Paul and Jewish Leaders in Rome

¹⁷ Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, “Brothers,^[a] though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.^(A)

⁸ Paul said in his defense, “I have in no way committed an offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against the emperor.”^(A)

¹⁴ for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth^[a] will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.”^(A)

¹⁰ Paul said, “I am standing before the emperor’s tribunal; this is where I should be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you very well know.

Paul’s Defense before Felix

¹⁰ When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied:

“I cheerfully make my defense, knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this people.^{(A) 11} As you can find out, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.^{(B) 12} They did not find me disputing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd either in the synagogues or throughout the city.^{(C) 13} Neither can they prove to you the charge that they now bring against me.^{(D) 14} But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors, believing everything laid down according to the law or written in the prophets.^{(E) 15} I have a hope in God—a hope that they themselves also accept—that there will be a resurrection of both^[a] the righteous and the unrighteous.^{(F) 16} Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people.^(G)

⁵ as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. From them I also received letters to the brothers in Damascus, and I went there in order to bind those who were there and to bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment.^(A)

³³ Then the tribune came, arrested him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; he inquired who he was and what he had done.^{(A) 34} Some in the crowd shouted one thing, some another, and as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.^{(B) 35} When Paul^[a] came to the steps, the violence of the mob was so great that he had to be carried by the soldiers. ³⁶ The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Away with him!”^(C)

Paul Defends Himself

³⁷ Just as Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” The tribune^[b] replied, “Do you know Greek? ³⁸ Then you are not the Egyptian who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”^{(D) 39} Paul replied, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of an important city; I beg you, let me speak to the people.”^{(E) 40} When he had given him permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the people for silence, and when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew^[c] language, saying:^(F)

² where the chief priests and the leaders of the Jews gave him a report against Paul. They appealed to him^(A)

23 While Paul was looking intently at the council he said, “Brothers,^[a] up to this day I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God.”^{(A) 2} Then the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near him to strike him on the mouth.^{(B) 3} At this Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting there to judge me according to the law, and yet in violation of the law you order me to be struck?”^{(C) 4} Those standing nearby said, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?” ⁵ And Paul said, “I did not realize, brothers, that he was high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a leader of your people.’ ”^(D)

⁶ When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, “Brothers,^[b] I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection^[c] of the dead.”^{(E) 7} When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. ⁸ (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection or angel or spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.)^{(F) 9} Then a great clamor arose, and certain scribes of the Pharisees’ group stood up and contended, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”^{(G) 10} When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks.^(H)

¹¹ That night the Lord stood near him and said, “Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.”^(I)