Luke: An Expositional Commentary

Saint Andrews Expositional Commentary #3

by R.C. Sproul

"In Luke, Dr. R.C. Sproul gives an "orderly account" (Luke 1:3) of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ, as told by the physician, missionary, and historian Luke. Luke's gospel is the longest gospel account of the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. It especially focuses on Jesus' journey to Jerusalem in way not found in Matthew or Mark. In this commentary, Dr. Sproul shines the light on Luke's message of the gospel, highlighting the portrait of Christ as painted by, as some consider, the greatest historian of the ancient world"--

Genres: Christianity, Faith, Theology, Church, Christian, Religion

609 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2020

About the author

Dr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.

Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.

Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.

He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.

Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Reviews

[Eric Schick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed going through this commentary but it took me a lot longer than planned. This is a collection of Sprouls sermons on the Gospel of Luke. RC Sprouls style shows through the sermons with rich theology, church history, and random latin phrases. One thing that this book is not great for is defending the doctrines presented throughout the exposition of the text. This is great if you agree or are familiar with the doctrines but in other areas such as "The Day of the Lord," it is hard to see his full argument from the text. This is not a fault of the writing but just not something that should be found with this style of commentary. This commentary is mainly meant to present and give a breif explanation of such doctrines.

Overall, some of these sermons were fantastic and some of them were alright. I think the variance had both to do with fluctuations in my concentration and mood while approaching the text but some of it also had to do with variance in the writing.

[Tyler Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is classic R.C. My reviews of His other commentaries can apply to this one. Always refreshing.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent expositional commentary on Luke. This book is a collection of the sermons that R.C. Sproul gave on Luke and I found it to be a readable and helpful reference in my study of Luke. For those looking for a lot of depth this commentary probably will not be to your liking but for those looking for nice overview of Luke this is highly recommended.

[Sydni · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful commentary to spur you to wonder at the greatness of God, experience the humanity of Christ, feel His nearness, and recognize His work in your life. Short chapters and down to earth language make it a great bedside companion for daily devotions.

[Riley Ormsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

R.C. Sproul is a personal favorite to me. He is a genius in many respects. Each and every verse has been astutely studied and diagnosed by Mr. Sproul and his readers reap the benefits of his commentary. This book will give you the most benefit if you personally study the book of Luke and then read this as a supplement. R.C. is always brutally honest and doesn’t hold anything back. One of my favorite things about his commentary is that sometimes Sproul is willing enough to say “I don’t know” which is sometimes good to hear.

[Nathaniel Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more a collection of sermons than a straight forward commentary. Because of this, the commentary is somewhat mixed. There are times he brings out even the shortest of phrases with deep thought and other times he goes into a direction the text does not mean. Overall, it was a helpful companion for a personal reading of Luke, and Sproul clearly treasures Jesus and our knowledge of his gospel through it.

[Austin Hess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed in this commentary. Regularly went on tangents that didn’t deal with the texts (felt almost hobby horse-ish for hundreds of pages). Often unhelpful pastoral advice with passages (felt burdensome at times, even for myself). Ended up skimming larger portions of it. Some good insights throughout, but few and far between

[Adam Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A long time coming! I can recommend it for anybody who is interested in augmenting their personal quiet times with the written sermons of RC Sproul through the gospel of Luke. If this commentary is indicative of the series, it is most worth considering for yourself.

[Bytownmary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sound doctrine

I love his exegesis. His writing is very easy to understand. Highly recommended. This would make an excellent Bible study resource.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. ~ Luke 1:1-4

Tabletalk, my daily devotional magazine from Ligonier Ministries, spent the year in the book of Luke. Alongside the daily readings, I read this verse-by-verse commentary by R.C. Sproul. The two dovetailed so nicely since Sproul was the founder of Ligonier and his commentary was often referenced in the magazine. In 2024 we are studying the book of Acts. That is the other book that was written for Theophilus. There is a commentary available, so I will be able to follow the same practice in the new year. As I did in 2023, I will try to post some highlight quotes from the chapters.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent commentary/exposition on the book of Luke.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bible Study group loved this edition

[Jade Cahoon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this intermittently, and finished it today. Excellent as always.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, helpful, easy, but in-depth study of Luke’s Gospel.

[Grant English · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good. Really enjoy RC and his commentaries. You are not going to see every single verse get broken down, but he does a great job of drawing out the point of passages. Love RC!

[Travis Daggett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insights.

[Pat Lentz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a good companion to the study of Luke. Not too detailed or preachy in tone. I disagreed with a few things Sproul says by way of interpretation but nothing of truth. He makes his dislike of the Catholic Church eminently evident in places, which I found a little unnecessary in a book that is more devotional than doctrinal. I’ll read his second in the series soon.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

St. Luke the Evangelist, pray for us!