Luke 1:1-4 WEB

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 1:1-4

Complimental prefaces and dedications, the language of flattery and the food and fuel of pride, are justly condemned by the wise and good; but it doth not therefore follow, that such as are useful and instructive are to be run down; such is this, in which St. Luke dedicates his gospel to his friend Theophilus, not as to his patron, though he was a man of honour, to protect it, but as to his pupil, to learn it, and hold it fast. It is not certain who this Theophilus was; the name signifies a... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 1:1-4

1:1-4 Since many have set their hands to the task of drawing up an account of the events which were completed amongst us, telling the story just as those who were the original eye-witnesses and who became the servants of the word handed it down to us, I too made up my mind to carry out a careful investigation of all things from the beginning, and to write to you, Theophilus, your excellency, an orderly account of them, so that you might have in your mind a full and reliable account of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:1

Forasmuch as many have taken in hand ,.... From hence, to the end of Luke 1:4 is a preface of the evangelist to his Gospel, setting forth the reasons of his writing it; and which he wrote and sent to the excellent Theophilus, for the further confirmation of him in the faith of Christ. It seems that many had took in hand, or attempteo set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us; that is, they undertook to write and publish a very particular and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:2

Even as they delivered them unto us ,.... By whom the evangelist means, as appears from the after description of them, the twelve apostles, and seventy disciples; who handed down to others the accounts of the birth, life, and death of Christ; and according to which the above Christians proposed to write: which from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word ; either of the Gospel, or rather of Christ himself, the eternal Word of God; for from the beginning of Christ's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:3

It seemed good to me also ,.... Being moved to it by the Holy Ghost; for he did not undertake this work of himself, merely by the motion of his own will, but was influenced, and directed to it by the Spirit of God, as well as by him assisted in it: having had perfect understanding of all things ; relating to the subject of this Gospel, concerning the conception, birth, ministry, baptism, and death of John the Baptist; concerning the conception, birth, private and public life of Christ,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:4

That thou mightest know the certainty ,.... The end the evangelist had in writing this Gospel, and sending it to Theophilus, was, that he might be more strongly assured of and more firmly established in the truths of the Gospel. The Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions render it, "that thou mightest know the truth"; that is, the certain truth of things: the truth he did in some measure know before, but Luke's view was, that he might have a more certain knowledge of it; both truth, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:1

Many have taken in hand - Great and remarkable characters have always many biographers. So it appears it was with our Lord: but as most of these accounts were inaccurate, recording as facts things which had not happened; and through ignorance or design mistaking others, especially in the place where St. Luke wrote; it seemed good to the Holy Spirit to inspire this holy man with the most correct knowledge of the whole history of our Lord's birth, preaching, miracles, sufferings, death,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:2

Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eye-witnesses - Probably this alludes to the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, which it is likely were written before St. Luke wrote his, and on the models of which he professes to write his own; and απ ' αρχης , from the beginning, must mean, from the time that Christ first began to proclaim the glad tidings of the kingdom; and αυτοπται , eye-witnesses, must necessarily signify, those who had been with him from the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:3

Having had perfect understanding - Παρηκολουθηκοτι ανωθεν , Having accurately traced up - entered into the very spirit of the work, and examined every thing to the bottom; in consequence of which investigation, I am completely convinced of the truth of the whole. Though God gives his Holy Spirit to all them who ask him, yet this gift was never designed to set aside the use of those faculties with which he has already endued the soul, and which are as truly his gifts as the Holy Spirit... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:4

Wherein thou hast been instructed - Κατηχηθης - In which thou hast been catechized. It appears that Theophilus had already received the first elements of the Christian doctrine, but had not as yet been completely grounded in them. That he might know the certainty of the things in which he had been thus catechized, by having all the facts and their proofs brought before him in order, the evangelist sent him this faithful and Divinely inspired narrative. Those who content themselves with... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 1:1-4

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 1:1-4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:4

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