"Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you."
Biblical Name · Greek (Loukas) Origin
Luke Meaning in the Bible
Luke
boy
Luke means "Light-giving; From Lucania", a boy's name of Greek (Loukas) origin. Luke appears in the King James Bible, and Colossians 4:14 is the passage most often tied to it. Luke's name evokes light and clarity. His life demonstrates that God uses professionals and scholars to illuminate truth, and that faithful companionship in ministry is invaluable.
Is Luke in the Bible?
Yes — Luke appears in the King James Bible, including Colossians 4:14.
Pronunciation:/LOOK/
OriginGreek (Loukas)
MeaningLight-giving; From Lucania
What does Luke mean?
Luke is a boy name of Greek (Loukas) origin meaning "Light-giving; From Lucania". Luke is derived from the Greek name Loukas and is associated with light.
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What does Luke mean in the Bible?
Luke means "Light-giving; From Lucania" and is a name of Greek (Loukas) origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Luke is derived from the Greek name Loukas and is associated with light. Luke was the beloved physician and companion of the apostle Paul, and the author of both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts — together comprising more of the New Testament than any other single author.
Luke's Gospel is distinguished by its emphasis on Jesus' compassion for the marginalized — women, the poor, Samaritans, and sinners. His detailed, orderly account was written so that readers "might know the certainty" of the things they had been taught (Luke 1:4).
As a Gentile physician, Luke brought a unique perspective to the story of Christ. His medical background is evident in his precise descriptions of healings and ailments. Paul called him "the beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14), and Luke remained faithful to Paul even when others departed.
Where does Luke appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Luke is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Colossians 4:14. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"It seemed good to me also... to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Luke?
Luke has 2 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Lucas
Luca
Which books of the Bible mention Luke?
Luke is mentioned across 5 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Luke?
Luke's name evokes light and clarity. His life demonstrates that God uses professionals and scholars to illuminate truth, and that faithful companionship in ministry is invaluable.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Luke:
God Promises to Be Faithful
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God Promises Contentment Through Him
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God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
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What names are related to Luke?
Names that pair well with Luke
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Luke
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Luke name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Luke appears in the King James Bible, including Colossians 4:14.
Luke means "Light-giving; From Lucania." It is a Greek (Loukas) name. The King James Bible uses it in Colossians 4:14, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Greek (Loukas). Luke comes into English from Greek (Loukas) and carries the sense "Light-giving; From Lucania." It appears in the King James Bible, including Colossians 4:14.
Common questions about the name Luke
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Luke?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Luke?
You can read every verse where Luke appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.