Luke - The Greek physician and Septuagint

Many researchers believe Luke was a physician from the Hellenistic city of Antioch in Ancient Syria, born into a Greek family, however some scholars and theologians believe he was a Hellenic Jew.

Luke's conscious and purposeful allusions, references, and citations from ancient Classical and Hellenistic Greek authors such as Homer, Aesop, Epimenides, Euripides, Plato, and Aratus show that he was conversant with authentic Greek literary texts. This knowledge was most likely derived from his experiences as a youth with the relatively homogenous Hellenistic educational curriculum (enkyklios paideia), which had been used for ages throughout the eastern Mediterranean.

Luke's Gospel is significant and multifaceted. As a physician and historian, Luke was likely well-versed in Greek culture and language. Being a physician, uses medical terminology and metaphors throughout his Gospel, reflecting his knowledge of Greek medicine. He employs various rhetorical devices, such as parallelism, chiasm, and anaphora, which are common in Greek literature. Luke's Gospel was likely intended for a Greek-speaking audience, as evidenced by his use of Greek language and cultural references. This suggests that he was trying to bridge the gap between Jewish and Gentile Christianity. His familiarity with Greek culture and language allowed him to present the Gospel in a way that was accessible and appealing to a wider audience, particularly those in the Hellenistic world.

My observation:

The period between the Second and First centuries BCE was crucial for the interaction between Greek culture and Jewish society, significantly shaping Jewish identity and religious thought. 

Many Jews began to speak Greek and adopt Greek names, blending their identity with the surrounding culture.

Greek philosophy, particularly Stoicism and Platonic thought, influenced Jewish thinkers. This is evident in the writings of Philo of Alexandria, who sought to harmonize Jewish theology with Greek philosophy, emphasizing the rationality of God and the importance of reason in understanding faith.

The Jewish community produced Greek-language texts during this period, most notably the Septuagint, a Greek translation of Hebrew scriptures. This not only made Jewish texts accessible to a broader audience but also reflected a blending of Jewish and Greek literary styles.

Evidence suggests that Luke’s exposure to the Septuagint significantly shaped his understanding of the Hebrew Bible, influencing both his theological framework and narrative style in the composition of his Gospel.

Luke frequently cites the Old Testament in his Gospel, often using phrases and wording that align closely with the Septuagint rather than the Hebrew text. This suggests that he relied on the LXX for scriptural references, as evidenced by his use of specific terms and phrases found in the Greek translation.

Moreover, Luke was writing for a predominantly Gentile audience, and his use of the Septuagint would have made the Jewish scriptures more accessible to non-Jewish readers. This strategic choice reflects his intent to bridge cultural and religious gaps, utilizing a translation familiar to his audience.

Do you want to write a thesis about this title: "The Septuagint and the Gospel of Luke: Why the English Bible is not perfect?"