Matthew 25: 1-30, Waiting for the Bridegroom & Master

Jesus continues teaching on the coming of the final age and the kingdom of heaven.

Matt 25:1-13
"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

"At midnight the cry rang out: `Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.

"The foolish ones said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'

"`No,' they replied, `there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'

"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the  bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. `Sir! Sir!' they said. `Open the door for us!' But he replied, `I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

This is a warning, not especially about timing, but about preparation and the unexpected.  Notice what it says about the culture of the time, waiting for a party traveling at night.

Matt 25:14-18
"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a  hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

A simplistic story has been set up -- 8 talents are distributed unevenly among three servants.  They respond in different ways.

In verse 15, the NIV footnotes says, "A talent was worth more than a thousand dollars."

Matt 25:19-30
"After a long time the master of those servants returned and  settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other  five. `Master,' he said, `you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'

"His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

"The man with the two talents also came. `Master,' he said, `you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'

"His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

"Then the man who had received the one talent came. `Master,' he said, `I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'

"His master replied, `You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

 "`Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

This is a strange and rather scary parable.  It includes a message about being serious about the gospel, working hard in the role given you, with the abilities and skills learned or inherited.  But I still find it strange.

Matthew 22: 23-46, Tests by the Religious Leaders, II

The religious teachers continue to challenge Jesus.  They have their favorite nuggets to throw at him.  "Can God make a stone so big He can't move it?"  No, that is not one of the questions... but the questions are on that simplistic level.

Matt 22:23-33
That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. "Teacher," they said, "Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him. Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. Finally, the woman died. Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?"

Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

"But about the resurrection of the dead--have you not read what God said to you.  `I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of  Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."

When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.

The Sadducees also attempt a direct line of questioning, hitting Jesus with one of their conundrums intended to show that the resurrection is a foolish idea.  Jesus's response is more direct here and he confronts the foolishness of the Sadducees by confronting their underlying assumptions.

(This reminds me of some of the silly things I see on Facebook, ideas that only make sense to those who have already bought into them....)

The quote in verse 32 is from  Exodus 3:6.  This quote is significant, I think, to one's view of the afterlife and the "restoration" mentioned in an earlier passage.  The afterlife is not going to be like the popular church description, sitting high above the clouds, looking down on the earth.  It will be on the earth, in a new, restored earth and universe.

Matt 22:34-40
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

Jesus replied: "`Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.'  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Jesus quickly summarizes the Law in a way that shows he has thought deeply about it.

The quote in verse 37 is from Deut. 6:5. The quote in verse 39 is from Lev. 19:18.

Matt 22:41-45
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked  them, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?"  

"The son of David," they replied.

He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him `Lord'? For he says `The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I  put your enemies under your feet."' If then David calls him `Lord,' how can he be his son?"

Jesus has saved up a question for the Pharisees: why did David call his chosen descendant, "Lord"? The quote in verse 44 is from Psalm 110:1 and hits at the Pharisees' narrow view of the coming Messiah.

Matt 22:46
No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Jesus seems to know the entire Old Testament by heart, and to have thought deeply about it.  The Pharisees' trick questions (over the last two chapters of Matthew) have been futile and Jesus has ended the session with a question that has caught them out.

Matthew 22:1-22, Tests by the religious leaders

The religious leaders test Jesus, trying to trap him.  But most of Jesus's teachings are in parables, which seem to confuse and distract them.

Matt 22:1-14
Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. Then he sent some more servants and said, `Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.'  But they paid no attention and went off--one to his field, another to his business.  The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them.

"The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, `The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.'

"So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. `Friend,' he asked, `how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. Then the king told the attendants, `Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will  be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

"For many are invited, but few are chosen."

The metaphor implies that the Jewish nation has ignored God's invitation and so the invitation (as prophesied in the Old Testament) is dispersed to the Gentiles, to the "foreigners".  But even then, there are guests who seem to ignore the prestige and importance of such an invitation.

These parables (denouncing Jewish apathy and opening the kingdom of heaven to the Gentiles) force the Pharisees' hand....

Matt 22:15-22
Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." 

They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"

"Caesar's," they replied. 

Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."  

When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

The Pharisees ask Jesus a direct question.  But even the direct question he manages to deflect in a way that frustrates them.  Jesus does not, as they had hoped, attack the Romans, but continues to emphasize a larger kingdom of heaven.

Note the outright flattery that leads the questioning.

The "Herodians" have been brought to this questioning.  Presumably the Herodians are sympathetic to King Herod and so the question put before Jesus has considerable danger; if he runs down the Roman government, King Herod will have witnesses to his treason.

Matthew 17, The Transfiguration (NASB)

Matthew has told us that there is to be a future "revealing" of the Son of Man.  In this chapter, we turn a corner.  Jesus's preaching ministry is near an end and he will soon make one last trip to Jerusalem, there to die.

Matt 17:1-3

Six days later, Jesus *took with Him Peter and James, and his brother John, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 

This occurs just after Jesus has promised the disciples that they will see the Son of Man coming in glory.

I wonder what Moses, Elijah and Jesus talk about....

Matt 17:4-8

Peter responded and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If You want, I will make three tabernacles here: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” And raising their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.

Peter always speaks his mind.  He is eager to create a place the three heroes can rest.  But he needs to be listening.

Matt 17:9-13

When they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.” And His disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things; but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

So part of the Old Testament prophecy, to their understanding, has been fulfilled by John the Baptist.

Matt 17:14-18

When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers terribly; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. And I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.” 

And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was healed [h]at once.

Was it a demon?  Or something else?  How would our medical profession view this?

Jesus is clearly frustrated with his disciples.  They apparently still have a long way to go in their training.

Matt 17:19-20

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 

And He said to them, “Because of your meager faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Verse 21 (in old texts) is questionable (not appearing in early Greek copies of Matthew) and has been removed by the NIV.  A translation of it would be "But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting," which was likely copied from a parallel passage in Mark 9:29.

Matt 17:22-23

And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be handed over to men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” And they were deeply grieved.

This is a depressing statement to the disciples. There is lots of evil in the world and it often seems to be winning.

Matt 17:24-27

Now when they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?” 

He said, “Yes.” 

And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” 

When Peter said, “From strangers,” 

Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt. However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a stater. Take that and give it to them for you and Me.”

The "temple tax" (NIV) is a translation of Greek for "the two drachmas". Jesus clearly does not seek confrontation with the political system, although he continues to confront religious hypocrisy.

Matthew 5: 27-48, The Sermon on the Mount, Part 2 (Morality From the Heart)

Jesus continues to contrast the behavior of citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven and the accepted religious teachings of his day.

Matt 5:27-32
"You have heard that it was said, `Do not commit adultery.'  But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body  than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your  body than for your whole body to go into hell.

"It has been said, `Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.'  But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

The quote in verse 27 is from Exodus 20:14; the quote in verse 31 is from  Deuteronomy 24:1.

We humans rationalize our thoughts and actions by drawing artificial lines that we claim not to cross. But if we fantasize about sex with someone, but we don't act it out, we may indeed avoid external consequences, but we are making decisions that effect who we are and what desires we cater to.

Matt 5:33-37
"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long  ago, `Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for  it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem,  for it is the city of the Great King.  And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one  hair white or black.

Simply let your `Yes' be `Yes,' and your `No,' `No';  anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

"You have heard it said" is an introduction to an past instruction that has now been defeated by human legalism and rationalization.  In this case, Jesus speaks of promises and oaths and returns to a simple principle, Be Honest.  If you mean Yes then just say it; don't say it if you don't mean it.  (The very emphasis on an oath indicates that there are times when one is dishonest....)

Matt 5:38-42
"You have heard that it was said, `Eye for eye, and tooth  for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone  strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him  have your cloak as well. 

If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

The quotes in verse 38 are from Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21.

I struggle this submissiveness, but I understand that in most cases we humans love to escalate conflict instead of de-escalate it.  If that Roman soldier says, "You!  Carry my load for a mile!" what response would there be if we smiled and said, "Sure!  Indeed, may I carry it for two miles?"  How strange.  How unworldly.

Matt 5:43-47
"You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?  Are not even the tax collectors doing that  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans 

do that?

The quote in verse 43 is from Leviticus 19:18.

Jesus removes the calculations from "love".  Most of us practice a basic computation: "I love those who reward my love; I punish those who don't."  But the citizens of Heaven have a different view....

From the NIV Footnotes:  in verse 44 some late manuscripts add "bless those who curse you,  do good to those who hate you", making clear the break from the standard earthly calculus.

Matt 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

This is a rather strong, demanding finish to these passages on living righteously!  These instruction are indeed unworldly, distinct from the culture in which we are immersed.

Romans 12, A Caring Community

Paul has finished his theological treatise and now moves on to application.

Romans 12:1-2, So -- live sacrificial and transformed lives!
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

A Bible sage once said, "When you see the word 'therefore' in the Scriptures, you should ask, 'What is it there for?' "  The first word of this chapter announces a new direction.  The previous porition of the letter sets out a systematic argument regarding Christ's work for Gentiles and Jews.  Now Paul turns to practical matters based on this new knowledge.

He begins by emphasizing that this practice does indeed require a "renewing of the mind", thinking in new ways, with a new understanding of the world.

Romans 12:3-5, How to be "sacrificial"

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 

There is a simple humility in realizing we are part of a community, the Church (or, in Jesus's terms, "the Kingdom of God".)

Romans 12: 6-8, On spiritual gifts

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 

We each should offer our abilities and talents for the good of this "kingdom".

Romans 12: 9-12, Sincere love

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 

Paul gives a quick flurry of proverbial instructions.

Romans 12: 13-15, Hospitality and grace

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 

Verse 15 is good advice. The best answer to the grief of a friend is to simply weep with them. Laugh with those who are happy, weep with those who weep.  Be part of their community and their emotions.

Romans 12:16, Harmony and humility

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.  

Another translation of "willing to associate with people of low position" is "be willing to do menial work."  Part of living in harmony as that we stoop to do what needs to be done and don't try to rely on privilege.

Romans 12:17-19, Peace

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 

"Live at peace with everyone" has an important caveat, "as far as it depends on you," which admits that not everyone wants to live in peace!

When dealing with bitterness, strive to let go of it, as it only harms the one who is bitter.  Turn bitterness over to God and if "vengeance" is necessary, don't let it come from you.

The quote in verse 19 is from Deuteronomy 32:35.

Romans 12:20-21, Overcome evil with good

On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I find the Old Testament quote (from Proverbs 25:21-22) rather strange and unusual. The "burning coals" phrase is surely negative, as if doing good to your enemies will discomfort and embarrass them.  But isn't that contradictory to verse 10, where "love must be sincere"?

A colleague was discussing her recognition that many hymns carry a deeply spiritual, inspired message, reflecting the Scriptures.  As an example, she sent me the following hymn which, I think, reflects the emphasis in this chapter on spiritual gifts.

(I don't know is this is readable in the blog, but the hymn begins, "With gifts that differ by your grace your Spirit fits us all, that Christians in each time and place may answer when you call...."  It continues to elaborate on the use of various gifts.  I thank colleague Linda Zientek for this example!)

Acts 28, Paul in Rome

Paul and his companions have just survived a Mediterranean storm and shipwreck.

Acts 28:21-6

Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to  live." But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead,  but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

Luke describes a battered and weary company, in the cold rain, seeking to start a fire. They are aided by an apparently miraculous event, a snake latching onto Paul's hand yet he is not harmed.  This convinces the locals that he is a god and (presumably) that the company (of 276) needs to be supported.

Acts 28: 7-10
There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

Publius, the local governor, is rewarded for his kindness by the healing of his father, and after that, numerous others.

Acts 28: 11-14
After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island. It was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.

Castor and Pollus are the twin stars in the constellation Gemini.  They were also the patron gods of sailors.  

"And so we came to Rome."  Paul has been aware for a long time, possibly five years, that God intended him to speak before Caesar.

Acts 28: 15-20
The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged. When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.

Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: "My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar--not that I had any charge to bring against my own  people. For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you.  It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."

In verse 15, Luke uncharacteristically records that "Paul ... was encouraged" as if Paul had been struggling previously.  It is likely that at the beginning of this chapter, Paul is worn out and quite discouraged.  He has been in chains for some time and his missionary trips have been halted by the Jews and Romans.  He is in a strange and new country.  But even here he discovers that there are followers of Jesus and that these "brothers" are eager to see him!

Acts 28: 21-23

They replied, "We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of the brothers who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect."

They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.

The leaders in Jerusalem have apparently not forwarded their complaints about Paul and so the Jewish congregations in Rome are unaware of his "blasphemy".  Like Jesus, Paul speaks of the kingdom of God as a current (not just future) kingdom.

Acts 28: 24-28

Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet: `Go to this people and say, "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving." For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly  hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.  Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' 

"Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!"

The quote in verse 27 is from Isaiah 6:9-10.  Paul continues to remind his Jewish family that the (unclean) Gentiles are responding!

From the NIV footnotes: some manuscripts add at the end of verse 29 the sentence "After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves."

Acts 28: 30-31

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The book ends suddenly, upbeat but without a conclusion.  Why?  The book of Acts is about as long as the book of Luke; both were apparently the length one might write if carefully filling out a papyrus scroll.  So it is likely that Luke has run out of room to write.  Is it also possible that Luke has run out of time, having caught the account up to date?  The last verse gives a hint of confident direction; Paul has arrived at Rome and continues to preach.  Just as other rulers have heard of the Jewish Messiah, we can assume that Caesar will also!  Although there is no record of that testimony Paul's letters (to the Philippians, see 4:22) gives greetings from disciples even in Caesar's household.  Caesar (Emperor Nero) may not be receptive to the Messiah but there are followers of the Jewish carpenter living around him.

Acts 27: 27-44, Storm Conclusion

Paul, as prisoner, and Luke, a member of Paul's missionary team, are in a dangerous storm in the Mediterranean, south of Italy.

Acts 27:27-37

On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved."

So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it fall away. Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. "For the last  fourteen days," he said, "you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food--you haven't eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head."

After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.

Paul's words are encouraging and his suggestion sensible.  

From the NIV footnotes: in verse 28 the distances are twenty orguias (about 37 meters) and fifteen orguias (about 27 meters.)  Luke gives precise details.

Acts 27: 38-44
Altogether there were 276 of us on board. When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea. When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at  the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck  fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.

The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of  them from swimming away and escaping. But the centurion wanted to spare Paul's life and kept them  from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land in safety.

Luke, an eyewitness to this frightening scene, records considerable detail.  This includes the fact that someone has taken time to number the passengers before the impending disaster.

The centurion's respect for Paul is evident.  Paul has said that they will all get to shore alive and the centurion now intends to go with Paul's ideas and trust him. These years of imprisonment have given Paul many opportunities to live a consistent message, as a confident follower of the Jewish Messiah and so the centurion recognizes Paul's character.

Acts 27: 1-26, Shipwreck

Paul, in chains, is being sent to Rome, to speak before Caesar.

Acts 27: 1-5
When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us. The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us. When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of  Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia.

One can tell that Luke is traveling with Paul, not just because of the first-person "we", but because of the many nautical, geographical details. These are fresh memories to the writer.

Acts 27: 6-8
There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.

Traveling, whether by land or sea, was a dangerous and adventurous task in the first century.

Acts 27: 9-12

Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast. So Paul warned them,"Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also."

But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest. 

The Fast (verse 9) is the Jewish Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.  The season was getting deep into autumn and the concern is about stormy winter weather.  (A commentary on Acts by E. M. Blaiklock suggests that mid-September to mid-November was a stormy fall season across the Mediterranean and that after mid-November, sailing ceased.  F. F. Bruce believes this event occurred in 59 CE and that Yom Kippur was October 5.)

Acts 27: 13-20

When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.

Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the "northeaster," swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure. When the men had hoisted it aboard, they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along.

We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard.  On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

Luke provides fascinating detail of a first century ship desperately trying to handle a storm.

Acts 27: 21-26

After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: "Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss.  But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.

"Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, `Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of  all who sail with you.'

"So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that  it will happen just as he told me.  Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island."

Paul begins with a bit of "I told you so" and then goes on to reveal his encouraging vision that they will all survive the frightening storm.

Romans 13, Living on This Planet

Paul continues to give advice on practicing the theology he has laid out.

Romans 13:1-4, Submit to the government; be a good citizen
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. 

Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 

The Church, the active "Kingdom of God" on earth, is not a political movement.  Paul lays this out in direct (and somewhat simplistic) terms.  Of course, this is in the letter going to the church in Rome, the seat of the vast empire that governs the Mediterranean.

In contrast to these verses, Christians have, from time to time, like Peter in Jerusalem (Acts 5:29), said "We must obey God rather than man" and refused to obey unjust laws.  Paul is concerned here with a more general principle: what in general should be a Christian's attitude about government?  In general, it is neither support nor opposition. It is submission, as the real work is elsewhere.

Romans 13:5-6, God-ordained structure

Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 

Just as Jesus paid taxes (see Matthew 22:15-22), so to do Christians. Again, we are not really citizens of the local state but citizens of heaven, and thus mere visitors to this planet!

Romans 13:7-8, Love is good citizenship
Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 

Christians should, in general, be good citizens.

Romans 13:9-10, Love fulfills the law
The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 

The first quotes in verse 9 are from the Ten Commandments, appearing in Exodus 20:13-17 and Deuteronomy 5:17-21.  The final quote, the summary in verse 9, is form Leviticus 19:18 and was often repeated by Jesus.

Romans 13:11-14, Dawn approaches!
And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 

The new kingdom is coming!  Even after two thousand years, Christians should still be preparing for that Dawn.

Acts 26, Paul before Agrippa

Paul is before King Agrippa, a ruler just below Caesar. Paul has spoken before the Sanhedrin and the high priest, then before Lysias and Felix.  Finally Festus has brought Paul to Agrippa.  A long line of commanders and rulers have been hearing Paul speak on Jesus, all because Paul was accused, earlier, of blasphemy.

Acts 26:1-11, Paul begins by recalling how he formerly attacked the name of Jesus
Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense:"King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

"The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee. And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today. This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me. Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

"I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

Luke records this speech as if he, Luke, were in the audience.  Paul begins, as before, by insisting that he is a good Jew.

Acts 26:12-18, The Damascus road

"On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions.  We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, `Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'

"Then I asked, `Who are you, Lord?' 

"`I am Jesus, whom you  are persecuting,' the Lord replied. `Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

This is the third time that Luke summarizes Paul's dramatic conversion.

Acts 26:19-23, Jesus is the Messiah!

"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision  from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. That is why the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me.

But I have had God's help to this very day, and so I stand  here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen-- that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles."

Paul, who insists he is a devout Jew, emphasizes that the Messiah Jesus is a continuation of God's plan through Moses.  This is part of Paul's argument in his letter to the Galatians.

Acts 26:24-27, This has not been done in a corner

At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane."

"I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner."

"King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do."

Festus feels obligated to respond in some way to Paul's presentation.  In his interruption, Festus concedes to Paul's training as a Jew.  But Paul is focused on King Agrippa.

Acts 26:28-32, Yes, be like me (except for these chains!)

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"

Paul replied, "Short time or long--I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."

The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. They left the room, and while talking with one another, they said, "This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment."

Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."

There is an American belief that Christians should seek power so that they can influence (for good) those below them.  That is not a New Testament idea.  Paul has been repeatedly placed in positions in which he has no power and must speak to those with power over him.  In those positions (typical of the power reversal common throughout the earthly ministry of Jesus) it is the lowly one who is influencing those above him.  The gospel spread throughout the first few centuries because various people, in chains, were willing to say, "Please join me and become a citizen of heaven, like I am" even though they had to occasionally add, "Well, except for these chains.  I wouldn't wish that on you...."

Paul has spoken to Ananias, Lysia, Felix, Festus and Agrippa.  Now Paul will go (in chains) to Caesar.

Acts 25, Paul before Festus

Paul's long stay, begun in Jerusalem, leads to another trial, as he continues to be passed from one ruler to another.

Acts 25:1-5, The hearing will be in Caesarea
Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. They urgently requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.  Festus answered, "Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. Let some of your leaders come with me and press charges against the man there, if he has done anything wrong."

Festus is alert to the conspiracy.

Acts 25:6-8, "I have done nothing wrong -- against the Law, the temple, or Caesar"
After spending eight or ten days with them, he went down to Caesarea, and the next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him. When Paul appeared, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges against him, which they could not prove.  Then Paul made his defense: "I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar."

Paul wants it clear that whether tried by Romans for their laws or by Jews under Jewish laws, he is innocent.

NIV footnotes: Some ancient Greek manuscripts add more information about the Jewish claim, that they tell Festus they "wanted to judge him according  to our law. But the commander, Lysias, came and with the use of much force snatched him from our hands and ordered his accusers to come before you."

Acts 25:9-12, Paul appeals to Caesar
Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?"

Paul answered: "I am now standing before Caesar's court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!"

After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: "You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!"

Paul raises the stakes. He is not going to be pawn in a Jerusalem power play -- and he has previously been told, in a vision, that God is sending him to Rome!

Acts 25:13-22, King Agrippa visits
A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul's case with the king. He said: "There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned.  I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over any man before he has faced his accusers and has had an opportunity to defend himself against their charges. When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in.

"When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. When Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor's decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar."

Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I would like to hear this man myself." He replied, "Tomorrow you will hear him."

Festus communicates to Agrippa that he, Festus, is (1) committed to Roman justice and (2) quick and expedient in his applications of justice, presumably unlike the previous ruler who held Paul for two years!

Acts 25:23-27, Agrippa and Bernice appear in court
The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high ranking officers and the leading men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

Festus said: "King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome. But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of  this investigation I may have something to write. For I think it is unreasonable to send on a prisoner without specifying the charges against him."

Festus takes the opportunity to increase his standing with Agrippa, once again emphasize his due dilligence regarding Roman law and justice.  In the next chapter, Paul testifies before Agrippa, in preparation, presumably, for a similar trial in Rome.

Acts 24, Paul Before Felix

Paul has been passed on to Felix for adjudication regarding Paul's dispute with the Jewish Sanhedrin.

Acts 24:1-8, A "ringleader" before Felix
Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: "We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly."

"We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up  riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him."

Obviously one begins in Felix's court by flattering the ruler!  The "Nazarene sect" is apparently about those who follow the one from Nazareth, Jesus.  The introduction would imply that the "Nazarene sect" has grown fairly large, large enough that the local governor is keeping up with them.

Acts 24:9-13, Paul defends himself
The Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true. When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: "I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.

Paul (according to Luke) begins with his expectations of justice.

Acts 24:14-21, But I am a follower of the Way
However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man."

"After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin--unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their  presence: `It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'"

Paul asserts that although he is indeed a follower of "the Way", he is also a true and faithful Jew.

Acts 24:22-23, Felix adjourns the proceedings
Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case." He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of  his needs.

Felix is not interested in dealing with this case quickly.  He has several reasons to take his time.

Acts 24:24-27, Two years with Felix
Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."

At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

Felix likes talking to Paul (who is a follower of his wife's religion) but doesn't like Paul to get too far into that "righteousness" and "self-control" stuff!

Two years pass here!

Acts 23, Paul in Jerusalem Court

Paul is before the Jewish Sanhedrin, on trial for blasphemy.

Acts 23: 1-5, A "white-washed wall" strikes at Paul
Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, "My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day." At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.

Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!"

Those who were standing near Paul said, "You dare to insult God's high priest?"

Paul replied, "Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: `Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.'"

The quote in verse 5 is from Exodus 22:28.  Paul is apparently unaware as to which person in the group is the high priest. (Some see this as confirmation that Paul had poor vision.) Then after his outburst, Paul is also upset about his loss of temper with the one called Ananias.

Acts 23: 6-10, On trial for believing in the resurrection

Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead."

When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.) There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the  law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. "We find nothing wrong with this man," they said. "What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?"

The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid  Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.

Paul's training as a Pharisees gives him insight into the longterm running dispute between the Sadducees and Pharisees and he takes advantage of it.

Acts 23: 11, On to Rome
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." 

Paul now understands where he is headed.  The rest of the book of Acts will describe this trip.

Acts 23: 12-15, Gang forms to kill Paul

The next morning the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty men were involved in this plot. They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed  Paul. Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here."

The hatred for Paul has grown; such is the case of people charged (then or today) with "blasphemy."

Acts 23: 16-21, Paul's nephew intervenes
But when the son of Paul's sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him."

So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, "Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you." 

The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, "What is it you want to tell me?"

He said: "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him. Don't give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request."

Fortunately Paul's nephew is an insider in the Jewish community in Jerusalem and hears about the trap.  He describes the conspiracy to the Roman leader.

Acts 23: 22-30, Paul sent on to Felix
The commander dismissed the young man and cautioned him, "Don't tell anyone that you have reported this to me." Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, "Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. Provide mounts for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix."

He wrote a letter as follows:
Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings. This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him, but I came with my troops and rescued him, for I had  learned that he is a Roman citizen. I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin. I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law, but there was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment. When I was informed of a plot to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers to present to you their case against him.

Paul's nephew saves his uncle's life.

In verse 23,  the meaning of the Greek for this word, here translated "spearmen" is uncertain (NIV footnotes.)

Acts 23: 31-35, Escorted to Caesarea
So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. The next day they let the cavalry go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia, he said, "I will hear your case when your accusers get here." Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod's palace.

The conspiracy against Paul has now taken him to Herod's palace in Caesarea.  (Meanwhile, I wonder, what has happened to the forty men who have vowed not to eat until Paul is killed?)

The next chapter will cover Paul's trial before Felix.  As we will see, each ruler listens to Paul and then bumps him on to the next ruler up the line.  Eventually Paul expects to speak before Caesar.