Division 1:1–6:7

Jesus ascended to heaven, and the Holy Spirit came and enabled believers to evangelize many other Jews

The setting for this division was Jerusalem and the people were Jewish. After Jesus had instructed his followers to tell others about him, he ascended to heaven (1:2–9). As Jesus had promised the apostles (1:4–5), the Holy Spirit came (2:1–4) and enabled the believers to tell many other people about Jesus. The Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to do miracles, such as healing a lame man (3:1–10). These miracles showed people that what the apostles and other believers said was true, and that God was empowering them. However, Jewish leaders opposed the apostles and tried to prevent them from teaching people about Jesus (4:1–22). This division tells how well the believers lived together and worked together (2:42–47). However, it also tells about problems among the believers, such as Ananias and Sapphira lying (5:1–11) and people neglecting widows (6:1). But it shows how God enabled the believers to resolve these problems. In those ways the number of people who believed in Jesus increased greatly in Jerusalem (6:7).

Section 1:1–11

Jesus instructed his followers and then ascended to heaven

In this section Luke introduced the rest of the book (1:12–28:31). He indicated to whom he was writing. He also indicated that he had written about Jesus in a previous book. He gave a short summary of what Jesus did after he died on the cross. He introduced three important themes: The Holy Spirit empowering believers; the believers telling others about Jesus; and God planning for Jesus to return.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Introduction (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
The Promise of the Holy Spirit (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Luke Writes Another Book (New Century Version)

Since this is the first section, some English versions do not have a heading. Consider what is the best way to begin a book of the Bible in your language.

Paragraph 1:1–3

1:1a

In my first book, O Theophilus: The name of the person addressed, Theophilus, occurs in the middle of the sentence. In some languages, it is more natural to have it first in the sentence. For example:

Theophilus, in my former book

In some language, it is more natural to introduced the name in a different way. For example:

To Theophilus.

The first book I wrote (New Century Version)

In my first book: This phrase refers to the Gospel of Luke. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as first indicates that Luke wrote that book before this book. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

In my former book (New International Version)
-or-
In the book that I wrote before this one

O Theophilus: The name Theophilus means “friend of God.” In Luke 1:3 Luke addressed him as “most excellent Theophilus.” This address most likely indicates that Theophilus was a person of high social standing. In your translation, you should use a natural form for writing or speaking directly to someone of high social standing. For example:

⌊honorable⌋ Theophilus
-or-
Dear Theophilus: (Good News Translation)
-or-

⌊most excellent⌋ Theophilus

However some languages do not normally express honor when greeting someone, like the way that the Berean Standard Bible translates.

1:1b–2a

I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach, until the day he was taken up to heaven: The words began and until indicate that Luke wrote in the first book about what Jesus did from the first day of his life to the day he was taken up to heaven. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

1bI wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2auntil the day when he was taken up to heaven (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-

1bI first wrote to you about all that Jesus did and taught from the very first 2auntil he was taken up to heaven. (Contemporary English Version)

1:1b

wrote: The Greek word is literally “made.” It refers to putting effort into something. Luke worked hard at writing this book. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

composed (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
gave an account (Revised English Bible)

about all: The phrase about all indicates that Luke wrote about all the important events and teachings of Jesus. It does not mean that Luke wrote down everything that Jesus did and said. In some languages a literal translation would indicate that Luke actually wrote about everything Jesus did. If that is true in your language, you may want to indicate the correct meaning in your translation. For example:

about all ⌊the important things⌋
-or-
about the things
-or-
about the many things

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