The Imperial Authority and Benefaction of Centurions and Acts 10.34-43: A Response to C. Kavin Rowe

Abstract

C. Kavin Rowe has rightly argued that, when encountering the statement oυτoς ε στιn παn τωn Kuρ ιoς (Acts 10.36), Luke's auditors throughout the Roman Empire would have associated this slogan with imperial-cult propaganda. The relevance of such a connection within a speech delivered to Cornelius and his household, however, requires further analysis. Evidence from Luke—Acts and other ancient literary texts and inscriptions depicts centurions as imperial authorities who—as benefactors, judges and promoters of the imperial cult— were notorious for abusing their power to the detriment of those under their authority. Alongside Luke's implicit censure of the emperor and his cult, one should understand his seemingly positive characterization of Cornelius as rhetorical irony (i.e., applying to a character traits that are contrary to reality). The more holistic criticism of the imperial cult in the context of Acts 10.34-43 includes not only the emperor, but also his subordinate authorities.