Lexical Summary autoptés: Eyewitness Original Word: αὐτόπτης Strong's Exhaustive Concordance eye-witness. From autos and optanomai; self-seeing, i.e. An eye-witness -- eye-witness. see GREEK autos see GREEK optanomai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom autos and optanomai Definition an eyewitness NASB Translation eyewitnesses (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 845: αὐτόπτηςαὐτόπτης, ἀυτοπτου, ὁ (αὐτός, ὈΠΤΩ), seeing with one's own eyes, an eye-witness (cf. ἀυτηκως one who has himself heard a thing): Luke 1:2. (In Greek writings from Herodotus down.) Topical Lexicon Definition and Context The singular noun αὐτόπτης (autoptēs) designates one who has seen with his own eyes. It emphasizes direct, personal observation rather than second-hand report. In the Greco-Roman world the term was often employed in historical writings to attest primary-source reliability. Luke, a careful historian and physician, adapts the same idea to ground his Gospel in verifiable fact. Occurrence in Scripture Luke 1:2 is the sole New Testament occurrence: “just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word”. Here the plural αὐτόπται underscores that Luke’s record rests on testimony from those who had firsthand access to Jesus’ words and works. Eyewitness Testimony in Luke's Prologue Luke 1:1-4 forms a formal historiographic preface. By invoking αὐτόπται Luke affirms that the material he transmits—birth narratives, miracles, teachings, death, resurrection, and ascension—derives from people who not only heard but actually saw. His Gospel therefore stands on the same evidentiary footing as recognized secular histories of the era (cf. Josephus’ prefaces). Historical Reliability of Eyewitness Accounts 1. Firsthand observation eliminates legendary accretion: events still resided within living memory (cf. Acts 26:26). Theological Significance Eyewitness grounding affirms that the gospel is not myth but history. Salvation hinges on real events: the incarnation, atoning death, and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Autoptic testimony bridges faith and fact, showing that belief in Christ rests on credible evidence, not subjective experience alone. Implications for Ministry and Discipleship • Preaching: Gospel proclamation can confidently appeal to historical veracity (Acts 2:32). Comparative Biblical Usage While αὐτόπτης appears only once, related terms reinforce the theme: Together they create a constellation of vocabulary underscoring the sensory confirmation of divine revelation. Connections to Old Testament Witness Principle The necessity of eyewitness corroboration is rooted in Torah jurisprudence (Numbers 35:30). Prophets likewise appealed to observable acts of God (Exodus 14:31; Isaiah 6:1). Luke picks up this thread, presenting Jesus’ life as God’s climactic, publicly witnessed act of redemption. Early Church Understanding Patristic writers echoed Luke’s emphasis. Papias prized information “from the living and surviving voice,” while Irenaeus argued that apostolic eyewitnesses ensured doctrinal purity. The Muratorian Fragment commends Luke for orderly compilation from reliable sources. Application for Contemporary Believers • Confidence: The faith once delivered is historically anchored. Forms and Transliterations αυτοπται αυτόπται αὐτόπται autoptai autóptaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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