The Jewish Annotated New Testament (244 page)

3
:
Tentmakers
, Paul engaged in manual labor; see 1 Cor 4.12.

4
: Paul follows the typical pattern of teaching on Sabbath (see 17.2) in a synagogue (see 17.1) to Jews and Gentiles (see 17.4).

5
:
Silas and Timothy
, see 17.10–15.
The Messiah was Jesus
, the claim provokes a harsh response from Jews (9.22; 17.3–5; 18.28).

6
:
Shook the dust
, symbolizing separation; see 13.51.
Your blood
, 2 Sam 1.16; Mt 27.25. Acts emphasizes that Jews bear the responsibility for failing to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah.
Innocent
, not responsible for their failure to enter the messianic kingdom.
Go to the Gentiles
, see 13.46; 28.28.

7
:
Titius Justus
, Acts highlights Gentile adherents to Judaism, e.g., the Ethiopian official (8.26–28), Cornelius (10.1), Lydia (16.14); see also the unnamed Roman centurion in the Gospel (Lk 7.1–5).

8
:
Crispus
, 1 Cor 1.14.
official of the synagogue
, see 13.15.
Household
, see 11.14.

9
:
Vision
, see 9.10.

10
:
I am with you
, Ex 3.12; Isa 43.5.
My people
, including Jews and Gentiles.

12
:
Gallio
, L. Junius Gallio Annaeanus was proconsul (chief Roman magistrate) in Achaia ca. 51–52. See 13.7n.
Jews
, Jews are singled out as Paul’s opponents (13.45; 17.5,13; 20.3,19).

13
:
The law
, either Jewish law (as Gallio understands the accusation, v. 15; cf. 21.21) or Roman law (16.21; 17.7).

15
:
See to it yourselves
, Roman government granted Jewish communities permission to practice their own law (
Ant
. 16.163; 19.290) and to decide matters concerning their own customs (
Ant
. 14.195; 235, 260).

17
:
Sosthenes
, a Christian by this name was known to the Corinthian church (1 Cor 1.1).
official of the synagogue
, see 13.15.

18.18
–23: Paul concludes the journey. 18
:
Priscilla and Aquila
, v. 2.
Cenchreae
, eastern port of Corinth.
Hair cut
, the act that completes the Nazirite vow (Num 6.1–21). Acts portrays Paul as observant of Jewish law.

19
:
Ephesus
, administrative seat of the province of Asia.
Synagogue
, see 13.5.

21
:
I will return
, Paul does so on his next journey (19.1–41).

22
:
Caesarea
, see 8.40.

23
:
Galatia and Phrygia
, see 16.6.
Strengthening all the disciples
, see 14.22.

18.24
–20.38: Paul’s return journey to Asia Minor and Greece.
Paul embarks on a third journey, beginning in Asia Minor.

18.24
–28: Apollos.

24
:
Apollos
, an important figure in the Corinthian church (19.1; 1 Cor 1.12; 3.4–6,22; 4.6; 16.12).
Alexandria
was a noted center of learning with a large Jewish community.

25
:
Way
, see 9.2.
Baptism of John
, see 13.24. Possibly a ritual performed by a follower of John the Baptist, here presented as a rival messianic sect.

26
:
Speak boldly
, see 4.13n.
Priscilla and Aquila
, see v. 2n.

28
:
The Messiah is Jesus
, see 9.22.

19.1
–41: Paul’s return to Ephesus.
Paul’s return shows God’s continuing involvement in his work (18.21).

3
:
John’s baptism
, see 18.25.

4
: Paul summarizes John’s preaching, Lk 3.16–17.

5
:
Baptized in the name
, see 2.38; 8.16; 10.48.

6
:
Laid
…
hands
, see 8.17; 9.12.
Spoke in tongues
, see 2.4,11; 10.46.

8
:
Synagogue
, see 13.5.
Spoke out boldly
, 4.13n.
Kingdom of God
, see 8.12.

9
: The motif of Jewish disbelief continues.
Way
, see 9.2; 18.25.
Lecture hall of Tyrannus
, the exact nature or location of the hall is unknown.

11
–20: Seven Sons of Sceva.
Paul’s miraculous deeds stand in contrast to the ineptitude of the Jewish exorcists.

11
: On Paul’s miracles, see 13.11; 14.10; 20.9–10; 28.3–6.

13
:
Jewish exorcists
, see
Ant
. 8.45–49.
I adjure you
, standard formula in magical texts, thus marking them as magicians. Non-Christians used Jesus’ name for their purposes (e.g.,
Greek Magical Papyri
4.3019–20), but non-Christians cannot compel the power of Jesus’ name by incantations.

14
:
Sceva
, no contemporary source attests a high priest by this Latin name.

15
:
Who are you
, only Christians have authority and ability to employ the power of Jesus’ name (3.6; 4.10,30; 16.18). The demon humiliates and injures the Jewish would-be exorcists.

17
: The failure of the Jewish exorcists prompts belief in Jesus; see 13.6–12.

18
:
Confessed
, made verbal acknowledgment; used of sin, e.g., Mk 1.5.

19
: See 16.19n. (8.18; 20.33).

20
:
Word of the Lord grew mightily
, typical summary statement (2.41,47; 4.32–35; 5.12–16; 6.11; 9.31; 16.5).

21
–41: Riot in Ephesus
.

21
: First mention of Rome, the imperial capital and Acts’ geographic goal (1.8).

22
:
Timothy
, see 16.1,3; 17.14–15; 18.5; 20.4.
Erastus
, see Rom 16.23; 2 Tim 4.20.

23
:
Way
, see 9.1–2.

24
:
Silver shrines
, used as votive offerings or souvenirs.
Artemis
, the city’s principal deity, goddess of the hunt and wild animals, worshiped at a famous and opulent temple.
Brought no little business
, brought much business; “litotes,” a figure of speech negating the opposite of what is meant, emphasizes by understatement.

26
:
Gods made with hands
, see 17.29.

27
:
Artemis will be scorned
, the temple of Artemis brought the city significant prestige and economic benefit.
Brought all Asia and the world to worship her
, Ephesus was responsible for the empire-wide dissemination of the worship of Artemis.

28
:
Great is Artemis of the Ephesians
, also v. 34. Well-known acclamation (Xenophon,
Ephesian Tale
1.11.5).

29
:
Theater
, theaters were often used for large civic gatherings (Philo,
Flaccus
41; Josephus,
J.W
. 7.107; Dio Chrys.,
Or
. 7.24; Tacitus,
Hist
. 2.80).
Gaius
(20.4; Rom 16.23; 1 Cor 1.14) and
Aristarchus
(20.4; 27.2; Philem 24), close companions of Paul.

31
:
officials of the province of Asia
, civic officials in Asia Minor, some of whom were connected with the worship of the emperor. Local officials and other elite persons often assist Paul or become believers (13.12,50; 16.35; 17.12,34; 18.15–16).

34
:
Great
…
Ephesians
, see v. 28n.

35
:
Town clerk
, a leading civic office.
Temple keeper
, title used by cities that built temples to the Roman emperor or patron deity.
Statue that fell from heaven
, refutes the claim that Ephesians worship a deity made with hands (v. 26).

37
–38
: The accusation that Christians cause disturbance (16.20; 17.6; 24.5) is shown to be false.
Proconsuls
, see 13.7n.

20.1
–38: Paul’s return to Macedonia and Greece.

2
:
Encouragement
, see 14.22.

3
:
Plot
…
by the Jews
, Acts often portrays Jews as Paul’s leading opponents (see 18.12).