I have previously covered some undesigned coincidences from the Gospels, specifically four from the narratives that describe the feeding of the five thousand miracle, and also an undesigned coincidence from the Old Testament. Next I would like to cover a few undesigned coincidences between the book of Acts, and Paul's letters.
Paul’s letters are personal, theological, and pastoral, while Acts is historical narrative, and written by a different author, so it's extra interesting in that sense that they have undesigned coincidences between themselves. Let's have a look at one of them!
In Romans 15:25-26, Paul mentions that he has been in Macedonia and Achaia, and that he is bringing alms from them for the poor in Jerusalem.
"At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem."
In Acts 20:1-4, Luke describes the same journey.
"After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia."
Achaea was a Roman province in the southern parts of Greece. Paul and Luke describe the same journey, but they don't use identical names for one of the places, which means it's not a copy paste job. Luke doesn't mention the alms though. Or does he...? Yes! But elsewhere! When Paul was at Caesarea to stand before Felix, he mentioned the alms, and Luke recorded it. When explaining why he was in Jerusalem, Paul this is found among what Paul said:
Acts 24:17
"Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings."
Paul and Luke describe the same journey, but in different ways, and Luke leaves out a detail that shows up in a completely different context. This is exactly what one would expect to find when two people record the same event, and exactly what one would not expect to find when someone is making up a story, or trying to retrofit something to previous writings.
