New King James Version
Luke 1:3
3it 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,
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 Living Translation (NLT)Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus,
Context of Luke 1:3
1Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 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, 4that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. 5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, 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 I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,
- 1 Corinthians 7:40But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment—and I think I also have the Spirit of God.
- 1 Corinthians 16:12Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.
- Luke 1:1Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us,
- Psalms 40:5Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.
- Psalms 50:21These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you, And set them in order before your eyes.
- Ecclesiastes 12:9And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs.
- Acts 11:4But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying:
- Acts 1:1The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
- Acts 23:26Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.
- Acts 24:3we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
- Acts 26:25But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries