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Before embarking on the formal introduction of the Gospel of Luke, it will be beneficial to consider some of the important historical developments that occurred in the centuries from the conquest of Judah by the Babylonians, ~586 BC, to the time of Christ. After the completion of the OT canon with Malachi in ~435 BC until the beginning of the NT period in the 1st century AD there is no biblical record. This period is referred to as the Intertestamental Period. We must not conclude that the absence or paucity of a biblical record indicates that this period was unimportant or uneventful. The period spanned an excess of 400 years and was a time of great tumult and flux throughout the Near East and Mediterranean region. Moreover many of the important developments that transpired during this time frame played a significant part in shaping the social, economic, government, political, and religious ideologies that prevailed in Judea during the time of Christ.

The apostle Paul greets the believers in Philippi and expresses his thanksgiving and affection for them. He prays for their continued spiritual progress in order that they might be vindicated in the “day of Christ.” In this chapter, Paul mentions his current imprisonment in Rome and that contrary to what one might expect, he was able to able to continue his ministry and spread the Gospel. In Paul we see a believer who is totally committed to the plan of God regardless of circumstances.