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LUKE 1:3 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Luke 1:2Luke 1:4
“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,”
With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus — Luke's self-description as careful investigator (akribōs, precisely, thoroughly) communicates the historical method he brings to the project. An orderly account (kathexēs, in sequence) is his goal — not a random collection but a structured narrative. Most excellent Theophilus (Theophilos, friend of God or beloved of God) is the patron, possibly a Roman official of high status given the honorific most excellent.

Church Fathers on Luke 1:3

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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