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THE VALE OF TEMPE.On the slopes of Olympus.From a photograph belonging to Smith College, and used by special permission.
"The shepherds on the heights above the vale of Tempe may have watched the sails of Paul's ship as it moved like a speck over the waters of the Thermaic Gulf."
--Howson
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Map of land around the Mediterranean Sea showing Paul's journey.
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After brief visits atJerusalemandAntioch, Paul started by the land route for Galatia. After revisiting the churches there he came through central Asia Minor toEphesus. For two years Paul made this great city the center of missionary effort. After the great riot inEphesus, which interrupted his plans, Paul set sail on a coasting vessel forMacedonia, changing ship atTroas. Thence he sailed forPhilippiand remained three months with the Macedonian churches. Then he went toCorinth, where he stayed three months more. At the opening of navigation in the spring he sailed again forMacedonia, visitingPhilippi. From Philippi he started on a long and tedious voyage by coasting vessel, bound for Jerusalem. He touched on the voyage atTroas, Assos, Mitylene, Samos, Trogyllium, Miletus, Cos, Rhodes, Patara. These are towns on the islands and along the coast of Asia Minor. The ship made slow progress, doing a coasting trade no doubt, and waiting for favorable winds. At Patara they found a big merchantman bound directly for Tyre, calling only at Myra. Before the strong west wind the ship made a good run out of sight of land from coast to coast except when the southern shores of Cyprus were passed. After a few days' stop at Tyre, the ship went on toCaesarea, stopping atPtolemais. Then Paul went up to Jerusalem, and the great third missionary campaign was over.
Companions: Various disciples.
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IFAR AND WIDE BY LAND AND SEA."I Must Also See Rome."
After having spent some time at Antioch, he departed, and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, stablishing all the disciples.
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus. His preaching here had great effect. And not a few of them that practiced curious arts brought their books together, and burned them in the sight of all: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed.
Now after these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."
And having sent into Macedonia two of his companions who ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
IIA RIOT IN EPHESUS"Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"
And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the new faith. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no little business unto the craftsmen;
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RUINS OF GREAT GREEK THEATER AT MILETUS.Copyright by Underwood & Underwood and used by special permission.
Miletus once was one of the leading centers of Greek civilization, which began to decay in Paul's day.
"Even in Homer, the 'Carian Miletus' appears as a place of renown. Eighty colonies went forth from the banks of the Maeander, and some of them were spread even to the eastern shores of the Black Sea and beyond the Pillars of Hercules to the west. It received its first blow in the Persian war, when its inhabitants, like the Jews, had experience of a Babylonian captivity. It suffered once more in Alexander's great campaign; and after his time it gradually began to sink towards its present condition of ruin and decay, from the influence, as it would seem, of mere natural causes,--the increase of alluvial soil in the delta having the effect of removing the city gradually farther and farther from the sea. Even in the Apostle's time, there was between the city and the shore a considerable space of level ground, through which the ancient river meandered in new windings, like the Forth at Stirling. Few events connect the history of Miletus with the transactions of the Roman Empire. When St. Paul was there, it was simply one of the second-rate seaports on this populous coast, ranking, perhaps, with Adramyttium or Patara, but hardly with Ephesus or Smyrna."
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whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, "Sirs, ye know that by this business we have our wealth. And ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they are no gods, which are made with hands: and not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana be made of no account, and that she should even be deposed from her magnificence, whom all Asia and the world worshipeth." And when they heard this, they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying,
"GREAT IS DIANA OF THE EPHESIANS!"
And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel. And when Paul was minded to enter in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. And certain also of the chief officers of Asia, being his friends, sent unto him, and besought him not to venture into the theater. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the larger part knew not wherefore they were come together.
And they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made a defense unto the people. But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out,--
"GREAT IS DIANA OF THE EPHESIANS!"
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And when the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, "Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash. For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. If therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter against any man, the courts are open, and here are judges: let them accuse one another. But if ye seek anything about other matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning this day's riot, there being no cause for it: and we shall not be able to give account of this concourse."
And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
IIIFAREWELLS TO THE CHURCHES.Paul Starts on a Fateful Journey.
And after the uproar was ceased, Paul having sent for the disciples and exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone through those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece. And when he had spent three months there, and a plot was laid against him by the Jews, as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.
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HARBOR OF ASSOSCopyright by Underwood & Underwood and used by special permission.
"Of the city of Assos itself, we must conclude, if we compare the description of the ancients with present appearances, that its aspect as seen from the sea was sumptuous and grand. A terrace with a long portico was raised by a wall of rock above the water line. Above this was a magnificent gate, approached by a flight of steps. Higher still was the theater, which commanded a glorious view of Lesbos and the sea, and those various buildings which are now a wilderness of broken columns, triglyphs, and friezes. The whole was crowned by a citadel of Greek masonry on a cliff of granite. Such was the view which gradually faded into indistinctness as the vessel retired from the shore, and the summits of Ida rose in the evening sky."
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And there accompanied him as far as Asia a company of men from the various churches. But these had gone before, and were waiting for us at Troas. And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we tarried seven days.
And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where we were gathered together. And there sat in the window a certain young man named Eutychus, overpowered with deep sleep; and as Paul discoursed yet longer, he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, "Make ye no ado; for his life is in him."
And when he was gone up, and had broken the bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the lad alive, and were not a little comforted.
But we, going before to the ship, set sail for Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, intending himself to go by land. And when he met us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. And sailing from thence, we came the following day over against Chios; and the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after we came to Miletus. For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for{426}he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, "Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what manner I was with you all the time, serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews: how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I hold not my life of any account, as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.
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DISTANT VIEWS OF OLYMPUSPhotographs taken by Prof. George Norlin. Owned by Arthur S. Cooley, Ph.D., and used by his kind permission
It was near the foot of Olympus, the most famous mountain in Greece, "the home of the gods," that Paul embarked on his voyage to Athens, and it was often in sight as he sailed from point to point in the Aegean Sea. The whole of Paul's route in Macedonia was over historical ground. He traveled over the route taken by Xerxes' army when it swept down to overwhelm Greece. He passed near the Pass of Thermopylae, where one of the most famous defenses of history was made; at Philippi he was close to the confines of Thracian barbarism, and on the spot where the last battle was fought in defense of the republic; at Berea he was near the famous battleground of Pydna, which reduced Macedonia to a Roman province.
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"Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in the which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish everyone night and day with tears. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified. I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face no more. And they brought him on his way unto the ship.
And when it came to pass that we were parted from them, and had set sail, we came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day unto Rhodes, and from thence to Patara: and having found a ship crossing over unto Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail. And when we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unload her cargo. And having found the disciples, we tarried there seven days: and these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not set foot in Jerusalem. And when it came to pass that we had accomplished the days,{430}we departed and went on our journey; and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us on our way, till we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the beach, we prayed, and bade each other farewell; and we went on board the ship, but they returned home again.
And when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. And on the morrow we departed, and came to Caesarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, we abode with him. Now this man had four daughters, who prophesied. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And coming to us, and taking Paul's girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, "Thus saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles." And when we heard these things, both we and they of that place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
Then Paul answered, "What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The will of the Lord be done."
And after these days we went up to Jerusalem. And there went with us also certain of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
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CAPE SUNION.Photograph taken by Dr. C. W. Bill. Owned by Arthur S. Cooley, Ph.D., and used by his kind permission.
The ship on which Paul sailed rounded this point on her way to Athens. The white columns of the famous temple of Minerva, always a landmark to Greek sailors, are still seen upon the headland.
THE ISLAND OF NAXOS.Photograph taken by Dr. C. W. Bill. Owned by Arthur S. Cooley, Ph.D., and used by his kind permission.
The mountains of the island of Naxos must often have been seen by Paul on his voyages. The Aegean Sea is almost deserted now, but in classic times it was crowded with the commerce of the East.
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THE CAPTAIN OF THE NEW FAITH IN THE HANDS OF HIS FOESITHE JEWS STIR UP A RIOT.Paul, in Great Peril, is Saved by a Roman Officer.
(When Paul reached Jerusalem he worshiped, as was his custom, in the temple. But he had many enemies who said that he was a traitor to the Jewish faith because he was friendly with people who were not Jews.)
Paul's enemies stirred up all the multitude, and laid hands on him, crying out, "Men of Israel, help: This is the man, who teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place: and moreover he brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath defiled this holy place."
For they had before seen with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple. And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they laid hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and straightway the doors were shut. And as they were seeking to kill him, tidings came up to the chief captain of the garrison, that all Jerusalem was in confusion. And forthwith he took soldiers and centurions, and ran down upon them: and they, when{434}they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, left off beating Paul. Then the chief captain came near, and laid hold on Paul, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and inquired who he was, and what he had done. And some shouted one thing, some another, among the crowd: and when the captain could not know the truth for the uproar, he commanded him to be brought into the castle. And when he came upon the stairs, he was borne by the soldiers on account of the violence of the crowd; for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, "Away with him."
And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he saith unto the chief captain, "May I say something unto thee?"
And he said, "Dost thou know Greek? Art thou not then the Egyptian, which before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?"
But Paul said, "I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, give me leave to speak unto the people."
IION THE CASTLE STAIRSPaul Defends Himself Before the People.
When the officer gave him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand unto the people; and when they were all silent, he spoke unto them in the Hebrew language, saying, "Brethren and fathers, hear ye the defense which I now make unto you."
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CITY OF SALONICACopyright by Underwood & Underwood and used by special permission.
This is the city known in Paul's time as Thessalonica, which has come into such prominence during the great European war (1916).
The apostolic city at which we are now arrived was known in the earliest periods of its history under various names. Under that of Therma it is associated with some interesting recollections. It was the resting place of Xerxes on his march; it is not unmentioned in the Peloponnesian war; and it was a frequent subject of debate in the last independent assemblies of Athens. When the Macedonian power began to overshadow all the countries where Greek was spoken, this city received its new name, and began a new and more distinguished period of its history. A sister of Alexander the Great was called Thessalonica, and her name was given to the city of Therma, when rebuilt and embellished by her husband, Cassander, the son of Antipater. This name, under a form slightly modified, has continued to the present day. The "Salneck" of the early German poets has become the Saloniki of the modern Levant. Its history can be followed as continuously as its name. When Macedonia was partitioned into four provincial divisions by Paulus Emilius, Thessalonica was the capital of that which lay between the Axius and the Strymon. When the four regions were united into one Roman province, this city was chosen as the metropolis of the whole. Its name appears more than once in the annals of the Civil wars. It was the scene of the exile of Cicero, and one of the stages of his journey between Rome and his province in the East. Antony and Octavius were here after the battle of Philippi; and coins are still extant which allude to the "freedom" granted by the victorious leaders to the city of the Thermaic gulf. Strabo, in the first century, speaks of Thessalonica as the most populous town in Macedonia. Lucian, in the second century, uses similar language. Before the founding of Constantinople, it was virtually the capital of Greece and Illyricum, as well as of Macedonia, and shared the trade of the Aegean with Ephesus and Corinth. Even after Constantinople was built and reigned over the Levant we find both pagan and Christian writers speaking of Thessalonica as the metropolis of Macedonia and a place of great magnitude.
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And when they heard that he spoke unto them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet: and he saith,--
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day: and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and journeyed to Damascus, to bring them also who were there unto Jerusalem in bonds, to be punished. And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and drew nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' And I answered, 'Who art thou, Lord?' And he said unto me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.' And those who were with me beheld indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spoke to me. And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said unto me, 'Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.' And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews that dwelt there, came unto me,{438}and standing by me said unto me, 'Brother Saul, receive thy sight.' And in that very hour I looked up and saw him. And he said, 'The God of our fathers hath appointed thee to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. For thou shalt be a witness for him unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.' And it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance, and saw him saying unto me, 'Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: because they will not receive of thee testimony concerning me.'
"And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: and when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him.' And he said unto me, 'Depart: for I will send thee forth far hence unto the Gentiles.'"
And they gave him audience unto this word: and they lifted up their voice, and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live." And they cried out, and threw off their garments, and cast dust into the air.
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SYRACUSE.Photograph taken by Arthur S. Cooley, Ph.D., and used by his kind permission.
Paul's ship touched here on her way to Rome, remaining in the harbor three days.
PUTEOLI.Photograph taken by Arthur S. Cooley, Ph.D., and used by his kind permission.
This was one of the ports of Rome, where the great corn ship on which Paul sailed discharged her cargo. This city was on the northern shores of the famous Bay of Naples. Across the bay was the naval station of Rome, where the imperial fleet lay at anchor. "The angry neighbor of Naples was not then an unsleeping volcano, but a green and sunny background to the bay. No one could have suspected that the time was so near when the admiral of the fleet at Misenum would be lost in its fiery eruption; and little did the apostle dream, as he looked from the 'Twin Brothers'' deck across the bay, that a ruin like that of Sodom and Gomorrah hung over the fair cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii at the base of the mountain, and that the Jewish princess, who had so lately conversed with him in his prison at Caesarea, would find her tomb in the ruins."
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IIIA CITIZEN OF THE EMPIREThe Roman Officer Discovers that Paul is a Fellow-Citizen, and Offers an Apology.
The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, bidding that he should be examined by scourging, that he might know for what cause, they so shouted against him. And when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?"
And when the centurion heard it, he went to the chief captain, and told him, saying, "What art thou about to do? for this man is a Roman."
And the chief captain came, and said unto him, "Tell me, art thou a Roman?"
And he said, "Yea."
And the chief captain answered, "With a great sum obtained I this citizenship."
And Paul said, "But I am a Roman born."
They then which were about to examine him straightway departed from him: and the chief captain also was afraid, when he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
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IVPAUL BEFORE THE COUNCIL.A Division Among the Members.
But on the morrow, desiring to know why he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.
And Paul, looking steadfastly on the council, said, "Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day."
And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, "God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: and sittest thou to judge me according to the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?"
And they that stood by said, "Revilest thou God's high priest?"
And Paul said, "I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest: for it is written, 'Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people.'"
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees: touching the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question."
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CAESAR AUGUSTUS.
The first, and one of the greatest, of the rulers of the Roman empire to be called "Caesar." He was in power when Christ was born. The Caesar to whom Paul appealed was Nero, one of the worst of the Caesars.
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And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees: and the assembly was divided. (For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees believe both.) And there arose a great clamor: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees stood up, and strove, saying, "We find no evil in this man: and what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?"
And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the castle.
And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, "Be of good cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."
VA CONSPIRACY AGAINST PAUL.
Certain Fanatical Jews Make a Vow to Kill Paul, and He is Sent to Governor Felix, Under Escort of a Strong Body of Roman Cavalry.
And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves by an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which made this conspiracy. And they came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, "We have bound ourselves by a great oath, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. Now therefore do ye with the council{446}request the chief captain to bring him down unto you, as though ye would judge of his case more exactly: and we, before he comes near, are ready to slay him."
But Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the castle, and told Paul. And Paul called unto him one of the centurions, and said, "Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath something to tell him."
So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and saith, "Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and asked me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say to thee."
And the chief captain took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, "What hast thou to tell me?"
And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul to-morrow unto the council, as though thou wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him. Do not thou therefore yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, who have bound themselves by an oath, neither to eat nor to drink till they have slain him: and now are they ready, looking for the promise from thee."
So the chief captain let the young man go, charging him, "Tell no man that thou hast informed me of this."
And he called unto him two of the centurions, and said, "Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night."
And he bade them provide a beast for Paul to ride on,{447}and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. And he wrote a letter after this form:--
"Claudius Lysias unto the Most Excellent Governor Felix, greeting:--"This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be slain by them, when I came upon them with the soldiers, and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. And desiring to know why they accused him, I brought him down unto their council: whom I found to be accused about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. And when it was shown to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to thee forthwith, charging his accusers also to speak against him before thee."
So the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. But on the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: and they, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him. And when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he was of Cilicia, "I will hear thy cause," said he, "when thine accusers also are come": and he commanded him to be kept in Herod's palace.
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VITHE ACCUSATION OF THE JEWSPaul's Defense Before the Governor. Felix Dares Not Offend the Jews, and an Innocent Man Suffers Two Years' Imprisonment.
And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and a lawyer to plead their case, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul. And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying,--
"Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace, and that by thy care evils are corrected for this nation, we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I intreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: who moreover attempted to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him."
And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so.
And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered:--
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Map of land around the Mediterranean Sea showing Paul's journey.
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"Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defense: seeing that thou canst take knowledge, that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem: and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city. Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me. But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets: having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust. Herein I also strive to have a conscience void of offense toward God and men always. Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings: amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but there were certain Jews from Asia--who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me. Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found, when I stood before the council, except it be for this one utterance, that I cried standing among them, 'Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day.'"
But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, "When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter."
And he gave order to the centurion that Paul should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.
{452}
But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, "Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me."
He hoped moreover that money would be given him by Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
VIIA NEW EXAMINATION BEFORE GOVERNOR FESTUS"I Appeal unto Caesar."
Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they besought him, asking as a favor that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way. Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart thither shortly. "Let them therefore," said he, "who are influential among you, go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him."