When Stephen was executed, Paul (Saul) was there, and in hearty agreement with what they were doing. There is something unique about Paul’s “trial” before the Sanhedrin this time around. I did not notice at first, but once I looked more carefully, I saw something:
“The next day, because the commanding officer wanted to know the true reason Paul was being accused by the Jews, ‘he released him and ordered the chief priests and the whole council to assemble.’ He then brought Paul down and had him stand before them” —Acts 22:30
On this occasion, no Jews and no member of the Sanhedrin initiated this “trial.” Luke makes it clear that it was the commander, Claudius Lysias, who summoned the Council. He did this because he wanted to learn what Paul had done to cause a riot. So far, he had not been able to figure out why the crowds had reacted violently against Paul. No wonder the commander allowed Paul to address the mob. He expected to learn from Paul’s words what he had done to offend his Jewish brethren. He did not understand a word Paul said (in Aramaic), but he did see the crowd violently erupt a second time. He only wanted to keep the peace, so he was about to “interrogate” (torture) Paul to find out what was going on when he learned that Paul was a Roman citizen/ (Oops). So, the commander contacted Israel’s high court. Let them officially press charges and try Paul. Then he would finally know the charges against Paul.
Now I don’t think the Sanhedrin was very eager to meet. There was less unity than ever among the members, as we will soon see. In addition, they had to know that the charges against Paul would not hold up. And worst of all, the Roman commander would be looking on, eager to find out why the riots had begun. Maybe that is why we don’t get all of the same formalities taking place that we saw in Acts 4. This time it was not the High Priest’s doing; it was the commander’s doing.
So everyone gathered together and there might have been some hesitation because no one knew exactly what was going on or how to proceed. Who was going to start the whole thing off?
If interested, you can download the entire study of The Story of Acts
Advertisement
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
The Book of Acts: Chapter 23 (pt 2 of 13)
When Stephen was executed, Paul (Saul) was there, and in hearty agreement with what they were doing. There is something unique about Paul’s “trial” before the Sanhedrin this time around. I did not notice at first, but once I looked more carefully, I saw something:
On this occasion, no Jews and no member of the Sanhedrin initiated this “trial.” Luke makes it clear that it was the commander, Claudius Lysias, who summoned the Council. He did this because he wanted to learn what Paul had done to cause a riot. So far, he had not been able to figure out why the crowds had reacted violently against Paul. No wonder the commander allowed Paul to address the mob. He expected to learn from Paul’s words what he had done to offend his Jewish brethren. He did not understand a word Paul said (in Aramaic), but he did see the crowd violently erupt a second time. He only wanted to keep the peace, so he was about to “interrogate” (torture) Paul to find out what was going on when he learned that Paul was a Roman citizen/ (Oops). So, the commander contacted Israel’s high court. Let them officially press charges and try Paul. Then he would finally know the charges against Paul.
Now I don’t think the Sanhedrin was very eager to meet. There was less unity than ever among the members, as we will soon see. In addition, they had to know that the charges against Paul would not hold up. And worst of all, the Roman commander would be looking on, eager to find out why the riots had begun. Maybe that is why we don’t get all of the same formalities taking place that we saw in Acts 4. This time it was not the High Priest’s doing; it was the commander’s doing.
So everyone gathered together and there might have been some hesitation because no one knew exactly what was going on or how to proceed. Who was going to start the whole thing off?
Share this:
Like this:
Category:
Acts, Bible Commentaries, Bible Study
Leave a comment
The Book of Acts: Chapter 23 (pt 1 of 13)
The Book of Acts: Chapter 23 (pt 3 of 13)