The Gospel of Luke begins with a prologue addressed to Theophilus.
Luke’s opening four verses explain that the author investigated earlier accounts and traditions so Theophilus could have an orderly and reliable narrative about the events surrounding Jesus. The name Theophilus means “friend of God” or “beloved of God.”
The identity of Theophilus is not certain. He may have been a specific person, possibly a well-placed Christian or patron, or the name may have been used symbolically for Christian readers. Luke addresses the Book of Acts to the same person, creating a literary connection between the two works.
The prologue is distinctive among the four canonical Gospels. Matthew begins with a genealogy, Mark with a brief introduction to John the Baptist, and John with a theological prologue about the Word. Luke’s opening therefore resembles the prefaces used by ancient historical writers, while the Gospel itself combines biography, theology, and narrative history.