Luke’s Primary Purpose in the Book of Acts is to edify Christians by recounting how God’s plan, coming to fulfilment in Jesus, continues to unfold in the history of the early church. And this is how the risen Christ continues to act, and to teach, and his Kingdom advance to the ends of the earth: through the witness of his apostles, empowered through the promised Holy Spirit.

Big Picture: Luke includes this lengthy narrative to teach something further about divine providence and Paul’s role within God’s plan for the nations. After several chapters recounting accusations, trials, and imprisonments, Luke demonstrates God’s special care for Paul and all who travel with him. Once again, Paul’s calling to be a servant and a witness of the risen Lord Jesus is confirmed: “I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” (26:16-18)