Luke 1:3

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:1-80

Birth of John. The Annunciation1-4. Preface. To write a preface to a history is not a Jewish, but a classical custom, and by following it St. Luke shows himself a true Gentile, trained in Greek culture and imitating classical models. Here he affects classical elegance and correctness of expression, but in the course of his Gospel he generally imitates the simpler synoptic style.This Preface contains all that is really known as distinguished from what is guessed about the sources of the Synoptic... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 1:3

(3) Having had perfect understanding of all things.—Better, having traced (or investigated) all things from their source. The verb used is one which implies following the course of events step by step. The adverb which follows exactly answers to what we call the origines of any great movement. It goes further back than the actual beginning of the movement itself.In order.—The word implies a distinct aim at chronological arrangement, but it does not necessarily follow, where the order in St.... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Luke 1:1-80

St. Luke's Gospel Luke 1:3-4 Our information concerning St. Luke is scanty. It is conjectured by some that he was one of the seventy disciples sent forth by our Lord, in addition to the twelve Apostles (Luke 10:1 ). There seems no reason to doubt that he was the companion of St. Paul in his travels, and that he was a 'physician' (Colossians 4:14 ). Some have thought that his profession as a physician may be traced in his manner of describing our Lord's miraculous cures of diseases, and his... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Luke 1:1-27

Chapter 1THE GENESIS OF THE GOSPEL.THE four walls and the twelve gates of the Seer looked in different directions, but together they guarded, and opened into, one City of God. So the four Gospels look in different directions; each has its own peculiar aspect and inscription; but together they lead towards, and unveil, one Christ, "which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." They are the successive quarterings of the one Light. We call them "four" Gospels, though in reality... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Luke 1:1-80

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE Analysis and Annotations I. The Birth and Childhood -- Chapter 1-2:52 CHAPTER 1 1. The Introduction. (Luke 1:1-4 ) 2. Zacharias and Elizabeth; the Vision. (Luke 1:5-12 ) 3. John the Baptist, his birth and ministry announced. (Luke 1:13-17 ) 4. Zacharias’ Unbelief and Punishment. (Luke 1:18-26 ) 5. The Angel’s Announcement to the Virgin Mary. (Luke 1:27-33 ) 6. Mary’s Question and the Answer. (Luke 1:34-38 ) 7. Mary Visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-45 ) 8. The Virgin... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Luke 1:3

1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things {c} from the very first, to write unto thee in order, {d} most excellent Theophilus,(c) Luke began his gospel a great deal further in the past than the others did.(d) It is "most mighty", and therefore Theophilus was a very honourable man, and in a place of great dignity. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:1-80

LUKE'S GOSPEL WRITTEN FOR A GENTILE RULER (vs.1-4) Luke's introduction shows that, though he was concerned about giving exact information in this letter to Theophilus, he had not thought of being an instrument directly inspired by God. Theophilus was evidently a Gentile authority of whom nothing more is said in scripture, except in Acts 1:1, where only his name is mentioned. Many others had been energized to write an orderly history of those things concerning the Lord Jesus, and Luke was... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Luke 1:1-80

THE EARLY YEARS OF JESUS There is a preface to Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1:1-4 ). While Matthew and Mark tell us of whom they write (Matthew 1:1 ; Mark 1:1 ), Luke and John tell us why they write (compare John 20:31 ). Luke wrote for the instruction of Theophilus (compare Acts 1-2) whose name indicates that he was a Greek, while “most excellent” suggests that he may have been of high rank. There were many records of our Lord (Luke 1:1 ), received from eyewitnesses (Luke 1:2 ), but Luke “had... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Luke 1:1-4

(1) Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, (2) Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eye witnesses and ministers of the word; (3) 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, (4) That thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed. I do... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Luke 1:3

Having diligently obtained. Here we see, that although the Holy Ghost regulated the pen of the holy writers, that they might not err; they still employed human means to search and find out the truth of things they mentioned. Even so do general councils, and the president thereof, the holy pontiff, discuss and examine all causes by human means, although they have the promise from Jesus Christ of the aid, assistance, and direction of his holy Spirit; (St. John xvi. 13,) as is manifest from the... read more