Amplified Bible
Luke 1:3
3it seemed fitting for me as well, [and so I have decided] after having carefully searched out and investigated all the events accurately, from the very beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus;
Luke 1:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
- New International Version (NIV)With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
- English Standard Version (ESV)it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
- New King James Version (NKJV)it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,
Context of Luke 1:3
1Since [as is well known] many have undertaken to compile an orderly account of the things which have been fulfilled among us [by God], 2exactly as they were handed down to us by those [with personal experience] who from the beginning [of Christ’s ministry] were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word [that is, of the teaching concerning salvation through faith in Christ], it seemed fitting for me as well, [and so I have decided] after having carefully searched out and investigated all the events accurately, from the very beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus; 4so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught [that is, the history and doctrine of the faith]. 5In the days of Herod [the Great], king of Judea, there was a certain priest whose name was Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron [the first high priest of Israel], and her name was Elizabeth.
Read all of Luke 1Luke 1:3 word by word
ἔδοξεν κἀμοὶ παρηκολουθηκότι ἄνωθεν πᾶσιν ἀκριβῶς καθεξῆς σοι γράψαι, κράτιστε Θεόφιλε,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- It seemed goodδοκέωdokeō · to thinkG1380
- to me alsoκἀγώkagō kamoi kame · and IG2504
- having hadπαρακολουθέωparakoloutheō · to followG3877
- perfectἀκριβῶςakribōs · exactlyG199
- of all thingsπᾶςpas · allG3956
- from the very firstἄνωθενanōthen · from above/againG509
- to writeγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
- unto theeσύsu · youG4771
- in orderκαθεξῆςkathexēs · in orderG2517
- most excellentκράτιστοςkratistos · excellentG2903
- TheophilusΘεόφιλοςTheophilos · TheophilusG2321
Cross-references for Luke 1:3
- Acts 15:19Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble and make it difficult for those who are turning to God among the Gentiles [by putting obstacles in their way],
- 1 Corinthians 7:40But in my opinion a widow is happier if she stays as she is. And I think that I also have the Spirit of God [in this matter].
- 1 Corinthians 16:12As for our brother Apollos, I have strongly encouraged him to visit you with the other brothers. It was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has the opportunity.
- Luke 1:1Since [as is well known] many have undertaken to compile an orderly account of the things which have been fulfilled among us [by God],
- Psalms 40:5Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of your wonders, They would be too many to count.
- Psalms 50:21These things you have done and I kept silent; You thought that I was just like you. Now I will reprimand and denounce you and state the case in order before your eyes.
- Ecclesiastes 12:9Furthermore, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; and he pondered and searched out and arranged many proverbs.
- Acts 11:4But Peter began [at the beginning] and explained [the events] to them step by step, saying,
- Acts 1:1The first account I made, Theophilus, was [a continuous report] about all the things that Jesus began to do and to teach
- Acts 23:26“Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, greetings.
- Acts 24:3in every way and in every place, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
- Acts 26:25But Paul replied, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent and noble Festus, but [with a sound mind] I am uttering rational words of truth and reason.
Commentaries on Luke 1:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Having had perfect understanding - , Having accurately traced up - entered into the very spirit of the work, and examined every thing to the bottom; in consequence of which investigation, I am completely convinced of the truth of the whole. Though God gives his Holy Spirit to all them who ask him, yet this gift was never designed to set aside the use of those faculties with which he has already endued the soul, and which are as truly his gifts as the Holy…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3It seemed good - I thought it best; or, I have also determined. It seemed “to be called for” that there should be a full, authentic, and accurate account of these matters. Having had perfect understanding - The literal translation of the original here would be, “having exactly traced everything from the first;” or, “having, by diligent and careful investigation, “followed up” everything to the “source,” to obtain an accurate account of the matter.” This…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3As a good historian, Luke carefully investigated the history of Jesus from the start to provide a reliable story. an orderly account: Some versions translate this phrase as “in consecutive order.” But it means an organized or carefully written account, not a sequence of time. The name Theophilus means “loved by God” or “one who loves God.” It is likely a personal name, not meant to describe a name. Different theories suggest he might be: an unbeliever who…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. from the very first--that is, from the very earliest events; referring to those precious details of the birth and early life, not only of our Lord, but of His forerunner, which we owe to Luke alone. in order--or "consecutively"--in contrast, probably, with the disjointed productions to which he had referred. But this must not be pressed too far; for, on comparing it with the other Gospels, we see that in some particulars the strict chronological order…Read the comment
Topics related to Luke 1:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Luke 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
Amplified Bible — © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631
Commentaries