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a That is, Aramaic
b Gk the Nazorean
c Gk him
d Or up for the lashes
e Gk him
f Gk he
22.1–21 This account of Paul’s conversion explains events from his own perspective (cf. 9.1–31) and, as part of his defense against Jewish accusers, Paul depicts himself as a loyal Jew who remains obedient to the God of Israel.
22.1 Brothers and fathers captures the audience’s attention by signaling Paul’s relationship to them (see 2.29; 7.2; 13.26; 15.7, 13).
22.2 Hebrew. See note on 21.40.
22.3 Paul identifies himself in terms congenial to this audience. Born in Tarsus. See notes on 9.11; 21.39. Gamaliel. See note on 5.34. Zealous. See note on 21.20.
22.4 This Way. See note on 9.1–2.
22.5 Cf. 9.2, which does not mention the elders.
22.6–11 See notes on 9.3–4; 9.5.
22.6 About noon, hence the light Paul saw was extremely bright (see 26.13; cf. 9.3).
22.9 Cf. 9.7, where Paul’s companions do hear the voice; 26.14 could imply that they did not.
22.10 See 9.6; cf. 26.16–18, where the commission is more elaborate.
22.12–16 Ananias’s objection to Paul, reported in 9.10–16, disappears here in favor of an additional statement concerning Paul’s mission.
22.12 Paul describes Ananias in terms designed to appeal to a Jewish audience; cf. 9.10.
22.14 Even the expressions used for God and Jesus are calculated to win Jewish sympathy: the God of our ancestors (see Gen 43.23; 46.1; Ex 3.13; Deut 1.11) and the Righteous One (see 3.14; 7.52).
22.15 On witness as a prime characteristic of the church’s activity, see note on 1.21–22.
22.16 See 2.38; cf. 9.18–19.
22.17–21 This scene, which appears in neither 9.1–31 nor 26.2–23, provides important confirmation of Paul’s Jewish loyalty by situating him at prayer in the temple.
22.17 See 10.9–10, where Peter’s vision comes while he is praying.
22.19 On Paul’s activity as a persecutor, see 8.3; 9.1–2; 26.9–11.
22.20 See 7.58; 8.1.
22.21 For the first time the speech moves beyond the realm of the Jewish people and refers explicitly to Paul’s mission among Gentiles (but see v. 15).
22.22–29 Apparently the reference to Gentiles (v. 21) triggers the repetition here of the cry in 21.36, this time intensified by the demand for Paul’s death.
22.23 See 7.58; 22.20.
22.25 Paul dramatically invokes his Roman citizenship to prevent being flogged, but he also lays the foundation for his eventual confinement in Rome (see 25.10–12). Paul’s question is rhetorical, as both Paul and the soldiers would have known the answer (see 16.37–39).
22.26–28 These exchanges reiterate Paul’s status as a Roman citizen.
22.29 See 16.38.
22.30–23.11 Another attempt by the tribune to determine charges against Paul sets the stage for Paul’s further defense of his Jewishness in his final speech in Jerusalem.
22.30 On the need to identify charges, see note on 21.33. That the tribune takes Paul before Jewish officials in order to arrive at charges suggests that the dispute is over internal Jewish concerns and not of interest to Rome (see 18.14–15; 26.30–31). There is little evidence on whether the tribune would have had authority to convene the chief priests and council, but the scene places Paul before both Roman and Jewish audiences.
Acts 23
1While Paul was looking intently at the council he said, “Brothers,a up to this day I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God.” 2Then the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near him to strike him on the mouth. 3At this Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting there to judge me according to the law, and yet in violation of the law you order me to be struck?” 4Those standing nearby said, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?” 5And Paul said, “I did not realize, brothers, that he was high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a leader of your people.’”
6When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrectionb of the dead.” 7When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8(The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.) 9Then a great clamor arose, and certain scribes of the Pharisees’ group stood up and contended, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks.
11That night the Lord stood near him and said, “Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.”
The Plot to Kill Paul
12In the morning the Jews joined in a conspiracy and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. 13There were more than forty who joined in this conspiracy. 14They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food until we have killed Paul. 15Now then, you and the council must notify the tribune to bring him down to you, on the pretext that you want to make a more thorough examination of his case. And we are ready to do away with him before he arrives.”
16Now the son of Paul’s sister heard about the ambush; so he went and gained entrance to the barracks and told Paul. 17Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to report to him.” 18So he took him, brought him to the tribune, and said, “The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you; he has something to tell you.” 19The tribune took him by the hand, drew him aside privately, and asked, “What is it that you have to report to me?” 20He answered, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more thoroughly into his case. 21But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him. They have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they kill him. They are ready now and are waiting for your consent.” 22So the tribune dismissed the young man, ordering him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of this.”
Paul Sent to Felix the Governor
23Then he summoned two of the centurions and said, “Get ready to leave by nine o’clock tonight for Caesarea with two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen. 24Also provide mounts for Paul to ride, and take him safely to Felix the governor.” 25He wrote a letter to this effect:
26“Claudius Lysias to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. 27This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, but when I had learned that he was a Roman citizen, I came with the guard and rescued him. 28Since I wanted to know the charge for which they accused him, I had him brought to their council. 29I found that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but was charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.c”
31So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him during the night to Antipatris. 32The next day they let the horsemen go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. 33When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34On reading the letter, he asked what province he belonged to, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s headquarters.d
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a Gk Men, brothers
b Gk concerning hope and resurrection
c Other ancient authorities add Farewell
d Gk praetorium
23.1 A concise summary of Paul’s speech in 22.2–21. See 26.19; Phil 3.6.
23.2 Ananias, high priest beginning about 48 CE; he was assassinated at the outset of the Jewish revolt in 66 CE.
23.3 Whitewashed wall. See Ezek 13.10–16; Mt 23.27. Deut 19.16–19 requires that an accused person be confronted by an accuser directly and in the presence of a judge (see also Lev 19.15; Deut 1.16–17).
23.4–5 I did not realize…he was high priest. How Paul could have avoided recognizing the high priest is difficult to imagine. The question of v. 24 seems to dare Paul to speak openly of his contempt for the leadership, but he takes it instead as an opportunity to demonstrate his respect for scripture (he cites Ex 22.28).
23.6 That the council contained both Sadducees and Pharisees Paul would have known, but reference to this composition prompts a new phase in Paul’s defense. Luke refers here for the first time to Paul’s alignment with the Pharisees (see Phil 3.5); as in 5.33–39, they figure positively in the treatment of Christians. On one level, Paul’s invoking Pharisaic belief in the resurrection of the dead (see v. 8) is a ploy that creates sympathy for himself; on a deeper level, however, reference to the resurrection is central to Christian preaching, and Paul introduces it as common ground.
23.8 Josephus confirms the dispute about resurrection but says nothing of a quarrel about the existence of angels or spirits (War 2.163–66; Antiquities 18.12–17).
23.11 Jerusalem and Rome. See note on 19.21.
23.12–35 Although there have been other plots against Paul (9.23–25, 29–30; 20.3, 19), this one is the most detailed, both in its planning and in the steps taken to overturn it.
23.16–22 Luke’s elaboration of this scene (the report to Paul, calling the centurion, the full report to the tribune) enhances its dramatic impact.
23.16 Nothing else is known of the son of Paul’s sister, nor is it clear how he might have been privy to the plot.
23.23 Caesarea is not only the capital of Judea but was prominent earlier in Acts. See 8.40; 10.1–11.18; 12.19; 21.8, 16. Two hundred soldiers…horsemen, and…spearmen. This delegation, probably half the men at the tribune’s command, seems improbably large, but tensions in first-century Palestine ran high. See Josephus, Life 200; War 2.224–31, 417–24; 4.128–34, 326–33; Antiquities 20.108–17.
23.24 Felix the governor, i.e., Antonius Felix, a freedman who governed Judea ca. 52–59 CE. Contemporary historians comment on his cruelty and immorality. See Tacitus, History 5.9.
23.26 Claudius Lysias, the tribune who has been unnamed to this point, delicately omits his involvement in Paul’s mistreatment (see 21.31–38;22.24–29). Although Lysias is protecting Paul from his enemies, he is also protecting himself.
23.28 On establishing the charge against Paul, see note on 21.33.
23.34 On Cilicia as Paul’s home, see 22.3.
23.35 Herod’s headquarters, i.e., the praetorium, the headquarters of the principal administrator of a region.
Acts 24
Paul before Felix at Caesarea
1Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, and they reported their case against Paul to the governor. 2When Paula had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:
“Your Excellency,b because of you we have long enjoyed peace, and reforms have been made for this people because of your foresight. 3We welcome this in every way and everywhere with utmost gratitude. 4But, to detain you no further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. 5We have, in fact, found this man a pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.c 6He even tried to profane the temple, and so we seized him.d 8By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from him concerning everything of which we accuse him.”
9The Jews also joined in the charge by asserting that all this was true.
Paul’s Defense before Felix
10When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied:
“I cheerfully make my defense, knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation. 11As you can find out, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. 12They did not find me disputing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd either in the synagogues or throughout the city. 13Neither can they prove to you the charge that they now bring against me. 14But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors, believing everything laid down according to the law or written in the prophets. 15I have a hope in God—a hope that they themselves also accept—that there will be a resurrection of bothe the righteous and the unrighteous. 16Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people. 17Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation and to offer sacrifices. 18While I was doing this, they found me in the temple, completing the rite of purification, without any crowd or disturbance. 19But there were some Jews from Asia—they ought to be here before you to make an accusation, if they have anything against me. 20Or let these men here tell what crime they had found when I stood before the council, 21unless it was this one sentence that I called out while standing before them, ‘It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
22But Felix, who was rather well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing with the comment, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23Then he ordered the centurion to keep him in custody, but to let him have some liberty and not to prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs.
Paul Held in Custody
24Some days later when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ Jesus. 25And as he discussed justice, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity, I will send for you.” 26At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul, and for that reason he used to send for him very often and converse with him.
27After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and since he wanted to grant the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
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a Gk he
b Gk lacks Your Excellency
c Gk Nazoreans
d Other ancient authorities add and we would have judged him according to our law. 7But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8commanding his accusers to come before you.
e Other ancient authorities read of the dead, both of
24.1–27 In a formal trial setting, Paul continues the defense begun in 22.3–21 by affirming both his innocence and his belief in the resurrection, this time for the Roman governor Felix.
24.1 Ananias. See note on 23.2.
24.2–4 Capturing the audience’s attention by flattery was customary, but this introduction exceeds the norm (cf. v. 10; 26.2–3). Negative descriptions of Felix by ancient historians suggest that Tertullus’s praise may be quite false (see note on 23.24).
24.5 Tertullus forcefully expresses charges already brought against Paul in a way calculated to play upon a Roman official’s fear of rebellion (see 16.20; 17.6; 19.40; see also Lk 23.2–5). Only here in the NT are Christians referred to as Nazarenes, associating them with Jesus’ home (see, e.g., 2.22; 3.6; 6.14; see also Mt 2.23).
24.6 See 21.28–29 for this erroneous charge. And so we seized him omits any reference to the riot in 21.27–36.
24.10–21 Paul’s defense responds directly to the charges before returning to the themes of 22.3–21.
24.10 Like Tertullus, Paul also begins by flattering Felix (see note on 24.2–4).
24.12 On Paul’s behavior in Jerusalem, see 21.17–30
.
24.14 Admit can refer to a judicial confession or to a confession of faith; here Paul uses that ambiguity by offering what appears to be a confession of wrongdoing and then shifting the topic dramatically. What follows summarizes his remarks in 22.3–21; 23.6. The Way. See note on 9.1–2.
24.15 Resurrection. See note on 23.6.
24.16 A clear conscience. See note on 23.1.
24.17 Alms to my nation may allude to the collection Paul gathered for the Jerusalem church (see Rom 15.25–28; 1 Cor 16.1–4; 2 Cor 8–9; Gal 2.10), but this would be an unusual way to describe it.
24.19 Some Jews from Asia. See 21.27.
24.21 See note on 23.6.
24.22 Felix’s response seems benign, even generous, although the promised decision is not forthcoming. The Way. See note on 9.1–2. Lysias the tribune. See note on 23.26.
24.23 Letting his friends take care of his needs is not an act of generosity, since prisoners routinely relied on outsiders even for basic necessities.
24.24 Drusilla, the daughter of Herod Agrippa I, had previously been married to the Syrian Azizus of Emesa but had left him for Felix, who reportedly pursued her for her great beauty.
24.25 Reports concerning Felix’s corruption and immorality suggest why he might have found Paul’s words frightening (see note on 23.24).
24.27 Porcius Festus succeeded Felix and governed ca. 59–61 CE (see 25.1–27;26.24–32). Felix not only acts out of greed (v. 26) but grants political favors (see also 25.9).
Acts 25
Paul Appeals to the Emperor
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