34. An Introduction to the Gospel of Luke with Dr. Matthew Skinner

Dr. Matthew Skinner introduces the Gospel of Luke: its themes, structure, and message for today.

This episode offers a Luke Bible overview for anyone wanting a clear introduction to this distinctive Gospel. Dr. Kathryn Schifferdecker and Jennie Wojciechowski welcome Dr. Matthew Skinner, New Testament professor at Luther Seminary, to unpack what makes Luke unique among the four Gospels. Dr. Skinner walks through Luke’s account of Jesus’s birth and ascension, his focus on the poor and marginalized, and the major themes that run through the book: fulfillment of promises, hospitality, wealth and possessions, prophecy, and parables. Listeners will also get a helpful roadmap for reading Luke, including must-read passages like the first two chapters, Luke 4, Luke 15, and Luke 24.

Free Download: Gospel of Luke Leader Guide from Enter the Bible

Along the way, the conversation touches on Mary’s Magnificat, the parable of the prodigal son, the parable of the good Samaritan, and the story of Zacchaeus. Dr. Skinner also explores why Luke’s Gospel emphasizes discipleship as active participation rather than passive comfort, and why understanding the Jewishness of Jesus matters for reading this book well. Whether you are new to the Bible or returning to Luke with fresh eyes, this episode of The Bible in a Year offers an inviting way in.

Resources Mentioned:

Gospel of Luke Leader Guide — A free resource for leading a Bible study on the Gospel of Luke
A Companion to the New Testament: Paul and the Pauline Letters by Matt Skinner (Baylor University Press, 2018)
Acts: Catching Up with the Spirit by Matt Skinner
Passages that Sing: Luke 1-2 by Matt Skinner

Scripture References:

Luke 1–2 (the birth narratives, Mary’s Magnificat)
Luke 4:16 and following (Jesus’s first sermon in Nazareth)
Luke 7 (the woman who anoints Jesus’s feet)
Luke 12, 14, 16, 18–19 (teachings on wealth and possessions)
Luke 15 (the lost sheep, lost coin, and prodigal son)
Luke 19 (Zacchaeus)
Luke 24 (the Road to Emmaus and the resurrection)

Bible Bingo:

Fulfillment of promises
Hospitality and meals
Wealth and possessions
Prophecy and prophets
Parables
Reversal

Seven Word Summary

Jesus upends assumptions, brings good news everywhere.

Featuring

Matthew L. Skinner

Matthew L. Skinner is the Asher O. and Carrie Nasby Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary. He has been a member of the faculty there since 2002.

His books include Acts: An Interpretation Bible Commentary, Acts: Catching up with the Spirit, Intrusive God, Disruptive Gospel: Encountering the Divine in the Book of Acts, Matthew: The Gospel of Promised Blessings, Voices of Advent: The Bible’s Insights for a Season of Hope, and A Companion to the New Testament (3 volumes).

Motivated by an interest in helping people explore the Bible’s connections to faith and life, he has contributed to a number of commentaries, encyclopedias, and other print and online resources to assist pastors, teachers, and students in their study of Christian scripture. Every week he co-hosts the Sermon Brainwave podcast produced by the Working Preacher website.

Ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA), he teaches frequently in congregations and at conferences.

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Hosted By

Kathryn Schifferdecker

Kathryn M Schifferdecker is Professor and Elva B. Lovell Chair of Old Testament at Luther Seminary. Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2001, Schifferdecker was associate pastor for five years at Trinity Lutheran Church, Arkdale, Wisconsin, before coming to Luther in 2006. Schifferdecker is a frequent contributor to Working Preacher, Word & World, and the author of "Out of the Whirlwind: Creation Theology in the Book of Job" (Harvard University Press, 2008). She is currently writing a commentary on the book of Esther.

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Jennifer Wojciechowski

Jennifer Hornyak Wojciechowski is assistant professor of church history, and she has been teaching at Luther since 2019. Prior to this, she taught in the religion department at Augsburg University.

Wojciechowski graduated summa cum laude from the University of Minnesota (2005), received her Master of Arts at Bethel Seminary (2011) and her Ph.D. from Luther Seminary (2019).

She is author of the book “Women and the Christian Story: A Global History” (Fortress, 2022) and numerous articles in publications including Word & World and Minnesota History. Her research focuses on women’s history, American history, and the intersection of religion and social reform.

She is the associate editor of the journal Word & World.

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About The Bible in a Year Podcast

This podcast guides you on a journey through the books of the Bible, providing insights on how Scripture can shape your life today. Each episode focuses on one or two books of the Bible in fun, engaging, and authentic conversations between Luther Seminary faculty and guest Bible scholars who are experts on the book(s) in question. Join us as we make our way through the Bible in a year — new episodes drop every Wednesday in 2026!

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