Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 170:679 (Jul 2013)
Article: Pagan Worship In Jerusalem?
Author: Thomas A. Golding

BSac 170:679 (July-September 2013) p. 304

Pagan Worship In Jerusalem?

Thomas A. Golding

Thomas A. Golding is Principal, Adelaide College of Ministry, Adelaide, Australia.

Certain thematic and verbal parallels in the two riot passages in the book of Acts, 19:23-40 and 21:27-22:29, suggest a possible narrative strategy.1 This article surveys the temple as a theme in Luke-Acts and then examines parallels between the two riot passages. The goal is to see if Luke was ÿmaking a subtle comparison between the perspective of the Ephesians toward the worship of Artemis and the perspective of the Jews toward the temple in Jerusalem. Did the Jews at the time of the apostles exhibit a view toward the temple that was similar to how Gentiles viewed their temples and was therefore essentially idolatrous? And if so, is this theme consistent with the overall theme of the temple in Luke-Acts?

The Temple In Luke-Acts

According to Hamm, the temple in Jerusalem is a greater theme in Luke-Acts than in the rest of the New Testament combined.2 Fay

BSac 170:679 (July-September 2013) p. 305

calls “the geographic location of the temple” “a narrative focal point” for Luke-Acts.3 In fact the geographical setting of the temple and Jerusalem effectively frames Luke’s Gospel. Luke opens with Zacharias serving in the temple in Jerusalem (1:8-9) and ends with Jesus’ followers “continually in the temple praising God” (24:53). The same is also true of Acts. The book opens with the apostles in Jerusalem (though not in the temple; 1:4), and it concludes (28:26-27) with a quotation from Isaiah 6:9-10, which was originally spoken in the temple in Isaiah’s day.4 Both Luke and Acts mention the temple frequently at the beginning of the book, then the temple is not mentioned for a few chapters, and then mention returns to the temple later on.

Luke

The temple features prominently in the first two chapters of Luke, suggesting it is an important location in Luke’s narrative.5 In addition to the opening narrative, chapter 2 relates several other inci...