Acts was written in greek, presumably by the evangelist luke, whose gospel concludes where acts begins, namely, with christs ascension into heaven. It neither contains all of the acts of some of the apostles, b. More 5 things include commentary read and page numbers. A socio rhetorical commentary is a comprehensive and erudite analysis of the book of acts. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. The fifth book of the new testament has been known from ancient times as the acts of the apostles. The theology of the acts of the apostles 1996, 2004 ben, witherington. Commentary on the book of acts of the apostles by matthew. This commentary on matthew offers a unique interpretive approach that focuses on the socio historical context of the gospel and the nature of matthews exhortation to his firstcentury christian audience. Study the bible online using commentary on acts and more. Written in a readable style, with more detailed interaction with scholarly discussion found in the various excursuses, this comme. Ben witherington is simply one of the finest christian scholars of our day. This versebyverse bible study and commentary of the acts of the apostles the book of acts or simply acts is indepth but uses plain language that everyone can understand, as well as a format that will engage you.
The introduction covers all the ground one would expect authorship, date, audience, structure, theology, purpose, etc, as well as a tremendous amount of detailed background information regarding lukes use of rhetoric and the sociological situation. A socio rhetorical commentary ben witherington as an amazon associate, if you use the link above, we receive a small percentage from qualifying purchases. The first verse points the reader back to the book of luke which isobviouslythe former account luke 1. Both were probably written by luke, an early christian who. This commentary on acts is a piece of exciting writing and loaded with great alliteration. Review article on ben witherington iii, the acts of the. As an amazon associate, if you use the link above, we receive a small percentage from qualifying purchases. Acts was apparently written in rome, perhaps between ad 70 and 90, though some think a slightly earlier. This is an excellent commentary on the acts of the apostles, aptly subtitled a sociorhetorical commentary.
For that and several other reasons, it may be the very best commentary for any reader who approaches the christian scriptures as literature rather than as. Examine the new testament in greater depth with the sociorhetorical commentary series. A sociorhetorical commentary, by witherington, ben, iii. This would indicate it was matthew, mark, luke, or john. Written in a readable style, with more detailed interaction with scholarly discussion found in the various excursuses, this commentary draws on the best new insights from a number of. The acts of the apostles is the second new testament work composed by the individual responsible for the gospel of luke. It opens with a greeting to theophilus, who was also the intended recipient of lukes gospel. The acts of the apostles is an ongoing commentary of the preaching of the gospel in the first century. The introduction covers all the ground one would expect authorship, date, audience, structure, theology, purpose, etc, as well as a tremendous amount of detailed background information regarding lukes use of rhetoric and the sociological situation of the day. Best acts commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. In the rest of the book of acts, the central figure is paul.
Ben witherington, iii this course approaches the new testament book of acts as both history and theology. The acts of the apostles a sociorhetorical commentary by ben witherington iii. From the beginning on pentecost through the missionary journeys of paul, the book chronicles a monumental effort to spread the faith in. Sociorhetorical interpretation from its beginnings to the. The commentary on acts is written in a readable style, drawing on the best new insights from a number of disciplines narrative, archaeology, social scientific study, rhetorical analysis, and comparative studies to provide the reader with the benefits of recent innovative ways of analyzing the text. But overall, i have cause to wonder if the subtitle a. A bible handbook to the acts of the apostles 1999 19th century commentaries on acts. Why were the people of jerusalem amazed when peter and john were able to heal the cripple. This commentary interacts with the scholarly discussion found in the various excursuses in the book, draws on the best new insights from a number of disciplines narratological studies of lukeacts. Read acts commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible.
Acts is a fastmoving historical account of the first three decades of the church. A sociorhetorical commentary is a comprehensive and erudite analysis of the book of acts. A socio rhetorical commentary written in a readable style, the detailed discussion focuses on the best new insights from a number of disciplines such as archaeological, geographic, rhetorical and socialscientific study of the new testament. For example, after introducing aquila and priscilla in acts 18, he provides five pages on judaism as a religio licita. It recounts the story of the genesis and spread of the early church, from the ascension of jesus to the arrival of paul in rome. Clearly, the author ofthe book of luke is also the one who penned the book of acts. Recent developments in sociorhetorical interpretation. One such moment is pauls speech before agrippa acts 26. Some have suggested in jest, some of the acts of some of the apostles. Hemer, the book of acts in the setting of hellenistic history.
Sociorhetorical commentary by ben witherington iii in paperback format at koorong 0802845010. The title acts of the apostles was first used by irenaeus in the late 2nd century. Revised, the new international commentary on the new testament. The witherington sociorhetorical commentary series 5volume. Interpretation, history and theology osvaldo padilla on. Eerdmans carlisle, uk, the paternoster press, 1998. A sociorhetorical commentary, and robert tannehills the narrative unity of lukeacts 8 have relied almost exclusively upon the historicalcritical method. Sociorhetorical commentaryn was an editorial decision and witherington would have preferred something like a defense of luke as a historian. Contexts, methods, and ministry transformation downers grove, il. The acts of the apostles breaks fresh ground in providing a detailed social and rhetorical analysis of the book of acts. For those unfamiliar with the author, witherington is a leading contemporary new testament scholar.
A commentary on acts of the apostles bible study guide. The acts of the apostles, or simply the acts, is the second part to the gospel of luke in the new testament. Written in a readable style, with more detailed interaction with scholarly discussion found in the various excursuses, this commentary draws on the best new insights from a number of disciplines narratological studies of luke acts, archaeological and social scientific study of the new testament, rhetorical analysis of acts, comparative studies. Keener focuses on both the history of earliest christianity found in acts and. The boldness of the disciples amazed the priests and religious leaders because. This work on acts is another of his colossal achievements. A sociorhetorical commentary by ben witherington iii 1998 published by william b. The acts of the apostles church leadership resources.
It is not known whether this was an existing title or one invented by irenaeus. Click download or read online button to get a critical and exegetical commentary on the acts of the apostles book now. Since acts ends with paul awaiting trial before caesar, some have wondered if luke acts are not defense briefs on pauls behalf to give a roman official background on pauls case. A socio rhetorical commentary by ben witherington iii 1998 published by william b. Using sociorhetorical criticism, the new testament is interpreted within the context of the world in which it was written. The acts of the apostles a socio rhetorical commentary. Using sociorhetorical criticism, the new testament is interpreted within the context of the world in. In this passage, luke is restating the great commission challenge jesus gave in luke 24. Top 5 commentaries on the book of acts ligonier ministries. The book of acts tells how the multiethnic, international. The gospel according to luke and the acts of the apostles together make up 27% of the content of the entire new testament.
The revelation of the holy spirit in the acts of the apostles london. A sociorhetorical commentary condition new written in a readable style, the detailed discussion focuses on the best new insights from a number of disciplines such as archaeological, geographic, rhetorical and socialscientific study of the new testament. As with all the sociorhetorical commentaries, witherington uses lengthy excursuses in a slightly smaller font to develop special themes. You can find the best commentary on acts for you using the tools on the right side. It might appropriately be called some of the acts of some of the apostles since it does not try to describe all of the acts of all the apostles. In the context of acts 2, peter refers to the book of joel as proof that the day of the lord has come in his sermon at pentecost acts 2.
Like ben witheringtons previous commentary conflict and community in corinth, this commentary breaks fresh ground in providing a detailed social and rhetorical analysis of the book of acts. A critical and exegetical commentary on the acts of the. The acts of the apostles a sociorhetorical commentary. The criteria for apostleship set forth in acts 1 namely, that the number of apostles must be twelve and that each of the twelve must have participated in jesus ministry precludes paul from being considered an apostle. This commentary interacts with the scholarly discussion found in the various excursuses in the book, draws on the best new insights from a number of disciplines narratological studies of luke acts, archaeological and social scientific study of the new testament, rhetorical. Acts, paul and earliest christianity university of florida. One of the earliest manuscripts, the codex sinaiticus, gives as the title the simple word acts, with no mention of the apostles. University of durham in england, currently professor of new testament interpretation, asbury theological seminary, notes in his research that ancient historical writing in lukes. A sociorhetorical commentary books download as pdf.
Acts of the apostles biblical studies oxford bibliographies. A sociorhetorical commentary by ben, iii witherington 1997, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. During 19992003, the studiorum novi testamenti societas provided the context for a socio rhetorical interpretation seminar that met at annual meetings in south africa, israel, canada, great britain, and germany. By merging a careful study of matthews gospel in relation to the social context of the ancient mediterranean world. For that and several other reasons, it may be the very best commentary for any reader who approaches the christian scriptures as literature rather than as gospel. At the end of the gospel of luke jesus says that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at jerusalem. The acts of the apostles pdf epub info share 8 501. While its ninehundredplus pages do not make it a convenient document to carry around for inbetween reading, scholars, seminary students, pastors, and educated laypersons would do well to have a copy on their library shelves.
In the first twelve chapters, peter is the central figure. This 10volume collection offers the first sustained attempt to read and study the new testament as both an ancient biography as regards the gospels and as a form of ancient rhetoric. The following comments are offered for readers who are considering a purchase of this text. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. An introduction and commentary tyndale new testament commentaries howard marshall. In the same light, i expected more in the socio area. The acts of the apostles, abbreviation acts, fifth book of the new testament, a valuable history of the early christian church. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons.
These closer looks are worth the price of the book alone. He suggests that this second volume of luke raises as many questions as it answers. Acts acts of the apostles provides an account of the formation of the early church acts 2. Ben witherington, 111, presents us with a massive commentary on what he perceives as one of the most puzzling, yet interesting, books of the nt. In addition, witherington provides detailed attention to major theological. Acts of the apostles,the by ben witherington iii koorong.