American Standard Version
Luke 1:3
3it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write unto thee in order, 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
1Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to draw up a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, 2even as they delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus; 4that thou mightest know the certainty concerning the things wherein thou wast instructed. 5There was in the days of Herod, king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
Read all of Luke 1Luke 1:3 word by word
ἔδοξεν κἀμοὶ παρηκολουθηκότι ἄνωθεν πᾶσιν ἀκριβῶς καθεξῆς σοι γράψαι, κράτιστε Θεόφιλε,Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Luke 1:3
- Acts 15:19Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God;
- 1 Corinthians 7:40But she is happier if she abide as she is, after my judgment: and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
- 1 Corinthians 16:12But as touching Apollos the brother, I besought him much to come unto you with the brethren: and it was not at all his will to come now; but he will come when he shall have opportunity.
- Luke 1:1Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to draw up a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,
- Psalms 40:5Many, O Jehovah my God, are the wonderful works which thou hast done, And thy thoughts which are to us-ward: They cannot be set in order unto thee; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.
- Psalms 50:21These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself: ButI will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
- Ecclesiastes 12:9And further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he pondered, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
- Acts 11:4But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying,
- Acts 1:1The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,
- Acts 23:26Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix, greeting.
- Acts 24:3we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
- Acts 26:25But Paul saith, I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak forth words of truth and soberness.
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
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries