Josep Rius-Camps, «The Variant Readings of the Western Text of the Acts of the Apostles (XIX) (Acts 13:13-43).», Vol. 20 (2007) 127-146
In Acts 13:13-43, Paul and Barnabas are seen continuing their missionary activity, notably in Antioch of Pisidia where Luke describes their visit to the synagogue. He recreates in some detail Paul’s first speech, which is noteworthy for the way in which he presents Jesus as the Messiah first and foremost for Israel, a perspective with which Luke is at odds in Codex Bezae. Paul’s overriding concern for his own people, the Jews, to accept his message is strongly in evidence. However, their negative reaction when he extends the message of Jesus to Gentiles causes him, together with Barnabas, to turn from the Jews to the Gentiles. In the Alexandrian text, their announcement of this fact refers to a change on a local scale within Antioch, but in the Bezan text they make a declaration that represents a radical decision and an event of momentous significance in the history of Israel: in view of the Jews’ hostility to the message of Jesus, they will no longer have privileged possession of the Word of God, the Torah that had originally been entrusted to Israel, since it is to be henceforth shared with the Gentiles. The idea of the sharing of the heritage of Israel with the Gentiles is one that will provoke opposition to Paul wherever he preaches to the Jews in future locations, and a theme that Luke will develop over the subsequent chapters.
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THE VARIANT READINGS OF THE WESTERN
TEXT OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (XIX)
(ACTS 13:13-43)
JOSEP RIUS-CAMPS
JENNY READ-HEIMERDINGER
In Acts 13:13-43, Paul and Barnabas are seen continuing their mission-
ary activity, notably in Antioch of Pisidia where Luke describes their visit
to the synagogue. He recreates in some detail Paul’s first speech, which is
noteworthy for the way in which he presents Jesus as the Messiah first and
foremost for Israel, a perspective with which Luke is at odds in Codex Bezae.
Paul’s overriding concern for his own people, the Jews, to accept his message
is strongly in evidence. However, their negative reaction when he extends
the message of Jesus to Gentiles causes him, together with Barnabas, to turn
from the Jews to the Gentiles. In the Alexandrian text, their announcement
of this fact refers to a change on a local scale within Antioch, but in the
Bezan text they make a declaration that represents a radical decision and
an event of momentous significance in the history of Israel: in view of the
Jews’ hostility to the message of Jesus, they will no longer have privileged
possession of the Word of God, the Torah that had originally been entrusted
to Israel, since it is to be henceforth shared with the Gentiles. The idea of the
sharing of the heritage of Israel with the Gentiles is one that will provoke
opposition to Paul wherever he preaches to the Jews in future locations, and
a theme that Luke will develop over the subsequent chapters.
Part Three.– I. The First Phase of the Mission to the Gentiles (Paul
and Barnabas). 13:1-14:27 (cont.)
The narrative of the missionary journey moves on to a different loca-
tion as Cyprus is left behind and the mainland lying opposite the north
coast of Cyprus is reached.
[C] 13:13 Pamphylia: Perga
As Paul and Barnabas continue their journey, now under the leadership
of Paul, John-Mark leaves them to go back to Hierosoluma. The character
of John stands in implicit contrast with Paul: his separating from him
is an act not of defiance or weakness for coping with the rigours of the
mission but rather arises from a deep theological disagreement over the
FilologÃa Neotestamentaria - Vol. XX - 2007, pp. 127-146
Facultad de FilosofÃa y Letras - Universidad de Córdoba (España)
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