Acts 24:7 - Printer Friendly

This verse, along with the last part of Acts 24:6 and the first part of verse 8, is not found in the oldest, most reliable manuscripts. Acts 24:7 reads: "But Lysias the commander came along and took him out of our hands with much violence" (NASB).

The speaker is Tertullus, a lawyer hired by the Sanhedrin to convince Governor Felix that Paul regularly incites riots against the empire and nearly desecrated a religious structure—a crime punishable by death according to Roman law. Tertullus is telling the story of when Paul arrived at the temple about a week prior.

What really happened is that Paul was trying to fulfill a Jewish ceremony to prove he still values Judaism and would never teach Jews they do not have to follow the Mosaic law, as he'd been accused of (Acts 21:20–24). When Paul arrived at the temple, Jews from the province of Asia in southwest modern-day Turkey assumed he had brought his Gentile friend Trophimus with him. In response they dragged Paul from the temple and incited a mob to beat him almost to death. Lysias, the Roman army tribune, heard of the melee and sent soldiers to rescue Paul (Acts 21:27–36). The event did, indeed, include "much violence," but on the part of the Jews not the Roman guards.

Acts 24:6–8, with the unfounded portion italicized in brackets, reads:

"And he even tried to desecrate the temple, so indeed we arrested him. [We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. But Lysias the commander came along and took him out of our hands with much violence, ordering his accusers to come before you.] By interrogating him yourself concerning all these matters, you will be able to ascertain the things of which we are accusing him" (NASB).

The accusation infers Lysias violently interfered in a religious matter over which the Sanhedrin had control and jurisdiction. The fact that Lysias is not there to defend himself is rather convenient.

Acts 24:1–9 describes an attempt by members of the Sanhedrin to convince Governor Felix to convict Paul of capital offenses. They accuse Paul of inciting mayhem among Jews around the empire and leading a cult. Most damning, they accuse him of desecrating a religious structure. Their words sound condemning until Paul speaks and points out the charges are unfounded and unwitnessed. The truth is these accusers are just angry he believes in the resurrection of the dead.

Acts 24 covers Paul's trial before Governor Felix. The Sanhedrin claim he is a menace and a cult leader who tried to desecrate the temple. Paul explains the real conflict: he believes in the resurrection of the dead and the Sadducees don't. Felix knows the charges are spurious but doesn't want to upset Jewish leaders. He holds Paul under house arrest, hoping Paul will offer him money and make the inconvenience worth his while.

Acts 24 is a transition period for Paul from freedom to captivity. For several years, he has traveled around Judea, Syria, modern-day Turkey, Macedonia, and Greece, spreading the good news about Jesus' offer of salvation. Through a series of misunderstandings and outright lies, he is now in custody in Caesarea Maritima. He will remain there for two years before demanding his case be sent to Caesar (Acts 25:11). Once he arrives in Rome, he will spend another two years in custody (Acts 28:30). Despite his confinement, his message will reach a king and the household of Nero.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.