LUKE'S PORTRAYAL OF THE POOR AND THE ETHICS OF COMPASSION AND CARE.

Abstract

The Gospel of Luke presents a distinctive theological vision that situates the poor and marginalized at the center of divine concern and ethical responsibility. While many scholars have examined Luke’s emphasis on compassion and social justice, debate continues over whether his portrayal of the poor primarily serves as a theological motif or as a concrete social ethic. This study addresses that tension by exploring how Luke’s theology of compassion shapes an ethic of care that critiques social hierarchy and economic inequality. Employing a literary-theological and socio-rhetorical methodology, the research analyzes key Lucan texts the Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55), the Sermon on the Plain (6:20–26), and the parables of the Good Samaritan (10:25–37) and the Rich Man and Lazarus (16:19–31) to uncover how narrative and theology intersect to form a coherent moral vision. The analysis demonstrates that Luke presents compassion not merely as a private sentiment but as an active ethical imperative grounded in divine solidarity with the poor. This ethic redefines righteousness as relational and communal, urging a radical reorientation of values toward justice, mercy, and inclusion. The study concludes that Luke’s ethic of compassion functions as both a theological proclamation and an ethical paradigm, offering a transformative vision for contemporary Christian praxis. By grounding moral responsibility in divine compassion, Luke’s Gospel continues to call faith communities toward economic justice, hospitality, and social restoration as essential expressions of discipleship.