Who was Theophilus in the Bible?
Lived in the New Testament era
Theophilus is mentioned in Luk.1.3 and Act.1.1 as the recipient of these two books written by Luke. He is addressed as "most excellent Theophilus," indicating a person of high social or political standing, possibly a Roman official or a wealthy benefactor of the church.
What does the Bible say about Theophilus?
Theophilus is mentioned in Luk.1.3 and Act.1.1 as the recipient of these two books written by Luke. He is addressed as "most excellent Theophilus," indicating a person of high social or political standing, possibly a Roman official or a wealthy benefactor of the church. Luke states that he wrote his Gospel to provide Theophilus with an orderly account of the life and teachings of Jesus, based on eyewitness testimonies. The Book of Acts, also addressed to Theophilus, continues the narrative of the early church's growth and mission. The dedication suggests that Theophilus was a Christian who had received some instruction in the faith but needed a more comprehensive understanding. No other details are provided about Theophilus' background, conversion, or role in the church. His identity remains unknown, but his mention reflects the importance of written accounts in transmitting and confirming the gospel message for believers.
Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.
Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.
Where does Theophilus appear in the Bible?
Theophilus is referenced in 2 verses across 2 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.
- Acts 1:1
- Luke 1:3
What else appears in these passages?
These turn up in the same passages as Theophilus.
Common questions
How many times does the Bible mention Theophilus?
Theophilus appears in 2 verses across 2 books, most often in Acts, which accounts for 1 of them.
Which books of the Bible mention Theophilus?
Acts, Luke.
Where can I read every verse about Theophilus?
This page lists 2 of them. Protos carries all 2, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.
