# The former book I wrote

The former book is the Gospel of Luke.

# Theophilus

Luke wrote this book to a man named Theophilus. Some translations follow their own culture's way of addressing a letter and write "Dear Theophilus" at the beginning of the sentence. Theophilus means "friend of God" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

# until the day that he was taken up

This refers to Jesus' ascension into heaven. AT: "until the day on which God took him up to heaven" or "until the day that he ascended into heaven" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# commands through the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit led Jesus to instruct his apostles on certain things.

# After his suffering

This refers to Jesus' suffering and death on the cross.

# he presented himself alive to them

Jesus appeared to his apostles and to many other disciples.