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class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/acts/1.htm">New International Version</a> In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach <a href="/nlt/acts/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach <a href="/esv/acts/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, <a href="/bsb/acts/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> In my first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach, <a href="/blb/acts/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> In the first account I composed, O Theophilus, concerning all the things that Jesus began both to do and to teach, <a href="/kjv/acts/1.htm">King James Bible</a> The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, <a href="/nkjv/acts/1.htm">New King James Version</a> The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, <a href="/nasb_/acts/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, <a href="/nasb/acts/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, <a href="/nasb77/acts/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, <a href="/lsb/acts/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> The first account, O Theophilus, I composed, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, <a href="/amp/acts/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The first account I made, Theophilus, was [a continuous report] about all the things that Jesus began to do and to teach <a href="/csb/acts/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach <a href="/hcsb/acts/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach <a href="/asv/acts/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, <a href="/cev/acts/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Theophilus, I first wrote to you about all that Jesus did and taught from the very first <a href="/erv/acts/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, <a href="/gwt/acts/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> In my first book, Theophilus, I wrote about what Jesus began to do and teach. This included everything from the beginning [of his life] <a href="/gnt/acts/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> Dear Theophilus: In my first book I wrote about all the things that Jesus did and taught from the time he began his work <a href="/isv/acts/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> In my first book, Theophilus, I wrote about everything Jesus did and taught from the beginning, <a href="/msb/acts/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> In my first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach, <a href="/net/acts/1.htm">NET Bible</a> I wrote the former account, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach <a href="/nheb/acts/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The first account I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, <a href="/wbt/acts/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, <a href="/wey/acts/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> My former narrative, Theophilus, dealt with all that Jesus did and taught as a beginning, down to the day on which, <a href="/web/acts/1.htm">World English Bible</a> The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> The former account, indeed, I made concerning all things, O Theophilus, that Jesus began both to do and to teach, <a href="/blb/acts/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> In the first account I composed, O Theophilus, concerning all the things that Jesus began both to do and to teach, <a href="/ylt/acts/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> The former account, indeed, I made concerning all things, O Theophilus, that Jesus began both to do and to teach, <a href="/slt/acts/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Truly the first word had I made of all things, O Theophilus, of which Jesus began to do and also to teach,<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> THE former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach, <a href="/cpdv/acts/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Certainly, O Theophilus, I composed the first discourse about everything that Jesus began to do and to teach, <a href="/nabre/acts/1.htm">New American Bible</a> In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught <a href="/nrsvce/acts/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> THE first book have I written, O Theoph’i- lus, concerning all the things which our Lord Jesus Christ began to do and teach <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> I wrote the former book, Oh Theophila, about all those things that our Lord Yeshua The Messiah began to do and to teach<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> THE former record I made, Theophilus, of all things that Jesus began both to do and to teach, <a href="/godbey/acts/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Truly, I made the first history, O Theophilus, concerning all things which Jesus began both to do and to teach, <a href="/haweis/acts/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> THE former treatise, Theophilus, I composed, concerning all things which Jesus began both to do and to teach, <a href="/mace/acts/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> In my former treatise, I gave an account, O Theophilus, of all the actions and doctrine of Jesus, to the time of his assumption, <a href="/wey/acts/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> My former narrative, Theophilus, dealt with all that Jesus did and taught as a beginning, down to the day on which, <a href="/worrell/acts/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> The first narrative I made, O Theophilus, concerning all things that Jesus began both to do and to teach, <a href="/worsley/acts/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <bld>The</bld> former treatise, O Theophilus, I made concerning all that Jesus undertook both to do and to teach; <a href="/parallel/acts/1-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/1.htm">Prologue</a> 1<a href="/greek/3303.htm" title="3303: men (Prtcl) -- A primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession; usually followed by a contrasted clause with de."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">In my</a> <a href="/greek/4413.htm" title="4413: prōton (Adj-AMS) -- First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.">first</a> <a href="/greek/3056.htm" title="3056: logon (N-AMS) -- From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.">book,</a> <a href="/greek/5599.htm" title="5599: ō (I) -- A primary interjection; as a sign of the vocative case, O; as a note of exclamation, oh.">O</a> <a href="/greek/2321.htm" title="2321: Theophile (N-VMS) -- From theos and philos; friend of God; Theophilus, a Christian.">Theophilus,</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: epoiēsamēn (V-AIM-1S) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">I wrote</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">about</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantōn (Adj-GNP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hōn (RelPro-GNP) -- Who, which, what, that. ">that</a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/756.htm" title="756: ērxato (V-AIM-3S) -- To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence.">began</a> <a href="/greek/5037.htm" title="5037: te (Conj) -- And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also."></a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiein (V-PNA) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">to do</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1321.htm" title="1321: didaskein (V-PNA) -- To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach.">to teach,</a> 2until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/1-1.htm">Luke 1:1-4</a> Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, / just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word. / Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, ... <a href="/john/20-30.htm">John 20:30-31</a> Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. / But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. <a href="/mark/16-19.htm">Mark 16:19-20</a> After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. / And they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked through them, confirming His word by the signs that accompanied it. <a href="/matthew/28-18.htm">Matthew 28:18-20</a> Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. / Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” <a href="/john/21-25.htm">John 21:25</a> There are many more things that Jesus did. If all of them were written down, I suppose that not even the world itself would have space for the books that would be written. <a href="/luke/24-44.htm">Luke 24:44-53</a> Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” / Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. / And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ... <a href="/john/14-26.htm">John 14:26</a> But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. <a href="/john/16-13.htm">John 16:13</a> However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. <a href="/matthew/11-1.htm">Matthew 11:1</a> After Jesus had finished instructing His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. <a href="/hebrews/2-3.htm">Hebrews 2:3-4</a> how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, / and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-3.htm">1 Corinthians 15:3-8</a> For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, / that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, / and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve. ... <a href="/john/1-1.htm">John 1:1-3</a> In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. <a href="/isaiah/53-11.htm">Isaiah 53:11</a> After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities. <a href="/daniel/9-24.htm">Daniel 9:24-27</a> Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to stop their transgression, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. / Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress. / Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations have been decreed. ... <a href="/psalms/22-22.htm">Psalm 22:22</a> I will proclaim Your name to my brothers; I will praise You in the assembly.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,former.<a href="/luke/1-24.htm">Luke 1:24</a> And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,O Theophilus.<a href="/luke/1-3.htm">Luke 1:3</a> It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,of.<a href="/acts/2-22.htm">Acts 2:22</a> Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:<a href="/matthew/4-23.htm">Matthew 4:23,24</a> And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people… <a href="/matthew/11-5.htm">Matthew 11:5</a> The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/19-11.htm">Account</a> <a href="/john/20-30.htm">Book</a> <a href="/amos/6-5.htm">Composed</a> <a href="/john/12-6.htm">Concerned</a> <a href="/luke/23-25.htm">Dealt</a> <a href="/mark/13-11.htm">Discourse</a> <a href="/john/19-39.htm">Earlier</a> <a href="/john/20-19.htm">First</a> <a href="/malachi/3-4.htm">Former</a> <a href="/john/21-25.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/john/21-25.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/luke/1-1.htm">Narrative</a> <a href="/john/18-20.htm">Taught</a> <a href="/john/18-20.htm">Teach</a> <a href="/john/20-9.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/luke/1-3.htm">Theophilus</a> <a href="/luke/1-3.htm">The-Oph'ilus</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/24-27.htm">Treatise</a> <a href="/john/21-24.htm">Wrote</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/4-9.htm">Account</a> <a href="/acts/1-20.htm">Book</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-24.htm">Composed</a> <a href="/acts/15-14.htm">Concerned</a> <a href="/acts/7-19.htm">Dealt</a> <a href="/acts/20-2.htm">Discourse</a> <a href="/romans/9-29.htm">Earlier</a> <a href="/acts/1-18.htm">First</a> <a href="/acts/15-21.htm">Former</a> <a href="/acts/1-5.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/acts/1-11.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/luke/1-1.htm">Narrative</a> <a href="/acts/4-2.htm">Taught</a> <a href="/acts/4-18.htm">Teach</a> <a href="/acts/1-3.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/luke/1-3.htm">Theophilus</a> <a href="/luke/1-3.htm">The-Oph'ilus</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/13-22.htm">Treatise</a> <a href="/acts/15-23.htm">Wrote</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 1</div>1. <a href="/acts/1-1.htm">Christ, preparing his apostles to the beholding of his ascension, .</a> 4. <a href="/acts/1-4.htm">gathers them together unto the Mount of Olives, </a> 6. <a href="/acts/1-6.htm">commands them to expect in Jerusalem the sending down of the Holy Spirit, </a> 9. <a href="/acts/1-9.htm">and ascends into heaven in their sight</a> 10. <a href="/acts/1-10.htm">After his ascension they are warned by two angels to depart, and to set their minds upon his second coming.</a> 12. <a href="/acts/1-12.htm">They accordingly return, and, giving themselves to prayer, </a> 23. <a href="/acts/1-23.htm">choose Matthias apostle in the place of Judas.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>In my first book This phrase refers to the Gospel of Luke, which is the first volume of a two-part work by the same author, Luke the physician and companion of Paul. The Gospel of Luke provides a detailed account of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Luke's meticulous approach to documenting events is evident in his attention to detail and historical accuracy, as seen in his use of eyewitness accounts and careful investigation (<a href="/luke/1.htm">Luke 1:1-4</a>).O Theophilus Theophilus, whose name means "lover of God" or "friend of God," is addressed in both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. While some scholars suggest Theophilus may have been a real person, possibly a Roman official or a patron of Luke's writings, others propose that the name could symbolize any believer or seeker of God. The use of "most excellent" in <a href="/luke/1-3.htm">Luke 1:3</a> suggests a person of high status, possibly indicating a formal address to someone of importance.I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach This phrase highlights the dual focus of Jesus' ministry: His actions and His teachings. The Gospel of Luke records numerous miracles, parables, and teachings of Jesus, emphasizing His role as the Messiah and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. The use of "began" implies that Jesus' work continues through the apostles and the early church, as documented in the Book of Acts. This continuation underscores the ongoing mission of the church to spread the Gospel and make disciples of all nations (<a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19-20</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/theophilus.htm">Theophilus</a> The recipient of both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. His name means "friend of God" or "loved by God," indicating a person of high status or a symbolic representation of believers. 2. <a href="/topical/l/luke.htm">Luke</a> The author of the Book of Acts and the Gospel of Luke. He was a physician and a companion of the Apostle Paul, known for his detailed and orderly account of the life and ministry of Jesus and the early church. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> Central figure of the Christian faith, whose life, teachings, death, and resurrection are the foundation of the Gospel message. Acts begins with a reference to His earthly ministry. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_first_book.htm">The First Book (Gospel of Luke)</a> Refers to the Gospel of Luke, which details the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, emphasizing His actions and teachings. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_early_church.htm">The Early Church</a> Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the Book of Acts transitions from the ministry of Jesus to the work of the Holy Spirit through the apostles and the early church.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_continuity_in_scripture.htm">The Importance of Continuity in Scripture</a> <a href="/acts/1.htm">Acts 1:1</a> serves as a bridge between the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, emphasizing the continuity of Jesus' work through the Holy Spirit and the apostles. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_a_faithful_witness.htm">The Role of a Faithful Witness</a> Luke's dedication to providing an accurate account of Jesus' life and the early church serves as a model for believers to be diligent and faithful witnesses of the Gospel. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_jesus'_ministry.htm">Understanding Jesus' Ministry</a> The phrase "all that Jesus began to do and to teach" suggests that Jesus' ministry continues through His followers, encouraging believers to actively participate in His mission. <a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_teaching_and_action.htm">The Significance of Teaching and Action</a> Jesus' ministry was characterized by both actions and teachings, highlighting the importance of living out one's faith through deeds and words. <a href="/topical/t/the_personal_nature_of_scripture.htm">The Personal Nature of Scripture</a> The address to Theophilus reminds us that Scripture is personal and relational, intended to strengthen the faith of individuals and communities.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 1</a> <a href="/q/who_is_the_author_of_the_book_of_acts.htm">Who is the author of the Book of Acts?</a> <a href="/q/insights_on_day_27's_spiritual_growth.htm">What is the significance of Jesus' suffering and sacrifice?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_luke's_ascension_differ.htm">Luke 24:50–53: Why does Luke’s ascension account conflict with the timing and details provided in other New Testament texts?</a> <a href="/q/do_paul's_safety_claims_defy_storm_deaths.htm">In Acts 27:22–26, do Paul’s assurances of safety contradict typical maritime fatalities in storms of that era? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>The Acts of the Apostles.--See Introduction as to the title thus given to the Book.(1) The former treatise.--Literally, word, or discourse; but the English of the text is, perhaps, a happier equivalent than either. The Greek term had been used by Xenophon (Anab. ii. 1; Cyrop. viii. 1, 2) as St. Luke uses it, of what we should call the several "Books" or portions of his Histories. The adjective is strictly "first" rather than "former," and the tense of the verb, "I made," rather than "I have made."O Theophilus.--See Note on <a href="/luke/1-3.htm" title="It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus,">Luke 1:3</a>. It has been thought that the absence of the words "most excellent" implies that the writer's friendship with Theophilus was now of a more intimate and familiar nature. It is possible, just as a like change of relation has been traced in Shakespeare's dedication of his two poems to the Earl of Southampton, but the inference is, in each case, somewhat precarious.That Jesus began both to do and teach.--The verb "begin" is specially characteristic of St. Luke's Gospel, in which it occurs not less than thirty-one times. Its occurrence at the beginning of the Acts is, accordingly, as far as it goes, an indication of identity of authorship. He sought his materials from those who had been "from the beginning" eye-witnesses and ministers of the word (<a href="/luke/1-2.htm" title="Even as they delivered them to us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;">Luke 1:2</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - I made for have I made, A.V.; concerning for of, A.V.; to teach for teach, A.V. The former treatise; literally, the first history, narrative, or discourse. The form of the Greek, τὸν μὲν τρῶτον, shows that the writer had in his mind at the time to contrast the second history, which he was just beginning, and that naturally τὸν δὲ δεύτερον or τοῦτον δὲ τὸν λόγον, ought both grammatically and logically, to have followed. But the mention of "the apostles whom he had chosen" drew him, as it were, into the stem of his history before he was able to describe it. O Theophilus. The omission of the title "most excellent," given to Theophilus in the Gospel (<a href="/luke/1-3.htm">Luke 1:3</a>), is one among other indications that the publication of the Acts followed very closely upon that of the Gospel. Began both to do and to teach Some take the phrase as equivalent to did and taught; others supply the sense and continued until the day, etc.; or, which is the same thing, supply the terminus a quo, making the whole sense equivalent to "all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day," etc.; others again, as Bishop Wordsworth, gather St. Luke's meaning to be that in the Acts he is about to narrate the continuance by our Lord in heaven of the work which he only began on earth. Meyer thinks that, by the insertion of the word "began," the thing said or done "is in a vivid and graphic manner denoted according to its moment of commencement;" so that our Lord is represented as at one time actively beginning to heal, then to teach, then to walk on the sea, and so on. But the words "began" and "until the day" certainly suggest the beginning and the ending of our Lord's ministry, or rather the whole ministry from its beginning to its end, so that the meaning would be "of all that Jesus did and taught from first to last." To do and to teach. So the disciples on the way to Emmaus speak of Jesus as "a Prophet mighty in deed and word" (<a href="/luke/24-19.htm">Luke 24:19</a>). Compare the stress laid upon the works of Christ in <a href="/acts/10-38.htm">Acts 10:38, 39</a>. <a href="/commentaries/acts/1-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>In my Τὸν (Ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. first πρῶτον (prōton) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4413.htm">Strong's 4413: </a> First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost. book, λόγον (logon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3056.htm">Strong's 3056: </a> From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. O ὦ (ō) Interjection <a href="/greek/strongs_5599.htm">Strong's 5599: </a> A primary interjection; as a sign of the vocative case, O; as a note of exclamation, oh. Theophilus, Θεόφιλε (Theophile) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2321.htm">Strong's 2321: </a> From theos and philos; friend of God; Theophilus, a Christian. I wrote ἐποιησάμην (epoiēsamēn) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. about περὶ (peri) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time. all πάντων (pantōn) Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. that ὧν (hōn) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. began ἤρξατο (ērxato) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_756.htm">Strong's 756: </a> To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence. to do ποιεῖν (poiein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. to teach, διδάσκειν (didaskein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1321.htm">Strong's 1321: </a> To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/1-1.htm">Acts 1:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/1-1.htm">Acts 1:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/1-1.htm">Acts 1:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/1-1.htm">Acts 1:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/1-1.htm">Acts 1:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/1-1.htm">Acts 1:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/1-1.htm">Acts 1:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/1-1.htm">Acts 1:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/1-1.htm">Acts 1:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/1-1.htm">Acts 1:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/1-1.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 1:1 The first book I wrote Theophilus concerned (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/21-25.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 21:25"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 21:25" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/1-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 1:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 1:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>