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Literary structure (chiasm, chiasmus) of Acts of the Apostles

Chiastic Structure and Concentric Structure and Parallel of each pericope

[1]The Ascension of Jesus  (Ac1:1-11)
 
  A(1:1-2)  1:2 until the day he was taken up (1:2)   (ἀνελήμφθη)
    B(1:3)    1:3 appearing to them during forty days (1:3)
      C(1:4-5)         (πνεύματι)
        D(1:6)        Question of disciples
      C'(1:7-8)         (πνεύματος)
    B'(1:9)    1:9 as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. (1:9)
  A'(1:10-11)  1:11 This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven (1:11)   (ἀναλημφθεὶς)
 
   A: Being taken up. B: Appearance, hiding. C: The Holy Spirit. D: Question of disciples.

[2]Mathias chosen to replace Judas  (Ac1:12-26)
 
  A(1:12-13)  List of apostles
    B(1:14-15)    The disciples pray
      C(1:16-17)      A citation of the Old Testament
        D(1:18-19)        Death of Judah
      C'(1:20-22)      A citation of the Old Testament
    B'(1:23-25)    The disciples pray
  A'(1:26)  Selection of Matthias
 
   A: Apostles. B: The disciples pray. C: A citation of the Old Testament. D: Death of Judah.

[3]The coming of the Holy Spirit  (Ac2:1-13)
 
  A(2:1-4)  2:4 began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.(2:4)"   (λώσσαις)
    B(2:5-6)    People are astonished   (συνεχύθη)
  A'(2:7-11)  2:11 yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God (2:11)   (γλώσσαις)
    B'(2:12-13)    People are astonished   (διηπόρρουν)
 
   A: Speaking foreign language. B: People are astonished.

[4]Peter addresses the crowd  (Ac2:14-39)
 
  A(2:14-21)  2:17 I will pour out a portion of my spirit upon all flesh (2:17)   (πνεύματός)
    B(2:22-24)    2:24 God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death (2:24)"   (θανάτου)
      C(2:25-28)      Prophecy of David   (Δαυὶδ)
        D(2:29-30)        2:30 he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, (2:30)"   (θρόνον)
          E(2:31-32)          2:32 God raised this Jesus (2:32)
        D'(2:33)        2:33 Exalted at the right hand of God (2:33)   (δεξιᾷ)
      C'(2:34-35)      Prophecy of David   (Δαυὶδ)
    B'(2:36)    2:36 God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified (2:36)"   (ἐσταυρώσατε)
  A'(2:37-39)  2:38 you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit (2:38)   (πνεύματος)
 
   A: Receiving the Spirit. B: Resurrection from death. C: Prophecy of David. D: Throne. E: Resurrection of Jesus.

[5]Life among the believers  (Ac2:40-47)
 
  A(2:40-41)  2:40 Save yourselves from this corrupt generation (2:40)   (σώθητε)
    B(2:42)    Life of apostles
      C(2:43)      2:43 many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. (2:43)
    B'(2:44-46)    Life of apostles
  A'(2:47)  2:47 And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved (2:47)   (σῳζομένους)
 
   A: Salvation. B: Life of apostles. C: Signs of apostles.

[6]Peter heals a crippled beggar  (Act3:1-4:4)
 
  A(3:1-11)  3:11 all the people hurried in amazement toward them in the portico called "Solomon's Portico." (3:11)
    B(3:12-13)    3:13 The God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our ancestors (3:13)"   (πατέρων)
      C(3:14-16)      3:14 You denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.(3:14)
        D(3:17-18)        3:18 his Messiah would suffer.(3:18)   (χριστὸν)
          E(3:19)          3:19 Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away (3:19)
        D'(3:20-21)        3:20 send you the Messiah already appointed for you, Jesus, (3:20)"   (χριστὸν)
      C'(3:22-24)      3:23 Everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be cut off from the people (3:23)
    B'(3:25-26)    3:25 the covenant that God made with your ancestors (3:25)   (πατέρας)
  A'(4:1-4)  4:4 many of those who heard the word came to believe and number of men grew to five thousand. (4:4)
 
   A: Many people. B: God of ancestors. C: Refusing the sacred person. D: Messiah. E: Repent.

[7]Peter and John before the council  (Ac4:5-22)
 
  A(4:5-7)  Reaction of rulers
    B(4:8-12)    Words of apostles
      C(4:13-18)      4:17 never again to speak to anyone in this name (4:17)
    B'(4:19-20)    Words of apostles
  A'(4:21-22)  Reaction of rulers
 
   A: Reaction of rulers. B: Words of apostles. C: Prohibition of the mission.

[8]The believers pray for boldness  (Ac4:23-31)
 
  A(4:23)  4:23 reported what the chief priests and elders had told them. (4:23)   (εἶπαν)
    B(4:24)    4:24 Sovereign Lord (4:24)   (δέσποτα)
      C(4:25-26)      4:26 gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed (4:26)   (συνήχθησαν)
      C'(4:27-28)      4:27 they gathered in this city against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed (4:27)   (συνήχθησαν)
    B'(4:29-30)    4:29 Lord (4:29)   (κύριε)
  A'(4:31)  4:31they were all filled with the holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.(4:31)   (ἐλάλουν)
 
   A: Speaking. B: Call to the LORD. C: Gathering against Messiah.

[9]The believers share their possessions  (Ac4:32-37)
 
P(4:32-33)4:32 they had everything in common.(4:32)
  A(4:34-35)  4:34 those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale (4:34)"   (ἔφερον)
  A'(4:36-37)  4:37 sold a piece of property that he owned, then brought the money and put it at the feet of the apostles.(4:37)"   (ἤνεγκεν)
 
   A: Contribution of apostles.

[10]Ananias and Sapphira  (Ac5:1-11)
 
  A(5:1-2)  Lie of Ananias
    B(5:3-4)    Words of Peter
      C(5:5-6)      5:5 he fell down and breathed his last (5:5)   (ἐξέψυξεν)
  A'(5:7-8)  Lie of Sapphira
    B'(5:9)    Words of Peter
      C'(5:10-11)      5:10 she fell down at his feet and breathed her last (5:10)   (ἐξέψυξεν)
 
   A: Deception. B: Words of Peter. C: Death.

[11]The apostles are persecuted  (Ac5:12-42)
 
  A(5:12-16)  5:12 Many signs and wonders were done among the people at the hands of the apostles (5:12)
    B(5:17-18)    5:18 laid hands upon the apostles and put them in the public jail. (5:18)   (τηρήσει)
      C(5:19-20)      Help by the angel of the Lord
        D(5:21a)        5:21 they entered the temple at daybreak and went on with their teaching (5:21)
          E(5:21b)          5:21 the high priest sent to the prison to have them brough (5:21)   (ἀρχιερεὺς)
            F(5:22-23)            Report of police
              G(5:24)              5:24 the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss about them, as to what this would come to. (5:24)
            F'(5:25-26)            Report of others
          E'(5:27-28)          The high priest questioned   (ἀρχιερεὺς)
        D'(5:29-32)        Apology of apostles
      C'(5:33-39)      Help by Gamaliel
    B'(5:40)    5:40 dismissed them. (5:40)   (ἀπέλυσαν)
  A'(5:41-42)  5:42 proclaiming the Messiah, Jesus.(5:42)
 
   A: Mission. B: Arrest and release. C: Help. D: Words of apostles. E: Interrogation of high priests. F: Reports. G: Confusion of the high priests.

[12]Seven chosen to serve  (Ac6:1-7)
 
  A(6:1)  6:1the number of disciples continued to grow (6:1)   (μαθητῶν)
    B(6:2-4)    Instruction to select seven people
    B'(6:5-6)    Selection of seven people
  A'(6:7)  6:7 the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly (6:7)   (μαθητῶν)
 
   A: The number of disciples grows. B: Selection of seven people.

[13]Stephen's speech to the council  (Ac6:8-7:60)
 
  A(6:8-10)  6:10 the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. (6:10)   (πνεύματι)
    B(6:11-14)    False testimony about prophecy of Stephen
      C(6:15)      6:15 his face was like the face of an angel.(6:15)   (ἀγγέλου)
        D(7:1-5)        The land of promise
          E(7:6-7)          7:6 His descendants shall be aliens in a land not their own, where they shall be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years (7:6)"   (γῇ ἀλλοτρίᾳ)
            F(7:8-19)            Immigration to Egypt   (Αἴγυπτον)
              G(7:20-29)              7:27 Who appointed you ruler and judge over us? (7:27)   (τίς σε κατέστησεν ἄρχοντα καὶ δικαστὴν)
                H(7:30-34)                Sent of Moses
              G'(7:35-38)              7:35 Who appointed you ruler and judge? (7:35)   (τίς σε κατέστησεν ἄρχοντα καὶ δικαστὴν)
            F'(7:39-41)            7:39 in their hearts turned back to Egypt (7:39)   (Αἴγυπτον)
          E'(7:42-43)          7:43 I shall take you into exile beyond Babylon (7:43)   (μετοικιῶ)
        D'(7:44-50)        The house of God
      C'(7:51-54)      7:53 You received the law as transmitted by angels (7:53)   (ἀγγέλων)
    B'(7:55)    Prophecy of Stephen
  A'(7:56-60)  7:59 receive my spirit (7:59)   ( τ )
 
   A: The spirit. B: Prophecy of Stephen. C: Angel. D: Whereabouts. E: Prophecy about immigration. F: Egypt. G: Refusal of the people. H: Sent of Moses.

[14]Saul persecutes the church  (Ac8:1-3)
 
  A(8:1a)  8:1 Saul was consenting to his execution (8:1)   (Σαῦλος)
    B(8:1b-2)    8:1 all were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (8:1)
  A'(8:3)  8:3 Saul was trying to destroy the church (8:3)   (Σαῦλος)
 
   A: Saul and persecution. B: Escape.

[15]Philip preaches in Samaria  (Ac8:4-25)
 
  A(8:4-8)  8:5 Thus Philip went down to city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. (8:5)   (Σαμαρείας)
    B(8:9-13)    8:13 Even Simon himself believed and, after being baptized (8:13)"   (Σίμων)
      C(8:14-17)      8:17 Then they laid hands on them and they received the holy Spirit. (8:17)
    B'(8:18-24)    Repentance of Simon   (Σίμων)
  A'(8:25)  8:25 they returned to Jerusalem and preached the good news to many Samaritan villages. (8:25)   (Σαμαριτῶν)
 
   A: Mission in Samaria. B: Repentance of Simon. C: Receiving the holy Spirit.

[16]Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch  (Ac8:26-40)
 
  A(8:26)  8:26 head south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza (8:26)
    B(8:27-29)    8:29 The Spirit said to Philip, "Go and join up with that chariot." (8:29)"   (πνεῦμα)
      C(8:30-31)      8:31 So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him. (8:31)
        D(8:32-33)        8:32 This was the scripture passage he was reading (8:32)   (γραφῆς)
          E(8:34)          8:34 about whom is the prophet saying this? (8:34)
        D'(8:35)        8:35 beginning with this scripture passage, he proclaimed Jesus to him. (8:35)"   (γραφῆς)
      C'(8:36-38)      8:38 Then he ordered the chariot to stop (8:38)
    B'(8:39)    8:39 the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away (8:39)   (πνεῦμα)
  A'(8:40)  8:40 to all the towns until he reached Caesarea.(8:40)
 
   A: Travel of Philip. B: The spirit. C: Riding and getting off the chariot. D: The scripture passage. E: About whom is the prophet saying this.

[17]The conversion of Saul  (Ac9:1-22)
 
P(9:1-2)9:2 if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains.(9:2)
  A(9:3-4)  Call for Saul   (Ζαοὺλ)
    B(9:5-7)    Response of Saul
      C(9:8)      9:8 when he opened his eyes he could see nothing (9:8)   (ἔβλεπεν)
        D(9:9)        9:9 he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank. (9:9)"   (ἔφαγεν)
  A'(9:10-12)  Call for Ananias   (Ἁανία)
    B'(9:13-16)    Response of Ananias
      C'(9:17-18)      9:18 he regained his sight (9:18)   (ἀνέβλεψέν)
        D'(9:19-20)        9:19 and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength (9:19)"   (τροφὴν)
P'(9:21-22)9:21 to take them back in chains to the chief priests? (9:21)
 
   A: Call of the LORD. B: Dialogue with the LORD. C: Not seeing, seeing. D: Not eating, eating.

[18]Saul in Jerusalem  (Ac9:23-31)
 
  A(9:23-25)  9:23 the Jews conspired to kill him (9:23)   (ἀνελεῖν)
    B(9:26)    9:26 they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.(9:26)
      C(9:27)      9:27 he reported to them how on the way he had seen the Lord and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.(9:27)
    B'(9:28)    9:28 He moved about freely with them in Jerusalem (9:28)
  A'(9:29-31)  9:29 they tried to kill him.(9:29)   (ἀνελεῖν)
 
   A: Plot to kill. B: Response of the apostles. C: Evangelization.

[19]Peter in Lydda and Joppa  (Ac9:32-43)
 
  A(9:32)  Travel of Peter
    B(9:33-35)    Healing of Aeneas   (ἰᾶταί)
      C(9:36-37)      9:36 She was completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving.(9:36)
        D(9:38)        9:38 Please come to us without delay (9:38)
      C'(9:39)      9:39 showing him the tunics and cloaks that Dorcas had made while she was with them. (9:39)
    B'(9:40-42)    Healing of Tabitha   (ἀνεκάθισεν)
  A'(9:43)  Stay of Peter
 
   A: Travel of Peter. B: Healing. C: Good deeds. D: Call for Peter.

[20]A vision of Cornelius  (Ac10:1-23)
 
  A(10:1-2)  10:2 devout and God-fearing along with his whole household (10:2)
    B(10:3-6)    Call for Cornelius
      C(10:7-8)      10:8 sent them to Joppa. (10:8)   (ἀπέστειλεν)
        D(10:9-16)        Dream for Peter
      C'(10:17-18)      10:17 the men sent by Cornelius asked for Simon's house and arrived at the entrance.(10:17)   (ἀπεσταλμένοι)
    B'(10:19-20)    Call for Peter
  A'(10:21-23)  10:22 Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, respected by the whole Jewish nation (10:22)
 
   A: Good deeds of Cornelius. B: Calling. C: Messengers. D: Dream of Peter.

[21]Peter goes to the house of Cornelius  (Ac10:24-48)
 
  A(10:24-29)  10:26 Get up. I myself am also a human being (10:26)
    B(10:30-33)    10:33 Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to listen to all that you have been commanded by the Lord (10:33)   (ἀκοῦσαι)
      C(10:34-43)      Preach of Peter
    B'(10:44-46)    10:44 the holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. (10:44)   (ἀκούοντας)
  A'(10:47-48)  10:47 Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the holy Spirit even as we have? (10:47)
 
   A: Same human being. B: Hearing words. C: Preach of Peter.

[22]Peter's report to the church at Jerusalem  (Ac11:1-18)
 
  A(11:1-3)  11:3 You entered the house of uncircumcised people and ate with them (11:3)
    B(11:4-10)    11:9 What God has made clean, you are not to call profane (11:9)
      C(11:11-12)      11:12 to accompany them without discriminating (11:12)
    B'(11:13-17)    11:17 who was I to be able to hinder God? (11:17)
  A'(11:18)  11:18 God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too (11:18)
 
   A: Accepting foreigners. B: Obedience to God. C: Without discriminating.

[23]Barnabas goes to Antioch  (Ac11:19-24)
 
  A(11:19-21)  11:21 a great number who believed turned to the Lord. (11:21)   (πιστεύσας)
    B(11:22-23)    11:22 they sent Barnabas to Antioch. (11:22)
  A'(11:24)  11:24 a large number of people was added to the Lord. (11:24)   (πίστεως)
 
   A: Number of believers increases. B: Dispatch of Barnabas.

[24]The church in Antioch  (Ac11:25-30)
 
  A(11:25-26)  11:25 Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul, (11:25)"   (Σαῦλου)
    B(11:27-28)    11:28 predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine all over the world (11:28)
  A'(11:29-30)  11:30 sending it to the presbyters in care of Barnabas and Saul.(11:30)   (Σαύλου)
 
   A: Barnabas and Saul. B: Prophecy by the Spirit.

[25]Peter delivered from prison  (Ac12:1-23)
 
  A(12:1-2)  Death of Jacob
    B(12:3-5)    12:4 He had him taken into custody and put in prison under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each (12:4)   (στρατιωτῶν)
      C(12:6-10)      12:7 the angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shone in the cell (12:7)   (ἄγγελος)
        D(12:11)        12:11 Lord sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people (12:11)
      C'(12:12-17)      12:15 It is his angel (12:15)   (ἄγγελός)
    B'(12:18-19)    12:18 there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. (12:18)   (στρατιώταις)
  A(12:20-23)  Death of Herod
 
   A: Death. B: Peter and soldiers. C: The angel. D: Salvation of the LORD.

[26]Barnabas and Saul commissioned  (Ac12:24-13:13)
 
  A(12:24-25)  12:25 taking with them John, who is called Mark.(12:25)"   (ὑπέστρεψαν)
    B(13:1)    List of disciples
      C(13:2-5)      13:4 So they, sent forth by the holy Spirit (13:4)"   (τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος)
        D(13:6)        13:6 a magician named Bar-Jesus who was a Jewish false prophet (13:6)   (μάγον)
          E(13:7)          13:7 wanted to hear the word of God. (13:7)
        D'(13:8)        13:8 Elymas the magician (13:8)   (μάγος)
      C'(13:9-11)      13:9 Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the holy Spirit, looked intently at him(13:9)"   (πνεύματος ἁγίου)
    B'(13:12)    13:12 he came to believe, for he was astonished by the teaching about the Lord. (13:12)
  A'(13:13)  13:13 John left them and returned to Jerusalem. (13:13)   (ὑπέστρεψεν)
 
   A: Return of John. B: The disciples. C: The holy Spirit. D: A magician. E: Wanting to hear the word of God.

[27]Paul and Barnabas in Antioch of Pisidia  (Ac13:14-49)
 
  A(13:14-23)  13:17 The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors (13:17)
    B(13:24-25)    13:24 John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; (13:24)   (μετανοίας)
      C(13:26-30)      13:30 But God raised him from the dead, (13:30)"   (ἤγειρεν)
        D(13:31-32)        13:32 We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you that what God promised our ancestors (13:32)
      C'(13:33-37)      13:33 he has brought to fulfillment for us, (their) children, by raising up Jesus (13:33)"   (ἀναστήσας)
    B'(13:38-41)    13:38 through him forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you (13:38)   (ἄφεσις)
  A'(13:42-49)  13:46 the word of God be spoken to you first (13:46)
 
   A: Selection by God. B: Forgiveness of sins. C: Resurrection of Jesus. D: Evangelization.

[28]Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe  (Ac13:50-14:28)
 
  A(13:50-52)  Travel of evangelization
    B(14:1-4)    Increasing disciples   (πιστεῦσαι)
      C(14:5-7)      Stoning   (λιθοβολῆσαι)
        D(14:8-13)        14:13 the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice (14:13)
          E(14:14-17)          Words of apostles
        D'(14:18)        14:18 they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them (14:18)
      C'(14:19-20)      Stoning   (λιθάσαντες)
    B'(14:21-23)    Increasing disciples   (μαθητεύσαντες)
  A'(14:24-28)  Travel of evangelization
 
   A: Travel of evangelization. B: The number of the disciples increases. C: Stoning. D: Sacrifice. E: Words of apostles.

[29]The council at Jerusalem  (Ac15:1-16:5)
 
  A(15:1-2)  15:1Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved (15:1)"   (περιτμηθῆτε)
    B(15:3)    15:3 passed through Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. (15:3)"   (ἀδελφοῖς)
      C(15:4-6)      Reports at Jerusalem
        D(15:7-11)        15:10 a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear (15:10)   (ζυγον)
          E(15:12)          15:12 they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them. (15:12)
            F(15:13-21)            Words of Jacob
          E'(15:22)          15:22 decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas (15:22)
        D'(15:23-29)        15:28 not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities (15:28)   (βάρος)
      C'(15:30-35)      Reports at Antioch
    B'(15:36-41)    15:36 let us make a return visit to see how the brothers are getting on in all the cities (15:36)   (ἀδελφοὺς)
  A'(16:1-5)  16:3 On account of the Jews of that region, Paul had him circumcised (16:3)"   (περιέτεμεν)
 
   A: Circumcision. B: Visit of towns. C: Report. D: Duty. E: Paul and Barnabas. F: Words of Jacob.

[30]Paul's vision of the man of Macedonia  (Ac16:6-10)
 
  A(16:6-8)  16:6 they had been prevented by the holy Spirit from preaching the message in the province of Asia. (16:6)
    B'(16:9)    A vision of Macedonia
  A'(16:10)  16:10God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.(16:10)
 
   A: Evangelization. B: Vision.

[31]Paul and Silas in prison  (Ac16:11-40)
 
  A(16:11-15)  16:14 a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth (16:14)"   (Λυδία)
    B(16:16-18)    16:18 I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her (16:18)   (ἐξῆλθεν)
      C(16:19-24)      16:23 they threw them into prison and instructed the jailer to guard them securely. (16:23)   (δεσμοφύλακι)
        D(16:25-27)        16:25 About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened, (16:25)"   (μεσονύκτιον)
          E(16:28)          Words of Paul
            F(16:29-30)            16:30 Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (16:30)
          E'(16:31-32)          Words of Paul
        D'(16:33-34)        16:33 He took them in at that hour of the night and bathed their wounds; then he and all his family were baptized at once. (16:33)   (νυκτὸς)
      C'(16:35-36)      16:35 Release those men (16:35)   (ἀπόλυσον)
    B'(16:37-39)    16:39 led them out and asked that they leave the city. (16:39)   (ἀπελθεῖν)
  A'(16:40)  16:40 they went to Lydia's house (16:40)   (Λυδίαν)
 
   A: Lydia. B: Going out. C: Imprisonment, release. D: Midnight. E: Words of Paul. F: Salvation.

[32]The uproar in Thessalonica  (Ac17:1-15)
 
  A(17:1)  A synagogue of the Jews   (συναγωγὴ)
    B(17:2-4)    17:2 for three sabbaths he entered into discussions with them from the scriptures, (17:2)"   (γραφῶν)
      C(17:5-8)      17:5 recruited some worthless men loitering in the public square (17:5)   (ὀχλοποιήσαντες)
        D(17:9-10a)        17:10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas to Beroea during the night (17:10)   (ἀδελφοὶ)
  A'(17:10b)  A synagogue of the Jews   (συναγωγὴν)
    B'(17:11-12)    17:11 examined the scriptures daily to determine whether these things were so. (17:11)   (γραφὰς)
      C'(17:13)      17:13 they came there too to cause a commotion and stir up the crowds. (17:13)   (ὄχλους)
        D'(17:14-15)        17:14 So the brothers at once sent Paul on his way to the seacoast (17:14)   (ἀδελφοὶ)
 
   A: Synagogues. B: The Old Testament. C: Riots. D: Brothers send Paul.

[33]Paul in Athens  (Ac17:16-34)
 
  A(17:16-21)  Response of Athenians
    B(17:22-23)    17:23 What therefore you unknowingly worship, I proclaim to you.(17:23)"   (ἀγνοοῦντες)
      C(17:24-25)      17:24 The God who made the world and all that is in it, the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands, (17:24)"   (ὑπάρχων)
        D(17:26-28)        17:27 so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him (17:27)
      C'(17:29)      17:29 we ought not to think that the divinity is like an image fashioned from gold, silver, or stone by human art and imagination. (17:29)"   (ὑπάρχοντες)
    B'(17:30-31)    17:30 God has overlooked the times of ignorance (17:30)   (ἀγνοίας)
  A'(17:32-34)  Response of Athenians
 
   A: Response of Athenians. B: Ignorance. C: Made by human. D: Seeking God.

[34]Paul in Corinth  (Ac18:1-23)
 
  A(18:1-4)  18:4 he entered into discussions in the synagogue (18:4)   (διελέγετο)
    B(18:5-6)    18:6 When they opposed him and reviled him (18:6)
      C(18:7-8)      18:8 many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized.(18:8)   (ἀκούοντες)
        D(18:9-10)        Vision of the LORD
      C'(18:11)      18:11 for a year and a half and taught the word of God among them. (18:11)   (διδάσκων)
    B'(18:12-17)    18:12 the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him to the tribunal,(18:12)
  A'(18:18-23)  18:19 held discussions with the Jews (18:19)   (διελέξατο)
 
   A: Discussions. B: Disturbance. C: Hearing, teaching. D: Vision of the LORD.

[35]Paul in Ephesus  (Ac18:24-19:20)
 
  A(18:24-28)  18:26 they took him aside and explained to him the Way (of God) more accurately. (18:26)
    B(19:1-5)    19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (19:5)"   (τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησου)
      C(19:6-7)      The gift of the Holy Spirit
        D(19:8-10)        19:10 all the inhabitants of the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord, (19:10)
      C'(19:11-12)      The miracle of Paul
    B'(19:13-17)    19:17 the name of the Lord Jesus was held in great esteem. (19:17)   (τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησου)
  A'(19:18-20)  19:18 Many of those who had become believers came forward and openly acknowledged their former practices. (19:18)
 
   A: Invitation to the faith. B: The name of the Lord Jesus. C: The miracle. D: Hearing the word of the Lord.

[36]The riot in Ephesus  (Ac19:21-20:2)
 
  A(19:21-22)  19:21 Paul made up his mind to travel through Macedonia and Achaia (19:21)   (Μακεδονίαν)
    B(19:23-27)    Agitation of Demetrius
      C(19:28)      19:28 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians (19:28)   (Ἄρτεμις)
        D(19:29)        19:29 The city was filled with confusion (19:29)   (συγχύσεως)
          E(19:30-31)          19:30 Paul wanted to go before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him, (19:30)
        D'(19:32)        12:32 the assembly was in chaos (19:32)   (συγκεχυμένη)
      C'(19:33-34)      19:34 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians (19:34)   (Ἄρτεμις)
    B'(19:35-40)    Persuasion of the town clerk
  A'(20:1-2)  20:1 set out on his journey to Macedonia. (20:1)   (Μακεδονίαν)
 
   A: Going to Macedonia. B: Agitation and persuasion. C: Great is Artemis. D: Confusion in the city. E: To stop Paul.

[37]Paul's farewell visit to Troas  (Ac20:3-14)
 
  A(20:3-6)  Journey of Paul
    B(20:7-8)    20:7 he kept on speaking until midnight.(20:7)   (μεσονυκτίου)
      C(20:9)      20:9 when he was picked up, he was dead. (20:9)"   (νεκρός)
      C'(20:10)      20:10 Don't be alarmed; there is life in him (20:10)   (ψυχὴ)
    B'(20:11-12)    20:11 after a long conversation that lasted until daybreak, he departed. (20:11)"   (αὐγῆς)
  A'(20:13-14)  Journey of Paul
 
   A: Journey of Paul. B: Speaking through night. C: Death and life.

[38]The voyage from Troas to Miletus  (Ac20:15-38)
 
  A(20:15-17)  Arrival of Paul
    B(20:18-21)    20:19 with the tears (20:19)   (δακρύων)
      C(20:22-24)      20:23 imprisonment and hardships await me. (20:23)
        D(20:25)        20:25 I preached the kingdom during my travels (20:25)   (κηρύσσων)
          E(20:26)          20:26 I am not responsible for the blood of any of you (20:26)
        D'(20:27)        20:27 I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God. (20:27)   (ἀναγγεῖλαι)
      C'(20:28-30)      20:29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. (20:29)
    B'(20:31-35)    20:31 I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears. (20:31)   (δακρύων)
  A'(20:36-38)  Departure of Paul
 
   A: Departure and arrival of Paul. B: Tears. C: Prophecy of suffering. D: Announcing . E: Responsibility for the blood.

[39]Paul goes to Jerusalem  (Ac21:1-17)
 
  A(21:1-3)  Journey of Paul
    B(21:4-6)    21:4 They kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to embark for Jerusalem. (21:4)   (Ἱεροσόλυμα)
      C(21:7-9)      21:8 where we went to the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven, and stayed with him.(21:8)
    B'(21:10-14)    21:11 Thus says the holy Spirit: This is the way the Jews will bind the owner of this belt in Jerusalem, and they will hand him over to the Gentiles (21:11)"   (Ἱερουσαλὴμ)
  A'(21:15-17)  Journey of Paul
 
   A: Journey of Paul. B: Suffering at Jerusalem. C: The evangelist.

[40]Paul visits James at Jerusalem  (Ac21:18-26)
 
  A(21:18-19)  21:19 God had accomplished among the Gentiles through his ministry (21:19)   (διακονίας)
    B(21:20-22)    21:21 you are teaching all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to abandon Moses and that you are telling them not to circumcise their children or to observe their customary practices. (21:21)   (ἔθνη)
      C(21:23-24)      21:24 you yourself live in observance of the law (21:24)
    B'(21:25)    21:25 As for the Gentiles who have come to believe, we sent them our decision (21:25)"   (ἐθνῶν)
  A'(21:26)  21:26 the offering made for each of them (21:26)   (προσηνέχθη)
 
   A: Ministry and offering. B: Gentiles and the law. C: Observance of the law.

[41]Paul tells of his conversion  (Ac21:27-23:10)
 
  A(21:27-30)  The disturbance caused by a cry of the Jews   (κράζοντες)
    B(21:31-39)    A tribune and crowds   (χιλιάρχῳ)
      C(21:40-22:5)      22:4 I persecuted this Way to death, binding both men and women and delivering them to prison. (22:4)"   (φυλακὰς)
        D(22:6-10)        Words of Jesus
          E(22:11)          22:11 I could see nothing (22:11)   (ἐνέβλεπον)
            F(22:12)            22:12 a devout observer of the law (22:12)
          E'(22:13)          22:13 I regained my sight and saw him (22:13)   (ἀνάβλεψον)
        D'(22:14-16)        Words of Ananias
      C'(22:17-21)      22:19 But I replied, 'Lord, they themselves know that from synagogue to synagogue I used to imprison and beat those who believed in you. (22:19)"   (φυλακίζων)
    B'(22:22-29)    A tribune and crowds   (χιλίαρχος)
  A'(22:30-23:10)  The disturbance caused by a cry of Paul   (ἔκραζεν)
 
   A: A cry and disturbance. B: A tribune and crowds. C: Persecution. D: Words for Paul. E: Not seeing, seeing. F: A devout observer of the law.

[42]The plot to kill Paul  (Ac23:11-35)
 
  A(23:11)  23:11For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome (23:11)
    B(23:12-15)    Conspiracy of murder
      C(23:16-18)      Report about a conspiracy
        D(23:19)        23:19 What is it you have to report to me? (23:19)
          E(23:20-21)          23:21 they have bound themselves by oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him (23:21)
        D'(23:22)        23:22 Tell no one that you gave me this information (23:22)
      C'(23:23-30)      Report about a conspiracy
    B'(23:31-33)    The convoy with soldiers
  A'(23:34-35)  23:35I shall hear your case when your accusers arrive (23:35)
 
   A: Witness. B: Conspiracy and countermeasure. C: Report of conspiracy. D: Report. E: Conspiracy to kill Paul.

[43]Paul before Felix at Caesarea  (Ac24:1-26)
 
  A(24:1)  After five days   (ἡμέρας)
    B(24:2-9)    24:2 Tertullus began to accuse him (24:2)
      C(24:10-13)      24:13 Nor can they prove to you the accusations they are now making against me. (24:13)
        D(24:14-16)        24:15 I have the same hope in God as they themselves have that there will be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous. (24:15)
      C'(24:17-21)      24:20 or let these men themselves state what crime they discovered when I stood before the Sanhedrin, (24:20)
    B'(24:22-23)    24:22 I shall decide your case (24:22)
  A'(24:24-26)  After few days   (ἡμέρας)
 
   A: Later date. B: Accusation. C: Innocence. D: Faith of resurrection.

[44]Paul appeals to the emperor  (Ac24:27-25:12)
 
  A(24:27)  24:27 Felix left Paul in prison. (24:27)
    B(25:1-3)    25:3 a favor to have him sent to Jerusalem (25:3)
      C(25:4-5)      25:5 if this man has done something improper, let them accuse him. (25:5)
        D(25:6-8)        25:7 brought many serious charges against him, which they were unable to prove. (25:7)
      C'(25:9)      25:9 Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there stand trial before me on these charges?(25:9)
    B'(25:10-11)    25:11 no one has the right to hand me over to them (25:11)
  A'(25:12)  25:12 You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go (25:12)
 
   A: Imprisonment and judging. B: Conspiracy of Jews and objection of Paul. C: Proposition of Festus. D: Innocence.

[45]Festus consults king Agrippa  (Ac25:13-22)
 
  A(25:13)  Arrival of King Agrippa   (Ἀγρίππας)
    B(25:14-16)    25:15 When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation. (25:15)   (καταδίκην)
      C(25:17-19)      25:18 His accusers stood around him, but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected. (25:18)
    B'(25:20-21)    25:20 I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these charges. (25:20)   (κρίνεσθαι)
  A'(25:22)  Words of King Agrippa   (Ἀγρίππας)
 
   A: King Agrippa. B: Judgement. C: Innocence.

[46]Paul defends himself before Agrippa  (Ac25:23-26:32)
 
  A(25:23-27)  Kings entered
    B(26:1-3)    I beg you to listen patiently. (26:3)
      C(26:4-5)      26:4 all Jews know.(26:4)   (ἴσασι τ )
        D(26:6-8)        26:8 Why is it thought unbelievable among you that God raises the dead? (26:8)   (ἐγείρει)
          E(26:9-11)          26:10 when they were to be put to death I cast my vote against them (26:10)
            F(26:12-18)            Conversion of Paul
          E'(26:19-21)          26:21 tried to kill me (26:21)
        D'(26:22-23)        26:23 that the Messiah must suffer and that, as the first to rise from the dead (26:23)"   (ἀναστάσεως)
      C'(26:24-27)      26:26 The king knows about these matters (26:26)   (ἐπίσταται)
    B'(26:28-29)    26:29 I would pray to God that sooner or later not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am except for these chains." (26:29)
  A'(26:30-32)  Kings left
 
   A: Kings. B: Wishes of Paul. C: To know. D: Resurrection. E: Persecution. F: Conversion of Paul.

[47]The storm at sea  (Ac27:1-44)
 
  A(27:1-8)  27:1 it was decided that we should sail to Italy (27:1)
    B(27:9-13)    27:10 this voyage will result in severe damage and heavy loss not only to the cargo and the ship, but also to our lives (27:10)
      C(27:14-19)      27:16 managed only with difficulty to get the dinghy under control (27:16)   (σκάφην)
        D(27:20-26)        27:24 God has granted safety to all who are sailing with you (27:24)
      C'(27:27-32)      27:32 the soldiers cut the ropes of the dinghy and set it adrift (27:32)   (σκάφης)
    B'(27:33-38)    27:34 Not a hair of the head of anyone of you will be lost (27:34)
  A'(27:39-44)  27:44 In this way, all reached shore safely.(27:44)
 
   A: Departure and arrival. B: Loss. C: Dinghy. D: God entrusts everyone to Paul.

[48]Paul on the Island of Malta  (Ac28:1-15)
 
  A(28:1-2)  28:2 The natives showed us extraordinary hospitality (28:2)
    B(28:3-6)    The miracle of Paul
      C(28:7)      28:7 He welcomed us and received us cordially as his guests for three days. (28:7)
    B'(28:8-10)    The miracle of Paul
  A'(28:11-15)  28:14 There we found some brothers and were urged to stay with them for seven days (28:14)
 
   A: Hospitality of the people. B: The miracles of Paul. C: Welcome.

[49]Paul preaches in Rome  (Ac28:16-31)
 
  A(28:16)  28:16 Paul was allowed to live by himself (28:16)   (μένειν)
    B(28:17-20)    28:20 it is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear these chains (28:20)   (Ἰσραὴλ)
      C(28:21-22)      28:22 we should like to hear you present your views (28:22)   (ἀκοῦσαι)
        D(28:23-24)        28:23 he expounded his position to them, bearing witness to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus from the law of Moses and the prophets. (28:23)
      C'(28:25-27)      28:26 You shall indeed hear but not understand. You shall indeed look but never see. (28:26)   (ἀκοῇ)
    B'(28:28-29)    28:28 this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles (28:28)   (ἔθνεσιν)
  A'(28:30-31)  28:30 He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him,(28:30)"   (Ἐνέμεινεν)
 
   A: Residence of Paul. B: Israel and Pagan. C: Hearing. D: Testimony of Paul.


Citations of the Bible are from New American Bible, New Revised Standard Version and New Jerusalem Bible.

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Literary Structure of the Bible by Hajime Murai is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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