Devine Scripture

Luke 1:3

What does Luke 1:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 1:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 1:3 means

Luke explains his own role: after tracing events carefully “from the first,” he also chose to write an orderly account for Theophilus. He claims thorough investigation and deliberate arrangement. The phrase “most excellent Theophilus” likely addresses a person of rank or esteem and signals a formal, thoughtful presentation. Luke’s aim is not novelty but clarity: to provide a coherent narrative that helps Theophilus—and by extension the church—understand the sequence and meaning of events.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

it 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;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

it 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;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

It seemed good to me, having made observation, with great care, of the direction of events in their order, to put the facts in writing for you, most noble Theophilus;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

it seemed good also to me, having followed from the first after all things exactly, to write to thee in order, most noble Theophilus,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

It seemed good to me also, having diligently attained to all things from the beginning, to write to thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

it has seemed good to me also, accurately acquainted from the origin with all things, to write to thee with method, most excellent Theophilus,

Context

Luke moves from general claims about sources to his personal decision to write. This verse is the connecting statement explaining why the Gospel exists: to present a carefully arranged account. It sets the form for the rest of the chapter and whole Gospel: orderly, accurate, and intended for instruction.

v.2even as they delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,

v.3This passage

v.4that thou mightest know the certainty concerning the things wherein thou wast instructed.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 50:21

    These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself: ButI will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

  • Ecclesiastes 12:9

    And further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he pondered, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

  • Acts 26:25

    But Paul saith, I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak forth words of truth and soberness.

  • Acts 15:28

    For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:

  • Acts 11:4

    But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying,

  • 1 Corinthians 7:40

    But she is happier if she abide as she is, after my judgment: and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

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