Many had tried, but Luke the Doctor was going to get it done. This was likely made possible through Theophilus, a potential benfactor. His name means “God-Lover” so it likely was more of a descriptive name than an actual name. We’re not sure if that’s the case, but likely.

Regardless, Luke is going to approach his research carefully, detailed, and with order from eyewitnesses. Luke, as a doctor and a Gentile would have a very unique perspective.

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us,  just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,  it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Even though Luke is a Gentile, he recognizes that there has been a great fulfillment (“accomplished”) in his day and time. He was not an eyewitness but he knew the eyewitnesses and those who preached the Word. In fact, Luke “followed all things closely for some time past.” As a doctor, he obviously had a knack for detail and for recording it.

Luke wants us to know that he has not undertaken his gospel casually. Instead, he has gone to great effort to listen to the eyewitnesses, he followed things closely himself, and his account affirms what Theophilus had been taught.