Read & explore together
Luke Explains Why He Is Writing
Luke begins by explaining why he is writing. Before telling about Jesus, he gives a careful introduction that shows he has gathered what was passed on and written so his reader can know the certainty of what he has learned.
Understanding the passage
Understanding the passage
This passage is a preface to Luke’s account. It does not begin a new event in Jesus’ life. Instead, Luke speaks directly to Theophilus about earlier narratives, eyewitness testimony, his own careful tracing of events, and his purpose in writing an orderly account.
Luke 1:1–4Main takeaway
Luke presents his writing as an orderly and careful account so that Theophilus may know the certainty of the instruction he has received.
Explore the teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Many accounts already existedLuke says that many people had already tried to set out a narrative about matters fulfilled among us.
Explanation
Luke says that many people had already tried to set out a narrative about matters fulfilled among us. The word narrative shows a connected account, not a list of sayings. Luke is not claiming to be the first writer. He places his work among other attempts to tell these fulfilled matters.
02The message came from eyewitnessesThese accounts were delivered by people who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and servants of the word.
Explanation
These accounts were delivered by people who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and servants of the word. Eyewitnesses are people who directly saw what happened. Servants of the word shows committed ministry to this message. Luke grounds his writing in what was handed on to others.
03Luke writes carefully and in orderLuke says it seemed good to him also to write. He says he has traced the course of all things accurately from the first and will write in order.
Explanation
Luke says it seemed good to him also to write. He says he has traced the course of all things accurately from the first and will write in order. This describes careful investigation and arrangement. He addresses one named reader, calling him most excellent Theophilus.
04The purpose is certaintyLuke gives his reason plainly. He writes so that Theophilus might know the certainty of the things in which he was instructed.
Explanation
Luke gives his reason plainly. He writes so that Theophilus might know the certainty of the things in which he was instructed. The goal is not entertainment. It is confidence about teaching already received. This introduction prepares readers to read the rest of Luke’s account thoughtfully and carefully.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Luke say other people had already done before he wrote?
Look at how Luke mentions many who had undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning fulfilled matters.
02Who delivered these matters to Luke and others?
Notice the two descriptions Luke gives: they were eyewitnesses from the beginning and servants of the word.
03Why does Luke say he is writing to Theophilus?
Use Luke’s own purpose statement about knowing the certainty of the instruction already received.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Luke 1:1–4
1Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,
2even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us,
3it 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;
4that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.