Thematic Bible: Claudius lysius
Thematic Bible
Claudius lysius » A roman military officer
as they were busy upon his execution, news came to the commander of the cohort, that the whole city was in an uproar. immediately he headed a detachment, with his centurions, and march'd briskly to them; who, upon seeing the officer and his men, left off beating Paul. the commander advanc'd, seiz'd him, and order'd to load him with two chains: then demanded who he was, and what he had done. read more.
in the hubbub some cry'd one thing, some another: so that not being able to get any information for the tumult, he order'd him to be carried to the castle. as he was mounting the stairs, the soldiers bore him up thro' the violence of the people, who were all pressing after, roaring out, "away with him." just as he was entring into the castle, Paul said to the officer, may I be favour'd with a word? you can speak Greek then, said he? are not you the Egyptian, who lately made an insurrection at the head of four thousand banditti in the desart? Paul replied, I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of that famous city: and I beg you would give me leave to speak to the people: which being granted, Paul then standing upon the stairs made a sign with his hand to the people, who being very silent, he rais'd his voice, and thus address'd them in the Hebrew tongue:
in the hubbub some cry'd one thing, some another: so that not being able to get any information for the tumult, he order'd him to be carried to the castle. as he was mounting the stairs, the soldiers bore him up thro' the violence of the people, who were all pressing after, roaring out, "away with him." just as he was entring into the castle, Paul said to the officer, may I be favour'd with a word? you can speak Greek then, said he? are not you the Egyptian, who lately made an insurrection at the head of four thousand banditti in the desart? Paul replied, I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of that famous city: and I beg you would give me leave to speak to the people: which being granted, Paul then standing upon the stairs made a sign with his hand to the people, who being very silent, he rais'd his voice, and thus address'd them in the Hebrew tongue:
thus they roar'd, and threw off their cloaks, and scatter'd dust in the air: when the commanding officer order'd him to be brought into the castle, and put to the question by the lash, in order to find out the reason of their exclamations against him. as they were tying him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion, does the law allow to scourge a Roman citizen, and without any trial? read more.
upon hearing that, the centurion went to acquaint the head officer, take care, said he, what you do; for this man is a Roman. then the head officer came to him, and said, tell me, are you a Roman? he answer'd, yes. the officer rejoin'd, my freedom cost me a considerable sum. but I had it, said Paul, by right of birth. immediately those who were going to put him to the question, withdrew: the commander himself being under some apprehension for having order'd him to be bound. as he was resolv'd to know for certain, the next day, what the Jews laid to his charge, he took off his chains, and summon'd the chief priests, and the council to appear, when Paul was brought, and presented before them.
upon hearing that, the centurion went to acquaint the head officer, take care, said he, what you do; for this man is a Roman. then the head officer came to him, and said, tell me, are you a Roman? he answer'd, yes. the officer rejoin'd, my freedom cost me a considerable sum. but I had it, said Paul, by right of birth. immediately those who were going to put him to the question, withdrew: the commander himself being under some apprehension for having order'd him to be bound. as he was resolv'd to know for certain, the next day, what the Jews laid to his charge, he took off his chains, and summon'd the chief priests, and the council to appear, when Paul was brought, and presented before them.
Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
but the tumult growing worse, the tribune apprehensive that Paul might be torn to pieces among them, order'd detachment to secure him by force of arms, and bring him to the castle. The night following, the Lord appear'd to him, and said, Paul, take courage; for the same remonstrances that you have made concerning me at Jerusalem, you must likewise make at Rome. when it was day, some Jews, that had form'd a conspiracy, engag'd themselves by an oath, not to eat, or drink, till they had kill'd Paul. read more.
the conspirators, who were above forty in number, went to the chief priests and senators, and said, "we have bound our selves by oath not to eat till we have slain Paul. if you will move it then to the tribune in the name of the Sanhedrim, to send him here to-morrow, under colour of examining his affair with more solemnity, we shall take care to dispatch him, and make a short end of his journey." Paul's sister's son hearing of the ambuscade, went to the castle, and being admitted, told Paul; who having sent for one of the centurions, said, introduce this young man to the tribune, for he has something to communicate to him. accordingly he went along with him, and having introduc'd him to the tribune, he said, Paul, who is in custody sent for me, and desired me to introduce this young man, who has something to tell you. then the tribune taking him by the hand, retir'd with him in private, and ask'd, what he had to say. the Jews, said he, have agreed to desire you would send Paul down to-morrow to the council, under the pretext of examining him more strictly. but don't believe them: for above forty of them lie in ambush, having bound themselves by oath not to eat or drink till they have kill'd him: they are already prepar'd, and only wait your answer. then the tribune dismiss'd the youth with this charge, don't tell any one, that you have given me this information. then calling two of his centurions, draw out, said he, two hundred foot, seventy horse, and two hundred archers, ready to march to Cesarea by the third hour of the night: let them take care to see Paul mounted, and convoy him safe to governour Felix. at the same time he writ a letter to Felix to this purport. CLAUDIUS LYSIAS to the most excellent governour FELIX wishes health. The Jews having seiz'd this man, were just upon the point to dispatch him, when I march'd with a body to his rescue; having been informed he was a Roman, I had him brought before their Sanhedrim, to hear what crime they laid to his charge. but I found their accusation turned upon certain topics of their law, and contain'd nothing that was capital, or that deserv'd imprisonment: and having intelligence that the Jews had form'd a conspiracy against him, I immediately sent him to you, directing his accusers to lay their charge before you. farewel. The soldiers pursuant to order took Paul, and conducted him by night to Antipatris. on the morrow they march'd back to the castle, having left him to the custody of the horse: who upon their arrival at Cesarea, delivered the letter to the governour, and presented Paul to him. The governour having read the letter, ask'd Paul of what province he was, and being inform'd he was of Cilicia, you shall be heard, said he, when your accusers are come: and then order'd him to the guard-room at Herod's palace.
the conspirators, who were above forty in number, went to the chief priests and senators, and said, "we have bound our selves by oath not to eat till we have slain Paul. if you will move it then to the tribune in the name of the Sanhedrim, to send him here to-morrow, under colour of examining his affair with more solemnity, we shall take care to dispatch him, and make a short end of his journey." Paul's sister's son hearing of the ambuscade, went to the castle, and being admitted, told Paul; who having sent for one of the centurions, said, introduce this young man to the tribune, for he has something to communicate to him. accordingly he went along with him, and having introduc'd him to the tribune, he said, Paul, who is in custody sent for me, and desired me to introduce this young man, who has something to tell you. then the tribune taking him by the hand, retir'd with him in private, and ask'd, what he had to say. the Jews, said he, have agreed to desire you would send Paul down to-morrow to the council, under the pretext of examining him more strictly. but don't believe them: for above forty of them lie in ambush, having bound themselves by oath not to eat or drink till they have kill'd him: they are already prepar'd, and only wait your answer. then the tribune dismiss'd the youth with this charge, don't tell any one, that you have given me this information. then calling two of his centurions, draw out, said he, two hundred foot, seventy horse, and two hundred archers, ready to march to Cesarea by the third hour of the night: let them take care to see Paul mounted, and convoy him safe to governour Felix. at the same time he writ a letter to Felix to this purport. CLAUDIUS LYSIAS to the most excellent governour FELIX wishes health. The Jews having seiz'd this man, were just upon the point to dispatch him, when I march'd with a body to his rescue; having been informed he was a Roman, I had him brought before their Sanhedrim, to hear what crime they laid to his charge. but I found their accusation turned upon certain topics of their law, and contain'd nothing that was capital, or that deserv'd imprisonment: and having intelligence that the Jews had form'd a conspiracy against him, I immediately sent him to you, directing his accusers to lay their charge before you. farewel. The soldiers pursuant to order took Paul, and conducted him by night to Antipatris. on the morrow they march'd back to the castle, having left him to the custody of the horse: who upon their arrival at Cesarea, delivered the letter to the governour, and presented Paul to him. The governour having read the letter, ask'd Paul of what province he was, and being inform'd he was of Cilicia, you shall be heard, said he, when your accusers are come: and then order'd him to the guard-room at Herod's palace.