The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 421

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PAUL A PRISONER 415 Lysias at once decided to transfer Panl from his jurisdiction to that of Felix the procurator. As a people, the Jews were in a state of excitement and irritation, and tumults were of frequent occurrence. The continued presence of the apostle in Jerusalem might lead to consequences dangerous to the city, and even to the commandant himself. He therefore '^called unto him two centurions, saying. Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Csesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; and provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.^' No time was to be lost in sending Paul away. ''The soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. ' ' From that place the horsemen went on with the prisoner to Cassarea, while the four hundred soldiers returned to Jerusalem. The officer in charge of the detachment delivered his prisoner to Felix, also presenting a letter with which he had been entrusted by the chief captain: ''Claudius Lysias unto . the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway 27 — Acts