Doing the exegesis paper for the book of Acts

(2000 words for BTh; 2500 for MTS)

Please double space all essays!

Please use footnoting (Theology students should know our method; ASC and Arts
students should use a method that is in keeping with what they already know – but I
must be able to locate the book and page number you are using).

Each of the passages involves a speech in the book of Acts. It is important that you
spend time in understanding the “flow of argument” in the speech, so that you can
explain its internal logic which is designed to prove a point and persuade the listeners.
Furthermore, how does this individual speech fit into the larger concerns of Luke’s
book as a whole. The end goal of the task is to provide a coherent overall
interpretation of the speech within the context of Acts overall message. The passages
are large, and detailed commentary on every point of detail will not be possible.
Therefore, the paper should focus on highlighting the major features of the argument,
as well as focussing on key points of detail that have crucial significance.

The following passages are the only ones to be attempted (pick one!):

Acts 13:13-52
Acts 20:13-38
Acts 25:23 – 26:32

Step 1 – Quote the entirety of your chosen passage in your favoured

translation.

It is assumed you have consulted at least 3 translations, but you will need to favour one of
these as your base translation (make sure it is a Formal Equivalent or Mediating Translation
– so ESV, NRSV, NIV, TNIV, RSV, NASB are fine – No NLT, GNB, CEV, NCV, etc). By
printing out the passage in full, you indicate to your marker which translation you are using.
This will NOT contribute to your word count.

Step 2 – Write an Introductory Paragraph (100-150 words)

Summarise the speech you are studying and your basic interpretation of its meaning and
significance. This interpretation will then be demonstrated in detail through the exegesis.

Step 3 Historical Context (200-400 words)

When dealing with the book of Acts, there are two historical contexts or settings you
must consider:

The setting in the life and ministry of the apostles.

  Where does this speech come in the history of the early Church?

 Is there anything relevant in the surrounding history of the time (i.e. Greco-
Roman history; Jewish history) which provides general background to the
life-setting of the text?

The setting in the life of the first hearers of the book of Acts

 This will depend on your own level of certainty about reconstructing the date,
and the original audience for the Acts of the Apostles. For example, if you
think it was written before or after the Jerusalem Temple had fallen, does that
impact the way things are presented?

 Having done your own work, you can check it against the commentators.

Step 4 - Literary Context (200-300 words)

Provide a brief indication of where the passage sits in its immediate narrative context (i.e.
what is before and after the text), and how it fits within the entirety of the work (thinking
through the whole of the story of Acts).

Having done your own work, you can check it against the commentators.

Step 5 – Provide a brief account of the passage structure (150-250 words)

Can we break up the passage into smaller sub-units

For example, the speech of Stephen in Acts 7:2-53 could be subdivided along these
lines:

 Jewish History before Moses (7:2-19)

 Moses as a type of God’s rejected Prophet (7:20-43)
 The Temporary Nature of the Temple (7:44-50)

The value of doing passage structure is it helps you think through the logic of the
speech. Do your own work, and then consult the commentators.

Step 6 - Provide a sequential commentary on your speech (i.e. moving

through the major thought units that you identified in your structural outline
in Step 6) (1000-1250 words)

Essentially, you are explaining the argument of the speech, highlighting crucial points of
detail. Explain the logic, instead of just paraphrasing the speech. Something to keep in mind
throughout your analysis is the significance of the speech in terms of the original listeners
who are hearing it.
Step 7 – Provide a concluding synthesis which demonstrates how this speech
fits into Luke’s overall story in Acts(150-250 words)

This will involve understanding the broad thrust of Luke’s account, and how this
episode contributes.

Step 8 – Responsibly apply the passage to our present day situation

(anywhere from 200-400 words)

How does this speech apply to us, given we may be far removed from the original audience.
Are there core principles or truths which transcend context?

Is there…

a truth to be believed?
A promise to be trusted?
A command to obey?
A warning to heed?
An example to follow?

This is a point where one can be creative, but one must be able to demonstrate how the
application is connected with all the work you have already done in the preceding steps.

Research

Make sure you read the handout from Walter Liefeld, “The Speeches in Acts”. You
don’t have to refer to this in your essay, but if your work shows ignorance of it, it
won’t be looked upon kindly!

Some Good Commentaries to start your research on Acts (please photocopy

relevant sections, rather than borrow the books)

Barrett, C.K., 1994, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Acts of the
Apostles: Chs 1-14, ICC, T&T Clark, Edinburgh

___________1998, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Acts of the

Apostles: Chs. 15-28, ICC, T&T Clark, Edinburgh

Bock, D. 2007, Acts, BECNT, Baker, Grand Rapids

Bruce, F.F. 1988, The Book of Acts (revd. Edn.) NICNT, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids.

Fitzmyer, J.A. 1998, The Acts of the Apostles, Anchor Bible, Doubleday, New York.
Longenecker, Richard, Acts EBC (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995)

Marshall, I. H, Acts, TNTC (Leicester: InterVarsity, 1980)

Peterson, D. 2009, The Acts of the Apostles, PNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids

Polhill, John B., Acts, NAC (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1992)

Witherington, Ben, The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (Grand

Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998)

This is not an exhaustive list, and other commentaries are available, as are general books on
Acts or early church history which may help. Read as much as you can, but within the time
allotted.

Also, you can search on ATLA using a field called Scripture Citation. In addition, if that
doesn’t work, try searching on some of the topics you have discovered.