Who is Theophilus

Luke 1:1-4

Luke 1:1–4 “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; 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, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.”

Theophilus is mentioned twice in the Bible: 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,” Acts 1:1 “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,”

Interestingly enough, both times they are mentioned by the same person: Luke. Nothing else is really known about this person.

One interesting fact about this person is Luke refers to him as “most excellent.” Some say that leads to believe he was someone of notability. Maybe someone in a powerful position within the Roman government.

Acts 23:26 “Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.”

Acts 24:3 “We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.”

Acts 26:25 “But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.”

So, with these other verses, one could say that was the case. However, let’s take a closer look at Theophilus.

Theophilus is a Greek word that means “friend of God” or “lover of God”

It could be argued 3 different ways:

Theophilus was a Gentile in the Roman government.

Theophilus, given the meaning of his name, could be speaking about new converts, Christians, in general.

Both a & b

So Luke, being a physician and a Gentile, he would possibly have had an opportunity to have a fellowship with such a noble person. However, he would have also had the fellowship of instructing many new converts, both Jews and Gentiles about the life of Jesus.

History of the book of Luke

Luke is the third of four gospels. Much debate is about when it was written. Because no one knows certain of the date, it could be between 60 AD and 85 AD.