178 John Kilgallen The clause which describes this knowledge is signalled by ajpestavlh, whose most prominent feature, as far as this essay is concerned is its tense, the aorist tense. The use of this time element means that in consequence of the applicability of Isaiah words to Paul’s audience, this audience should now know something that has happened in the past (9). In addition to the tense of this verb we note its theological significance and its voice. In regard to the former, the meaning of ajpostevllw in Luke’s work conveys the divine origin and forceful direction of salvation to human beings; salvation offered by Paul is removed from Paul’s domain (10) and placed clearly where it belongs, in the mind and will and heart of God. In regard to the latter, there is no doubt that Paul means to emphasize the divine sending by use of the divine passive. Most important, however, is the tense of this verb, which indicates that Paul’s audience is to know, given their own attitude, something about the past (11). The term to; swthvrion is rarely used by Luke. Yet, its contexts relate to this Acts passage. Luke 2,30 (12) and 3,6 are the only texts, but each of them signals reference to people beyond Israel. John the Baptist, interpreted by Isaiah, is to so preach as to allow all flesh to see the salvation of God. No doubt, when these words are applied to John, they refer to all Israel; but the context of Luke suggests that behind this effort of John is to be seen the wider, indeed widest offer of salvation, that to the nations, a preaching to the end of the earth. In Luke 2,30, Simeon traditionally divides the world into two groups, Israel and the Gentiles. Each of these in its own way will know the salvation of God. Thus, in these two short texts, Luke asks his reader to be aware of the universal nature of the salvation God has offered mankind; thus, in this way Luke prepares us for the completion of these prophecies: “God’s salvation” has been sent to “the Gentiles”. (9) “…the commissioning had already taken place”, R.C.H. LENSKI, The Acts of the Apostles (Columbus, OH 1944) 1130. (10) As well, from every other human being’s control. (11) With regard to the tense of ajpestavlh and the message of this verb, we note the comment, “Und es ist nicht ein Ergebnis der Wegerung des ungläubigen Judentums”, J. JERVELL, Die Apostelgeschichte (KeKzNT 3; Göttingen 1998) 629; cf. also B. WITHERINGTON, The Acts of the Apostles. A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI 1998) 806: “…not turning from the Jews to the Gentiles”. (12) “The formula [to; swthvrion tou' qeou'] may be a borrowing from Isa 40:5 (LXX)… quoted in Luke 3:6”, FITZMYER, The Acts of the Apostles (AB28A; New York 1985) II, 796.