The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are two volumes by one author — together about a quarter of the New Testament. Tradition identifies him as Luke, the physician and travelling companion of Paul. He writes deliberately as a historian: naming emperors, governors and officials, and opening with a statement of method (Luke 1:1–4) about investigating everything carefully.
- Luke and Acts together are roughly 27% of the New Testament by length — more than Paul's undisputed letters combined.
- Traditional author: Luke, 'the beloved physician' (Colossians 4:14), companion of Paul.
- The prologue (Luke 1:1–4) explicitly describes a research method — unusual candour for an ancient text.
What the evidence showsLuke–Acts shows clear historical intent and has been checked repeatedly against known geography, rulers and titles, often with striking accuracy.
Where it stopsThe author is unnamed in the text; 'Luke' is the traditional identification. And accuracy about background details does not, by itself, establish every claim the narrative makes.
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