Luke 1:1

Berean Standard Bible

Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,

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Luke 1:1, in the New International Version, states, “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us.” This opening verse serves as the prologue to the Gospel of Luke, setting the tone, purpose, and context for one of the most detailed and literary accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection in the New Testament. As the introduction to a two-volume work that includes the Acts of the Apostles, this verse establishes Luke’s intent to provide a reliable, orderly narrative rooted in historical and theological concerns. To fully unpack Luke 1:1, we must explore its historical, cultural, theological, and literary dimensions, as well as its role in framing the Gospel’s message of God’s redemptive plan fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

The verse begins with the acknowledgment that “many have undertaken to draw up an account,” indicating that Luke is not writing in a vacuum but within a context where multiple narratives about Jesus’ life and ministry already exist. The term “many” suggests a plurality of sources, likely including oral traditions, written documents, or early gospel-like texts, such as the Gospel of Mark or hypothetical sources like Q (a proposed collection of Jesus’ sayings). This reference to other accounts reflects the early Christian community’s vibrant interest in preserving and sharing the story of Jesus, a process that began soon after His resurrection. Luke’s awareness of these efforts positions his Gospel as a deliberate contribution to an existing tradition, not a standalone invention, emphasizing continuity with the broader Christian witness.

The phrase “to draw up an account” (Greek: anatassomai diegesis) implies a purposeful, written composition, with diegesis denoting a narrative or orderly report. Luke’s choice of this term signals his intent to craft a structured, coherent story, distinguishing his work from mere collections of sayings or fragmented anecdotes. This aligns with the Greco-Roman literary conventions of the time, where historians like Herodotus or Thucydides aimed to provide accurate, systematic accounts of significant events. Luke’s use of such language suggests he is addressing an educated audience familiar with these conventions, seeking to present the story of Jesus as a historically credible and theologically significant narrative.

The subject of these accounts is “the things that have been fulfilled among us.” The Greek term for “fulfilled” (peplerophoremenon) carries a sense of completion or realization, implying that the events Luke will recount are not random but part of a divine plan brought to fruition. This theological emphasis connects the Gospel to the Old Testament’s promises of salvation, framing Jesus’ life as the culmination of God’s redemptive purposes (e.g., Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7). The phrase “among us” is significant, suggesting that these events occurred within the community of believers, including Luke himself, who identifies with the recipients of God’s work. This communal perspective underscores the shared experience of the early church, where the reality of Jesus’ life and its impact was a lived reality, not a distant tale.

Theologically, Luke 1:1 establishes the Gospel as a testimony to God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises through Jesus. The concept of fulfillment ties the narrative to the Hebrew Scriptures, portraying Jesus as the Messiah who completes God’s covenant with Israel while extending salvation to all nations (Luke 2:30-32). The verse reflects a theology of divine initiative, where God’s plan unfolds through historical events, validated by eyewitnesses and written accounts. By situating his work among other accounts, Luke affirms the reliability of the Christian tradition while asserting his own contribution as a careful, Spirit-guided record (Luke 1:3-4). The emphasis on fulfillment also introduces a key Lukan theme: God’s salvation is universal, embracing both Jews and Gentiles, as seen throughout the Gospel and Acts (e.g., Acts 10:34-35).

Literarily, Luke 1:1 functions as the opening of a formal prologue (Luke 1:1-4), a feature common in Greco-Roman literature, where authors state their purpose and method. The polished Greek style of the prologue, distinct from the more Semitic tone of the narrative proper, reflects Luke’s literary skill and his appeal to a Hellenistic audience. The verse sets a tone of historical seriousness, positioning the Gospel as a trustworthy account grounded in research and tradition. By referencing “many” other accounts, Luke acknowledges his sources while subtly asserting the distinctiveness of his own work, which he describes in verse 3 as an “orderly account.” The phrase “things that have been fulfilled” introduces a narrative arc that will trace Jesus’ life from His birth to His ascension, culminating in the spread of the Gospel in Acts, framing the two works as a unified story of God’s redemptive work.

Culturally, the verse reflects the early Christian context of the late 1st century CE, likely written around 80–90 CE, when the church was expanding in the Greco-Roman world. The reference to multiple accounts suggests a growing need to standardize and preserve the story of Jesus as the first generation of eyewitnesses passed away. Luke’s audience, likely including Gentile Christians and those familiar with Hellenistic literary forms, would have appreciated the formal prologue and its appeal to historical reliability. The emphasis on fulfillment also resonates with Jewish expectations of a Messiah, addressing Jewish Christians while making the Gospel accessible to Gentiles by connecting it to universal themes of divine purpose and salvation. The cultural milieu of the Roman Empire, with its emphasis on order and authority, is reflected in Luke’s careful approach, which seeks to legitimize the Christian message in a world skeptical of new religious movements.

In the broader canonical context, Luke 1:1 connects to the Old Testament’s prophetic tradition, where God’s promises are fulfilled through historical events (e.g., Isaiah 40:3-5, fulfilled in Luke 3:4-6). It aligns with the other Synoptic Gospels (Matthew and Mark) in emphasizing Jesus’ life as the fulfillment of Scripture, but Luke’s universal perspective and detailed narrative distinguish it. The verse also sets the stage for Acts, where the spread of the Gospel fulfills Jesus’ commission (Acts 1:8). Theologically, it resonates with Paul’s emphasis on Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (Romans 10:4) and John’s portrayal of Jesus as the incarnate Word (John 1:14). The communal “among us” echoes the New Testament’s theme of the church as the body of Christ, participating in God’s redemptive work (1 Corinthians 12:27).

The interpretive history of Luke 1:1 further enriches its significance. Early church fathers, like Irenaeus and Tertullian, saw Luke’s prologue as evidence of the Gospel’s historical reliability, countering critics who questioned the Christian narrative. The verse’s acknowledgment of other accounts reflects the early church’s dynamic process of forming the canon, where multiple voices contributed to a unified testimony. Modern scholarship often views Luke’s prologue as a bridge between Jewish and Gentile worlds, affirming the historicity of Jesus’ life while presenting it in a form accessible to a broader audience. The emphasis on fulfillment continues to resonate in Christian theology, where Jesus is seen as the center of God’s redemptive plan, a theme that informs preaching and teaching today.

In conclusion, Luke 1:1 is a concise yet profound introduction to a Gospel that presents Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises. By acknowledging other accounts, Luke situates his work within the early Christian tradition, affirming its reliability while asserting his unique contribution. Theologically, it underscores the divine initiative in salvation history, while literarily, it adopts a sophisticated Greco-Roman style to appeal to an educated audience. Culturally, it reflects the early church’s need to preserve and communicate Jesus’ story in a diverse, often skeptical world. As the gateway to Luke-Acts, this verse invites readers into a narrative of God’s redemptive work, fulfilled in Jesus and continued through the church, offering assurance of God’s faithfulness across time and cultures.

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Dearly beloved in the Lord, grace to you and peace from God our Father and the One who has accomplished great things among us, whose mighty works echo through the ages and whose love binds us together as one people, called to proclaim His eternal truth. With hearts full of gratitude and spirits stirred by the wonders of His hand, I write to you, brothers and sisters from every nation, tribe, and tongue, united in the sacred fellowship of those who have heard and believed the good news of His marvelous deeds. As many have sought to set forth an account of the great things fulfilled in our midst, so I am compelled to address you, that we might together reflect on the certainty of His works, rejoice in His faithfulness, and be strengthened to bear witness to His glory in a world that longs for hope.

You are a people chosen by divine mercy, called to walk in the light of the mighty acts that have been accomplished among us—deeds of redemption, miracles of grace, and promises fulfilled that reveal the heart of our Creator. From the beginning, He has moved among His people, weaving a story of salvation that speaks of His unending love, His boundless compassion, and His unyielding commitment to restore all things to Himself. As those before us endeavored to record these truths for the instruction of the faithful, so we are summoned to live as living epistles, our lives a testimony to the reality of His presence, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, inscribed on the tablets of our hearts.

I urge you, beloved, to hold fast to the certainty of what has been accomplished among us. In a world swayed by doubt, where voices clamor with uncertainty and fleeting philosophies, let your faith be anchored in the unshakable truth of His works. He has not left us without witness; His deeds are not myths of a bygone age but living realities that continue to transform hearts and renew lives. Let us, therefore, be diligent to know these things deeply, to meditate on the stories of His power, and to share them with boldness, that others may come to know the One who has done great things for us. Whether in times of joy or trial, let your lives proclaim that His promises are sure, His love is steadfast, and His salvation is eternal.

To those among you who labor to make known His truth—whether as teachers, preachers, or witnesses in the quiet moments of daily life—I commend your zeal and pray for your strength. As many have undertaken to set forth the account of His works, so you are called to carry this sacred trust, speaking with clarity, acting with compassion, and living with integrity. Let your words be seasoned with grace, your actions marked by love, and your lives radiant with the hope that comes from knowing Him. To those who feel unworthy or ill-equipped for this task, take heart: the One who accomplished great things among us equips those He calls, empowering you by His Spirit to bear fruit that glorifies His name.

I lift before our merciful Father the needs of our world, where so many wander in darkness, seeking truth but finding only shadows. As He has accomplished wonders among us, so let us pray that His light would pierce the gloom, that His love would heal the broken, and that His truth would set free those bound by lies. Let His church rise as a beacon of hope, a community where the lonely find family, the weary find rest, and the lost find salvation. May we be a people who not only recount His deeds but live them, showing forth His justice, mercy, and grace in every corner of the earth.

Beloved, I exhort you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, to cherish the account of His mighty works, and to share it with a world in need. Let us be a people who live with purpose, love with abandon, and hope with certainty, knowing that the One who has done great things among us is faithful to complete His work in us and through us. May the Spirit of God fill you with wisdom, strengthen you with courage, and guide you in truth, that your lives may be a living narrative of His glory, drawing all people to the One who is the author and finisher of our faith.

I close with prayers for your perseverance, your joy, and your unshakable trust in the God who has accomplished all things for our salvation. To Him who reigns forever, the King of glory and the Lord of love, be all honor, praise, and dominion, now and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

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O Gracious and Eternal God, whose truth resounds through the ages and whose mighty works unfold in the hearts of all who seek You, we approach Your throne with reverence and joy, our souls lifted by the wonder of Your deeds and our voices joined in praise for Your unchanging faithfulness. You are the Author of salvation, the One who weaves the tapestry of history with divine purpose, inspiring Your servants to proclaim the marvelous things You have accomplished among Your people. As You once stirred faithful witnesses to record the story of Your grace, so we, Your children from every nation and generation, gather now in unity, longing to proclaim Your truth, to celebrate Your works, and to walk in the light of Your everlasting gospel.

Father of all mercy, we stand in awe of Your desire to make known the fullness of Your love, revealed through the events that have shaped our faith and the promises that anchor our hope. You have not left us in darkness but have called forth voices to declare Your mighty acts, to bear witness to Your presence, and to share the story of Your redemption with a world in need. Grant us, O Lord, hearts that burn to tell of Your goodness, minds that cherish the truth of Your works, and lives that reflect the glory of Your name. May we be faithful stewards of the narrative You have entrusted to us, sharing with boldness and love the story of Your grace that transforms lives and renews creation.

We pray for those who seek meaning in a world of uncertainty, whose hearts long for a truth that endures and a hope that does not fade. As You guided those who first set forth to chronicle Your deeds, guide these souls to the knowledge of Your Son, the Word made flesh, who is the way, the truth, and the life. For those who proclaim Your gospel—whether through words, deeds, or quiet faithfulness—strengthen them with Your Spirit, that their testimony may shine as a light in the darkness, drawing others to Your love. For those who doubt or wander, draw them near with Your gentle call, revealing the certainty of Your promises fulfilled in their midst.

O God of all peoples, we lift before You a world yearning for the good news of Your kingdom. In an age of competing voices and fleeting promises, raise up messengers who will faithfully declare the things You have accomplished, who will speak with clarity and compassion, and who will live as witnesses to Your transforming power. Empower Your church to be a living narrative of Your grace, a community where the broken find healing, the lost find purpose, and the weary find rest. Let Your story of redemption flow through us, touching every corner of the earth, that all may know the hope that comes from You alone.

Holy Spirit, breathe upon us now, igniting within us a passion to proclaim Your works, a courage to share Your truth, and a love that reflects Your heart. Transform us into vessels of Your gospel, that our lives may testify to the things You have done among us, inspiring faith in those who hear. Where we have been silent, forgive us; where we have doubted Your power, renew us; where we face opposition, be our strength and shield. May we live as a people set apart, bearing witness to Your mighty acts with joy and conviction, until the whole world knows Your name.

We offer this prayer in the unity of Your Spirit, with steadfast faith that You are the God who acts, with unwavering trust that Your purposes will prevail, and with fervent hope that Your kingdom will come in all its fullness. To You, the Eternal Word, the Source of all truth and grace, be all glory, honor, and praise, now and forevermore. Amen.