Reading for June 22nd

Read Acts 22.22-23.20. In 22.22: Compare the reaction of the crowd to this inclusive mission to Luke's account of Jesus in the synagogue in Nazareth (Lk 4.16-30). In verse 23: Shouting (7.57; 14.14), throwing ... cloaks (14.14; 18.6), and tossing dust (13.51) are ritual acts to prevent the evil of Paul's words. In verse 24: Flogging was a standard Roman method of interrogation. In verses 25-27: This passage and 16.37-39 give a glimpse into Luke's understanding of the right of Roman citizenship. In verse 28: Since he bears the name of Claudius (23.6), the tribune probably purchased his citizenship during the reign of Claudius (41-54 CE). In verse 30: The tribune's ability to order the chief priests and the entire council to meet discloses the thorough control of the Roman order. In 23.1: Living with a clear conscience before God means fidelity to the law (23.3; 24.14-16). In verse 2: In Jn 18.22, Jesus  was struck on the face for his answer to the high priest. In verse 3: Paul invokes a biblical judgment (Deut 28.22) defending (7.53). In verse 5: Paul's question of Ex 22.27 is a evidently obey the law. In verses 6-9: The hope of the resurrection is a central issue (24.20-21), not merely a device to divide the crowd. Jesus also challenged the Sadducees on the resurrection with a scriptural argument the Pharisees and their scribes accepted (Lk 22.27-40). In verse 7: On the dissension within Israel see also 14.4. Comments or Questions..