The Book of Acts in Its First Century Setting (5 vols.)

The Book of Acts in Its Ancient Literary Setting offers a number of quite fresh approaches to Acts. . . . A dozen different genres or types of document are explored here, resulting in a rich mix of options. Acts emerges from its isolation into a world of contemporary rhetoric and recording. This work lifts the study of Acts onto a new, much more contextual plane.

—Edwin A. Judge

An important contribution to a new and better understanding of Luke’s Acts in its true literary and historical context. This work is coming at just the right time, when a change in the older pseudo-critical but (in reality) unhistorical assessment of Luke is becoming visible. It shows that Luke is a real Hellenistic historian writing a monograph about the history of a new messianic Jewish sect called ‘Christians.’ This group of highly qualified authors gives a convincing overview from quite different perspectives, helping us to do more justice to Luke and to better understand this fascinating early Christian author.

—Martin Hengel

The results of our rapidly expanded historical and archaeological knowledge have here been brought to bear on the Book of Acts to stunning effect. Outstanding as Jackson and Lake was in its day, this volume on the Graeco-Roman setting of Acts holds out the promise of equaling if not surpassing that great achievement.

—Paul Barnett

This well-written volume offers a remarkable, up-to-date collection of relevant new data to assist in scenario formation for a considerate reading of the Book of Acts. The largely Australian and British team of authors must be congratulated for preparing this very useful data set. There are authoritative descriptions of travel, of food supply, of domestic and political religion, of urban elites, and of the Eastern Mediterranean provinces and their leadership. Such information about the realia of the Graeco-Roman world will enable the interpreter of Acts to bring these data to bear in the process of interpretation. . . . Of great use to ancient historians, classicists, and biblical scholars, yet written and presented in such a way that it will be fascinating to intelligent nonprofessionals as well.

—Bruce J. Malina

The author has produced an invaluable resource for both Acts and Pauline scholars, having placed the prison narratives of Paul in both their cultural and literary settings. The footnotes alone demonstrate the wealth of socio-cultural knowledge that Rapske brings to his reading of the Acts account as well as his understanding of the Pauline missions via-á-vis his suffering in prison.

—Journal for the Study of the New Testament

We are now deeply indebted to Rapske for exposing a surprising blank page in our understanding of Paul’s ministry: Paul in Roman custody. . . . Carefully drawing on primary material, Rapske uncovers a wealth of historical information on Roman judicial processes and related custodial practices. . . . We have important contributions to the study of Paul and of Acts in this book. Judicious reasonable explanations are provided for elements of the Acts narrative that have aroused historical suspicions. . . . Rapske clearly has produced a magisterial study putting New Testament research, especially Acts, in his debt.

—Theological Educator

This fine collective work interprets Acts in the setting of ancient Judaea, Samaria, and Galilee. Its chapters range from studies of archaeology, inscriptions, geography, and culture to reviews of historical questions concerning the Jerusalem church and its organization and worship, and the relation of Christians to the Roman administration and the Jewish community. Ancient historians and specialists in Jewish studies collaborate with New Testament scholars to offer a wealth of information and many fresh approaches and insights. Their contributions form a handbook of high quality and interest that will be valued for a long time.

—William Horbury

Expect from this series an avoidance of oversimplification, engagement with current scholarship, independence of judgment, and superb knowledge of the world of ancient Christianity.

—Abraham J. Malherbe