1 Many people have attempted to write about the things that have taken place among us.
2 Reports of these things were handed down to us. There were people who saw these things for themselves from the beginning and then passed the word on.
3 I myself have carefully looked into everything from the beginning. So it seemed good also to me to write down an orderly report of exactly what happened. I am doing this for you, most excellent Theophilus.
4 I want you to know that the things you have been taught are true.
5 Herod was king of Judea. During the time he was ruling, there was a priest named Zechariah. He belonged to a group of priests named after Abijah. His wife Elizabeth also came from the family line of Aaron.
6 Both of them did what was right in God's eyes. They obeyed all the Lord's commandments and rules faithfully.