Respected New Testament scholar Darrell L. Bock provides a substantive yet highly accessible commentary on Acts in this latest addition to the acclaimed BECNT series. With extensive research and thoughtful chapter-by-chapter exegesis, Bock leads readers through all aspects of the book of Acts--sociological, historical, and theological. His work blends academic depth with readability, making it a useful tool for students, teachers, scholars, and pastors alike. A user-friendly design with shaded text and translations of the Greek text make this commentary engaging and easy to use. The result is a guide that clearly and meaningfully brings this important New Testament book to life for contemporary readers. Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Series Preface Author’s Preface Abbreviations Transliteration Map Introduction to Acts I. Introduction: Jesus Ascends to the Father and Gives a Mission (1:1–11) A. Review of Book 1 to the Ascension (1:1–5) B. The Ascension and Final Testament: A Promise for the Disciples Now and a Promise to Return (1:6–11) II. The Early Church in Jerusalem (1:12–6:7) A. Community Life: Replacing Judas by Depending on God and Reconstituting the Twelve (1:12–26) B. Pentecost (2:1–41) C. Summary: Community Life (2:42–47) D. The Healing of the Lame Man and the Arrest of Peter and John (3:1–4:31) E. Community Life and Problems (4:32–5:11) F. Summary: Signs and Wonders (5:12–16) G. More Persecution (5:17–42) H. Community Life: The Appointment of the Seven to Help Hellenist Widows (6:1–6) I. Summary of the Jerusalem Community (6:7) III. Persecution in Jerusalem Moves the Message to Judea and Samaria as a New Witness Emerges (6:8–9:31) A. The Arrest, Speech, and Martyrdom of Stephen (6:8–8:1a) B. Saul the Persecutor and the Spread of the Word (8:1b–4) C. Philip in Samaria and with a Eunuch from Ethiopia (8:5–40) D. The Conversion and Early Reception of Saul (9:1–30) E. Closing Summary (9:31) IV. The Gospel to the Gentiles and More Persecution in Jerusalem (9:32–12:25) A. Peter Performs Two Miracles at Lydda and Joppa (9:32–43) B. Peter and Cornelius: The Gospel to the Gentiles (10:1–11:18) C. The Church at Antioch: Barnabas, Saul, and Agabus (11:19–30) D. Persecution in Jerusalem (12:1–23) E. Summary (12:24–25) V. The Mission from Antioch and the Full Incorporation of Gentiles (13:1–15:35) A. The First Missionary Journey (13:1–14:28) B. Consultation at Jerusalem (15:1–35) VI. The Second and Third Missionary Journeys: Expansion to Greece and Consolidation amid Opposition (15:36–21:16) A. The Second Missionary Journey (15:36–18:23) B. The Third Missionary Journey, Ending in Jerusalem (18:24–21:16) VII. The Arrest: The Message Is Defended and Reaches Rome (21:17–28:31) A. In Jerusalem (21:17–23:35) B. In Caesarea (24:1–26:32) C. The Long Sea Journey to Rome (27:1–28:16) D. Visitors in Rome: The Gospel Preached (28:17–31) Works Cited Index of Subjects Index of Authors Index of Greek Words Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Writings About the Author Notes
