so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
Parallel translations
- WEB that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
- KJV That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
- BSB so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
- NKJV that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
- NLT so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
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's purpose was to give Theophilus assurance of the certainty of what he had been taught. The Gospel aims to ground faith in solid truth.
Overview
This verse states Luke's goal: confirmed certainty concerning the things already taught. Christian faith is not blind but rests on reliable testimony to real events. By writing, Luke strengthens the believer's confidence in the truth about Jesus the Savior.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- John 20:31but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
- Acts 18:25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John.
- 1 Cor 14:19However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.
- Gal 6:6But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches.
- Rom 2:18and know his will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,
- 2 Pet 1:15–16Yes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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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 1:4 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.