Paul Preaching
Basic Info
After Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, he spent some time learning about the message and life of Jesus Christ. He was committed to sharing Jesus’ message and Way with those who were not Jewish in origin in such places as Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, Philippi, Rome, Athens, and Thessalonica. In a place like Corinth, which was a seaport renowned for prostitution, drinking, and barroom brawls, preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ was an uphill climb. A crowd might include those who were very attentive, those who were hearing the message for the first time, those who were skeptical, and those who were scornful—we know now. But artists of the 15th and 16thcenturies would have relied on their imaginations and their experience of their own places to figure out what Paul’s audience would have looked like. But Paul was committed to spreading the message of Jesus regardless of the opposition he might face.
What to Look For
- The attention or emotional state of Paul’s audience (expression, gestures, posture, etc.)
- Diversity within Paul’s audience
- Unity or similarity within Paul’s audience
- Whether anything is competing for the audience’s attention (the market, a pub, responsibilities, etc.)
- Paul’s attitude or emotional state (expression, gestures, posture, etc.)
- The relationship or connection between Paul and his audience
- The location or context of the event (market, hill, public square, etc.)
Questions to Focus a General Interpretation
What is the flow of action in the artwork—the people toward Paul, Paul toward the people, or a back-and-forth?
Does the attentiveness depicted in the group of followers seem superhuman or normal?
Questions to Guide a Personal Interpretation
Among the variety of people represented in the group depicted in this artwork, can you find someone who seems close to who you are or aspire to be? How would you like to grow toward fuller relationship with God?
Does the context of Paul’s preaching as depicted in the artwork have parallels today? Who is preaching there, and is their message as trustworthy as Paul’s?
Questions to Suggest a Historical Interpretation
How might the people in the artist’s time and place have recognized themselves in this artwork? What was going on in their world that parallels this scene?
Does the artwork offer any insight as to where public preaching or teaching was occurring in the artist’s time and place?
