Luke 1:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:3

Having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first ; more accurately rendered, having followed up (or, investigated) step by step all things from their source. St. Luke, without depreciating the accounts of the life and work of Jesus then current in the Church, here sets out his reasons for undertaking a fresh compilation. His Gospel would differ from the early Gospels: Luke 2:5-52 THE GOSPEL OF THE INFANCY . The critical reader of the Gospel in the original... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:3

It seemed good - I thought it best; or, I have also determined. It seemed “to be called for” that there should be a full, authentic, and accurate account of these matters.Having had perfect understanding ... - The literal translation of the original here would be, “having exactly traced everything from the first;” or, “having, by diligent and careful investigation, “followed up” everything to the “source,” to obtain an accurate account of the matter.” This much better expresses the idea. Luke... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 1:3-4

Luke 1:3-4. It seemed good to me also That is, I have judged it to be my duty; Luke, doubtless, was moved by the Holy Ghost to write his history, as he was also to write in the manner he has done; but in both he was moved as a reasonable creature, and not as a machine: having had perfect understanding of all things Greek, παρηκολουθηκοτι ανωθεν πασιν ακριβως , having accurately traced all things from their first rise: “Luke might have this thorough knowledge by intimate conversation... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Luke 1:1-4

THE EARLY LIFE OF JESUS1. Luke’s introduction (Luke 1:1-4)Of the four Gospel writers, Luke is the only one who introduces his book by setting out briefly the circumstances of his writing. He wanted to prepare an account of the life and ministry of Jesus, but unlike others who prepared similar books, he was not an eye witness of the things about which he wrote. He therefore could prepare his book only after careful research (Luke 1:1-3). He wrote for a person of rank named Theophilus, to give... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 1:3

having had perfect understanding = having followed up accurately. all. The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version omitted this "all". from the very first = from above. Greek. anothen. As in Matthew 27:51 (the top, Mark 15:38 ). John 3:3 , John 3:7 (again), John 3:31 (from above); Luke 19:11 , Luke 19:23 .James 1:17 ; James 3:1 , James 3:17 . It may mean from the beginning, as in Acts 26:5 , but there is no need to introduce that meaning here, as it is already in Luke 1:2 . Moreover,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Luke 1:1-3

Luke 1:1-3. Forasmuch, &c.— Forasmuch as many have undertaken to compose a narrative of those things which have been accomplished amongst us, Luk 1:2 as they who were from the beginning eye witnesses, and afterwards ministers of the word, delivered them to us; Luke 1:3. I have also determined, having exactly traced every thing from the first, to write, &c. "This must refer," says Dr. Doddridge, "to some histories of the life of Christ which are now lost; for Matthew and Mark, the only... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Luke 1:3

Luke 1:3. Having had perfect understanding—from the very first, &c.— By tracing them from their first rise. Παρηκολουθηκοτι πασιν ακριβως, plainly signifies that accuracy of investigation, on which the perfect understanding of his subject was built. To write in order, may signify to give a particular detail, in opposition to an abridgement, or a concise account; and the evangelist may, with great propriety, be said to have given an orderly account of the history of Christ, as the leading... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:3

3. from the very first—that is, from the very earliest events; referring to those precious details of the birth and early life, not only of our Lord, but of His forerunner, which we owe to Luke alone. in order—or "consecutively"—in contrast, probably, with the disjointed productions to which he had referred. But this must not be pressed too far; for, on comparing it with the other Gospels, we see that in some particulars the strict chronological order is not observed in this Gospel. most... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 1:1-4

I. INTRODUCTION 1:1-4Luke introduced his Gospel in a classical literary fashion."It was customary among the great Greek and Hellenistic historians, including the first-century Jewish writer Josephus, to explain and justify their work in a preface. Their object was to assure the reader of their capability, thorough research, and reliability." [Note: Liefeld, p. 821.] Luke’s introduction contrasts with Matthew’s genealogy, Mark’s title statement, and John’s theological prologue. It would have... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 1:3

Until now Luke had described the work of previous writers. Now he referred to his own Gospel. He, too, had done careful research and proceeded to write an orderly account. Significantly Luke did not describe himself as an eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry but as a researcher of it."In consecutive order" (NASB, Gr. kathexes, "orderly" NIV) does not necessarily imply chronological order. It probably means that Luke wrote according to a plan that God led him to adopt. All the Gospel writers seem to... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 1:3-4

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Luke 1:1-4

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 1:3

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Luke 1:1-3

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Luke 1:3

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:3

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 1:1-4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 1:3

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