Devine Scripture

Luke 1:2

What does Luke 1:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 1:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 1:2 means

Luke notes that earlier reports came from “eyewitnesses and ministers of the word” who were present from the beginning. This reassures the reader that the stories are based on credible testimony rooted in those who experienced Jesus’ life and ministry. The phrase emphasizes the reliability and continuity of the apostolic witness. Luke is not relying on gossip but on transmitted testimony from authoritative witnesses who were both observers and servants of God’s message.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

even as they delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

even as they delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

As they were handed down to us by those who saw them from the first and were preachers of the word,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

as they did deliver to us, who from the beginning became eye-witnesses, and officers of the Word, --

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

According as they have delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

as those who from the beginning were eye-witnesses of and attendants on the Word have delivered them to us,

Context

This verse follows Luke’s statement that many have written and emphasizes source credibility. It prepares the reader for authoritative reporting by highlighting eyewitness testimony. It contrasts firsthand evidence with hearsay and smooths the transition into Luke’s own orderly investigation and writing addressed to Theophilus.

v.1Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to draw up a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,

v.2This passage

v.3it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 15:27

    and ye also bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

  • Ephesians 3:7

    whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.

  • Acts 1:21

    Of the men therefore that have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us,

  • Acts 1:8

    But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

  • Luke 24:48

    Ye are witnesses of these things.

  • Acts 4:20

    for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard.

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