelve in His Father's house.

   Born in the city of David 2:1–7 · Good news of great joy 2:8–20 · Named and presented 2:21–24 · My eyes have seen Your salvation 2:25–35 · Anna gives thanks 2:36–40 · In My Father's house 2:41–52

In His Father's house 2:41–52

At twelve Jesus is found among the teachers in the temple, in His Father's house.

The voice in the wilderness 3:1–20

John preaches a baptism of repentance, demands its fruits, and points to One mightier who will baptize with the Spirit.

The beloved Son, son of Adam 3:21–38

The Spirit descends and the Father speaks; the genealogy traces Jesus to Adam, the son of God.

Tested in the wilderness 4:1–13

Full of the Spirit, the Son answers the devil from Deuteronomy and stands where Adam and Israel fell.

Anointed to preach 4:14–44

At Nazareth He declares Isaiah 61 fulfilled and is rejected; in Capernaum His word casts out demons and heals.

1. 4
   Luke 4: Today this Scripture is fulfilled

   The Spirit-filled Son defeats the devil, declares Isaiah's year of release fulfilled, and is rejected at Nazareth.

   Led by the Spirit into the wilderness 4:1–13 · In the power of the Spirit into Galilee 4:14–15 · The Spirit of the Lord is on Me 4:16–30 · His message had authority 4:31–37 · He healed them 4:38–41 · That is why I was sent 4:42–44

Calling sinners, angering Pharisees 5:1–6:11

He calls fishers and a tax collector, forgives sins, and claims to be Lord of the Sabbath.

1. 5
   Luke 5: Not the righteous, but sinners

   Jesus calls fishers of men, cleanses and forgives, eats with sinners, and brings a newness old forms cannot hold.

   From now on you will catch men 5:1–11 · I am willing; be clean 5:12–16 · Authority on earth to forgive sins 5:17–26 · Sinners to repentance 5:27–32 · New wine into new wineskins 5:33–39

The Twelve and the sermon on the plain 6:12–49

After a night of prayer He names twelve apostles and teaches blessing, woe, love of enemies and obedience.

1. 6
   Luke 6: Lord of the Sabbath; blessed are you who are poor

   The Lord of the Sabbath names the Twelve and teaches them to love enemies and build on His words.

   Lord of the Sabbath 6:1–5 · To save life, or to destroy it? 6:6–11 · Twelve, designated as apostles 6:12–16 · Power was coming from Him 6:17–19 · Blessed are you who are poor 6:20–26 · Love your enemies 6:27–36 · Do not judge 6:37–45 · A foundation on the rock 6:46–49

God has visited His people 7:1–50

He heals a Gentile's servant, raises a widow's son, answers John, and forgives a sinful woman.

1. 7
   Luke 7: God has visited His people

   Jesus heals, raises the dead and forgives, showing that God has visited His people, while the proud refuse Him.

   Not even in Israel such great faith 7:1–10 · Young man, I tell you, get up 7:11–17 · Are You the One who was to come? 7:18–23 · Much more than a prophet 7:24–35 · Your faith has saved you 7:36–50

The word heard, the power shown 8:1–56

He teaches how to hear the word, then rules storm, demons, disease and death.

1. 8
   Luke 8: Hear the word of God and carry it out

   Jesus teaches how to hear God's word and shows His power over storm, demons, disease and death.

   The Twelve were with Him, and some women 8:1–3 · The seed is the word of God 8:4–15 · Pay attention to how you listen 8:16–18 · My mother and brothers 8:19–21 · Who is this? 8:22–25 · Legion 8:26–39 · Do not be afraid; just believe 8:40–56

Who is this? 9:1–50

Peter confesses the Christ of God; Jesus foretells His suffering and is transfigured, speaking of His exodus.

1. 9
   Luke 9: The Christ of God must suffer

   Confessed as the Christ, Jesus foretells His suffering, is transfigured, and resolutely sets out for Jerusalem.

   Sent to preach the kingdom of God 9:1–6 · Who is this? 9:7–9 · They all ate and were satisfied 9:10–17 · The Christ of God 9:18–22 · Take up his cross daily 9:23–27 · This is My Son: listen to Him 9:28–36 · Delivered into the hands of men 9:37–45 · The least among you 9:46–50 · Resolutely to Jerusalem 9:51–56 · No one who looks back 9:57–62

Resolutely to Jerusalem 9:51–13:21

Seventy-two sent, the Samaritan, the Lord's Prayer, woes on the Pharisees, warnings to be ready, and a call to repent.

1. 10
   Luke 10: Your names are written in heaven

   The seventy-two announce the kingdom; Jesus thanks the Father, then teaches neighbor-love and hearing His word.

   The harvest is plentiful 10:1–16 · Your names are written in heaven 10:17–20 · Revealed to little children 10:21–24 · Who is my neighbor? 10:25–37 · Only one thing is necessary 10:38–42

2. 11
   Luke 11: Lord, teach us to pray

   Jesus teaches prayer to the giving Father, casts out demons by God's finger, and rebukes a sign-seeking generation.

   When you pray, say: Father 11:1–4 · Ask, and it will be given to you 11:5–13 · The finger of God 11:14–26 · Blessed rather are those who hear 11:27–28 · One greater than Jonah is here 11:29–36 · Woe to you Pharisees 11:37–54

3. 12
   Luke 12: Do not be afraid, little flock

   Fear God, not men; be rich toward God, free from worry, and ready as servants awaiting their Lord's return.

   Fear Him 12:1–12 · Not rich toward God 12:13–21 · Seek His kingdom 12:22–34 · You also must be ready 12:35–48 · I have a baptism to undergo 12:49–53 · Interpret the present time 12:54–59

4. 13
   Luke 13: Unless you repent

   Repent or perish: the kingdom grows, the door is narrow, and Jesus presses on to Jerusalem, which kills the prophets.

   Unless you repent, you too will perish 13:1–5 · Leave it alone again this year 13:6–9 · A daughter of Abraham released 13:10–17 · What is the kingdom of God like? 13:18–21 · Enter through the narrow door 13:22–30 · O Jerusalem, Jerusalem 13:31–35

Making His way toward Jerusalem 13:22–17:10

The narrow door and the lament; the great supper; the lost sheep, coin and son; wealth and the law; forgiveness and duty.

1. 14
   Luke 14: Compel them to come in

   At a Pharisee's table Jesus teaches humility, tells of the great supper, and spells out the cost of following Him.

   Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? 14:1–6 · Sit in the last place 14:7–11 · Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind 14:12–14 · Come, for everything is now ready 14:15–24 · He cannot be My disciple 14:25–33 · Salt is good 14:34–35

2. 15
   Luke 15: The joy of finding the lost

   God seeks the lost and heaven rejoices when they are found: the sheep, the silver coin, and the son.

   Jesus welcomes sinners 15:1–2 · The lost sheep is found 15:3–7 · The lost coin is found 15:8–10 · The returning son is welcomed 15:11–24 · The older son refuses the feast 15:25–32

3. 16
   Luke 16: Use wealth in light of eternity

   Serve God, not money; the law stands as the kingdom is preached; the rich man heeded Moses too late.

   Prepare for the coming reckoning 16:1–9 · God or money 16:10–13 · God knows the heart 16:14–18 · The rich man and Lazarus 16:19–31

On His way to Jerusalem 17:11–19:27

A thankful Samaritan, the coming of the kingdom, the justified tax collector, Zacchaeus, and the parable of the pounds.

1. 17
   Luke 17: Faith, gratitude and the coming kingdom

   Forgive and serve; a Samaritan gives thanks; the kingdom is here, and the Son of Man's day will come suddenly.

   Forgive the repentant brother 17:1–4 · Faith and humble service 17:5–10 · Only one returns to give thanks 17:11–19 · The kingdom in their midst 17:20–21 · The Son of Man will be revealed 17:22–37

2. 18
   Luke 18: Receive the kingdom with empty hands

   Keep praying; God justifies the humble sinner; receive the kingdom as a child; the Son of David gives sight.

   Keep praying 18:1–8 · The tax collector goes home justified 18:9–14 · Receive the kingdom like a child 18:15–17 · The ruler who cannot let go 18:18–30 · Jesus foretells His suffering and resurrection 18:31–34 · The blind man calls on David’s Son 18:35–43

3. 19
   Luke 19: The King comes to Jerusalem

   Salvation comes to Zacchaeus; the departing King will return to judge; Jesus enters Jerusalem as King and weeps over it.

   Salvation comes to Zacchaeus’s house 19:1–10 · Serve faithfully until the king returns 19:11–27 · The King enters Jerusalem 19:28–40 · Jesus weeps over the city 19:41–44 · The temple restored to prayer 19:45–48

The King comes to His city 19:28–48

He rides down the Mount of Olives to praise, weeps over the city, and cleanses the temple.

Questions in the temple 20:1–21:4

He answers the leaders on authority, tribute and resurrection, asks about David's Lord, and praises the widow's gift.

1. 20
   Luke 20: The rejected Son and David’s Lord

   In the temple Jesus silences His challengers: He is the rejected beloved Son, Lord of the living, and David's Lord.

   The challenge to Jesus’ authority 20:1–8 · The tenants kill the beloved son 20:9–18 · Give Caesar and God their due 20:19–26 · The God of the living 20:27–40 · David calls the Messiah Lord 20:41–44 · Beware religious pretense 20:45–47

The temple's fall and the Son of Man's coming 21:5–38

Jerusalem will be besieged and trodden down; the Son of Man will come in glory; watch and pray.

1. 21
   Luke 21: The temple falls; the Son of Man comes

   Jesus foretells the temple's fall and Jerusalem's desolation, then His coming in glory: watch and pray.

   The widow gives her livelihood 21:1–4 · The temple’s coming destruction 21:5–7 · Endure and bear witness 21:8–19 · Jerusalem surrounded by armies 21:20–24 · The Son of Man comes in glory 21:25–28 · His words will stand 21:29–33 · Stay watchful and pray 21:34–38

The Last Supper 22:1–38

Judas plots; Jesus gives the bread and the cup of the new covenant, teaches servanthood, and foretells Peter's denial.

1. 22
   Luke 22: The new covenant and the willing Savior

   At the Passover Jesus gives the new covenant in His blood, prays in anguish, and is betrayed, denied and condemned.

   Judas agrees to betray Jesus 22:1–6 · Prepare the Passover 22:7–13 · The bread and the covenant cup 22:14–20 · The betrayer at the table 22:21–23 · Greatness through service 22:24–30 · Jesus prays for Peter 22:31–38 · The Son submits to the Father 22:39–46 · Betrayal and arrest 22:47–53 · Peter denies His Lord 22:54–62 · The council questions the Son 22:63–71

Arrest and trials 22:39–23:25

He prays on the Mount of Olives, is betrayed and denied, and is condemned though Pilate three times finds Him innocent.

The cross and the tomb 23:26–56

Crucified between criminals, He prays for His killers, opens paradise to a thief, commits His spirit, and is buried.

1. 23
   Luke 23: The innocent King dies for sinners

   Declared innocent yet condemned, the King is crucified, opens paradise to a thief, dies, and is buried.

   Pilate finds no basis for a charge 23:1–5 · Herod mocks Jesus 23:6–12 · Pilate yields to the crowd 23:13–25 · Jesus warns the grieving women 23:26–32 · The crucified King promises Paradise 23:33–43 · Jesus entrusts Himself to the Father 23:44–49 · Joseph buries Jesus 23:50–56

Risen and ascended 24:1–53

The tomb is empty; He opens the Scriptures at Emmaus and in Jerusalem, sends His witnesses, and ascends.

1. 24
   Luke 24: The risen Christ opens the Scriptures

   The risen Christ shows that all the Scriptures speak of Him, sends His witnesses to the nations, and ascends.

   The women find the tomb empty 24:1–12 · Jesus explains the Scriptures on the road 24:13–27 · Their eyes are opened at the table 24:28–35 · The risen Lord shows His body 24:36–43 · The witnesses receive their commission 24:44–49 · Jesus blesses and ascends 24:50–53