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

Chiasmus and Concentric Structure of divided by 3

When the whole text is divided in three equivalent pericopes, three concentric structures appear. The divisional pericopes are "The conversion of Saul" (no. 17, Acts 9:1-22), and "Paul in Athens" (no. 33, Acts 17:16-34). Those correspond to the turning point of Saul's (Paul's) ministry (the conversion and the Areopagus sermon).


3-1

1 The Ascension of Jesus (1:1-11)
  2 Mathias chosen to replace Judas (1:12-26)
    3 The coming of the Holy Spirit (2:1-13)
      4 Peter addresses the crowd (2:14-39)
        5 Life among the believers (2:40-47)
          6 Peter heals a crippled beggar (3:1-4:4)
            7 Peter and John before the council (4:5-22)
              8 The believers pray for boldness (4:23-31)
                9 The believers share their possessions (4:32-37)
              10 Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-11)
            11 The apostles are persecuted (5:12-42)
          12 Seven chosen to serve (6:1-7)
        13 Stephen's speech to the council (6:8-7:60)
      14 Saul persecutes the church (8:1-3)
    15 Philip preaches in Samaria (8:4-25)
  16 Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (8:26-40)
17 The conversion of Saul (9:1-22)
Former halfRelationLatter half
1 The Ascension of Jesus (1:1-11)
1:8 But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."(1:8)
Chosen as a witness17 The conversion of Saul (9:1-22)
9:15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites, (9:15)
2 Mathias chosen to replace Judas (1:12-26)
1:16 "My brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled which the holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. (1:16)
Fulfillment of the words of the Bible16 Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (8:26-40)
8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning with this scripture passage, he proclaimed Jesus to him. (8:35)
3 The coming of the Holy Spirit (2:1-13)
2:4 And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.(2:4)
Filled with the holy Spirit15 Philip preaches in Samaria (8:4-25)
8:17 Then they laid hands on them and they received the holy Spirit. (8:17)
4 Peter addresses the crowd (2:14-39)
2:39 For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call." (2:39)
Mission to far away14 Saul persecutes the church (8:1-3)
8:1 Now Saul was consenting to his execution. On that day, there broke out a severe persecution of the church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (8:1)
5 Life among the believers (2:40-47)
2:43 Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. (2:43)
Wonders and signs13 Stephen's speech to the council (6:8-7:60)
6:8 Now Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people.(6:8)
6 Peter heals a crippled beggar (3:1-4:4)
4:4 But many of those who heard the word came to believe and (the) number of men grew to (about) five thousand. (4:4)
Disciples increase12 Seven chosen to serve (6:1-7)
6:7 The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith. (6:7)
7 Peter and John before the council (4:5-22)
apology about healing
Peter's apology11 The apostles are persecuted (5:12-42)
apology about teaching
8 The believers pray for boldness (4:23-31)
4:25 you said by the holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant: Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples entertain folly? (4:25)
Against the Holy Spirit10 Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-11)
5:3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart so that you lied to the holy Spirit and retained part of the price of the land? (5:3)

3-1-1

1 The Ascension of Jesus (1:1-11)
  2 Mathias chosen to replace Judas (1:12-26)
    3 The coming of the Holy Spirit (2:1-13)
      4 Peter addresses the crowd (2:14-39)
        5 Life among the believers (2:40-47)
      6 Peter heals a crippled beggar (3:1-4:4)
    7 Peter and John before the council (4:5-22)
  8 The believers pray for boldness (4:23-31)
9 The believers share their possessions (4:32-37)
Former halfRelationLatter half
1 The Ascension of Jesus (1:1-11)
1:8 But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."(1:8)
Witness9 The believers share their possessions (4:32-37)
4:33 With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. (4:33)
2 Mathias chosen to replace Judas (1:12-26)
1:16 "My brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled which the holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. (1:16)
Prophecy by the Holy Spirit8 The believers pray for boldness (4:23-31)
4:25 you said by the holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant: 'Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples entertain folly? (4:25)
3 The coming of the Holy Spirit (2:1-13)
2:12 They were all astounded and bewildered, and said to one another, "What does this mean?" (2:12)
Surprised many people7 Peter and John before the council (4:5-22)
4:13 Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, they were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus. (4:13)
4 Peter addresses the crowd (2:14-39)
preaching after Pentecost
Peter's preaching6 Peter heals a crippled beggar (3:1-4:4)
preaching after healing

3-1-2

9 The believers share their possessions (4:32-37)
  10 Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-11)
    11 The apostles are persecuted (5:12-42)
      12 Seven chosen to serve (6:1-7)
        13 Stephen's speech to the council (6:8-7:60)
      14 Saul persecutes the church (8:1-3)
    15 Philip preaches in Samaria (8:4-25)
  16 Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (8:26-40)
17 The conversion of Saul (9:1-22)
Former halfRelationLatter half
9 The believers share their possessions (4:32-37)
see 2-1
see 2-117 The conversion of Saul (9:1-22)
see 2-1
10 Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-11)
see 2-1
see 2-116 Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (8:26-40)
see 2-1
11 The apostles are persecuted (5:12-42)
see 2-1
see 2-115 Philip preaches in Samaria (8:4-25)
see 2-1
12 Seven chosen to serve (6:1-7)
see 2-1
see 2-114 Saul persecutes the church (8:1-3)
see 2-1

3-2

17 The conversion of Saul (9:1-22)
  18 Saul in Jerusalem (9:23-31)
    19 Peter in Lydda and Joppa (9:32-43)
      20 A vision of Cornelius (10:1-23)
        21 Peter goes to the house of Cornelius (10:24-48)
          22 Peter's report to the church at Jerusalem (11:1-18)
            23 Barnabas goes to Antioch (11:19-24)
              24 The church in Antioch (11:25-30)
                25 Peter delivered from prison (12:1-24)
              26 Barnabas and Saul commissioned (12:25-13:13)
            27 Paul and Barnabas in Antioch of Pisidia (13:14-49)
          28 Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe (13:50-14:28)
        29 The council at Jerusalem (15:1-16:5)
      30 Paul's vision of the man of Macedonia (16:6-10)
    31 Paul and Silas in prison (16:11-40)
  32 The uproar in Thessalonica (17:1-15)
33 Paul in Athens (17:16-34)
Former halfRelationLatter half
17 The conversion of Saul (9:1-22)
see 1-1
see 1-133 Paul in Athens (17:16-34)
see 1-1
18 Saul in Jerusalem (9:23-31)
see 1-1
see 1-132 The uproar in Thessalonica (17:1-15)
see 1-1
19 Peter in Lydda and Joppa (9:32-43)
see 1-1
see 1-131 Paul and Silas in prison (16:11-40)
see 1-1
20 A vision of Cornelius (10:1-23)
see 1-1
see 1-130 Paul's vision of the man of Macedonia (16:6-10)
see 1-1
21 Peter goes to the house of Cornelius (10:24-48)
see 1-1
see 1-129 The council at Jerusalem (15:1-16:5)
see 1-1
22 Peter's report to the church at Jerusalem (11:1-18)
see 1-1
see 1-128 Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe (13:50-14:28)
see 1-1
23 Barnabas goes to Antioch (11:19-24)
see 1-1
see 1-127 Paul and Barnabas in Antioch of Pisidia (13:14-49)
see 1-1
24 The church in Antioch (11:25-30)
see 1-1
see 1-126 Barnabas and Saul commissioned (12:25-13:13)
see 1-1

3-2-1

17 The conversion of Saul (9:1-22)
  18 Saul in Jerusalem (9:23-31)
    19 Peter in Lydda and Joppa (9:32-43)
      20 A vision of Cornelius (10:1-23)
        21 Peter goes to the house of Cornelius (10:24-48)
      22 Peter's report to the church at Jerusalem (11:1-18)
    23 Barnabas goes to Antioch (11:19-24)
  24 The church in Antioch (11:25-30)
25 Peter delivered from prison (12:1-24)
Former halfRelationLatter half
17 The conversion of Saul (9:1-22)
9:18 Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized, (9:18)
Miracles for apostles25 Peter delivered from prison (12:1-24)
12:7 Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, "Get up quickly." The chains fell from his wrists. (12:7)
18 Saul in Jerusalem (9:23-31)
9:27 Then Barnabas took charge of him and brought him to the apostles, and 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)
Barnabas and Saul24 The church in Antioch (11:25-30)
11:30 This they did, sending it to the presbyters in care of Barnabas and Saul.(11:30)
19 Peter in Lydda and Joppa (9:32-43)
9:42 This became known all over Joppa, and many came to believe in the Lord. (9:42)
Many people believe the LORD23 Barnabas goes to Antioch (11:19-24)
11:21 The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. (11:21)
20 A vision of Cornelius (10:1-23)
dream at Joppa
Peter's dream22 Peter's report to the church at Jerusalem (11:1-18)
reporting at Jerusalem

3-2-2

25 Peter delivered from prison (12:1-24)
  26 Barnabas and Saul commissioned (12:25-13:13)
    27 Paul and Barnabas in Antioch of Pisidia (13:14-49)
      28 Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe (13:50-14:28)
        29 The council at Jerusalem (15:1-16:5)
      30 Paul's vision of the man of Macedonia (16:6-10)
    31 Paul and Silas in prison (16:11-40)
  32 The uproar in Thessalonica (17:1-15)
33 Paul in Athens (17:16-34)
Former halfRelationLatter half
25 Peter delivered from prison (12:1-24)
12:23 At once the angel of the Lord struck him down because he did not ascribe the honor to God, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. (12:23)
Blasphemy against the LORD33 Paul in Athens (17:16-34)
17:16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he grew exasperated at the sight of the city full of idols.(17:16)
26 Barnabas and Saul commissioned (12:25-13:13)
13:5 When they arrived in Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. They had John also as their assistant.(13:5)
Mission in the Jewish synagogues32 The uproar in Thessalonica (17:1-15)
17:1 When they took the road through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they reached Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. (17:1)
27 Paul and Barnabas in Antioch of Pisidia (13:14-49)
13:48 The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life came to believe, (13:48)
Gentiles come to believe31 Paul and Silas in prison (16:11-40)
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)
28 Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe (13:50-14:28)
14:17 yet, in bestowing his goodness, he did not leave himself without witness, for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts." (14:17)
Evangelization30 Paul's vision of the man of Macedonia (16:6-10)
16:10 When he had seen the vision, we sought passage to Macedonia at once, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.(16:10)

3-3

33 Paul in Athens (17:16-34)
  34 Paul in Corinth (18:1-23)
    35 Paul in Ephesus (18:24-19:20)
      36 The riot in Ephesus (19:21-20:2)
        37 Paul's farewell visit to Troas (20:3-14)
          38 The voyage from Troas to Miletus (20:15-38)
            39 Paul goes to Jerusalem (21:1-17)
              40 Paul visits James at Jerusalem (21:18-26)
                41 Paul tells of his conversion (21:27-23:10)
              42 The plot to kill Paul (23:11-35)
            43 Paul before Felix at Caesarea (24:1-26)
          44 Paul appeals to the emperor (24:27-25:12)
        45 Festus consults king Agrippa (25:13-22)
      46 Paul defends himself before Agrippa (25:23-26:32)
    47 The storm at sea (27:1-44)
  48 Paul on the Island of Malta (28:1-15)
49 Paul preaches in Rome (28:16-31)
Former halfRelationLatter half
33 Paul in Athens (17:16-34)
Areopagus
Person who don't understand49 Paul preaches in Rome (28:16-31)
28:26 'Go to this people and say: You shall indeed hear but not understand. You shall indeed look but never see. (28:26)
34 Paul in Corinth (18:1-23)
18:10 for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city." (18:10)
Harmless48 Paul on the Island of Malta (28:1-15)
28:5 But he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm. (28:5)
35 Paul in Ephesus (18:24-19:20)
19:7 Altogether there were about twelve men. (19:7)
Numbers of people who are saved47 The storm at sea (27:1-44)
27:37 In all, there were two hundred seventy-six of us on the ship. (27:37)
36 The riot in Ephesus (19:21-20:2)
19:38 If Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, courts are in session, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. (19:38)
Left to the after judgment46 Paul defends himself before Agrippa (25:23-26:32)
25:25 I found, however, that he had done nothing deserving death, and so when he appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him. (25:25)
37 Paul's farewell visit to Troas (20:3-14)
20:10 Paul went down, threw himself upon him, and said as he embraced him, "Don't be alarmed; there is life in him."(20:10)
Paul claims that he is alive45 Festus consults king Agrippa (25:13-22)
25:19 Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died but who Paul claimed was alive. (25:19)
38 The voyage from Troas to Miletus (20:15-38)
20:26 And so I solemnly declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, (20:26)
Pauls innocence44 Paul appeals to the emperor (24:27-25:12)
25:8 In defending himself Paul said, "I have committed no crime either against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar." (25:8)
39 Paul goes to Jerusalem (21:1-17)
21:11 He came up to us, took Paul's belt, bound his own feet and hands with it, and said, "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)
Captivity by Gentiles43 Paul before Felix at Caesarea (24:1-26)
24:23 He gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from caring for his needs. (24:23)
40 Paul visits James at Jerusalem (21:18-26)
21:24 Take these men and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses that they may have their heads shaved. In this way everyone will know that there is nothing to the reports they have been given about you but that you yourself live in observance of the law.(21:24)
Problems about the Law42 The plot to kill Paul (23:11-35)
23:29 I discovered that he was accused in matters of controversial questions of their law and not of any charge deserving death or imprisonment. (23:29)

3-3-1

33 Paul in Athens (17:16-34)
  34 Paul in Corinth (18:1-23)
    35 Paul in Ephesus (18:24-19:20)
      36 The riot in Ephesus (19:21-20:2)
        37 Paul's farewell visit to Troas (20:3-14)
      38 The voyage from Troas to Miletus (20:15-38)
    39 Paul goes to Jerusalem (21:1-17)
  41 Paul tells of his conversion (21:27-23:10)
41 Paul tells of his conversion (21:27-23:10)
Former halfRelationLatter half
33 Paul in Athens (17:16-34)
see 2-2
see 2-241 Paul tells of his conversion (21:27-23:10)
see 2-2
34 Paul in Corinth (18:1-23)
see 2-2
see 2-241 Paul tells of his conversion (21:27-23:10)
see 2-2
35 Paul in Ephesus (18:24-19:20)
see 2-2
see 2-239 Paul goes to Jerusalem (21:1-17)
see 2-2
36 The riot in Ephesus (19:21-20:2)
see 2-2
see 2-238 The voyage from Troas to Miletus (20:15-38)
see 2-2

3-3-2

41 Paul tells of his conversion (21:27-23:10)
  42 The plot to kill Paul (23:11-35)
    43 Paul before Felix at Caesarea (24:1-26)
      44 Paul appeals to the emperor (24:27-25:12)
        45 Festus consults king Agrippa (25:13-22)
      46 Paul defends himself before Agrippa (25:23-26:32)
    47 The storm at sea (27:1-44)
  48 Paul on the Island of Malta (28:1-15)
49 Paul preaches in Rome (28:16-31)
Former halfRelationLatter half
41 Paul tells of his conversion (21:27-23:10)
Paul's apology at Jerusalem
Apology49 Paul preaches in Rome (28:16-31)
28:23 So they arranged a day with him and came to his lodgings in great numbers. From early morning until evening, 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)
42 The plot to kill Paul (23:11-35)
23:29 I discovered that he was accused in matters of controversial questions of their law and not of any charge deserving death or imprisonment. (23:29)
Pauls innocence48 Paul on the Island of Malta (28:1-15)
28:6 They were expecting him to swell up or suddenly to fall down dead but, after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god. (28:6)
43 Paul before Felix at Caesarea (24:1-26)
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)
Hope of salvation47 The storm at sea (27:1-44)
27:20 Neither the sun nor the stars were visible for many days, and no small storm raged. Finally, all hope of our surviving was taken away. (27:20)
44 Paul appeals to the emperor (24:27-25:12)
25:12 Then Festus, after conferring with his council, replied, "You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go." (25:12)
Appealing to Caesar46 Paul defends himself before Agrippa (25:23-26:32)
25:25 I found, however, that he had done nothing deserving death, and so when he appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him. (25:25)

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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