The Gospel of Luke is a document of faith rather than a biography of the life and times of Jesus. It is believed to be the work of a gentile Christian(s) for a gentile Christian community in order to portray their desired portrait of Jesus. It is possible for Luke to be placed as a Syrian of Antioch, a "master of Greek" both Koine and elegant, a physician friend of Paul. The time at which his gospel was thought to have been written, A.D80 – A.D85, there were internal and external pressures creating a hostile environment amongst his community. Although generally peaceful and calm it was a time of imminent Christian persecution. This can be inferred as one of Lukes' rationale for the development of his gospel.
             Many scholars believe that the purpose of Lukes Gospel, in light of his preface, is not an apology in the form of a letter to high officials in the Roman Empire. The addressee "...most excellent Theophilus..." has no historical records proving that he ever existed, tarnishing the possibility of this. The name itself meaning 'lover of God' although common contradicts this also. A popular belief is that Luke wrote the gospel in address to all lovers of God, Christians in particular in order to clarify the story of Jesus and His teachings about which they had been instructed. In its writing, Luke was trying to achieve a recognition of the importance of love for one another and prayer in the lives of Christians, amongst other issues, in his gospel. He demonstrates that through Jesus God has been faithful to promises made to Israel with the rousing of the question 'who is Israel?' in the rapidly changing face of Christianity and Judaism. Emphasis is also placed on acceptance of the "unclean, the poor, women, Samaritans, rich toll collectors and other assorted outcasts"
             Luke 7:36-50, the story of a sinful woman forgiven, contains many examples of the devices used ...