Locating Paul Places of Custody As Narrative Settings in Acts 21-28

Luke's story of Paul's prolonged imprisonment under the Romans provides readers with an unexpected setting for considering the proclamation of the word. This narrative-critical study explores the custody settings of Acts 21-28 as places that frame and amplify the detained Paul's social marginality to powerful interests that have a stake in his ministry and contends that the settings serve as new venues for Paul's continuing yet redirected missionary vocation. The book provides a penetrating discussion of the relationship between the young church and imperial Rome, suggesting that the accounts of Paul's activity and divine assistance, coming precisely within the settings intended to enforce Roman control, constitute subtle yet powerful confrontation and manipulation of the social and religious powers. Paperback edition available from the Society of Biblical Literature (www.sbl-site.org).