Act 21-24 | ESV | STEP | And when we had parted from them and set sail , we came by a straight course to Cos , and the next day to Rhodes , and from there to Patara .

1 And when ^awe had parted from them and set sail, we ^bcame by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. ^{▼▼Some manuscripts add and Myra} 2 And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And ^dthrough the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, ^eaccompanied us until we were outside the city. And ^fkneeling down on the beach, we prayed 6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.

7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted ^gthe brothers ^{▼▼Or brothers and sisters; also verse 17} and stayed with them for one day. 8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of ⁱPhilip ^jthe evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters, ^kwho prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named ^lAgabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he ^mtook Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, ⁿ“Thus says the Holy Spirit, ^o‘This is how the Jews ^{▼▼Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time} at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and ^qdeliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there ^rurged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, ^s“What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For ^tI am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem ^ufor the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, ^vwe ceased and said, ^w“Let the will of the Lord be done.”

15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.

Paul Visits James

17 When we had come to Jerusalem, ^xthe brothers received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to ^yJames, and all ^zthe elders were present. 19 After greeting them, ^aahe related one by one ^abthe things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ^acministry. 20 And when they heard it, they ^adglorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all ^aezealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all ^afthe Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, ^agtelling them ^ahnot to circumcise their children or ^aiwalk according to ^ajour customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men ^akwho are under a vow; 24 take these men and ^alpurify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, ^amso that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. 25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, ^anwe have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, ^{▼▼Some manuscripts omit and from what has been strangled} and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day ^aphe purified himself along with them and ^aqwent into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and ^arthe offering presented for each one of them.

Paul Arrested in the Temple

27 When ^asthe seven days were almost completed, ^atthe Jews from Asia, ^auseeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who ^avis teaching everyone everywhere against the people and ^awthe law and ^axthis place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and ^ayhas defiled ^azthis holy place.” 29 For they had previously seen ^baTrophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and ^bbdragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. 31 ^bcAnd as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of ^bdthe cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 ^beHe at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him ^bfto be bound ^bgwith two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. 34 ^bhSome in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into ^bithe barracks. 35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, ^bj“Away with him!”

Paul Speaks to the People

37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38 Are you not ^bkthe Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out ^blinto the wilderness?” 39 Paul replied, ^bm“I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.” 40 And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, ^bnmotioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in ^bothe Hebrew language, ^{▼▼Or the Hebrew dialect (probably Aramaic)} saying:

Acts 22

1 ^bq“Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”

2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in ^brthe Hebrew language, ^{▼▼Or the Hebrew dialect (probably Aramaic)} they became even more quiet. And he said:

3 ^bt“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated ^buat the feet of ^bvGamaliel ^{▼▼Or city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated} ^bxaccording to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, ^bybeing zealous for God ^bzas all of you are this day. 4 ^caI persecuted ^cbthis Way ^ccto the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as ^cdthe high priest and ^cethe whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to ^cfthe brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

6 ^cg“As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am ^chJesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 ^ciNow those who were with me saw the light but did not understand ^{▼▼Or hear with understanding} the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 And I said, ^ck‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

12 “And ^clone Ananias, a devout man ^cmaccording to the law, ^cnwell spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 ^cocame to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And ^cpat that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ^cq‘The God of our fathers ^crappointed you to know his will, ^csto see ^ctthe Righteous One and ^cuto hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for ^cvyou will be a witness for him to everyone of what ^cwyou have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? ^cxRise and be baptized and ^cywash away your sins, ^czcalling on his name.’

17 ^da“When I had returned to Jerusalem and ^dbwas praying in the temple, I fell into ^dca trance 18 and saw him saying to me, ^dd‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another ^deI imprisoned and ^dfbeat those who believed in you. 20 And when the blood of Stephen ^dgyour witness was being shed, ^dhI myself was standing by and ^diapproving and ^djwatching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you ^dkfar away to the Gentiles.’”

Paul and the Roman Tribune

22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, ^dl“Away with such a fellow from the earth! For ^dmhe should not be allowed to live.” 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into ^dnthe barracks, saying that he should be ^doexamined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, ^{▼▼Or when they had tied him up with leather strips} Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog ^dqa man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29 So those who were about ^drto examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also ^dswas afraid, ^dtfor he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that ^duhe had bound him.

Paul Before the Council

30 But on the next day, ^dvdesiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.

Acts 23

1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, ^dwI have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest ^dxAnanias commanded those who stood by him ^dyto strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you ^dzwhitewashed ^eawall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet ^ebcontrary to the law you ^ecorder me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile ^edGod’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, ^ee“I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ^ef‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were ^egSadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, ^ehI am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is ^eiwith respect to the ^ejhope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees ^eksay that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of ^elthe scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, ^em“We find nothing wrong in this man. What ^enif a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into ^eothe barracks.

11 ^epThe following night ^eqthe Lord stood by him and said, ^er“Take courage, for ^esas you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must ^ettestify also in Rome.”

A Plot to Kill Paul

12 When it was day, ^euthe Jews made a plot and ^evbound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

16 Now the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered ^ewthe barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul ^exthe prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” 19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20 And he said, ^ey“The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who ^ezhave bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”

Paul Sent to Felix the Governor

23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. ^{▼▼That is, 9 p.m.} 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to ^fbFelix ^fcthe governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:

26 “Claudius Lysias, to ^fdhis Excellency the governor Felix, ^fegreetings. 27 ^ffThis man was seized by the Jews and ^fgwas about to be killed by them ^fhwhen I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, ^fihaving learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 And ^fjdesiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was being accused ^fkabout questions of their law, but ^flcharged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 ^fmAnd when it was disclosed to me ^fnthat there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ^foordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”

31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to ^fpthe barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. 33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what ^fqprovince he was from. And when he learned ^frthat he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing ^fswhen your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod’s ^ftpraetorium.

Acts 24

Paul Before Felix at Caesarea

1 And ^fuafter five days the high priest ^fvAnanias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before ^fwthe governor their case against Paul. 2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:

“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, ^fxmost excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4 But, to detain ^{▼▼Or weary} you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5 For we have found this man a plague, ^fzone who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of ^gathe sect of the Nazarenes. 6 ^gbHe even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. ^{▼▼Some manuscripts add and we would have judged him according to our law. 7But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8commanding his accusers to come before you.} 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”

9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.

10 And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11 You can verify that ^gdit is not more than twelve days since I ^gewent up ^gfto worship in Jerusalem, 12 and ^ggthey did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. 13 ^ghNeither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to ^githe Way, which they call ^gja sect, ^gkI worship ^glthe God of our fathers, believing everything ^gmlaid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15 ^gnhaving ^goa hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be ^gpa resurrection ^gqof both the just and the unjust. 16 So I always ^grtake pains to have a ^gsclear conscience toward both God and man. 17 Now ^gtafter several years ^guI came to bring alms to ^gvmy nation and to present ^gwofferings. 18 While I was doing this, they found me ^gxpurified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But ^gysome Jews from Asia— 19 ^gzthey ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21 other than this one thing ^hathat I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”

Paul Kept in Custody

22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of ^hbthe Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he ^hcshould be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that ^hdnone of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about ^hefaith ^hfin Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned ^hgabout righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. ^hhWhen I get an opportunity I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he hoped ^hithat money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius ^hjFestus. And ^hkdesiring to do the Jews a favor, ^hlFelix left Paul in prison.