How does Luke’s portrait of the outsider help in exploring the theology and historiography of Acts? Previous studies of the author and his work have concentrated on the speeches given by insiders - members of the early Christian church - but until now the speeches of the outsiders have been marginalised by scholars in the field. Osvaldo Padilla takes a highly original approach by concentrating on the direct speech of such figures, arguing that the portrayal of outsiders to a religious movement should not be neglected when considering the author’s viewpoint. By exploring the place of outsiders in New Testament and Second Temple literature, then offering comparisons with the depictions found in Acts, Padilla provides a fresh, insightful take on the subject that will prove invaluable to scholars and students of biblical and early Christian studies.

• An original approach to the theology and historiography of Acts by examining its portrait of outsiders • An up-to-date summary of scholarship on the speeches in Acts • A substantial investigation into a previously neglected area of study