Interpretation of Luke 1:1-4

[David Hayward]

I have come across the claim that

Luke... in his introductory comments... attests to numerous previous accounts and promises he will set a sometimes-erroneous record straight.

(See the middle of column 2 for the full original.)

The introductory comments are -- after this he launches into the account:

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.

I have looked up this passage in every English-language online and paper Bible I can find, but I consistently find no translation that has the author of Luke promising to"set a sometimes-erroneous record straight."

Are there any out there with sufficient knowledge of the original Greek to tell me whether or not there is the possibility -- even slight -- that Luke can be correctly translated as referring to:

a) ... a sometimes-erroneous record...

and if so, can he be translated as

b) promising to set that record straight.

Thanks in anticipation.

David

[robrecht]

This sense is, at best, only implied in the Greek. There is some question as to whether the adverb in 1,3 akribos (exactly) applies to how closely Luke has followed these things or how accurately his writing is intended to be (in contrast to the previous efforts). If the latter, then there is more of an implication that the earlier accounts were not as accurate, but only in their order (kathexes in 1,1) , not in their substance. Indeed, Luke does chang the order of Mark in a few sections, eliminating some doublets, and composing a long 'journey to Jerusalem' midsection.

[robrecht]

Gerd likes to push controversial points a little bit (sometimes a whole lot!) further than conservative and moderate exegetes might like. It's actually something I like about his exegesis, writing and speaking style. I like it when issues are put in stark relief. He's exaggerating a little bit here.

[granpa]

http://interlinearbible.org/luke/1.htm