The most literary of the four Gospels, addressed to ‘most excellent Theophilus’ by a writer who says he has investigated everything carefully. Luke alone has the Magnificat (Mary’s song), the Nunc Dimittis (old Simeon holding the baby), the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, Zacchaeus up his sycamore tree, and the road to Emmaus. His Jesus eats with sinners constantly, prays at every crisis, and shows particular attention to women, the poor and outsiders. The passion is told with care: Jesus heals the ear his disciple cuts off, forgives his executioners from the cross, and promises paradise to the thief beside him. Ends with the disciples returning to Jerusalem with great joy.