Luke 1:3

Sermon Bible Commentary - Luke 1:3-4

Luke 1:3-4 Scripture and the Authority of the Church. I. St. Luke tells Theophilus that it seemed good to him to write in order an account of our Lord's life and death, that Theophilus might know the certainty of those things in which he had been instructed; and this, as a general rule, might well describe one great use of the Scripture to each of us: as individual members of Christ's Church, it enables us to know the certainty of the things in which we have been instructed. II. Our individual... read more

C.I. Scofield

Scofield's Reference Notes - Luke 1:3

from "From the very first": (Greek - ἄνωθεν ," "from above)." So translated in John 3:31; John 19:11; James 1:17; James 3:15; James 3:17. In no other place is ANOTHEN translated "from the very first." The use by Luke of anothen is an affirmation that his knowledge of these things, derived from those who had been eye-witnesses from the beginning Luke 1:2 was confirmed by revelation. In like manner Paul had doubtless heard from the eleven the story of the institution of the Lord's Supper, but he... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Luke 1:1-80

Luke, the author of this third gospel, was called by Paul the apostle "the beloved physician." There is some speculation that his patron was a man by the name of Theophilus. In those days physicians were often slaves. And there are some who theorize that Luke was Theophilus' personal physician and servant. Whether or not that be so is only a matter of speculation, and thus, worthless to delve into.Luke was a Greek. And he is the only Gentile to have the privilege of placing scripture in that... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Luke 1:1-80

Luke 1:1 . Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things, which within a short compass of years have been acted and accomplished among us. In the first age, Eusebius admits, that no less than sixty gospels had made their appearance; a number which Mr. Whiston repeats without scruple or disbelief. The fathers, Ambrose, Jerome, and Augustine, allow that the number was considerable. Heretics wrote gospels, of which Ambrose says, “they have filled... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Luke 1:1-4

Luke 1:1-4Forasmuch as many have taken in handSt. Luke’s prefaceThese four verses arc a preface, and a very valuable preface, because they are a declaration from the author himself of the manner in which we are to regard his work. I. St. Luke gives us to understand that HE HIMSELF WAS NOT AN EYEWITNESS OF THE EVENTS HE IS ABOUT TO RECORD, but that ha had taken pains to inquire, and had a perfect understanding of all the history of the Lord Jesus Christ. II. St. Luke tells us that he had... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Luke 1:3

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, Ver. 3. Having had perfect understanding ] Or, following them close at heels, and (as we say) hot-foot, παρηκολουθηκοτι . From the very first ] Or, from above, ανωθεν , as inspired from heaven. To write unto thee in order ] καθεξης , distinctly, and yet coherently. A singular praise in a historian, for the which Ambrose much admireth this... read more

Samuel Bagster

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - Luke 1:3

seemed: Acts 15:19, Acts 15:25, Acts 15:28, 1 Corinthians 7:40, 1 Corinthians 16:12 in: Luke 1:1, Psalms 40:5, Psalms 50:21, Ecclesiastes 12:9, Acts 11:4 most: Acts 1:1, Acts 23:26, Acts 24:3, Acts 26:25,*Gr. Reciprocal: Job 36:4 - perfect Proverbs 22:21 - I Amos 2:11 - Nazarites Mark 1:1 - beginning John 15:27 - have John 20:30 - General 1 Corinthians 1:26 - not many mighty 2 Timothy 3:10 - thou hast fully known 2 John 1:1 - the elect lady read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Luke 1:3

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,To write in order — St. Luke describes in order of time; first, The Acts of Christ; his conception, birth, childhood, baptism, miracles, preaching, passion, resurrection, ascension: then, The Acts of the Apostles. But in many smaller circumstances he does not observe the order of time.Most excellent Theophilus — This was the appellation usually... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:3

3. It seemed good to me also This seeming good to himself does not exclude a concurrence with the influence of inspiration, nor a use of the aid of Paul. So in the letters of the counsel at Jerusalem, it is said, “it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us.” Acts 15:28. Having had perfect understanding Having completely traced out by investigation to the utmost. Luke here writes in the true conscientious historical spirit. Though he had not studied in the schools of modern criticism, he... read more