Safe Passage to Caesarea

Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said he had lived before God in all good conscience until that day. The high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Paul rebuked him for judging by the law while ordering him struck contrary to the law. When told it was the high priest, Paul said he did not know, for it is written that one must not speak evil of a ruler of the people.

Perceiving that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul cried out that he was a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees, and was being judged concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead. An argument arose, for the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees confess all of these. Some scribes of the Pharisees found no evil in him. As the conflict grew, the commanding officer feared Paul would be torn in pieces and ordered soldiers to take him into the barracks.

The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, "Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome."

When it was day, more than forty people bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. They asked the chief priests and elders to request that Paul be brought down again. Paul's sister's son heard of the ambush and told Paul, who had a centurion bring the young man to the commanding officer. Claudius Lysias then sent Paul by night with two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to Felix the governor. His letter said he found Paul accused of questions about their law, but nothing worthy of death or bonds. Felix had Paul kept in Herod's palace until his accusers came.