Thematic Bible: Claudius lysius

And [as they] were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the military tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. {He} immediately took along soldiers and centurions [and] ran down to them. And [when] they saw the military tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the military tribune came up [and] arrested him and ordered [him] to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what it was that he had done. read more.
But some in the crowd were shouting one thing [and] others [another], and [because] he was not able to find out the truth on account of the commotion, he gave orders to bring him into the barracks. And when he came to the steps, it happened that he had to be carried by the soldiers on account of the violence of the crowd, for the crowd of people was following [them], shouting, "Away with him!" And [as he] was about to be brought into the barracks, Paul said to the military tribune, "Is it permitted for me to say something to you?" And he said, "Do you know Greek? Then you are not the Egyptian who before these days raised a revolt and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?" But Paul said, "I am a Jewish man from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no unimportant city. Now I ask you, allow me to speak to the people." So [when] he permitted [him], Paul, standing there on the steps, motioned with [his] hand to the people. And [when there] was a great silence, he addressed [them] in the Aramaic language, saying,

And [while] they were screaming and throwing off [their] cloaks and throwing dust into the air, the military tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying he was to be examined with a lash so that he could find out for what reason they were crying out against him in this way. But when they had stretched him out for the lash, Paul said to the centurion standing there, "Is it permitted for you to flog a man [who is] a Roman citizen and uncondemned?" read more.
And [when] the centurion heard [this], he went to the military tribune [and] reported [it], saying, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen!" So the military tribune came [and] said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" And he said, "Yes." And the military tribune replied, "I acquired this citizenship for a large sum of money." And Paul said, "But I indeed was born [a citizen]. Then immediately those who were about to examine him kept away from him, and the military tribune also was afraid [when he] realized that he was a Roman citizen and that {he had tied him up}. But on the next day, [because he] wanted to know the true [reason] why he was being accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to assemble, and he brought down Paul [and] had [him] stand before them.

And [when] the dispute became severe, the military tribune, fearing lest Paul be torn apart by them, ordered the detachment to go down, take him away from their midst, and bring [him] into the barracks. And the next night the Lord stood by him [and] said, "Have courage, for as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." And [when it] was day, the Jews made a conspiracy [and] bound themselves under a curse, saying [they would] neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. read more.
Now there were more [than] forty who had made this conspiracy, who went to the chief priests and the elders [and] said, "We have bound ourselves under a curse to partake of nothing until we have killed Paul Therefore, now you along with the Sanhedrin explain to the military tribune that he should bring him down to you, as [if you] were going to determine more accurately the things concerning him. And we are ready to do away with him before he comes near." But [when] the son of Paul's sister heard about the ambush, he came and entered into the barracks [and] reported [it] to Paul. So Paul called one of the centurions [and] said, "Bring this young man to the military tribune, because he has something to report to him." So he took him [and] brought [him] to the military tribune and said, "The prisoner Paul called me [and] asked [me] to bring this young man to you [because he] has something to tell you." And the military tribune, taking hold of his hand and withdrawing privately, asked, "What is it that you have to report to me? And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you that you bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as [if they] were going to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him. You therefore do not be persuaded by them, because more [than] forty men of {their number} are lying in wait [for] him, who have bound themselves under a curse neither to eat nor to drink until they have done away with him. And now they are ready, waiting for {you to agree}." So the military tribune sent the young man away, directing [him], "Tell no one that you have revealed these [things] to me." And he summoned two of the centurions [and] said, "Make ready from the third hour of the night two hundred soldiers and seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, in order that they may proceed as far as Caesarea. And provide mounts so that they can put Paul on them [and] bring [him] safely to Felix the governor." {He wrote} a letter that had this form: Claudius Lysias. To his excellency Governor Felix. Greetings! This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them [when I] came upon [them] with the detachment [and] rescued [him], [because I] learned that he was a Roman citizen. And [because I] wanted to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought [him] down to their Sanhedrin. I found {he} was accused concerning controversial questions of their law, but having no charge deserving death or imprisonment. And [when it] was made known to me there would be a plot against the man, I sent [him] to you immediately, also ordering [his] accusers to speak against him before you. Therefore the soldiers, in accordance with {their orders}, took Paul [and] brought [him] to Antipatris during the night. And on the next day they let the horsemen go on with him, [and] they returned to the barracks. {The horsemen}, [when they] came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, also presented Paul to him. So [after] reading [the letter] and asking what province he was from, and learning that [he was] from Cilicia, he said, "I will give you a hearing whenever your accusers arrive also," giving orders [for] him to be guarded in the praetorium of Herod.