1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
To set the table for the book of Luke we must review a few things. The first is who wrote it. The second is when it was written. The third is the purpose and how the book was written.
It has been accepted that this book was written by Luke. Acts is also written by Luke. They were both written with the same style and basic language. Luke has been said to be a physician (the same Luke as Col 4:14). The extreme detail that is used shows this, as does the fact that he wrote to a man Theophilus, who would appear to be his master. It was common in that time for a particular slave to be the physician for his owner. It would seem Luke was that slave.
When it was written is important for the validity of its authenticity as well as its relevance to what is being written. If a book about Jesus is written 100 years after his death then this would seem to possibly have less weight as one that is written within 50 years after his death. Jesus was about 33 when he died. The year was A.D. 33. Luke is commonly accepted to be written before A.D. 70. There are a few reasons for this belief. First, Luke did not write about the death of Paul. Since he was in contact with Paul and traveled with him on some of his missionary journey’s Luke would surely have written had he known of Paul’s death. Second, Luke did not write about the fall of the Jerusalem. This happened in about A.D. 70. Because these events were not recorded in a book of great detail on the events it does record, it is hard to believe this was written after these two very large events.
What is the purpose to writing this book? As we discussed earlier, it would seem that Luke is the author and a servant of Theophilus. He is writing the book to inform Theophilus of his investigation, v.3. Luke has had eyewitness accounts given to him. He has had those who walked with Jesus given and account to him. Luke seemed to want to make sure that the thing written were not doubted. It is very important that the things written were accurate to the detail, that there could be no doubt that the truth was being written. That is clear from these first four verses. Theophilus was uncertain of what he was taught about Jesus and the account thereof; Luke is here to put that to rest.
From this point on I will refer to the author as Luke, although the book never explicitly says such. Heavenly Father, please give me wisdom and understanding as to how I can read your Word expositionally. To dissect your Word to take meaning that would be beneficial to me as well as those who read my study. Praise your name for all that You have done and continue to do in my life.
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