The Acts of the Apostles (A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary) [Paperback]

Perhaps Witherington's best work, and one of the best commentaries on Acts to date.

There simply are no weaknesses in this commentary. It is well written and easy to read. It covers all of the issues you would expect, and more. It is up to date, engaging the most recent scholarship on Acts in an effective and informed manner. The organization is first rate and its special notes are consistently interesting and informative.

Witherington begins with over 100 pages of introduction that begins where most commentaries should--the issue of genre. Genre criticism is one of the underexplored areas of New Testament studies. Not so here. After exploring the prefaces in Luke and Acts, as well several categories of ancient historiography and examples of each, Witherington persuasively demonstrates that "Luke-Acts bears some strong resemblances to earlier Greek historiographic works in form and method of general arrangement of material, as well as some similarities to Hellenized Jewish historiography in content and genera apologetic aims." The introduction goes on to make a strong case for Lukan authorship and a date in the 70s or early 80s. Another feature of the introduction that is somewhat unusual is discussions of Acts and Pauline chronology. Though some may think this out of place, given the nature of Acts and its relationship with Paul's travels and letters, I enjoyed its content and placement.

The commentary on the text is excellent. Acts and Paul are Witherington's areas of speciality and it shows. He brings out the meaning of the text clearly and places it in its context. His analysis of ancient rhetoric -- something Witherington has pioneered in his commentaries -- is very helpful and delivers a better understanding of the intent of the author's text and purposes. Interspersed throughout the text are features titled, "A Closer Look." These sections delve deeper into issues raised by the main commentary, but are set apart and independently explored. I love them. They are topical, scholarly, and informative. I would have bought the commentary for these sections alone. The topics covered by "A Closer Look" are:

The Speeches in Acts
Luke's Use of the OT
Multiple Pentecosts
Salvation in Luke-Acts
Luke's Christology
The Summaries in Acts
Luke's Use of Sources in Acts
Lukan Eschatology
The Social Status and Level of the Early Christians
Miracles in Acts
Luke, Josephus, and Historical Reliability
The Hellenists
Synagogues?
Luke, Women, and Ministry
Gentile God-fearers--The Case of Cornelius
A Novel Approach to Acts
"The Way" and Other Religions: Competition and Conflict
The Paul of Acts and the Paul of the Letters
Of "We" Passages and Sea Passages
Altars to Unknown Gods
Claudius, Jews, and a Religio Licita
Miracles and Magic in Antiquity and Acts
"Paul's Departure"
The Pauline Perils: Travels and Travails in Antiquity
Paul and Lysias, Roman Citizens
Justice, Citizenship, and Appeals in the Provinces

Witherington concludes with two worthy Appendicies. The first examines reasons for dating Galatians as the earliest of Paul's letters. (Witherington is one of the leading proponents of this dating of Galatians). The second is an examination of Luke's view of salvation in its first century setting. Both are valuable additions to the commentary.

In short, no single commentary has ever added as much to my understanding of the New Testament book at issue as this one has for Acts. I highly recommend it.

This 850+ page book is a great introduction for the serious student of Acts. Witherington begins with a hundred pages of crucial background information covering traditional topics such as genre of Luke and Acts, authorship, date, audience, purpose, chronology, text, etc. He also shows the need for new literary criticism in Acts that looks specifically at Luke's use of rhetoric and the diverse social setting of the ancient world. He also includes an extensive bibliography of significant books and articles on Acts. Witherington's divisions of the text are orderly and easy to follow. He deals with the first chapter of Acts separately, then comments on Pentecost, the work in Jerusalem and the surrounding area, the Antioch church and its missionary efforts, the trials of Paul, and his subsequent journey to and imprisonment in Rome. Perhaps the most unique and helpful features are Witherington's "A Closer Look" sections. The commentary contains over 25 of these 4-8 page asides that deal with a specific topic in Luke-Acts scholarship mentioned in the text, but not eseential for reading Acts. You may want to read them all, but you will likely read some closely and skim over others. Another advantage of this work is that it is written from a very balanced position. Witherington believes that Acts is in some way inspired by God and treats it accordingly. But he is also a serious scholar and deals with problems related to the text or its interpretation. This commentary is not bedtime reading, but it's not impossible. Knowing Greek helps, but it is not necessary. Witherington is a good writer, and has produced a great volume of work in recent years. The book includes a great deal of information. You would have to buy several books and commentaries to cover this much ground in Acts.

If you are a student taking Acts or Luke-Acts in an undergrad or grad class, you really cannot afford to ignore this book. If you are teaching a bible class on Acts or Luke-Acts, this book is packed with goodies that will help you. If you are a pastor preaching through Acts or Luke-Acts this volume is surprisingly helpful. (that's what I am doing...preaching through Acts).

For example, Witherington gives a 35 page bibliography with all kinds of books and articles on Acts that give you more if you need or want it. In his 102 page introduction to Acts he deals with everything from the symmetrical balance of the book with Luke (well illustrated...and photos of those illustrations are really easy to find online), all the way to the hermeneutical application of Acts in contemporary theology.

His bibliography and introduction alone are probably worth the price of the book.

I have found in my limited research in Acts (I have only had an undergrad course in Acts and then done my own studies for sermon prep)...but I've found that Witherington adds helpful insight in his textual exegesis. I think so far I like Marshall and Witherington's stuff the best. I only wish Bock was done with his Acts BECNT...but it won't be on the market until I am done with my Acts series...such is life.

After I spent all my book money on Acts books, I had one regret. I wish I had purchased Witherington. I interlibrary loaned it instead. I did that because one time I borrowed a Witherington commentary on another book, and ended up not really using it much. But this one of his is far superior in my view. I don't know why, but I suppose another reviewer who said this is is best work may be correct? It's over 850 pages of well organized and very helpful material.

His stuff is fresh and carefully nuanced. I feel he complements Marshall's commentary well.

Here is his comment on part of Acts 1:8, which some believe references Rome in the phrase 'end of the earth'.

"...vs. 8 is seen as to a certain extent to be programmatic for Acts. Yet it is possible to see this verse as programmatic without identifying Rome with the ends of the earth, since Acts 28 is an intentionally open ended conclusion. It is programmatic in the sense that it alludes to a worldwide mission, and probably also to a mission to both jew and gentile in the Diaspora, not that it alludes to Rome."

This net effect is slightly different than Marshall's and in my view makes one pause and truly reflect. Acts 1:8 and it's meaning has been the subject of many dissertations...and I have to say that Witherington's perspective was fresh and perhaps somewhat convincing.

This also gives you a feel for how he handles most situations in the book. Although he did not interact in 1:8 on why he feels the 'end of the earth' cannot be Rome as much as I wanted(see Marshall for that)...he does give you his view and some support for why he likes it.

Overall I would encourage the use of his commentary as one of your top two or three on Acts. It's an A plus work in my view. I wish I owned a copy for myself. Buy this one if you have funds to work with!

Also worth noting is the fact that C.K. Barrett & Joel Green endorse this particular commentary!