The day after the Lord appeared to Paul with words of great encouragement, some of the more fanatical Jews developed a plot to kill Paul, binding themselves by an oath before God that they would not eat or drink until Paul was dead. This large group of conspirators actually shared their evil plan with the chief priests and the elders and asked these Sanhedrin members to help lure Paul back into the council meeting area so that they could lie in wait for him to kill him.
Paul’s nephew heard of their ambush and immediately revealed this sinister plan to Paul. Paul directed his courageous nephew to the tribune, who kindly questioned the young man, who then informed the tribune of the nefarious plot. The tribune believed him and sent him away, instructing him to tell no one else. He then summoned 2 centurions, instructing them to prepare nearly 500 Roman soldiers to immediately transport Paul to Caesarea.
Claudius Lysias (which was the name of this tribune) supplied a letter to be given at Caesarea to Felix the governor. This letter informed Felix why Paul had been sent to him and all that Lysias had done in the surrounding events of the Jews who were intent on killing Paul. That very night, the foot soldiers transported Paul as far as Antipatris (a little over halfway to Caesarea). These soldiers then returned to Jerusalem, while the horsemen continued on with Paul in tow.
At Caesarea, Paul was presented before Felix as Lysias’ letter was also delivered to him. He read the letter aloud and then asked Paul what province he was from. Upon learning that Paul was from Cilicia, he realized that Paul fell within his jurisdiction, and he agreed to give Paul a hearing in due time when his accusers showed up at Caesarea. Paul was confined to Herod’s praetorium for the time being.
- What happened to the Jews who swore to not eat or drink after their plot was foiled?
- Why did the conspirators not include the scribes in the disclosure of their plot?
- What do we know of Paul’s family?
- Why did the tribune send Paul to Caesarea accompanied by so many soldiers?
- How did Lysias’ letter portray the actions of Lysias?
- What was Herod’s praetorium?
You can listen to this teaching on Acts 23:12-35 by clicking on the following link: Rescue From Death … Again
