From my reading in Luke 1:1-20 in the One Year New Testament.

Luke starts off with an introduction that explains his approach to the gospel.

“Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.” Luke 1:1–4

1. Luke Acknowledges Other Eyewitness Sources 

By mentioning that other people have written eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life we can assume that Luke had seen other gospels and draws some of his information from them.

2. Luke Carefully Investigated His Gospel

Luke was a doctor and approached his writing in a very meticulous way. He investigated everything himself, and likely talked to actual eyewitnesses.

3. Luke Carefully Wrote His Gospel

Luke was also very careful and exact in what he wrote down. As you will see in the coming chapters, Luke is the most comprehensive gospel as well as the most scholarly. Luke took care to include the most important parts of the story including the most thorough story of Jesus’ birth.

4. Luke Wrote To “Theophilus” 

We don’t actually know who Theophilus was but we do know that his name literally means “friend of God.” Luke also addresses Theophius as the recipient of the book of Acts (see Acts 1:1)

Some have speculated that Theophilus just means any friend of God or Christian. I don’t think so though.

He uses the “most honorable” as a title for him, which seems to indicate that he held a position of importance.

5. Luke Wrote To Solidify Theophilus’ Faith In The Truth

Luke wrote the gospel in order to fill in the gaps of what Thoeophilus already was taught about Jesus.

I encourage you to let the gospel of Luke fill in the gaps of your knowledge of Jesus. 

Let’s dive into the gospel of Luke together and allow God to teach us more about Jesus!

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