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OET interlinear LUKE 1:3

← LUKE 1:3 ↓ → ► ║ ©

SR Greek word order

    1. Greek word
    2. Greek lemma
    3. OET-LV words
    4. OET-RV words
    5. Strongs
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. OET Gloss
    8. VLT Gloss
    9. CAPS codes
    10. Confidence
    11. OET tags
    12. OET word #
    1. ἔδοξε
    2. dokeō
    3. it supposed
    4. it
    5. 13800
    6. VIAA3··S
    7. ˱it˲ supposed
    8. ˱it˲ supposed
    9. -
    10. Y-5
    11. 37290
    1. κἀμοί
    2. kagō
    3. to also me
    4. -
    5. 25040
    6. R···1D·S
    7. ˱to˲ also_me
    8. ˱to˲ also_me
    9. -
    10. Y-5; F37292; F37298
    11. 37291
    1. παρηκολουθηκότι
    2. parakoloutheō
    3. having followed
    4. followed
    5. 38770
    6. VPEA·DMS
    7. ˓having˒ followed
    8. ˓having˒ followed
    9. -
    10. Y-5; R37291
    11. 37292
    1. ἄνωθεν
    2. anōthen
    3. originally
    4. -
    5. 5090
    6. D·······
    7. originally
    8. originally
    9. -
    10. Y-5
    11. 37293
    1. πᾶσιν
    2. pas
    3. with all things
    4. -
    5. 39560
    6. S····DNP
    7. ˱with˲ all ‹things›
    8. ˱with˲ all ‹things›
    9. -
    10. Y-5
    11. 37294
    1. ἀκριβῶς
    2. akribōs
    3. exactly
    4. -
    5. 1990
    6. D·······
    7. exactly
    8. exactly
    9. -
    10. Y-5
    11. 37295
    1. καθεξῆς
    2. kathexēs
    3. consecutively
    4. -
    5. 25170
    6. D·······
    7. consecutively
    8. consecutively
    9. -
    10. Y-5
    11. 37296
    1. σοί
    2. su
    3. to you
    4. you
    5. 47710
    6. R···2D·S
    7. ˱to˲ you
    8. ˱to˲ you
    9. -
    10. Y-5
    11. 37297
    1. γράψαι
    2. grafō
    3. to write
    4. write
    5. 11250
    6. VNAA····
    7. ˓to˒ write
    8. ˓to˒ write
    9. -
    10. Y-5; R37291
    11. 37298
    1. κράτιστε
    2. kratistos
    3. most excellent
    4. -
    5. 29030
    6. A····VMS
    7. most_excellent
    8. most_excellent
    9. -
    10. Y-5
    11. 37299
    1. Θεόφιλε
    2. theofilos
    3. Theofilos
    4. Theophilus
    5. 23210
    6. N····VMS
    7. Theofilos
    8. Theophilus
    9. U
    10. Person=Theophilus; Y-5; F37302; F37306
    11. 37300

OET (OET-LV) it_supposed to_also_me having_followed originally with_all things exactly, to_write to_you consecutively, most_excellent Theofilos,

OET (OET-RV) So since we had followed all these events so carefully, it seemed like a good idea to write this account for you, honoured Theophilus,

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:1–4: Luke wrote this book about Jesus for Theophilus

In these Notes, Luke 1:1–4 is both a division and a section of the book of Luke. You may want to include a section heading here. It is good to read the verses before you decide on a heading for the section.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Luke writes to Theophilus about Jesus

Luke addressed this book to Theophilus

Luke’s purpose in writing this book

Paragraph 1:1–4

Paragraph 1:1–4 in the Greek text is one long sentence. In some languages, it may be natural to use more than one sentence for this paragraph. For example, the GNT uses four sentences.

The Greek sentence in 1:1–4 talks about several events and ideas. It mentions them in an order that may not be natural in some languages. Here are the main ideas:

  1. Many people attempted to compile an account of what happened among them (that is, of Jesus’ life) (1:1a–b).

  2. They wrote what eyewitnesses told them (1:2a–c).

  3. Luke also investigated all those things carefully (1:3a).

  4. Luke thought that he also should write those things in an orderly way for Theophilus (1:3b).

  5. Luke did this so that Theophilus could know that what he was taught was accurate (1:4).

You should present these ideas in an order that is natural in your language. See the General Comments on 1:2a–c and 1:1–2 at the end of the notes on 1:2b–c for specific suggestions.

You also need to think about how to connect the clauses. For example, in English there are different ways to connect the reasons in (a)-(c) with the result in (d):

1a Since many others have written a report on the things that have happened…

3bit seemed good for me to also write a report…. (See 1:1–4 in the RSV, NASB, NJB, KJV for similar examples.)

1aMany others have written a report on the things that have happened….

3b Therefore it seemed good for me to also write a report. (See 1:1–4 in the BSB, NIV, GNT, NET, CEV, GW, and JBP for similar examples.)

You should connect the clauses in the most natural way in your language.

Luke did not address Theophilus by name until near the end of his introduction. In some languages, it may be more appropriate to begin the introduction with Theophilus’ name. See the Display for 1:1a for an example.

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 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 BSB 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

Therefore, having carefully investigated everything

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

Therefore: The BSB 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 (NCV) (BSB, NIV, GNT, NASB, NET, REB, NCV, GW)

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

    after investigating everything carefully (NRSV) (RSV, NRSV, KJV, NJB, NLT, CEV)

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 BSB 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

examined all the information thoroughly

studied all these matters in detail

1:3b

from the beginning,

from the beginning: The Greek word that the BSB 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

it seemed good also to me

1:3d

to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

1:3c–d

it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account: The Greek phrase that the BSB 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 (NLT)

I thought it would be a good idea to write an orderly account (GW)

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 BSB 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 BSB 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 formThe Greek word is in a superlative 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

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.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-background

παρηκολουθηκότι ἄνωθεν πᾶσιν ἀκριβῶς

˓having˒_followed originally ˱with˲_all_‹things› exactly

Luke provides this background information to explain that he was careful to find out exactly what happened. He probably talked to different people who saw what happened to make sure that what he wrote down about these events was correct. Alternate translation: [because I have conducted careful research and interviews]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / youformal

σοι & κράτιστε Θεόφιλε

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἔδοξε κἀμοί παρηκολουθηκότι ἄνωθεν πᾶσιν ἀκριβῶς καθεξῆς σοί γράψαι κράτιστε Θεόφιλε)

If your language has a formal form of you that it uses to address a superior respectfully, it would be appropriate to use that form here. There are many other places in the book of Luke where your language might use formal you, and these notes will not address all of them. Rather, as you translate, use formal and informal you in the way that would be most natural in your language. The notes will address a few cases where a careful decision should be made between the two forms.

κράτιστε Θεόφιλε

most_excellent Theophilus

Luke is dedicating this work to Theophilus, and within his dedication, this is the conventional personal greeting. If it would be more customary in your language and culture, you could put this greeting in [1:1](../01/01.md) at the start of the dedication, at the very beginning of the book. Alternate translation: [To most excellent Theophilus]

κράτιστε

most_excellent

Luke uses the term most excellent to address Theophilus in a way that shows honor and respect. This may mean that Theophilus was an important government official. In your translation, it would be appropriate to use the form of address that your culture uses for people of high status. Alternate translation: [Honorable]

Note 3 topic: translate-names

Θεόφιλε

Theophilus

The name Theophilus means “friend of God.” It may describe this man’s character, or it may have been his actual name. Most translations treat it as a name.

TSN Tyndale Study Notes:

1:3 As a good historian, Luke carefully investigated everything in the history of Jesus from the beginning in order to present a reliable historical account.
• an accurate account: Some versions translate this phrase “in consecutive order,” but it refers to an orderly or carefully written account, not to chronological sequence.
• The name Theophilus means “loved by God” or “one who loves God”; it is probably a personal name, not a descriptive name. Different theories identify him as (1) an influential unbeliever, (2) a new convert needing instruction, (3) the judge overseeing Paul’s trial (the book of Acts ends with Paul imprisoned in Rome, awaiting trial), or (4) the patron who sponsored Luke’s writing project. The last possibility is the most likely, as it was common to dedicate a literary work to a financial patron and the Greek word translated most honorable indicates someone of high social status.

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

    1. OET-LV words
    2. OET-RV words
    3. Strongs
    4. Greek word
    5. Greek lemma
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. OET Gloss
    8. VLT Gloss
    9. CAPS codes
    10. Confidence
    11. OET tags
    12. OET word #
    1. it supposed
    2. it
    3. 13800
    5. dokeō
    6. V-IAA3··S
    7. ˱it˲ supposed
    8. ˱it˲ supposed
    9. -
    10. Y-5
    11. 37290
    1. to also me
    2. -
    3. 25040
    5. kagō
    6. R-···1D·S
    7. ˱to˲ also_me
    8. ˱to˲ also_me
    9. -
    10. Y-5; F37292; F37298
    11. 37291
    1. having followed
    2. followed
    3. 38770
    5. parakoloutheō
    6. V-PEA·DMS
    7. ˓having˒ followed
    8. ˓having˒ followed
    9. -
    10. Y-5; R37291
    11. 37292
    1. originally
    2. -
    3. 5090
    5. anōthen
    6. D-·······
    7. originally
    8. originally
    9. -
    10. Y-5
    11. 37293
    1. with all things
    2. -
    3. 39560
    5. pas
    6. S-····DNP
    7. ˱with˲ all ‹things›
    8. ˱with˲ all ‹things›
    9. -
    10. Y-5
    11. 37294
    1. exactly
    2. -
    3. 1990
    5. akribōs
    6. D-·······
    7. exactly
    8. exactly
    9. -
    10. Y-5
    11. 37295
    1. to write
    2. write
    3. 11250
    5. grafō
    6. V-NAA····
    7. ˓to˒ write
    8. ˓to˒ write
    9. -
    10. Y-5; R37291
    11. 37298
    1. to you
    2. you
    3. 47710
    5. su
    6. R-···2D·S
    7. ˱to˲ you
    8. ˱to˲ you
    9. -
    10. Y-5
    11. 37297
    1. consecutively
    2. -
    3. 25170
    5. kathexēs
    6. D-·······
    7. consecutively
    8. consecutively
    9. -
    10. Y-5
    11. 37296
    1. most excellent
    2. -
    3. 29030
    5. kratistos
    6. A-····VMS
    7. most_excellent
    8. most_excellent
    9. -
    10. Y-5
    11. 37299
    1. Theofilos
    2. Theophilus
    3. 23210
    4. U
    5. theofilos
    6. N-····VMS
    7. Theofilos
    8. Theophilus
    9. U
    10. Person=Theophilus; Y-5; F37302; F37306
    11. 37300

OET (OET-LV) it_supposed to_also_me having_followed originally with_all things exactly, to_write to_you consecutively, most_excellent Theofilos,

OET (OET-RV) So since we had followed all these events so carefully, it seemed like a good idea to write this account for you, honoured Theophilus,

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

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← LUKE 1:3 ↑ → ► ║ ©