Luke 1 · Verse 4

Luke 1:4

That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
Luke 1:4, King James Version

Luke 1:4 in other translations

BSBso that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
WEBthat you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
ASVthat thou mightest know the certainty concerning the things wherein thou wast instructed.
YLTthat thou mayest know the certainty of the things wherein thou wast instructed.
DARBYthat thou mightest know the certainty of those things in which thou hast been instructed.
BBESo that you might have certain knowledge of those things about which you were given teaching.
WebsterThat thou mayest know the certainty of those things in which thou hast been instructed.

What does Luke 1:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. that thou mightest know--"know thoroughly." hast been instructed--orally instructed--literally, "catechized" or "catechetically taught," at first as a catechumen or candidate for Christian baptism.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 Wherein thou hast been instructed - Κατηχηθης - In which thou hast been catechized. It appears that Theophilus had already received the first elements of the Christian doctrine, but had not as yet been completely grounded in them. That he might know the certainty of the things in which he had been thus catechized, by having all the facts and their proofs brought before him in order, the evangelist sent him this faithful and Divinely inspired narrative. Those who content themselves with that knowledge of the doctrines of Christ which they receive from catechisms and schoolmasters, however important these elementary instructions may be, are never likely to arrive at such a knowledge of the truth as will make them wise unto salvation, or fortify them against the attacks of infidelity and irreligion. Every man should labor to acquire the most correct knowledge, and indubitable certainty, of those doctrines on which he stakes his eternal salvation. Some suppose that St. Luke refers here to the imperfect instruction which Theophilus had received from the defective Gospels to which he refers in Luk 1:1.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 1:1-4

Luke will not write of things about which Christians may safely differ from one another, and hesitate within themselves; but the things which are, and ought to be surely believed. The doctrine of Christ is what the wisest and best of men have ventured their souls upon with confidence and satisfaction. And the great events whereon our hopes depend, have been recorded by those who were from the beginning eye-witnesses…

Read the full comment on Luke 1:1-4 →

Luke 1:4 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἵναinaso thatG2443
ἐπιγνῷςepignōsyou may knowG1921
περὶpericoncerningG4012
ὧνhōnwhichG3739
κατηχήθηςkatēchēthēsyou were instructedG2727
λόγωνlogōn[of the] thingsG3056
τὴνtēntheG3588
ἀσφάλειαν.¶asphaleiancertainty.G803

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 1:4

  • John 20:31

    But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

  • Acts 18:25

    This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:19

    Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

  • Galatians 6:6

    Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

  • Romans 2:18

    And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;

  • 2 Peter 1:15-16

    Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Joh 20:31; 2Pe 1:15,16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Luke 1:3

    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,

  • Luke 1:4

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

  • Luke 1:5

    There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

Read all of Luke 1

Luke 1:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Para que conozcas la verdad de las cosas en las cuales has sido enseñado.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		afin que tu connaisses la certitude des choses dont tu as été instruit.
German
Elberfelder 1871		auf daß du die Zuverlässigkeit der Dinge erkennest, in welchen du unterrichtet worden bist.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		ut cognoscas eorum verborum, de quibus eruditus es, veritatem.