Ethics in Luke

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-Luke's ethical teaching has a radical, universal and inclusive atmosphere to it, with teaching not directed towards a particular group of people

- scholars suggest that the universality behind his gospel allude to his audience being largely gentile

- Luke is more preoccupied with how individuals respond and react to the coming of Jesus and what ethics means to the individual rather than how Jesus interacts with OT law

- emphasises Jesus' socialising with the outcasts e.g. tac collectors and women which accordingly fits with the themes of repentance, non-judgement and forgiveness

- makes a particular reference to the poor as it is explicitly states in Luke 4:18 that the gospel is preached for them in contrast to Matthew who refers to the 'poor in spirit' at the sermon on the mount

- Luke's ethical moral teaching is tied up with a vision of the kingdom of god e.g. Matera argues that the kingdom of God is 'the horizon against which Jesus makes his ethical demands' therefore his moral teachings aren't just a reflection of individual duty but a representation of the values of the kingdom of God and the kind of people who are destined to occupy it

- the traditional views during the time of Jesus included Jewish purity laws, a connection between sickness and sin, to know and respect the Jewish Law however Luke emphasises how there is a difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law - two greatest commandments 1. love God 2. love your neighbour as yourself

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

- emphasises the ethical etchings of love and non-judgement

- to love for the Jesus in Luke requires non-judgement

- this is breaking away from traditional jewish ideals, Jesus' moral teaching would split from its roots in jewish law and take a life of its own as distinct universal principles

The Three Parables of the Lost

- emphasises the ethical teaching of repentance and the joy people should feel for this who do repent