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Luke–Acts

The double helix: two volumes whose spiraling paths share plot patterns, mirrored characters, and a geographic arc through Jerusalem.

The mission of Jesus … fulfilled in Paul

Victor M. Wilson, Divine Symmetries

The Gospel aims relentlessly towards Jerusalem; Acts cycles away from Jerusalem towards Rome. The transitional hinge lies at the interface of the two books in the Ascension (Luke 24:50–52; Acts 1:9).

  1. A
    Edict from RomeLuke
  2. B
    GalileeLuke
  3. C
    SamariaLuke
  4. D
    JudeaLuke
  5. E
    JerusalemLuke
  6. F
    AscensionLuke 24:50–52also Acts 1:9
  7. E′
    JerusalemActs
  8. D′
    JudeaActs
  9. C′
    SamariaActs
  10. B′
    The nationsActs
  11. A′
    To RomeActs

Plots in parallel: introduction and preparation (Jesus / Peter)

Victor M. Wilson, Divine Symmetries

Substantially the outline of Charles Talbert (1974): parallel plots of both theme and general order.

  1. 1preface dedicates the book to TheophilusLuke 1:1–4Acts 1:1–5
  2. 2time of preparation, prayer and waitingLuke 1:5–3:21Acts 1:6–26
  3. 3baptism with the Holy SpiritLuke 3:22Acts 2:1–4
  4. 4ministry opens with inaugural sermonLuke 4:16–30Acts 2:14–40

Plots in parallel: early local ministry (Jesus / Peter)

Victor M. Wilson, Divine Symmetries

  1. 1opening ministry is localized: Galilee / Jerusalem and JudeaLuke 4:31–8:56Acts 2:41–8:3
  2. 2a lame man is healedLuke 5:17–25Acts 3:1–10
  3. 3conflicts with religious leadersLuke 5:29–6:11Acts 4:1–8:3
  4. 4death of a martyr: John the Baptist / StephenLuke 9:9Luke ca. 7–9 (9:9); Acts 7:54–8:1
  5. 5foreshadowing the conversion of the gentiles (1): a centurion sends for the leaderLuke 7:1–10Acts 10:1–48
  6. 6foreshadowing the conversion of the gentiles (2): a story involving a widow's son and a resurrectionLuke 7:11–17Acts 9:36–43

Plots in parallel: journey narratives (Jesus / Paul)

Victor M. Wilson, Divine Symmetries

  1. 1a resolve to journey to JerusalemLuke 9:51–53Acts 19:21
  2. 2missionary journey narrativesLuke 9:51–19:27Acts 13:1–21:17
  3. 3passion journeyLuke 9:31Luke 9:31, 51; 12:50; 13:33; 18:31–33; Acts 20:3, 22–24, 37–38; 21:4, 12–13
  4. 4friends and disciples lack understandingLuke 9:45Luke 9:45; 18:34; Acts 21:4, 12–13
  5. 5ready to die in JerusalemLuke 13:22Acts 21:13

Plots in parallel: Jerusalem, and arrest and trial (Jesus / Paul)

Victor M. Wilson, Divine Symmetries

  1. 1joyously received on arriving in JerusalemLuke 19:37Acts 21:17–21
  2. 2a visit to the Temple; a friendly attitudeLuke 19:45–48Acts 21:26
  3. 3dispute over the resurrection; Sadducees vs. PhariseesLuke 20:27–39Acts 23:6–9
  4. 4a farewell address to intimate friendsLuke 22:14–38Acts 20:17–38
  5. 5a last meal is shared in the final, early hoursLuke 22:14–20Acts 27:33–38
  6. 6seizure by a mobLuke 22:47–54Acts 21:30
  7. 7a slap before the high priestLuke 22:63–64Acts 23:2
  8. 8four trialsLuke 22:66Luke 22:66; 23:1; 23:8; 23:13; Acts chs. 23, 24, 25, 26
  9. 9three declarations of innocenceLuke 23:4Luke 23:4, 14, 22; Acts 23:9; 25:25; 26:31
  10. 10sent to the King (Herod/Agrippa) for questioningLuke 23:6–12Acts 25:13–26:32
  11. 11an opportunity for releaseLuke 23:16Luke 23:16, 22; Acts 26:32
  12. 12the Jews cry "away with this man/him"Luke 23:18Acts 21:36
  13. 13a centurion has a favorable opinionLuke 23:47Acts 27:3, 43
  14. 14the fulfillment of Scripture is notedLuke 24Acts 28
  15. 15"to all the nations" / "to the gentiles"Luke 24:46–49Acts 28:28

Completing the paradigm in Acts 27–28: the storm as Paul's passion

Victor M. Wilson, Divine Symmetries

Right where the crucifixion and resurrection would be paralleled in Acts, a lengthy storm scene is narrated. Paul's escape from the chaos of waters becomes a metaphor for his death in Christ and his resurrection.

  1. 1"the fast had already gone by"Acts 27:9recalls the night following the Passover Sabbath of the crucifixion (Luke 23:53–56)
  2. 2a tiny galley on a boiling sea, its mast lofted like a single crossActs 27:14–15the Church as a ship on a voyage at sea
  3. 3a meal on board evokes the Lord's SupperActs 27:35–36
  4. 4a centurion at the critical hour is favorably impressed with PaulActs 27:43as a centurion was with Christ at the cross (Luke 23:47)
  5. 5a promise that all will be saved who remain with the shipActs 27:31b
  6. 6276 on board: a triangular number, the sum of 1–23Acts 27:37an almost perfect number, perhaps representing Paul's near perfection
  7. 7a serpent from a heap of wood bites Paul; he does not die and is proclaimed "a god"Acts 28:3–6