Small Change: Saul to Paul, Again

• Published in: Journal of Biblical literature Vol. 125; no. 2; pp. 390 - 391
• Main Author: McDonough, Sean M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Atlanta Society of Biblical Literature 01-07-2006
• Subjects: Apostles; Critical Notes; Exegesis & hermeneutics; Latin language; Name changes; Narratives; New Testament; Speeches; Word play
• ISSN: 0021-9231; 1934-3876
• DOI: 10.2307/27638366

Such a name might seem ill-fitting, given Paul's activities on behalf of David's descendant.2 (One might feel that the name change would have been more appropriate earlier in the narrative, but ch. 13 does present readers with the author's first extended portrayal of Paul preaching in a synagogue.) The ominous note about God's removal of Saul in 13:22 ... hints at the negative role Saul plays in Paul's speech. In light of the above, I would suggest that the name change in Acts 13 serves for the author of Acts as a vivid illustration of Paul's transformation from the proud "big man" who persecuted the church, to the servant of "little" David's messianic offspring.5 The introduction of Saul into a NT narrative of Israel's story is unique; the tension between Saul and David in 1 Samuel is one of the most dominant themes in that book; and the amount of Latin needed to pick up on the wordplay is very small indeed.