Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Paul stood before the council, his eyes locked on the leaders as he spoke with conviction. "Brothers, I have lived my life with integrity before God, doing what I believe is right up until this very moment."

The high priest Ananias ordered guards to strike Paul across the face. But Paul countered, "You will be judged by God for your hypocrisy, Ananias! You sit in judgment of me, yet you command me to be struck contrary to the law."

Some bystanders jumped to their feet, accusing Paul of insulting the high priest. Paul defended himself, saying, "I didn't realize he was the high priest; it's written that we shouldn't speak evil of a leader among us." He paused, observing the divisions within the council.

Paul recognized that one group consisted of Sadducees and the other Pharisees, so he took advantage of the opportunity to clarify his stance. "Men and brothers, I'm a Pharisee, born into a Pharisaic family. It's on this very matter of hope and resurrection from the dead that they're questioning me."

As soon as Paul said this, a sharp rift emerged between the Pharisees and Sadducees. The crowd was divided, with some siding with each group. The Pharisees argued that they found no fault in Paul, but since he claimed to have received revelation from God or his angel, perhaps they shouldn't fight against divine intervention.

A fierce dispute arose, causing the chief captain to worry that Paul would be torn apart by the mob. He ordered the soldiers to intervene and take Paul by force, leading him away to safety within the castle.

That night, the Lord appeared to Paul and encouraged him: "Be brave, Paul! You've testified about me in Jerusalem, and now you must continue to do so at Rome."

However, not everyone shared this vision of peace. A group of Jews vowed to abstain from food or drink until they had murdered Paul. Over forty men were involved in this plot.

They went to the chief priests and elders, announcing their intention: "We've sworn a curse that we won't eat or drink until we've killed Paul. We urge you to inform the chief captain that he should bring Paul down to us tomorrow under the guise of further questioning, so we can be ready to ambush him."

Paul's nephew learned about their plan and rushed into the castle to warn Paul.

Paul called for a centurion and instructed him to bring his nephew before the chief captain. The chief captain took Paul by the hand and led him aside, asking, "What is it you want to tell me?"

The young man revealed that the Jews had agreed to request that Paul be brought down to the council tomorrow under the pretense of further questioning. They were waiting in ambush, having sworn an oath not to eat or drink until they'd killed him.

The chief captain let the young man go, warning him not to disclose their secret. Then he summoned two centurions and instructed them to prepare 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen for a nighttime departure from Caesarea to Felix the governor in Antipatris.

He provided them with horses, so they could transport Paul safely and bring him before Felix. The chief captain wrote a letter explaining the situation:

Greetings, Felix the most excellent governor,

This man was about to be killed by the Jews when I arrived with my soldiers and rescued him, discovering that he's a Roman citizen. As I sought to understand the charges against him, I brought him before their council.

I found that the accusations were related to their laws but didn't warrant death or imprisonment. When I learned of their plot against him, I immediately sent word to you and instructed his accusers to present their case before you.

Farewell,

Claudius Lysias

The soldiers took Paul by night and brought him to Antipatris. The next day, they left some horsemen behind while returning to the fortress in Jerusalem.

When they arrived at Caesarea with the letter from Claudius Lysias, Paul was presented before Felix, the governor. Upon reading the letter, Felix asked Paul where he was from. Learning that Paul came from Cilicia, Felix said, "Your accusers are present; I will hear your case." He ordered Paul to be held in Herod's judgment hall for further questioning.