136 Josep Rius-Camps and Jenny Read-Heimerdinger [D'] 17:10-13 Macedonia III: Beroea [C'] 17:14-34 Greece I: Athens [B'] 18:1-17 Greece II: Corinth [A'] 18:18-23 Epilogue [A] 16:1-4 Prolegomena The main point of interest in this preparatory sequence is Paul’s mee- ting of Timothy and his circumcision of him. The theme of circumcision was raised in the previous section by the insistence of some of the Pha- risee believers on the need to circumcise the Gentile disciples (cf. 15:1.5). Here, the idea is taken further, by raising the question of circumcision among Jewish believers. The action takes place in Derbe, Lystra and Iconium, the furthest cities visited by Paul and Barnabas during the first phase of the mission, but now returned to at the outset of his return visit. [a] 16:1a Paul’s arrival in Derbe and Lystra [b] 16:1b-2 Introduction of Timothy [c] 16:3a Paul wishes to take Timothy with him [c'] 16:3b Circumcision of Timothy [b'] 16:3c Timothy’s parentage [a'] 16:4 Preaching and transmission of Jerusalem decree Translation Codex Bezae D05 Codex Vaticanus B03 [a] 16:1a Having gone through those 16:1a He went down both to Derbe nations, he went down to Derbe and and also to Lystra. Lystra. [b] 1b There, there was a certain dis- 1b There was a certain disciple the- ciple by the name of Timothy, the re by the name of Timothy, the son son of a Jewish woman believer of a Jewish woman believer but but of a Greek father, 2 who was of a Greek father, 2 who was well well spoken of by the brethren in spoken of by the brethren in Lystra Lystra and Iconium. and Iconium. [c] 3a This man, Paul wanted him to 3a This man, Paul wanted him to go go out with him; out with him; [c'] 3b and he took him and circumci- 3b and he took him and circumci- sed him because of the local Jews sed him because of the local Jews in in that place that place