Luke was one of the earliest converts, which may account for his message of mercy for all. It is said he was born a slave in Antioch, in Syria and studied to become a physician. It was common for slaves to become the doctor of the family unit that owned them. The circumstances of his birth would account for his sympathy and support of the poor and oppressed, and his special attention to the women who were part of Jesus' life. Luke's account of these women in his writings is respectful, and he seems to view women as equals, which is the way that Jesus treated women, with tenderness, compassion, and great respect. Yes, Luke is chivalrous towards women. He died in Greece, unmarried.
If you want to follow Luke's ministry, you will want to read his Acts of The Apostles. Luke gained information for his writing from teaming up with St. Paul and his companions around the year 51. Why did Luke accompany Paul on his travels? Scholars say Luke had a vision of God descending on a great cloud of fire, saying, "You are to travel with Paul, keeping him out of trouble." That is why Luke travelled with Paul, because God said he should. Luke, gentle of heart, went on these rough and ready trips to do his part in building up the church.
These travels were a real trial for Luke, in more ways than one. St. Paul was thrown out of countless cities, shipwrecked more times than you can count, chased, thrown into dungeons, and there was Luke, ministering physician, lips tightly drawn, trying not to say anything to Paul. In his gospel St. Paul writes of a thorn in his side, apparently given by God to keep Paul humble. Could the thorn have been Luke? Let's face it, they must have made quite a pair. In the end, after everyone got sick of Paul, deserting him, it was Luke who stayed with him until his death. A faithful, humble, kind soul, that was Luke. Paul called him his "beloved physician."
