Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
Parallel translations
- WEB it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus;
- 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,
- 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,
- 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,
- NASB it seemed fitting to me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in an orderly sequence, most excellent Theophilus;
- NLT Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus,
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Luke, having carefully investigated everything, decided to write an orderly account for Theophilus. His method was deliberate and thorough.
Overview
Luke claims careful research 'from the first' and an intent to write 'in order,' signaling accuracy and structure rather than invention. 'Most excellent Theophilus' suggests a person of rank, the immediate recipient. The verse models how God works through diligent human authorship to produce trustworthy Scripture.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Acts 26:25But Paul answered, “I am not insane, most excellent Festus; I am speaking words of truth and sobriety.
- Acts 1:1In my first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach,
- Acts 11:4But Peter began and explained to them the whole sequence of events:
- Eccl 12:9Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs.
- Acts 15:19It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
- Acts 23:26Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings.
- Acts 24:3In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
- 1 Cor 16:12Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was not at all inclined to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
- Ps 50:21You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face.
- 1 Cor 7:40In my judgment, however, she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
- Ps 40:5Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us—none can compare to You—if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.
- Luke 1:1Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,
- Acts 15:25So we all agreed to choose men to send to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
- Acts 15:28It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements:
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 1:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.