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,
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,
- 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,
- 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 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 crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness.
- Acts 1:1The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,
- Acts 11:4But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying,
- Eccl 12:9Further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
- Acts 15:19“Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,
- Acts 23:26“Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.
- Acts 24:3we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
- 1 Cor 16:12Now concerning Apollos, the brother, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers; and it was not at all his desire to come now; but he will come when he has an opportunity.
- Ps 50:21You have done these things, and I kept silent. You thought that I was just like you. I will rebuke you, and accuse you in front of your eyes.
- 1 Cor 7:40But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God’s Spirit.
- Ps 40:5Many, Yahweh, my God, are the wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts which are toward us. They can’t be declared back to you. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be counted.
- Luke 1:1Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,
- Acts 15:25it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
- Acts 15:28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:
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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.