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LUKE 1:2 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Luke 1:1Luke 1:3
“Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;”
Just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word — Luke distinguishes his own position from the eyewitnesses: he is a second-generation researcher, not a firsthand witness. The eyewitnesses and servants of the word are the apostles and others who saw the ministry and became its proclaimers. The phrase handed down (paredosan) is the technical term for the transmission of sacred tradition — the same word Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 15:3 for passing on the resurrection testimony.

Church Fathers on Luke 1:2

St. Luke at the commencement of his Gospel has told us the reason of his writing, which was, that many others had rashly taken upon themselves to give accounts of those things of which he had a more certain knowledge. And this is his meaning when he says, Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of things.

Eusebius of Caesarea · 4th century

For as many among the Jewish people prophesied by inspiration of the Spirit of God, but others were false prophets rather than prophets, so now also travel many attempted to write Gospels which the good moneychanger refuses to pass. One gospel is mentioned which the twelve Apostles are said to have written; another Basilides presumed to write; and another is said to have been by Matthias.

Ambrose · 4th century

The many who are mentioned, he reckons not so much by their number, as by the variety of their manifold heresies; men who were not endued with the gift of the Holy Spirit, but engaging in a vain work, have rather set forth in order a relation of events, than woven a true history

Bede · 8th century
Read all 22 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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