Final answer:
Luke's Gospel targeted the Roman citizens and non-Jewish audiences within the Roman Empire, emphasizing the universal invitation to Christianity. This inclusive message resonated with the oppressed and marginalized in society, such as slaves, promising them love, forgiveness, and eternal life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Target Audience of Luke's Gospel
The Gentiles were Luke's target audience, particularly the Roman citizens and non-Jewish populations within the Roman Empire's expansive territories.
The Book of Luke, part of the Christian New Testament, was penned considering the cultural and religious landscape of the time.
Luke, along with other early Christian figures like Paul, stressed the universality of the Christian faith, inviting people of all ethnic backgrounds, including Roman citizens and the wider Gentile community, to join the Christian faith.
This message was particularly appealing to the oppressed and marginalized within the Roman Empire, such as slaves, who found solace in the promise of salvation, an all-powerful God's love, and eternal life offered by Christianity.
Amidst the Roman Empire in the first century CE, there existed attitudes of both respect and hostility toward Jewish people.
The Romans saw the rise of Christianity partly as an evolution of Jewish belief, but also as a potential societal disruptor.
Christianity, with its roots in the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and the efforts of proponents like Paul, began to distinguish itself by welcoming Gentiles and promoting the concept of a universal faith.
This inclusivity was in stark contrast to the Jewish tradition of the time, which had more defined boundaries on who could be a part of the religious community.