Chiasmus Resources

The still widely held view that Luke takes an antagonistic position toward the Jerusalem Temple has little solid support in the text of Luke-Acts. The four texts from the Gospel usually cited in this vein all yield, on closer study, to a more nuanced interpretation; the three key similar texts from Acts also reveal Lucan emphases in which the Temple is not the direct object of criticism. Neither in Paul's speech on the Areopagus, nor in Stephen's trial and subsequent speech, does Luke deny the value of the Temple or of any shrine made by human hands. For Luke, the Temple stands as a time-honored, traditional place for teaching and prayer in Israel, which serves God's purpose but is not indispensable; the attitude with which worshipers use the Temple makes all the difference.