Body and Character in Luke and Acts: The Subversion of Physiognomy in Early Christianity

In the ancient world, it was commonly believed that outward appearance provided clues to inner character. The "science" relating physical appearance to moral character is called physiognomy. Mikeal Parsons shows how a number of interesting episodes in Luke and Acts draw upon physiognomy only to subvert it. For example, short physical stature was an indicator of small-mindedness. After his encounter with Jesus, Zacchaeus is still short physically; however, his small-mindedness has been healed, and he repays fourfold those he has defrauded. Thus Luke ultimately denies that any direct line can be drawn between physical appearance and moral character. This pioneering study of the bearing of physiognomy on New Testament interpretation will interest advanced scholars but is also accessible and enlightening for pastors and other students of the Bible.

Mikeal C. Parsons (Ph.D., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) holds the Kidd L. and Buna Hitchcock Macon Chair in Religion at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He is the author of The Departure of Jesus in Luke and Acts and coauthor of Illuminating Luke, Acts: A Handbook on the Greek Text, and Rethinking the Unity of Luke and Acts.