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,
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;
- BSB Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, 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 he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
- Acts 1:1The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
- Acts 11:4But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
- Eccl 12:9And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
- Acts 15:19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
- Acts 23:26Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
- Acts 24:3We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
- 1 Cor 16:12As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.
- Ps 50:21These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
- 1 Cor 7:40But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
- Ps 40:5Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
- Luke 1:1Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
- Acts 15:25It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
- Acts 15:28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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.