Devine Scripture

Luke 1:4

What does Luke 1:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 1:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 1:4 means

Luke states his goal plainly: he wants Theophilus to “know the certainty” of what he has been taught. This is pastoral and apologetic. Luke seeks to strengthen confidence in the facts and doctrines about Jesus by providing evidence and clear narrative. The purpose is assurance—so that faith rests on reliable history and properly ordered teaching, not on vague tradition. Luke cares about both truth and trust: his book aims to confirm the instruction Theophilus already received.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So that you might have certain knowledge of those things about which you were given teaching.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

that thou mayest know the certainty of the things wherein thou wast instructed.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That thou mayest know the verity of those words in which thou hast been instructed.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

that thou mightest know the certainty of those things in which thou hast been instructed.

Context

Following Luke’s pledge of careful composition, this verse clarifies the intent behind that effort. It ties the investigative work to pastoral concern. The rest of the chapter will deliver the historical material intended to ground Theophilus’s faith with verified, orderly reporting.

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;

v.4This passage

v.5There was in the days of Herod, king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

Cross references

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

  • John 20:31

    but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name.

  • Galatians 6:6

    But let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

  • Acts 18:25

    This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spake and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John:

  • 1 Corinthians 14:19

    howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

  • 2 Peter 1:15

    Yea, I will give diligence that at every time ye may be able after my decease to call these things to remembrance.

  • Romans 2:18

    and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,

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