Lucas is a name found in the King James Bible, appearing 1 time in the text.
Who This Was
Lucas, also known as Luke, was a physician and the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. He appears in the New Testament as a companion and coworker of the Apostle Paul. In the single verse where his name is mentioned in the King James Bible, Paul greets him warmly among a group of fellow laborers: “Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers” (Philemon 1:24). This greeting is part of Paul’s closing remarks in his short letter to Philemon, written to accompany the return of Onesimus, a runaway slave who had become a believer.
The setting of this mention is deeply personal. Paul, writing from prison, sends greetings from several men who stand with him in the work of the gospel. Lucas is named alongside Marcus, Aristarchus, and Demas as a “fellowlabourer,” a term of partnership and shared mission. Though the verse is brief, it places Lucas within a circle of trusted companions who supported Paul during his imprisonment and ministry.
Scripture here says nothing about Lucas’s medical practice or his writing of the Gospel and Acts; those details come from the broader witness of the New Testament and the source note above. What this verse does show is that Lucas was counted among Paul’s coworkers, present with him in a time of hardship, and remembered by name in a letter meant to encourage reconciliation and faith. His presence in this list testifies to a life spent in service alongside others for the sake of the gospel.
The Name
The name Lucas is the Greek form of the Latin name Lucas or Luca, which is generally understood to derive from the Latin word lux, meaning “light.” This meaning is well established and widely recognized. It is related to the Greek name Loukas, which appears in the New Testament and is rendered “Lucas” in the King James Version. While the exact path by which the name came into Greek usage is debated, the association with “light” is the most commonly accepted explanation. It is worth noting that Scripture itself does not comment on the meaning of the name, so any significance drawn from it is traditional rather than biblical.
A Closing Thought
Lucas appears only once by name in the King James Bible, yet that single mention places him among Paul’s “fellowlabourers”—a quiet but meaningful title. Not everyone is called to stand in the spotlight; some serve faithfully beside others, lending strength and steadiness to the work. Lucas reminds us that the kingdom of God is built by many hands, often unseen and unnamed by the world. If you labor quietly, whether in healing, encouraging, or simply showing up, take heart: the Lord sees, and your name is not forgotten.
At a Glance
- Gender: Male
- Testament: New
- Mentions in the KJV: 1
Where It Appears in Scripture
- Philemon 1:24 — Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.