Luke 1:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

Complete Jewish Bible:

so that you might know how well-founded are the things about which you have been taught.

Berean Standard Bible:

so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

American Standard Version:

that thou mightest know the certainty concerning the things wherein thou wast instructed.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

That^{G2443} thou mightest know^{G1921} the certainty^{G803} of^{G4012} those things^{G3056}, wherein^{G3739} thou hast been instructed^{G2727}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Luke 1:4

Luke 1:4 is part of the opening passage of the Gospel of Luke, which is traditionally attributed to Luke the Evangelist. This verse reflects the didactic purpose behind Luke's writing, emphasizing the importance of certainty and instruction in the early Christian community. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the first century when the early Christians were eager to establish a firm foundation for their beliefs and practices.

The theme of certainty is central to Luke 1:4. The verse suggests that the recipient, Theophilus, has already received some form of Christian instruction. Luke's intention is to affirm and solidify the teachings that Theophilus has been taught, providing a reliable account of the life of Jesus Christ and the early church. This reflects a broader concern in early Christianity for accurate transmission of religious knowledge and the establishment of an authoritative narrative about Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

In writing his Gospel, Luke draws upon early Christian traditions, oral testimonies, and possibly written sources. His work is characterized by a careful investigation and an orderly account, which he believes will give Theophilus confidence in the teachings he has received. This pursuit of certainty aligns with the historical situation of the early church, which sought to distinguish its teachings from various heretical movements and to present a coherent faith to the Greco-Roman world.

In summary, Luke 1:4 encapsulates the didactic aim of the Gospel of Luke, highlighting the importance of reliable instruction and certainty in the nascent Christian community. It reflects the historical effort of early Christians to consolidate their teachings and to disseminate a trustworthy account of their faith to both believers and the wider world.

*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: G2443
   There are 535 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἵνα
   Transliteration: hína
   Pronunciation: hin'-ah
   Description: probably from the same as the former part of ἑαυτοῦ (through the demonstrative idea; compare ὁ); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare ἵνα μή.
   
2. Strong's Number: G1921
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπιγινώσκω
   Transliteration: epiginṓskō
   Pronunciation: ep-ig-in-oce'-ko
   Description: from ἐπί and γινώσκω; to know upon some mark, i.e. recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge:--(ac-, have, take)know(-ledge, well), perceive.
   
3. Strong's Number: G803
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀσφάλεια
   Transliteration: aspháleia
   Pronunciation: as-fal'-i-ah
   Description: from ἀσφαλής; security (literally or figuratively):--certainty, safety.
   
4. Strong's Number: G4012
   There are 304 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: περί
   Transliteration: perí
   Pronunciation: per-ee'
   Description: from the base of πέραν; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):--(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).
   
5. 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.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3739
   There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅς
   Transliteration: hós
   Pronunciation: ho
   Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2727
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κατηχέω
   Transliteration: katēchéō
   Pronunciation: kat-ay-kheh'-o
   Description: from κατά and ἦχος; to sound down into the ears, i.e. (by implication) to indoctrinate ("catechize") or (genitive case) to apprise of:--inform, instruct, teach.