of Thessalonica are styled woActdpxas, rulers of the city (Acts xvii. 8); for Thessalonica was a free city, having the right of self-government, and where the local magistrates had the power of life and death over the citizens. Luke’s accuracy on this point is borne out by an inscription on an archway in Thessa- lonica, which gives this title to the magistrates of the place, together with their number—seven—and the very names of some who held the office not long before Paul’s time. This short in- scription contains six names which are mentioned in the New Testament. We may also note the Asiarchs, chiefs of Asia, at Ephesus (Acts xix. 31), who, like the aedzles at Rome, defrayed the charge of public amusements, and were, as presidents of the games, invested with the character of priests.
A similar accuracy appears in the Gospel in the dates of more important events, and in local descriptions, as of the Lord’s coming to Jerusalem across the Mount of Olives (xix. 37-41). Here he brings out the two distinct views of Jeru- salem on this route, an irregularity in the ground hiding it for a time after one has just caught sight of it. Verse 37 marks the first sight, and 41 the second.
In the narrative of the voyage and shipwreck, the precision of detail is remarkable. Thus there are fourteen verbs denoting the progression of a ship, with a distinction indicating the pecu- liar circumstances of the ship at the time. Seven of these are compounds of mAéw, to sail. ‘Thus we have dmér\evoay, sailed away (xiii. 4); Bpabumdoobvres, sailing slowly (xxvil. 7); imemrevoaper, sailed wnder (the lee). So, also, 7apaneyopevot, hardly passing (xxvii. 8); ebJudpounjcaper, ran with a straight course (xvi. 11), etc. Note also the technical terms for lighten- ing the ship by throwing overboard the cargo: €«Bodnv ézov- oovto; literally, made a casting out (xxvii. 18) ; éxovgucov, lightened (xxvii. 38); and the names of various parts of the vessel.
‘Luke’s Gospel is the gospel of contrasts. Thus Satan is constantly emphasized over against Jesus, as binding a daughter of Abraham ; as cast down from heaven in Jesus’ vision; as entering into Judas; as sifting Peter. The evangelist portrays the doubting Zacharias and the trusting Mary; the churlish