Paul before the Sanhedrin

1And Paul, looking intently on the Sanhedrin, said, "Brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." 2And the high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by, to smite him on the mouth. 3Then Paul said to him, "God is about to smite you?you whited wall! And do you sit judging me according to the law, and, in violation of law, command me to be smitten?" 4And those standing by said, "Do you revile God's high priest?" 5And Paul said, "I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest; for it has been written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"

6And Paul, perceiving that the one part was of the Sadducees, and the other of the Pharisees, was crying out in the Sanhedrin, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; concerning the hope and resurrection from the dead, I am being judged." 7And, when he said this, there arose a dissension of the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the multitude was divided. 8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge both. 9And there arose a great clamor, and some of the scribes of the party of the Pharisees, rising up, were fiercely contending, saying, "We find no evil in this man; but, if a spirit spake to him, or an angel ?." 10And, when a great dissension was arising, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul might be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers, going down, to take him by force out of their midst, and lead him into the castle.

11And, on the following night, the Lord, standing by him, said, "Be of good courage; for, as you fully testified as to the things concerning Me at Jerusalem, so you must testify at Rome also."

The Plot to Kill Paul
(John 16:1–4)

12And, when it was day, the Jews, making a conspiracy, bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink, till they had killed Paul. 13And there were more than forty, who made this conspiracy; 14who, indeed, going to the high priests and elders, said, "We bound ourselves under a curse to taste of nothing until we kill Paul. 15Now, therefore, do ye with the Sanhedrin signify to the chief captain that he bring him down to you, as if ye would ascertain more exactly the things concerning him; and we, before he comes near, are ready to kill him.

16And the son of Paul's sister, hearing of their lying in wait, going and entering into the castle, reported it to Paul. 17And Paul, calling to himself one of the centurions, said, "Bring this young man to the chief captain; for he has something to tell him," 18So he, taking him with him, conducted him to the chief captain, and said, "Paul, the prisoner, calling me to him, asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you." 19And the chief captain, taking hold of his hand, and going aside privately, was asking him, "What is it that you have to tell me?" 20And he said, "The Jews agreed to ask you, that tomorrow you would bring Paul down into the Sanhedrin, as if they would inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him. 21Be not, therefore, persuaded by them; for more than forty men of them are lying in wait for him; who, indeed, bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor drink, till they should kill him; and now they are ready, expecting the promise from you." 22The chief captain, therefore, dismissed the young man, charging him, "Tell no one that you have shown these things to me,"

Paul Sent to Felix

23And, calling to him two of the centurions, he said, "Make ready two hundred soldiers, that they may go as far as Caesarea; and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen, at the third hour of the night; 24to provide beasts also, that, putting Paul thereon, they may bring him safely through to Felix the governor;" 25writing a letter after this form:

26"Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor, Felix, Greeting:

27This man having been arrested by the Jews, and being about to be killed by them, I, going down with the army, rescued; having heard that he was a Roman. 28And, wishing to know clearly the cause for which they were accusing him, I led him down into their Sanhedrin; 29whom I found to be accused, concerning their law, but having no accusation worthy of death or of bonds.

30And, a plot that was about to be against the man having been discovered to me, I immediately sent him to you, charging the accusers to speak against him before you." 31The soldiers, therefore, according to what had been commanded them, taking up Paul, brought him by night to Antipatris; 32but, on the morrow, they returned to the castle, leaving the horsemen to go with him; 33who, indeed, coming to Caesarea, and delivering the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him. 34And, having read it, he asked of what province he was. And, learning that he was from Cilicia, 35"I will hear you fully," he said, "when your accusers also arrive:" giving orders, that he should be kept under guard in Herod's palace.