Josep Rius-Camps, «The Variant Readings of the Western Text of the Acts of the Apostles (XIX) (Acts 13:13-43).» filologia-neotestamentaria, Vol. 20 (2007) 127-146 page 131

Vol 20 (2007)

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 131 raised up David for them as a king to for them as a king to whom he said by way of witness, â€œI have found David the whom he said by way of witness, â€œI have found David the son of Jesse, a man af- son of Jesse, someone after my own heart who will carry out all my wishesâ€. 23 ter my own heart who will carry out all my wishesâ€. 23 Accord-ingly, God, from From this manâ€™s seed God, in conformity his seed in conformity with the promise, with the promise, produced for Israel a saviour, Jesus, 24 John having previously raised up for Israel a saviour, Jesus, 24 proclaimed, in anticipation of his arrival, John having previous-ly proclaimed, in a baptism of repentance to all the people antici-pation of his arrival, a baptism of of Israel. 25 When John was accom-plish- repent-ance to all the people of Israel. 25 ing his task he said, â€œWhat do you sup- When John was accomplishing his task pose me to be? I am not it, but look! there he said, â€œWhom do you suppose me to is coming after me one whose sandals I be? I am not the one, but look! there is am not worthy to loosen from his feetâ€. coming after me one whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen from his feetâ€. [Î²] 26 Men brothers, descendants of the 26 Men brothers, descendants of the race race of Abraham and those among us of Abraham, those among you fearing fearing God, to us the word of this salva- God, to us the word of this salvation was tion was sent out. 27 The reason for this sent out. 27 The reason for this is that the is that the ones living in Ierou-salem and ones living in Ierousalem and their rulers, her rulers, without under-stand-ing the by not recognizing this man nor under- writ-ings of the Prophets that are read standing the declarations of the Proph- every Sabbath, and by their act of judg- ets, even though they are read on every ing, they fulfilled them. 28 And even Sab-bath, in the act of judging him, they though they found no cause of death in ful-filled them. 28 And although they him when they judged him, they handed found no cause of death, they asked Pi- him over to Pilate for execution. 29 As late to have him executed. 29 When they a way of bringing to an end everything had brought to an end everything written that is written about him, they asked about him, having taken him down from Pilate to crucify this man; then, having the tree they laid him in a tomb. obtained their request a second time, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb, 30 and God raised 30 God, however, raised him from the him. 31 This man appeared to the ones dead, 31 and he appeared for many days while they were going up with him from to the ones who had gone up with him Gali-lee to Ierousalem over many days; from Galilee to Ierousalem; these people these people right up to the present have are witnesses of him to the people. been wit-nesses of him to the people. 32 32 And we ourselves announce to you the And we ourselves announce to you the promise made to the fathers, that God has prom-ise that was made to our fathers, brought this to fulfilment for our children that God has brought this to fulfilment by raising Jesus, for our children by resurrecting the Lord Jesus, the Messiah. 33 For this is what is 33 as indeed it is written in the second written in the first Psalm, Psalm, â€œYou are my son, â€œYou are my son, Today I have fathered you. Today I have fathered youâ€.