On a visit to Jerusalem - the fifth recorded journey there since his conversion - Paul was seized by a mob but he was rescued by Roman soldiers.

Jews had gathered from many areas to Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost. "The Jews which were from Asia" recognized Paul in the temple. (Acts 21:27.) Earlier, they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the streets of the city and assumed Paul had brought a gentile into the temple, an offense that was subject to the death penalty.The Asian Jews "stirred up the people, and laid hands on him" as they cried out to others for help to rid the temple of the "pollution." The mob "drew him out of the temple" and "they went about to kill him." (Acts 21:28-31.)

Paul was rescued by a Roman captain, Claudius Lysias, and his soldiers who arrested him. After Paul told them he was a Roman citizen, a status that prohibited his being bound and scourged without proper trial and condemnation, he was "loosed from his bands." (Acts 22:30.)

Lysias ordered the Sanhedrin to allow Paul to speak. After a fierce quarrel arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, Lysias, fearing "Paul should be pulled to pieces," commanded his soldiers to take him to the castle, or barracks. (Acts 23:1-10.)

More than 40 of the Jews met together and took an oath that "they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul." (Acts 23:12-13.) They proposed to the Sanhedrin that it request Paul's presence to "enquire something more perfectly concerning him." (Acts 23:15.) They intended to kill Paul when he was brought before them.

Paul's nephew learned of and revealed the plot to Paul, who instructed him to tell Lysias. (Acts 23:16-21.) As a Roman chief captain, Lysais knew he must protect Paul, a Roman citizen. Lysias called centurions to prepare 200 foot soldiers, 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen to escort Paul to Caesarea. That night, the soldiers conducted Paul as far as Antiparis, about 25-30 miles from Jerusalem. The next day, the horsemen accompanied Paul to Caesarea to turn him over to the custody of Felix, the Roman governor of Judea. (Acts 23:19-33.)

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(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)

Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.

Information compiled by Gerry Avant

Sources: The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles, Church Education System Student Manual; Dictionary of the Bible, Charles Scribner's Sons Publishers; The Bible Almanac, Thomas Nelson Publishers.