Luke 1:3

having had perfect understanding Rather, having accurately traced out or followed up. See the same word in 1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 3:10. St Luke modestly puts himself exactly on the same footing as these narrators in not having the primary apostolic qualification, but claims continuous and complete knowledge and careful research.

from the very first St Luke's Gospel differed from these narratives in beginning from the birth of John the Baptist, and the Annunciation, whereas they began at the manhood and Public Ministry of Christ, as do St Mark and St John. See Acts 1:22; Luke 16:16, "the Law and the Prophets were until John: since that time the Kingdom of God is preached."

in order A favourite word of St Luke only, Luke 8:1; Acts 11:4; Acts 3:24; Acts 18:23. St Luke's order is mainly objective, i. e. chronological; St Matthew's, on the other hand, is much guided by subjective considerations, i. e. by moral sequence and unity of topics.

most excellent This is the title of official personages of high position, e. g. Felix, Acts 23:26, and Festus, Acts 26:25. Whether it is here used in this technical, or in a more general sense, like the Latin -optime," it is impossible to say.

Theophilus A very common name. It means -Dear to God," but it is unlikely that it is here an ideal name. Absolutely nothing is known of him. Some from the title"most excellent" have conjectured that Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:7-12) is meant, to whom they think that the Acts might have naturally been dedicated. But the nameseems to shew that a Greekis intended, and St Luke is writing mainly for Greeks (see Introduction, p. 16). A Theophilus, who held some high distinction at Antioch, is mentioned in the Clementine Recognitions; and as St Luke was, not improbably, a proselyte of Antioch, this may be the person for whom he wrote. Others make him a Bishop of Caesarea Philippi.