Acts 21:1-14 — Although Luke only wrote two of the New Testament’s books (Luke and Acts), his pair occupies as much space as Paul’s thirteen letters. A good reason motivates the volume of Luke’s writing – he wrote to affirm Theophilus’ conviction about the Good News concerning Jesus (Luke 1:1-4). That purpose means Luke’s writings offer insight into the meaning and application of the gospel, the Good News about Jesus’ kingdom and rule. Despite beginning his writings by announcing his purpose, Luke ends his pair of books to Theophilus in a confusing, anticlimactic way – his second letter, the Acts of the Apostles, ends with Paul imprisoned in Rome awaiting trial (Acts 28). Luke leaves his readers with what might seem like an incomplete story.
This lesson concludes our survey of Luke’s portrait of the Good News about Jesus in Luke and Acts by considering what his account of Paul’s arrest, trials, and imprisonment in Rome reveals about Jesus’ kingdom and rule.