King James Bible - Book of Luke Overview

The Gospel According to St. Luke is the highlight of the King James Bible if only one can be chosen.  This book is the home of the retelling of what we simply call the Christmas story.  On so many Christmas Eves I have heard the reading that begins, “And it came to pass in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.”  I can tell the story from there.  Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem.  When they got there, it was time for the baby to be born but Mary gave birth and laid her baby in a manger because there was no room at the inn.  Was there ever such a humble beginning for the Son of God?

Luke is also the place to find the story of the tempting of Jesus by the Devil during his forty days in the wilderness.  It’s also where he begins to gather the Disciples including James and John, the sons of Zebedee.  He told these fisherman that “henceforth thou shalt catch men.”  Jesus preached to multitudes, telling them to “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged”. 

The King James Bible’s translation of Luke is full of the teachings of Jesus.  The parable of the seeds, some fell on the way side, some fell on the rocks, some fell among thorns, and other fell on good ground.  Jesus used an agricultural parable to teach the simple people of his day.  The seed is the Word of God and those that hear it and fall among thorns are those who are “choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life.”  The seed that falls on good ground are those who keep the word and “bring forth fruit with patience.”

The Gospel According to St. Luke is so full of parables and teachings.  The words of Jesus are plentiful and offer so much to teach us even today.  Luke holds the description of the Crucifixion and the joy of the women who went to the cave to prepare the body of Jesus but instead found the stone rolled away and an angel who says, “Why seek ye the living among the dead?”  The hope of people to this day began then. Jesus appeared to the apostles before he was carried up into heaven.  It’s there for the reading in the King James Bible in the book of Luke.