In the New Testament, Luke is called “the beloved physician” in the Letter to the Colossians.
Colossians 4:14 sends greetings from “Luke, the beloved physician,” alongside Demas. The verse is the New Testament’s explicit reference to Luke’s medical profession. Christian tradition also identifies Luke as the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, although the texts themselves are formally anonymous and do not name their author in the opening lines.
Luke appears among Paul’s companions in other passages traditionally called the “we” sections of Acts, where the narrative shifts from “they” to “we.” These passages are often used in discussions about the author’s participation in some journeys, though their interpretation is debated.
The title should not be confused with the description of Luke as one of the Twelve apostles; the New Testament does not list him among the Twelve. Later traditions portray him as a companion of Paul and an evangelist.