1:3

In 1:3, Luke said that he also had carefully investigated the events of Jesus’ life, like the other writers mentioned in 1:1–2. Luke implied that he could tell these events in a unique way that would be helpful to Theophilus and others. As a result, Luke had decided to write his own account of the events.

In the Greek text, the clauses in this verse are in an order that may not be natural in some languages. The NET Bible has followed the Greek order:

3aSo 3cit seemed good to me as well, 3abecause I have followed all things carefully 3bfrom the beginning, 3dto write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus

Many English versions have reordered 1:3. For example, the Berean Standard Bible has:

Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus

You should order the clauses in the way that is natural in your language.

1:3a

In order to simplify the long Greek sentence (1:1–4), the Berean Standard Bible, like many other English translations, begins a new sentence here at 1:3.

Therefore: The Berean Standard Bible connects 1:3 to the previous sentence with the conjunction Therefore. See the notes at Paragraph 1:1–4 and 1:1a for advice on translating the connection between 1:1–2 and 1:3.

having carefully investigated everything: There are two ways to interpret this clause:

(1) It gives a reason why Luke wrote the account. For example:

Since I myself have studied everything carefully (New Century Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version, God’s Word)

(2) It indicates the time sequence. It tells what Luke did before he wrote the account. For example:

after investigating everything carefully (New Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, King James Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Although the Greek text does not explicitly state that this was one of Luke’s reasons for writing, it is implied.

carefully investigated everything: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as carefully investigated everything indicates that Luke did research and got accurate information about all the major events in Jesus’ life. He spoke personally with people who had known Jesus, and he verified the things that he heard. He questioned people about the details of the events, and he recorded his information carefully. He also read the other accounts of Jesus’ life. Some other ways to translate carefully investigated everything are:

checked all the ⌊facts⌋ carefully
-or-
examined all the ⌊information⌋ thoroughly
-or-
studied all these matters in detail

1:3b

from the beginning: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as from the beginning refers here to the beginning of the story about Jesus. This story starts with the prophecies about the births of John the Baptizer and Jesus. Luke investigated the whole story of Jesus, including the story of his birth. This does not mean that Luke was present at the beginning of the story or that he started his investigation at the time when Jesus was born.

1:3c–d

it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as it seemed good also to me means, “I decided that it would be good for me also to….” Some other ways to translate it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account are:

I also have decided to write a careful account (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I thought it would be a good idea to write an orderly account (God’s Word)

also to me: The word also here refers to the fact that Luke, as well as the many other writers mentioned in 1:1, would write an account.

to write an orderly account: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as an orderly account describes the way in which Luke wrote. He wrote in a clear, logical, and well-organized way. This does not mean that Luke wrote all the events in the exact order in which they happened.

most excellent Theophilus: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as most excellent indicates that Theophilus was important or wealthy. Luke wrote respectfully and used a special term to show honor to Theophilus.

The form of this word in Greek sometimes implies a comparison with other people. However, in this context it simply describes Theophilus himself as honorable or respected. It was a way for Luke to address him as a person of high status. Use a natural way in your language to address someone who has high status. Some ways to translate this in English are:

honorable Theophilus
-or-
highly respected Theophilus

You may need to put the phrase most excellent Theophilus at the beginning of the introduction in 1:1a. If you do this, you probably do not have to repeat it here. In some languages, it may not be natural to insert the phrase most excellent Theophilus here in 1:3d. See the General Comment on 1:1–4 at the end of the notes on 1:4 for other suggestions.

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