Paul

27The seven days were almost over. Some Jews from the land of Asia saw Paul in the temple. They got the whole crowd upset and grabbed him.

And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

NoteAsia here does not mean the whole big continent. It was a small Roman area in what is now Turkey.

28They shouted, "Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people, our law, and this temple. He has even brought Greek men into the temple. He has made this holy place dirty."

Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

NoteMen of Israel means fellow Jewish people. Only Jews were allowed in the inner parts of the temple. Signs warned everyone else to stay out. Dirty does not mean real mud. It means spoiled, so the place was not fit for God.

29They said this because they had seen Trophimus, a man from Ephesus, with Paul in the city. They thought Paul had taken him into the temple.

(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

NoteEphesus was a big city far away where Paul had taught. Trophimus was Greek, not Jewish.

30The whole city got upset. People came running from everywhere. They grabbed Paul and dragged him out of the temple. The temple doors were shut right away.

And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

NoteGuards shut the heavy temple doors. They wanted the fighting kept out of the holy place.

31They were trying to kill him. Then word reached the leader of the Roman soldiers that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

NoteRome ruled this land then. Roman soldiers lived in Jerusalem to stop fights and keep order.

32He quickly took soldiers and their officers and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the leader and the soldiers, they stopped hitting Paul.

Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

NoteEach of these officers was in charge of about a hundred soldiers.

33The leader came up and arrested Paul. He ordered his men to tie Paul with two chains. Then he asked who Paul was and what he had done.

Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

34Some people in the crowd shouted one thing, and some shouted another. The leader could not find out the truth because of all the noise. So he ordered his men to take Paul into the fort.

And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.

NoteThe fort was a strong stone building next to the temple. The Roman soldiers lived there.

35When Paul got to the stairs, the crowd was pushing hard. The soldiers had to carry him.

And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

36The crowd kept following and shouting, "Take him away!"

For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

Note"Take him away" was a way of shouting, "Kill him."

37As they were about to bring Paul into the fort, he spoke to the leader. He asked, "May I say something to you?" The leader said, "You speak Greek?

And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?

NoteGreek was the language most people used to talk with strangers. The leader was surprised that Paul knew it.

38"Aren't you that man from Egypt? Not long ago he started a fight against the government. He led four thousand killers out into the desert."

Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

NoteA few years before, a man from Egypt had gathered a crowd. He tried to fight the Romans and lost. The killers were men who carried hidden knives.

39Paul said, "I am a Jew from Tarsus, a city in the land of Cilicia. It is an important city. Please let me speak to the people."

But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

NoteTarsus was a large, well known city far to the north. It is in the land we now call Turkey.

40The leader said yes. So Paul stood on the stairs and waved his hand at the crowd. Everyone grew very quiet. Then Paul spoke to them in the Hebrew language.

And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

NoteThis was the everyday language of Jewish people there. Hearing it made the crowd stop and listen.

1Paul said, "Brothers and fathers, please listen. I want to explain myself to you."

Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

NoteA defense is what you say when people blame you for something. Paul was telling his own story. Soldiers had just pulled him away from an angry crowd.

2The crowd heard him speak Hebrew, their own language. So they grew even quieter. Then Paul said:

(And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)

NoteMost people there could speak Greek too. Hebrew was their own old language. Hearing it made the crowd stop and listen.

3"I am a Jew. I was born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia. But I grew up here in this city. My teacher was Gamaliel. He taught me to obey God's law just the way our people always did. I cared about God very much, the same as all of you do today."

I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

NoteA Jew is one of God's people, Israel. Tarsus was a big city far away, in the land we now call Turkey. Gamaliel was a famous teacher of God's law. Students sat on the floor by their teacher's feet to learn.

4"I hurt the people who followed this Way, even until some of them died. I tied up men and women and put them in prison."

And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

Note"This way" was an early name for people who followed Jesus. They were called that before anyone called them Christians.

5"The high priest, the top leader at the temple, knows this is true. So do all the older leaders. They gave me letters written to the brothers in Damascus. I went there to tie up the believers. I planned to bring them back to Jerusalem to be punished."

As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

NoteThe letters were like written orders. They gave Paul permission to arrest people. Damascus was a city far from Jerusalem. Walking there took about a week. Here "the brothers" means Paul's own people, the Jews who lived in Damascus.

6"I was on my way, and I was almost at Damascus. It was about noon. Suddenly a bright light from the sky flashed all around me."

And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

NoteNoon is the middle of the day, when the sun is brightest. So this light was brighter than the sun.

7"I fell down on the ground. I heard a voice say, 'Saul, Saul, why are you hurting me?'"

And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

NoteSaul was Paul's name in his own language. Saul and Paul are the same man.

8"I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' He said, 'I am Jesus from Nazareth. I am the one you are hurting.'"

And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

NoteNazareth was the small town where Jesus grew up. People often named a person by their hometown.

9"The men with me saw the light, and they were afraid. But they did not understand the voice that spoke to me."

And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

10"I said, 'What should I do, Lord?' The Lord said, 'Get up and go into Damascus. There you will be told everything you are meant to do.'"

And I said, What shall I do, LORD? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

11"The light was so bright that I could not see. The men with me took my hand and led me into Damascus."

And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.

12"A man named Ananias lived there. He obeyed God's law carefully. All the Jews in that city spoke well of him."

And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,

13"He came and stood beside me. He said, 'Brother Saul, see again.' Right then I looked up and saw him."

Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.

14"He said, 'The God our people have always followed has chosen you. He wants you to know what he wants done. He wants you to see the Righteous One, the one who always does right, and hear him speak.'"

And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

Note"The Righteous One" was a name for Jesus. Righteous means always doing what is right.

15"'You will tell everyone what you have seen and heard.'"

For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

16"'So why are you waiting? Get up. Be baptized, dipped in water, and have your sins washed away. Call on the name of the Lord.'"

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

NoteBeing baptized means being dipped down into water. It showed that a person was starting a new life with God.

17"Later I came back to Jerusalem. I was praying at the temple, God's house. Then I was in a trance, like a dream while I was awake."

And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

NoteThe temple was the huge special building in Jerusalem. It was where God's people came to pray and worship.

18"I saw the Lord, and he said to me, 'Hurry. Leave Jerusalem right now. The people here will not believe what you say about me.'"

And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

19"I said, 'Lord, they know what I did. I went to one meeting house after another. I put your followers in prison and beat them.'"

And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:

NoteThe meeting house is called a synagogue. Jews met there to pray and hear God's words read out loud.

20"'Stephen was your witness, someone who told people about you. When he was killed, I stood right there and agreed that he should die. I even watched the coats of the men who killed him.'"

And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

NoteStephen was a follower of Jesus. A crowd threw stones at him until he died. People took off their coats first so they could throw harder. Saul stood and watched the pile of coats.

21"The Lord said to me, 'Go. I am sending you far away, to people who are not Jews.'"

And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

NoteMany in the crowd believed God's message was only for their own people. Hearing that it was for everyone made them very angry.

22The crowd listened until he said that. Then they shouted, "Get him off the earth! He should not be alive!"

And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

23They kept shouting. They threw off their coats and tossed dust into the air.

And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,

NoteThrowing off coats and tossing dust in the air showed great anger. It was a way of shouting without using words.

24The Roman commander told his men to bring Paul into the fort. He said to whip Paul and ask him questions. He wanted to know why the crowd was so angry at him.

The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

NoteThe commander was in charge of about a thousand Roman soldiers. The fort was the soldiers' building right next to the temple. The whip had leather straps with sharp bits tied in. It hurt very badly.

25They tied Paul down with leather straps. Paul spoke to the officer standing there. He asked, "Are you allowed to whip a Roman citizen who has not had a trial?"

And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

NoteThe officer was called a centurion. He led about a hundred soldiers. Rome was the country in charge of that whole land. A Roman citizen belonged to Rome and had special rights. One right was that nobody could whip you before a trial.

26The officer heard this and went to the commander. He said, "Be careful what you do. This man is a Roman citizen."

When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

27The commander came to Paul and asked, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" Paul said, "Yes, I am."

Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.

28The commander said, "I paid a lot of money to become one." Paul said, "But I was born one."

And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

NoteSome people paid a lot of money to become Roman citizens. Paul's family already was one, so he was born with that right.

29The men who were going to question him stepped back right away. The commander was afraid too. He had put chains on a Roman citizen.

Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

NoteIt was against Roman law to chain a citizen this way. The commander could get in serious trouble for it.

30The next day the commander still wanted the real reason the Jews were accusing Paul. So he took off Paul's chains. He told the chief priests and the whole council to meet. Then he brought Paul down and stood him in front of them.

On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

NoteThe chief priests were the top leaders at the temple. The council was a group of leaders who decided important questions for the Jewish people.

1Paul looked right at the council, the leaders who judged people. He said, "Brothers, I have lived before God with a good conscience until this day."

And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

NoteThe council was the group of Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. They were like judges. They decided if someone had broken God's law. A good conscience means your heart knows you have done right.

2Ananias was the high priest, the top leader at the temple. He told the men near Paul to hit him on the mouth.

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

NoteThe high priest was the leader of all the priests. Priests worked at the temple, God's special house in Jerusalem. Ananias was the high priest's name.

3Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me by the law. But you break the law by ordering them to hit me."

Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

NoteWhitewash is white paint. People painted old walls white to make them look clean and new. Paul meant the man looked good outside but was not good inside.

4The men standing nearby said, "How dare you insult God's high priest!"

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?

5Paul said, "Brothers, I did not know he was the high priest. The Scriptures say, 'Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.'"

Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

NotePaul is quoting a rule from the Scriptures, God's holy books. The rule says not to speak against the leader of your people.

6Paul saw that some there were Sadducees and some were Pharisees. These were two groups of leaders who did not agree with each other. He called out, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, and my father was one too. I am on trial because I hope God will bring dead people back to life."

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

NoteThe Pharisees and Sadducees were two groups of Jewish leaders. They often disagreed about God's law. Paul's father was a Pharisee, so Paul grew up as one. Coming back to life after dying is called resurrection.

7As soon as he said this, the Pharisees and Sadducees began to argue. The whole group split apart.

And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

8The Sadducees say that dead people do not come back to life. They also say there are no angels and no spirits. The Pharisees believe in all of these.

For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

NoteThe Sadducees believed only what the first books of God's law said. So they did not believe in angels, or spirits, or coming back to life. The Pharisees believed in all three.

9Everyone began shouting. Some teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued hard. They said, "We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel really did speak to him?"

And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

NoteTeachers of the law studied God's holy books. They explained the books to other people. The old word for them is scribes.

10The arguing got so bad that the commander grew afraid. He thought they might tear Paul to pieces. He told his soldiers to go down and pull Paul away from them. They brought Paul into the soldiers' fort.

And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

NoteThe commander led about a thousand Roman soldiers. Rome ruled this land with its army. The soldiers lived in a strong building right beside the temple.

11The next night the Lord stood beside Paul. He said, "Be brave, Paul. You told people about me in Jerusalem. You must tell people about me in Rome too."

And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

NoteRome was the biggest city in the world then. Its rulers were in charge of Paul's land. It was very far away, across the sea.

12When morning came, some of the Jewish men made a secret plan. They promised not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

NoteTheir promise was more than just words. They asked God to punish them if they did not do it.

13More than forty men were part of this plan.

And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.

14They went to the chief priests and the elders, the older leaders. They said, "We made a strong promise to eat nothing until we kill Paul."

And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.

NoteThe chief priests were the most important priests at the temple. The elders were older men whom everyone respected.

15"So you and the council should ask the commander to bring Paul to you tomorrow. Say you want to ask him more questions. We will be ready to kill him on the way."

Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

16But Paul's nephew, his sister's son, heard about the plan. He went into the fort and told Paul.

And when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.

17Paul called over one of the officers who led a hundred soldiers. He said, "Take this young man to the commander. He has something to tell him."

Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

18So the officer took him to the commander. He said, "Paul the prisoner asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you."

So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.

19The commander took the young man by the hand. He led him off to one side, away from the others. He asked, "What do you want to tell me?"

Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?

20The young man said, "The Jewish leaders have agreed to ask you a favor. They want you to bring Paul to the council tomorrow. They will say they want to ask him more questions. But that is only an excuse."

And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

21"Please do not do what they ask. More than forty men are hiding, waiting to attack him. They promised not to eat or drink until they kill him. They are ready right now. They are only waiting for you to say yes."

But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.

22So the commander sent the young man away. He told him, "Do not tell anyone that you told me this."

So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.

23Then he called two officers. He said, "Get two hundred soldiers ready to go to Caesarea. Bring seventy men on horses and two hundred men with spears. Leave at nine o'clock tonight."

And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;

NoteCaesarea was a city beside the sea. The Roman governor lived there. It was about two days away by road. Back then people counted the hours of the night from sunset. So the third hour of the night was about nine o'clock.

24"Bring animals for Paul to ride as well. Take him safely to Felix, the governor who ruled that area."

And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.

NoteA governor was a ruler that Rome sent to run an area. Felix was the governor here. He decided the important trials.

25Then the commander wrote a letter. This is what it said:

And he wrote a letter after this manner:

26"From Claudius Lysias. To Felix, the honored governor. Greetings."

Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.

NoteLetters back then began with the writer's name, not the end. Claudius Lysias was the commander's name. Calling someone honored was a polite way to speak to a ruler.

27"Some Jewish men grabbed this man. They were about to kill him. I came with my soldiers and saved him. I had learned that he is a Roman citizen."

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.

NoteA Roman citizen belonged to Rome and had special rights. Soldiers were not allowed to beat him or kill him without a trial. That is why the commander hurried to help Paul.

28"I wanted to know why they said he was guilty. So I brought him down to their council."

And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:

29"I found that their complaints were about their own law. He had done nothing that deserved death or prison."

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.

30"Then someone told me about a plan to kill him. So I sent him to you right away. I also told the men who blame him to tell you their side. Goodbye."

And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.

31The soldiers did what they were told. They took Paul at night to a town called Antipatris.

Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.

NoteAntipatris was a small town on the road to Caesarea. It was more than halfway there.

32The next day the soldiers on foot went back to the fort. The men on horses went on with Paul.

On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:

33The horsemen came to Caesarea. They gave the letter to the governor. They brought Paul to him too.

Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

34The governor read the letter. He asked what part of the world Paul came from. He learned that Paul came from Cilicia.

And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;

NoteCilicia was a land far to the north, across the sea. Paul was born there. A governor needed to know which ruler a prisoner belonged to.

35He said, "I will listen to your case when the men who blame you get here." Then he ordered that Paul be guarded in Herod's palace.

I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s judgment hall.

NoteHerod was a king who had built a huge palace in Caesarea. The Roman governor used it later. Paul was kept there with soldiers watching him.

1Five days later Ananias came down to the city of Caesarea. He was the high priest, the top leader of the priests. Some older leaders came with him. They also brought a speaker named Tertullus. He told the governor Felix their complaint against Paul.

And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

NoteA governor was the man Rome sent to run a whole region. Felix was the governor here. Paul was being held in Caesarea, a city by the sea. The Roman governor lived in that city. Ananias and the other leaders traveled there from Jerusalem to speak against Paul.

2Paul was called in. Tertullus began to accuse him. He said, "Because of you, we have had peace for a long time. Your careful planning has made things better for our nation."

And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,

NoteTertullus was a speaker paid to argue in court. He began with praise to make Felix like him. That was a normal way to start a speech back then.

3"Always and everywhere we say thank you for this, most excellent Felix."

We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

Note"Most excellent" was a polite title for an important official. It is like saying "sir" to a judge today.

4"But I do not want to take up too much of your time. Please be kind and hear us say just a few words."

Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.

5"We have found that this man causes trouble wherever he goes. He starts fights among Jewish people all over the world. He is a leader of the group called the Nazarenes."

For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

NoteNazarenes was a name people used for the followers of Jesus. Jesus grew up in a town called Nazareth. The name was often said in an unkind way.

6"He even tried to do wrong things inside the temple. So we grabbed him. We wanted to judge him by our own law."

Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

NoteThe temple was the great building in Jerusalem where Jews worshiped God. Only certain people were allowed in certain parts of it. Bringing the wrong person inside was a very serious charge.

7"But Lysias, the army commander, came and pulled him away from us by force."

But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

NoteLysias was the Roman commander of the soldiers in Jerusalem. A crowd had grabbed Paul there and wanted to hurt him. Lysias sent soldiers to pull Paul out and keep him safe.

8"Lysias told the ones accusing him to come to you. If you ask questions yourself, you can learn about everything we say he did."

Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

9The other Jewish leaders there agreed. They said all these things were true.

And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

10The governor waved his hand for Paul to speak. Paul said, "I know you have judged this nation for many years. So I am glad to speak up for myself."

Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

11"You can find out for yourself that this is true. Only twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship."

Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

NoteJews traveled to Jerusalem for special worship times each year. People always said they "went up" to Jerusalem. The city sits high on a hill.

12"No one found me arguing with anyone in the temple. I was not stirring up crowds in the synagogues, the places where Jews meet to worship. I was not doing that in the city either."

And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

NoteA synagogue was a meeting place in a town for Jews. There was only one temple, but many synagogues everywhere.

13"And they cannot prove any of the things they are saying about me."

Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

14"But here is what I do admit to you. I worship the God of our fathers, following the Way. They call the Way a sect, a small group with its own ideas. I believe everything written in the Law and in the books of the prophets, the men who spoke God's words."

But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

NoteThe first followers of Jesus called their group "the Way." The Law meant the first books of the Bible, given through Moses. The prophets were men who spoke messages from God. Their books were read aloud when people gathered.

15"I have the same hope in God that these men have. I believe that dead people will be raised to life again. That will happen to good people and to bad people."

And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

NoteSome Jewish leaders believed God would raise dead people to life. Other Jewish leaders did not believe that at all. Paul is saying he believes the same thing many of them believe.

16"Because of that hope, I always try hard to do what is right. I want a clear heart before God and before people."

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

17"After being away several years, I came back to my people. I brought money to help poor people, and I brought gifts for God."

Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

NoteThe money was a gift collected for poor people far away. The gifts for God were animals and food brought to the temple. Bringing them was a normal act of worship.

18"That is what I was doing when some Jews from Asia found me in the temple. I had followed the rules that make a person clean for worship. I was not with a crowd, and there was no shouting."

Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

NoteBefore worshiping at the temple, people followed washing rules. Doing this made a person ready, or "clean," for worship. Paul is saying he was carefully obeying those rules. Asia here does not mean the whole continent. It was a Roman area in what is now Turkey.

19"Those men are the ones who should be standing here before you. They should say what they have against me, if they have anything."

Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.

20"Or let these men here tell you what wrong they found in me. They saw me when I stood in front of the council."

Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,

NoteThe council was the group of top Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. They met to judge cases and decide questions about the law.

21"The only thing I shouted while standing there was this. I said, 'You are putting me on trial today because I believe dead people will rise.'"

Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

22Felix knew quite a lot about the Way. So he stopped the hearing without deciding. He said, "When Lysias the commander comes down here, I will settle your case."

And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

23He told a centurion, an officer over a hundred soldiers, to guard Paul. But Paul was to have some freedom. His friends could come and bring him what he needed.

And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

NotePrisoners then were not given food by the guards. Friends had to bring them meals, clothes and blankets.

24A few days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul. He listened to Paul talk about believing in Christ.

And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

NoteChrist means the special king God had promised to send. Paul taught that Jesus is that promised king.

25Paul talked about doing right, about self-control, and about the day God will judge. Felix became afraid. He said, "You may go for now. When I have time, I will send for you."

And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

NoteSelf-control means choosing not to do whatever you want. Paul also spoke about a day when God will judge everyone.

26Felix also hoped Paul would give him money to be let go. So he sent for Paul often and talked with him.

He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

NoteMoney given in secret to a judge is called a bribe. Felix wanted Paul's friends to pay him to set Paul free. Taking money like that was against Roman law.

27Two years went by. Then Porcius Festus took Felix's place as governor. Felix wanted to please the Jews. So he left Paul in prison.

But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

NoteRome sent a new governor to take over after a few years. Festus was the new man. Paul had waited in prison two whole years with no decision.

1Festus was the new Roman governor, the ruler of that area. Three days after he arrived, he went from Caesarea up to Jerusalem.

Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

NoteCaesarea was a city by the sea. Roman rulers lived there. Jerusalem sat up in the hills, so people said they went "up" to it.

2There the high priest and the Jewish leaders told him their case against Paul. They kept asking him for something.

Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

NoteThe leading priests were the men in charge at the temple. The temple was God's house in Jerusalem. The high priest was the man in charge at the temple. The temple was God's house in Jerusalem.

3They asked him to send Paul to Jerusalem as a favor. They were planning to hide by the road and kill Paul.

And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

4But Festus said no. He said Paul would stay in Caesarea, and that he himself was going there soon.

But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

5"So let your leaders come down with me," he said. "If this man has done wrong, they can accuse him there."

Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.

6Festus stayed with them more than ten days. Then he went down to Caesarea. The next day he sat in the judge's chair. He ordered his men to bring Paul in.

And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.

NoteA Roman ruler sat in a special chair to decide cases. When he sat down there, the trial had started.

7When Paul came in, the Jews from Jerusalem stood around him. They said he had done many bad things. But they could not prove any of it.

And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.

8Paul spoke for himself. He said, "I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law, or against the temple, or against Caesar."

While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.

NoteThe Jewish law was the set of rules God gave his people long ago. Caesar was the ruler of all the Roman lands, far away in Rome.

9Festus wanted to please the Jewish leaders. So he asked Paul, "Will you go up to Jerusalem? I will judge your case there."

But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

10Paul said, "I am standing in Caesar's court. This is where my case should be judged. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, and you know that well."

Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

11"If I have done something that deserves death, I will not beg to live. But if their charges are not true, no one may hand me over to them. I ask Caesar to hear my case."

For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

NotePaul was a Roman citizen, and that gave him special rights. One right was to ask the ruler in Rome to decide his case himself. Then no one else could judge him.

12Festus talked it over with the men who advised him. Then he said, "You have asked for Caesar. To Caesar you will go."

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

13A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea. They came to greet Festus.

And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.

NoteAgrippa was a king who ruled a small area for the Romans. Bernice was his sister. They came to be polite to the new governor.

14They stayed for many days. Festus told the king about Paul's case. He said, "Felix, the ruler before me, left a man here in prison."

And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

15"When I was in Jerusalem, the leading priests and the Jewish elders told me about him. They wanted me to say he was guilty."

About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.

NoteThe elders were older men who helped lead the Jewish people.

16"I told them that Romans do not do things that way. A man must first face the people who accuse him. He must be allowed to speak for himself."

To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

17"So they came here with me. I did not wait. The next day I sat in the judge's chair and had the man brought in."

Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

18"His accusers stood up to speak. But they did not charge him with the crimes I expected."

Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

19"They only argued with him about their own religion. They argued about a man named Jesus who had died. Paul says that Jesus is alive."

But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

NoteReligion means the way people worship God. Festus was Roman. He did not understand the Jewish way of worship.

20"I did not know how to look into things like this. So I asked Paul if he would go to Jerusalem and be judged there."

And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.

21"But Paul asked to be kept here until the Emperor could decide. So I ordered my men to hold him until I can send him to Caesar."

But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

NoteThe Emperor was the most powerful ruler of all. Caesar was another name for him. The King James calls him "Augustus," which was a title, like saying "the great one."

22Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I would like to hear this man myself." Festus said, "Tomorrow you will hear him."

Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

23The next day Agrippa and Bernice came in with a grand show. They entered the hearing room. Army commanders and important men of the city came too. Festus ordered his men to bring Paul in.

And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth.

NoteThe King James says they came "with great pomp." That means fine clothes, music and crowds, to show how important they were. The army commanders were soldiers in charge of many other soldiers.

24Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all of you here, look at this man. All the Jewish people have come to me about him, both in Jerusalem and here. They shouted that he should not live any longer."

And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

25"But I found that he had done nothing that deserves death. And he has asked the Emperor to hear his case. So I decided to send him."

But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

26"I have nothing sure to write to the Emperor about him. That is why I brought him out before you all, and most of all before you, King Agrippa. That way, after we question him, I may have something to write."

Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

27"It does not make sense to me to send a prisoner without saying what he is charged with."

For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

NoteTo be charged means someone says out loud what wrong you have done. Festus had nothing to write down.