Narrative Analysis of Acts 12:1-24

Narrative Analysis of Acts 12:1-24

Introduction

For Ancient Israel, The Exodus Motif was the paradigm of historical renewal. The collective memory of the exodus from Egypt shaped accounts of God's past acts of redemption, and provided the archetypal expression for all future hope. Thus it was appropriate for Luke to suggest that, during the transfiguration, Jesus had discussed with Moses and Elijah "his exodus (Epsilon Epsilon o Delta o), which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem". Luke hints thereby that the redemption to be effected by Jesus through the death, resurrection, and ascension will in some way recall Israel's redemption out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

The story in Acts 12:1-24 has generally been studied with the goal of discerning the historical core behind the account. Although there are surely genuine historical reminiscences here, the search for these should not be allowed to obscure the ways in which Luke has used the account to suit his own narrative purposes. When approached with an eye to literary shape and to the use of symbolism, the story displays several striking characteristics. These include a number of parallels between the tale of Peter's imprisonment and release and Luke's rendition of the passion and exaltation of Jesus, allusions to the exodus from Egypt, and motifs associated by other writers of Luke's era, and by Luke himself elsewhere in his two-volume narrative, with the figure of Satan. That an account of Peter's release should recall Jesus' resurrection is not especially surprising: as others have noted, Luke frequently draws parallels between the experiences of Jesus and those of his followers, especially Peter and Paul. In this particular passage, however, the combination of passion motifs with allusions not only to the exodus but also to the fall of a self-exalting monarch suggests that the account provides more than a casual reminiscence. Indeed, analysis will indicate that the account recapitulates the entire sequence of earthly and cosmic events pertaining to Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension.

Setting

Physical Setting

In this story the atmosphere is action packed since peter was thrown in Prison and James was just martyred. This story is a good explanation of setting having iron gates, chains, guards, and prisons.

Temporal Setting

The story was started with the concept of time like what is time and what is it? That time, in verse 3 was revealed by the author after stating us about the Martyr of James and search of putting James in the Prison. According to me there are twofold purposed of the notion “about that time?” The first purpose says that it is a transitional move by author from one scene to another. The second purpose most importantly states that Jews were being pleased by the Martyr of James and so he proceeded after Peter and this was all experiences for the days of unleavened bread.

Cultural setting

King Agrippa persecuted the church in Jerusalem. It is stated in verse four that “intending after the Passover to bring him out to the ...