Luke 1:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

Complete Jewish Bible:

based on what was handed down to us by those who from the start were eyewitnesses and proclaimers of the message.

Berean Standard Bible:

just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.

American Standard Version:

even as they delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Even^{G2531} as they delivered^{G3860} them unto us^{G2254}, which^{G3588} from^{G575} the beginning^{G746} were^{G1096} eyewitnesses^{G845}, and^{G2532} ministers^{G5257} of the word^{G3056};

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Luke 1:2

Luke 1:2 is part of the introductory passage of the Gospel of Luke, which sets the stage for the detailed account of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. This verse reflects several key themes and historical contexts:

1. **Eyewitness Testimony**: The verse emphasizes the importance of firsthand accounts in the transmission of the gospel narrative. Luke, believed to be a physician and companion of the Apostle Paul, is careful to note that his information comes from individuals who were direct observers ("eyewitnesses") of the events they describe. This underscores the historical reliability and authenticity that Luke aims to establish in his Gospel.

2. **Apostolic Authority**: The "eyewitnesses" mentioned are likely the apostles or other early followers of Jesus who had direct contact with him during his ministry. Their role as authoritative sources is crucial for the early Christian community, as they were considered the primary transmitters of Jesus' teachings and deeds.

3. **The Role of Ministers**: The term "ministers of the word" suggests that these eyewitnesses were not merely passive observers but active proclaimers of the message of Jesus Christ. They were engaged in the ministry of teaching and preaching the gospel, a role that would have been essential in the early spread of Christianity.

4. **Historical Context**: The Gospel of Luke is generally dated to the late first century, a time when Christianity was spreading rapidly throughout the Roman Empire. Luke's emphasis on careful historical inquiry and reliable testimony would have addressed concerns about truth and credibility in a diverse religious and philosophical environment.

5. **Theological Context**: By invoking the concept of eyewitnesses, Luke aligns his account with the tradition of the Hebrew Scriptures, where the authority of prophets and leaders often rested on their having seen or heard things directly from God. This connection to the past reinforces the continuity between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

In summary, Luke 1:2 highlights the historical and theological foundation of the Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of reliable testimony and the continuity of apostolic teaching. Luke's preface reflects a concern for accuracy and authority in the retelling of the gospel story, which was essential for the edification and instruction of the early Christian community and remains significant for believers today.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2531
   There are 180 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καθώς
   Transliteration: kathṓs
   Pronunciation: kath-oce'
   Description: from κατά and ὡς; just (or inasmuch) as, that:--according to, (according, even) as, how, when.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3860
   There are 118 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: παραδίδωμι
   Transliteration: paradídōmi
   Pronunciation: par-ad-id'-o-mee
   Description: from παρά and δίδωμι; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit:--betray, bring forth, cast, commit, deliver (up), give (over, up), hazard, put in prison, recommend.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2254
   There are 167 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἡμῖν
   Transliteration: hēmîn
   Pronunciation: hay-meen'
   Description: dative case plural of ἐγώ; to (or for, with, by) us:--our, (for) us, we.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3588
   There are 498 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὁ
   Transliteration: ho
   Pronunciation: to
   Description: the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
   
5. Strong's Number: G575
   There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀπό
   Transliteration: apó
   Pronunciation: apo'
   Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
   
6. Strong's Number: G746
   There are 56 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀρχή
   Transliteration: archḗ
   Pronunciation: ar-khay'
   Description: from ἄρχομαι; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank):--beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1096
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γίνομαι
   Transliteration: gínomai
   Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
   Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
   
8. Strong's Number: G845
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτόπτης
   Transliteration: autóptēs
   Pronunciation: ow-top'-tace
   Description: from αὐτός and ὀπτάνομαι; self-seeing, i.e. an eye-witness:--eye-witness.
   
9. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
10. Strong's Number: G5257
    There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑπηρέτης
    Transliteration: hypērétēs
    Pronunciation: hoop-ay-ret'-ace
    Description: from ὑπό and a derivative of (to row); an under-oarsman, i.e. (generally) subordinate (assistant, sexton, constable):--minister, officer, servant.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3056
    There are 316 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λόγος
    Transliteration: lógos
    Pronunciation: log'-os
    Description: from λέγω; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.