Jew–Gentile Relations and the Geographic Movement of Acts 10:1–11:18

Abstract

In this article, I examine how the geographic dimensions of Acts 10:1–11:18 contribute to the narrative portrayal of the Jewish apostle Peter's encounter with Cornelius, a gentile centurion. First, I sketch the dynamics of Jew–gentile relations in first-century Caesarea, the location for the encounter between Peter and Cornelius, showing the unique heritage of Caesarea in comparison to strongholds of Jewish nationalism such as Joppa and Jerusalem. Second, I examine how the geographic progression of the narrative contributes to a contextualized reading of Acts 10:1–11:18 on the theme of Jew–gentile relations. I argue that the geographic movements in the story are not extraneous to the development of the plot. Rather, they are an integral part of what makes the behavior of Cornelius and Peter so remarkable, the intervention of God so necessary, and the conversion of Cornelius so significant for the trajectory of the early church in Acts.