Traditions and Redaction in Acts 2.1-13

Abstract

(1) Echoes of Jewish traditions concerning the giving of the Law and covenant at Sinai are too clear in Acts 2.1-13 to be coincidental, but the author of Acts betrays no awareness of the parallels. Yet those responsible for the traditions he used could have been aware of them and could have sought to contrast the giving of the Law and the giving of the Spirit. (2) These traditions may simply have spoken of the presence of 'pious men' in Jerusalem, to which the author has added 'Jews' (v. 5). (3) In vv. 9- 11 the author has taken over a list, perhaps originating in Syria, and to which he may have added the reference to Rome. (4) An account of ecstatic 'tongues' has been interpreted as a speaking in foreign languages, which the author has then in turn interpreted as prophecy.