What Does the Bible Say About Claudius Lysias?

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

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

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

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

“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?”

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

“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.”

“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,”

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

“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.”

“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?”

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

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

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

“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. examined him: or, tortured him”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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. under a curse: or, with an oath of execration”

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

“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.”

“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.”

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

“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.”

“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.”

“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?”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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;”

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

“And he wrote a letter after this manner:”

“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 to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.”

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

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

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

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

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