"Ramsay"

Sir William Ramsay and Luke’s Accuracy

Sir William Mitchell Ramsay (1851–1939) was a Scottish archaeologist and classical historian, best known for his work in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). He served as Professor of Humanity
at the University of Aberdeen and was a leading authority on Roman provincial administration and geography.

Ramsay began his career skeptical of the New Testament. He was trained in the German critical tradition, which viewed the Book of Acts as a late and historically unreliable work.

Initial Skepticism

Ramsay initially believed Acts was written in the second century and contained significant historical inaccuracies. He went to Asia Minor intending to test the narrative of Acts against
archaeological evidence rather than to defend it.

Archaeological Findings and Acts

After decades of archaeological fieldwork, Ramsay concluded that Luke demonstrated exceptional historical accuracy. He famously wrote: “Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy, he is possessed of the true historic sense.” (The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness of the New Testament, 1915)

Key Areas of Accuracy Identified by Ramsay

1. Correct Local Titles Luke accurately uses region-specific titles for Roman officials, including:

- Politarchs in Thessalonica
- Asiarchs in Ephesus
- Proconsul (anthypatos) for Gallio in Achaia

Such precision would have been difficult for a later writer to achieve.

2. Accurate Provincial Geography- Acts reflects correct Roman provincial boundaries and city affiliations consistent with the mid–first century, not later administrative arrangements.

3. Roads, Travel, and Itineraries- Paul’s journeys in Acts align closely with known Roman road systems, realistic travel times, and seasonal sailing constraints.

4. Local Customs and Legal Procedures-  Luke accurately describes civic assemblies, local legal processes, and urban social structures. Acts 19 (Ephesus) is often cited as a particularly strong example.

Ramsay’s Change of Mind

Based on archaeological evidence, Ramsay concluded that Acts was written by a contemporary of the events described and that Luke was often an eyewitness, especially in Asia Minor.

Key Works by Ramsay - St. Paul the Traveller and the Roman Citizen(1895) - The Church in the Roman Empire (1893) - The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness of the New Testament (1915)

Ramsay’s work demonstrated that Luke possessed detailed, accurate knowledge of first-century geography, administration, and travel. While archaeology cannot resolve theological questions, it strongly supports Luke’s credibility as a careful ancient historian.