God’s Word Translation
Luke 1:3
3I, too, have followed everything closely from the beginning. So I thought it would be a good idea to write an orderly account for Your Excellency, 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
1Many have attempted to write about what had taken place among us. 2They received their information from those who had been eyewitnesses and servants of God’s word from the beginning, and they passed it on to us. I, too, have followed everything closely from the beginning. So I thought it would be a good idea to write an orderly account for Your Excellency, Theophilus. 4In this way you will know that what you’ve been told is true. 5When Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the division of priests named after Abijah. Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron.
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 15:19“So I’ve decided that we shouldn’t trouble non-Jewish people who are turning to God.
- 1 Corinthians 7:40However, she will be more blessed if she stays as she is. That is my opinion, and I think that I, too, have God’s Spirit.
- 1 Corinthians 16:12Concerning Apollos, our brother in the Christian faith: I tried hard to get him to visit you with the other Christians. He didn’t want to at this time. However, he will visit you when he has an opportunity.
- Luke 1:1Many have attempted to write about what had taken place among us.
- Psalms 40:5You have done many miraculous things, O Lord my God. You have made many wonderful plans for us. No one compares to you! I will tell others about your miracles, which are more than I can count.
- Psalms 50:21When you did these things, I remained silent. ⌞That⌟ made you think I was like you. I will argue my point with you and lay it all out for you to see.
- Ecclesiastes 12:9Besides being wise, the spokesman also taught the people what he knew. He very carefully thought about it, studied it, and arranged it in many proverbs.
- Acts 11:4Then Peter began to explain to them point by point what had happened. He said,
- Acts 1:1In my first book, Theophilus, I wrote about what Jesus began to do and teach. This included everything from the beginning ⌞of his life⌟
- Acts 23:26Claudius Lysias sends greetings to Your Excellency, Governor Felix:
- Acts 24:3We appreciate what you’ve done in every way and in every place, and we want to thank you very much.
- Acts 26:25Paul replied, “I’m not crazy, Your Excellency Festus. What I’m saying is true and sane.
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
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