Luke 1:2 kjv

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

Luke 1:2 nkjv

just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us,

Luke 1:2 niv

just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.

Luke 1:2 esv

just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,

Luke 1:2 nlt

They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples.

Luke 1 verses

Luke 1 2 Meaning

Luke 1:2 describes the origin of the narrative that Luke is about to present. It states that the information and accounts about Jesus' life and ministry were handed down to Luke and his contemporaries by those who were present from the very beginning of these events. These primary sources are explicitly identified as firsthand witnesses to what happened and active servants and proclaimers of the message concerning Christ. This verse highlights the reliable and authenticated chain of transmission through which the Gospel message was received.

Luke 1 2 Context

Luke 1:2 is part of the concise preface (Luke 1:1-4) to Luke's Gospel, setting forth his purpose and methodology. This preface adheres to the literary conventions of Hellenistic historiography, common in the Greco-Roman world. Luke is addressing Theophilus (likely a Roman official or patron), for whom he intends to provide an orderly account (kathēxēs) of the events concerning Jesus Christ. The mention of "the beginning" implicitly refers to the advent of Jesus and the foundational events of early Christianity, rather than creation. The context is Luke's meticulous commitment to historical accuracy and verifiability. He emphasizes the reliability of his sources, which are not distant traditions but accounts handed down directly by those who had witnessed the very events he would describe and who were also actively proclaiming them. This contrasts with earlier, potentially less structured or incomplete narratives (mentioned in 1:1), positioning Luke's work as a more authoritative and certain record (Luke 1:4).

Luke 1 2 Word analysis

• Even as: This introductory phrase (kathōs in Greek) implies continuity and method. It suggests that Luke is presenting the accounts in the same way they were originally transmitted.
• they delivered them: Greek: paredosan (παρέδοσαν). This term means "to hand over," "to transmit," or "to pass on." It denotes a process of tradition, but in this context, it emphasizes an authoritative and reliable transmission of facts. "Them" refers to the narratives or accounts concerning Jesus, mentioned as "matters that have been accomplished" in Luke 1:1.
• unto us: Greek: hēmin (ἡμῖν). This refers to Luke and his generation, those who received the accounts from the primary sources. It highlights the chain of authentic transmission from the first-hand observers to the wider Christian community.
• which from the beginning: Greek: ap' archēs (ἀπ' ἀρχῆς). This signifies the very start of the events, such as the public ministry of Jesus, or potentially even earlier points like John the Baptist's ministry. It underscores that the witnesses were present for the crucial foundational moments. It implies thorough, original knowledge.
• were eyewitnesses: Greek: autoptai (αὐτόπται). A crucial term, meaning "those who have seen with their own eyes" or "on-the-spot observers." This highlights the empirical nature of the testimony. It emphasizes the direct, sensory experience of the sources, lending supreme authority and veracity to their reports, contrasting with hearsay or speculation.
• and ministers of the word: Greek: kai hypēretai tou logou (καὶ ὑπηρέται τοῦ λόγου).
  • ministers: Greek: hypēretai (ὑπηρέται). This term originally meant "under-rowers" (on a ship), then came to denote "servants," "attendants," or "assistants" in various capacities. Here, it refers to those who serve a message, actively carrying out a task or proclaiming. It implies more than passive observation; these were active participants and agents of proclamation.
  • of the word: Greek: tou logou (τοῦ λόγου). This "Word" primarily refers to the Gospel message itself—the teachings, events, and significance of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection. It encapsulates the complete message about Christ that the apostles were commissioned to proclaim. It may also echo the theological concept of Jesus as the incarnate "Word" (Logos) from John 1:1, underscoring the intrinsic connection between the message and the Person.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Even as they delivered them unto us": This phrase emphasizes the process of oral tradition and teaching from the foundational sources to subsequent generations. Luke presents himself as a recipient in this authentic chain, validating the historical reliability of his upcoming narrative. The tradition here is not one of legend, but of verifiably transmitted testimony.
• "which from the beginning were eyewitnesses": This firmly establishes the foundational nature of the sources. These individuals were not secondary or tertiary informants, but present at the inception of Jesus' earthly ministry and throughout the critical events. Their direct observation (autoptai) undergirds the historical accuracy of what Luke will record, giving certainty (Luke 1:4) to Theophilus.
• "and ministers of the word": This signifies that the eyewitnesses were not merely passive observers but active participants in proclaiming the message they had seen and heard. They were authorized servants and proclaimers of the "Word," demonstrating that their observations were immediately put into practice as evangelism and instruction. This combines authentic observation with active apostolic service, reinforcing the divine authority and faithful dissemination of the Gospel. The "Word" is the very essence of Christian truth.

Luke 1 2 Bonus section

The historical and legal value of eyewitness testimony in Luke's Gospel's preface is paramount. Luke, as a meticulous historian, implicitly lays down criteria for reliable historical accounts. By stressing autoptai (eyewitnesses) and the fact that these accounts were "delivered unto us," he is aligning with the standards of sound historical inquiry in his day. This concern for verified testimony continued to be vital in early Christianity, especially as the apostles aged and as heresies challenging the historicity of Jesus' life emerged. Luke's Gospel, starting with such a robust claim, provides an anchor for the physical, historical reality of Jesus and the events of salvation, setting it apart from later Gnostic movements that denied the tangibility of Christ's earthly presence. The combination of eyewitness account and ministry of the word showcases the integral link between historical reality and divine revelation—the truth about Jesus must be both seen and proclaimed.

Luke 1 2 Commentary

Luke 1:2 provides foundational credibility for the Gospel. It asserts that Luke's detailed account is not based on conjecture or secondary speculation but is a faithful reproduction of information derived from original sources who were directly present at the central events of Jesus' life and ministry. These individuals were not merely spectators; they actively served and proclaimed the message (the "Word") they witnessed. This implies both accurate perception and faithful transmission, reinforcing Luke's purpose to present an orderly and certain narrative (Luke 1:3-4). This meticulous historical grounding strengthens the claim that the Gospel is verifiable truth, not myth or mere philosophy. It highlights the indispensable role of the apostles and early disciples as both the first to see Christ and the first to speak about Him authentically, thereby establishing the authoritative testimony upon which the Christian faith rests. The emphasis on "ministers of the word" indicates that the apostles’ primary role was to preach and teach the realities of what they had seen and experienced concerning Jesus, solidifying the oral tradition that later informed written accounts.