The name “Theophilus,” found at the beginning of both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, is significant. The name itself is of Greek origin, meaning “lover of God” or “God’s friend.” The dedication to this individual suggests that Luke intended these two volumes as a unified work directed towards a specific recipient.
The identity of this person has been a subject of debate among scholars. Some propose that he was a high-ranking Roman official or a wealthy patron who financed the writing and distribution of Luke’s work. Others suggest “Theophilus” might be a symbolic figure, representing all Christians or those interested in learning about the Christian faith. Regardless, the detailed and orderly account provided by Luke indicates a desire to present reliable information to this individual, intending to strengthen his understanding of the events surrounding Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and the subsequent spread of Christianity. The preface to Luke’s Gospel states that he wrote so that Theophilus “may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”
