Elizabeth Achtemeier, “What’s Left Behind?” And Blessed is She, p. 98-107
Denise Levertov, “Ascension,” Evening Train, p. 115

1       Mark 1:1;  Luke 1:1-4
4      Luke 24:49
5      Matthew 3:11;  Mark 1:8;  Luke 3:16;  John 1:33

4-8    Ben F. Meyer, “The Christian Hebraioi of Jerusalem,” The Early Christians, p. 53-66
4        Meister Eckhart, “German Sermons,” Preacher and Teacher, p. 287-290

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.  3 To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God.  4 And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me, 5 for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

1:1 τον μεν πρωτον λογον εποιησαμην περι παντων ω θεοφιλε ων ηρξατο ο ιησους ποιειν τε και διδασκειν 1:2 αχρι ης ημερας εντειλαμενος τοις αποστολοις δια πνευματος αγιου ους εξελεξατο ανεληφθη 1:3 οις και παρεστησεν εαυτον ζωντα μετα το παθειν αυτον εν πολλοις τεκμηριοις δι ημερων τεσσαρακοντα οπτανομενος αυτοις και λεγων τα περι της βασιλειας του θεου 1:4 και συναλιζομενος παρηγγειλεν αυτοις απο ιεροσολυμων μη χωριζεσθαι αλλα περιμενειν την επαγγελιαν του πατρος ην ηκουσατε μου 1:5 οτι ιωαννης μεν εβαπτισεν υδατι υμεις δε βαπτισθησεσθε εν πνευματι αγιω ου μετα πολλας ταυτας ημερας

Elizabeth Achtemeier, “What’s Left Behind?” And Blessed is She, p. 98-107
Denise Levertov, “Ascension,” Evening Train, p. 115

6-8    Isaiah 49:6;  55:6-9
6         Luke 22:29-30
8         Isaiah 2:3;  Matthew 28:19;  Mark 16:15;  Luke 24:47-48;  Acts 10:38
9-11    Mark 14:62;  Luke 9:30;  John 6:62;  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17;  Hebrews 12:1-2
9          Mark 16:19;  Luke 24:50-51
11         Isaiah 6:8

4-8    Ben F. Meyer, “The Christian Hebraioi of Jerusalem,” The Early Christians, p. 53-66
6        Henri Nouwen, Lifesigns, p. 18 f.

8      C. Norman Kraus, The Community of the Spirit, p. 15

9-11     Bruce Beasley, “Ascension Day,” Spirituals, p. 44

11       Kathleen Norris, “Ascension,” Little Girls in Church, p. 42

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority.  8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”  9 And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.  10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

1:6 οι μεν ουν συνελθοντες επηρωτων αυτον λεγοντες κυριε ει εν τω χρονω τουτω αποκαθιστανεις την βασιλειαν τω ισραηλ 1:7 ειπεν δε προς αυτους ουχ υμων εστιν γνωναι χρονους η καιρους ους ο πατηρ εθετο εν τη ιδια εξουσια 1:8 αλλα ληψεσθε δυναμιν επελθοντος του αγιου πνευματος εφ υμας και εσεσθε μοι μαρτυρες εν τε ιερουσαλημ και εν παση τη ιουδαια και σαμαρεια και εως εσχατου της γης 1:9 και ταυτα ειπων βλεποντων αυτων επηρθη και νεφελη υπελαβεν αυτον απο των οφθαλμων αυτων 1:10 και ως ατενιζοντες ησαν εις τον ουρανον πορευομενου αυτου και ιδου ανδρες δυο παρειστηκεισαν αυτοις εν εσθητι λευκη 1:11 οι και ειπον ανδρες γαλιλαιοι τι εστηκατε εμβλεποντες εις τον ουρανον ουτος ο ιησους ο αναληφθεις αφ υμων εις τον ουρανον ουτως ελευσεται ον τροπον εθεασασθε αυτον πορευομενον εις τον ουρανον

13           Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:14-16
18-19    Matthew 27:3-8
20          Psalm 69:25, 109:8
21-22    John 15:27
21           John 10:9

14      Horace Bushnell, Sermons, p. 48 f.

18-19      T. H. S. Wallace, “Bloodfield,” Odd Angles of Heaven, p. 279 f.
21-26      John Dominic Crossan, The Historical Jesus, p. 214 f.

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away; 13 and when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.  14 All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brethren (the company of persons was in all about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16 “Brethren, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas who was guide to those who arrested Jesus.  17 For he was numbered among us, and was allotted his share in this ministry.  18 (Now this man bought a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.  19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) . 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it’; and ‘His office let another take.’  21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.  24 And they prayed and said, “Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two thou hast chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside, to go to his own place.”  26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles.

1:12 τοτε υπεστρεψαν εις ιερουσαλημ απο ορους του καλουμενου ελαιωνος ο εστιν εγγυς ιερουσαλημ σαββατου εχον οδον 1:13 και οτε εισηλθον ανεβησαν εις το υπερωον ου ησαν καταμενοντες ο τε πετρος και ιακωβος και ιωαννης και ανδρεας φιλιππος και θωμας βαρθολομαιος και ματθαιος ιακωβος αλφαιου και σιμων ο ζηλωτης και ιουδας ιακωβου 1:14 ουτοι παντες ησαν προσκαρτερουντες ομοθυμαδον τη προσευχη και τη δεησει συν γυναιξιν και μαρια τη μητρι του ιησου και συν τοις αδελφοις αυτου

1:15 και εν ταις ημεραις ταυταις αναστας πετρος εν μεσω των μαθητων ειπεν ην τε οχλος ονοματων επι το αυτο ως εκατον εικοσιν 1:16 ανδρες αδελφοι εδει πληρωθηναι την γραφην ταυτην ην προειπεν το πνευμα το αγιον δια στοματος δαυιδ περι ιουδα του γενομενου οδηγου τοις συλλαβουσιν τον ιησουν  1:17 οτι κατηριθμημενος ην συν ημιν και ελαχεν τον κληρον της διακονιας ταυτης 1:18 ουτος μεν ουν εκτησατο χωριον εκ μισθου της αδικιας και πρηνης γενομενος ελακησεν μεσος και εξεχυθη παντα τα σπλαγχνα αυτου 1:19 και γνωστον εγενετο πασιν τοις κατοικουσιν ιερουσαλημ ωστε κληθηναι το χωριον εκεινο τη ιδια διαλεκτω αυτων ακελδαμα τουτ εστιν χωριον αιματος 1:20 γεγραπται γαρ εν βιβλω ψαλμων γενηθητω η επαυλις αυτου ερημος και μη εστω ο κατοικων εν αυτη και την επισκοπην αυτου λαβοι ετερος 1:21 δει ουν των συνελθοντων ημιν ανδρων εν παντι χρονω εν ω εισηλθεν και εξηλθεν εφ ημας ο κυριος ιησους 1:22 αρξαμενος απο του βαπτισματος ιωαννου εως της ημερας ης ανεληφθη αφ ημων μαρτυρα της αναστασεως αυτου γενεσθαι συν ημιν ενα τουτων 1:23 και εστησαν δυο ιωσηφ τον καλουμενον βαρσαβαν ος επεκληθη ιουστος και ματθιαν  1:24 και προσευξαμενοι ειπον συ κυριε καρδιογνωστα παντων αναδειξον ον εξελεξω εκ τουτων των δυο αβ 1:25 λαβειν τον κληρον της διακονιας ταυτης και αποστολης εξ ης παρεβη ιουδας πορευθηναι εις τον τοπον τον ιδιον 1:26 και εδωκαν κληρους αυτων και επεσεν ο κληρος επι ματθιαν και συγκατεψηφισθη μετα των ενδεκα αποστολων

Mohandas Gandhi, The Essential Gandhi, p. 127

Andrew Greeley, “But They Are Not Like Us,” When Life Hurts, p. 131-134
Richard Lischer, “The Interrupted Sermon,” Interpretation (April 1996), p. 179

Kathleen Norris, Amazing Grace, p. 349

J. Barrie Shepherd, “Party Spirit,” The Moveable Feast, p. 63

Geza Vermes, The Changing Faces of Jesus, p. 150

“Advertisement,” Maryknoll (October 1998), p. 39

Imaging the Word, Vol. 1, p. 210-215

1-12     Zephaniah 3:9
1           Leviticus 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:9-11
2-4      Isaiah 30:33
2-3      Psalm 104:4
5-12    Revelation 5:9
8-11    Isaiah 66:18
13        1 Samuel 1:13

1-4    Thomas Merton, “The Candlemas Procession,” Selected Poetry, p. 40
1-4    Robert F. Morneau, “The Call to Worship,” Gift Mystery Calling, p. 91-96
1-4    Kathleen Norris, “Anniversary,” Little Girls in Church, p. 70

1-4     Imaging the Word, Vol. 2, p. 210-213
3-4     Richard Wilbur, “October Maples, Portland,” New and Collected Poems, p. 198

6         Wang Weifan, “By the grace of the Holy Spirit … ,” Lilies of the Field, p. 63

3          Malcolm Muggeridge, Jesus: The Man Who Lives, p. 158
5-12    David Dark, The Sacredness of Questioning Everything, p. 115

5-12    Richard Lischer, “The Sermon on the Mount and Radical Pastoral Care,” Interpretation (April 1987), p. 168

1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.  2 And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them.  4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.  6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.  7 And they were amazed and wondered, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?  9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

2:1 και εν τω συμπληρουσθαι την ημεραν της πεντηκοστης ησαν απαντες ομοθυμαδον επι το αυτο 2:2 και εγενετο αφνω εκ του ουρανου ηχος ωσπερ φερομενης πνοης βιαιας και επληρωσεν ολον τον οικον ου ησαν καθημενοι 2:3 και ωφθησαν αυτοις διαμεριζομεναι γλωσσαι ωσει πυρος εκαθισεν τε εφ ενα εκαστον αυτων 2:4 και επλησθησαν απαντες πνευματος αγιου και ηρξαντο λαλειν ετεραις γλωσσαις καθως το πνευμα εδιδου αυτοις αποφθεγγεσθαι

2:5 ησαν δε εν ιερουσαλημ κατοικουντες ιουδαιοι ανδρες ευλαβεις απο παντος εθνους των υπο τον ουρανον 2:6 γενομενης δε της φωνης ταυτης συνηλθεν το πληθος και συνεχυθη οτι ηκουον εις εκαστος τη ιδια διαλεκτω λαλουντων αυτων 2:7 εξισταντο δε και εθαυμαζον λεγοντες προς αλληλους ουκ ιδου παντες ουτοι εισιν οι λαλουντες γαλιλαιοι 2:8 και πως ημεις ακουομεν εκαστος τη ιδια διαλεκτω ημων εν η εγεννηθημεν 2:9 παρθοι και μηδοι και ελαμιται και οι κατοικουντες την μεσοποταμιαν ιουδαιαν τε και καππαδοκιαν ποντον και την ασιαν 2:10 φρυγιαν τε και παμφυλιαν αιγυπτον και τα μερη της λιβυης της κατα κυρηνην και οι επιδημουντες ρωμαιοι ιουδαιοι τε και προσηλυτοι 2:11 κρητες και αραβες ακουομεν λαλουντων αυτων ταις ημετεραις γλωσσαις τα μεγαλεια του θεου  2:12 εξισταντο δε παντες και διηπορουν αλλος προς αλλον λεγοντες τι αν θελοι τουτο ειναι 2:13 ετεροι δε χλευαζοντες ελεγον οτι γλευκους μεμεστωμενοι εισιν

Blaise Pascal, “# 287,” Pensées, p. 81

17-21      Joel 2:28-32
17-18      Acts 5:14
23           Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:33; John 19:18
24           Matthew 28:5-6; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:5
25-28     Psalm 16:8-11
30           Psalm 132:11
34-35     Psalm 110:1
37           Luke 3:10-14
39           Isaiah 43:5-7; Joel 2:32; Ephesians 2:13 & 17

17     Ted Loder, Guerrillas of Grace, p. 52

22-23    W. B. Yeats, “To A Shade,” Selected Poems and Plays, p. 41

23           Oscar Romero, The Violence of Love, p. 54
25-36    Donald Juel, Messianic Exegesis, p. 146 ff.
36-42    Helmut Thielicke, Faith: The Great Adventure, p. 52-61

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.  15 For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day; 16 but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:  17 ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.  19 And I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day.  21 And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know -23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.  24 But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.  25 For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope. 27 For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see corruption.  28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of gladness with thy presence.’

29 “Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.  30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.  32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.  33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear.  34 For David did not ascend into the heavens; but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, 35 till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet.’  36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  39 For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him.”  40 And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”  41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

2:14 σταθεις δε πετρος συν τοις ενδεκα επηρεν την φωνην αυτου και απεφθεγξατο αυτοις ανδρες ιουδαιοι και οι κατοικουντες ιερουσαλημ απαντες τουτο υμιν γνωστον εστω και ενωτισασθε τα ρηματα μου 2:15 ου γαρ ως υμεις υπολαμβανετε ουτοι μεθυουσιν εστιν γαρ ωρα τριτη της ημερας 2:16 αλλα τουτο εστιν το ειρημενον δια του προφητου ιωηλ 2:17 και εσται εν ταις εσχαταις ημεραις λεγει ο θεος εκχεω απο του πνευματος μου επι πασαν σαρκα και προφητευσουσιν οι υιοι υμων και αι θυγατερες υμων και οι νεανισκοι υμων ορασεις οψονται και οι πρεσβυτεροι υμων ενυπνια ενυπνιασθησονται 2:18 καιγε επι τους δουλους μου και επι τας δουλας μου εν ταις ημεραις εκειναις εκχεω απο του πνευματος μου και προφητευσουσιν 2:19 και δωσω τερατα εν τω ουρανω ανω και σημεια επι της γης κατω αιμα και πυρ και ατμιδα καπνου 2:20 ο ηλιος μεταστραφησεται εις σκοτος και η σεληνη εις αιμα πριν η ελθειν την ημεραν κυριου την μεγαλην και επιφανη 2:21 και εσται πας ος αν επικαλεσηται το ονομα κυριου σωθησεται

2:22 ανδρες ισραηλιται ακουσατε τους λογους τουτους ιησουν τον ναζωραιον ανδρα απο του θεου αποδεδειγμενον εις υμας δυναμεσιν και τερασιν και σημειοις οις εποιησεν δι αυτου ο θεος εν μεσω υμων καθως και αυτοι οιδατε 2:23 τουτον τη ωρισμενη βουλη και προγνωσει του θεου εκδοτον λαβοντες δια χειρων ανομων προσπηξαντες ανειλετε 2:24 ον ο θεος ανεστησεν λυσας τας ωδινας του θανατου καθοτι ουκ ην δυνατον κρατεισθαι αυτον υπ αυτου  2:25 δαυιδ γαρ λεγει εις αυτον προωρωμην τον κυριον ενωπιον μου δια παντος οτι εκ δεξιων μου εστιν ινα μη σαλευθω 2:26 δια τουτο ευφρανθη η καρδια μου και ηγαλλιασατο η γλωσσα μου ετι δε και η σαρξ μου κατασκηνωσει επ ελπιδι 2:27 οτι ουκ εγκαταλειψεις την ψυχην μου εις αδου ουδε δωσεις τον οσιον σου ιδειν διαφθοραν 2:28 εγνωρισας μοι οδους ζωης πληρωσεις με ευφροσυνης μετα του προσωπου σου

2:29 ανδρες αδελφοι εξον ειπειν μετα παρρησιας προς υμας περι του πατριαρχου δαυιδ οτι και ετελευτησεν και εταφη και το μνημα αυτου εστιν εν ημιν αχρι της ημερας ταυτης 2:30 προφητης ουν υπαρχων και ειδως οτι ορκω ωμοσεν αυτω ο θεος εκ καρπου της οσφυος αυτου το κατα σαρκα αναστησειν τον χριστον καθισαι επι του θρονου αυτου 2:31 προιδων ελαλησεν περι της αναστασεως του χριστου οτι ου κατελειφθη η ψυχη αυτου εις αδου ουδε η σαρξ αυτου ειδεν διαφθοραν 2:32 τουτον τον ιησουν ανεστησεν ο θεος ου παντες ημεις εσμεν μαρτυρες 2:33 τη δεξια ουν του θεου υψωθεις την τε επαγγελιαν του αγιου πνευματος λαβων παρα του πατρος εξεχεεν τουτο ο νυν υμεις βλεπετε και ακουετε 2:34 ου γαρ δαυιδ ανεβη εις τους ουρανους λεγει δε αυτος ειπεν ο κυριος τω κυριω μου καθου εκ δεξιων μου 2:35 εως αν θω τους εχθρους σου υποποδιον των ποδων σου 2:36 ασφαλως ουν γινωσκετω πας οικος ισραηλ οτι και κυριον και χριστον αυτον ο θεος εποιησεν τουτον τον ιησουν ον υμεις εσταυρωσατε

2:37 ακουσαντες δε κατενυγησαν τη καρδια ειπον τε προς τον πετρον και τους λοιπους αποστολους τι ποιησομεν ανδρες αδελφοι 2:38 πετρος δε εφη προς αυτους μετανοησατε και βαπτισθητω εκαστος υμων επι τω ονοματι ιησου χριστου εις αφεσιν αμαρτιων και ληψεσθε την δωρεαν του αγιου πνευματος 2:39 υμιν γαρ εστιν η επαγγελια και τοις τεκνοις υμων και πασιν τοις εις μακραν οσους αν προσκαλεσηται κυριος ο θεος ημων 2:40 ετεροις τε λογοις πλειοσιν διεμαρτυρετο και παρεκαλει λεγων σωθητε απο της γενεας της σκολιας ταυτης 2:41 οι μεν ουν ασμενως αποδεξαμενοι τον λογον αυτου εβαπτισθησαν και προσετεθησαν τη ημερα εκεινη ψυχαι ωσει τρισχιλιαι

Robert Frost, “A Masque of Mercy,” The Poetry of Robert Frost, p. 509

Robin Wall Kimmerer, “Allegiance to Gratitude,” Braiding Sweetgrass, p. 115

John Michael Talbot, “The Common Life,” Meditations in the Spirit

44-45    Matthew 5:7
44           Acts 4:32-35
45           1 Kings 19:19-21; Mark 10:21; Luke 12:33

42      Henry DeGraaff, “Devotion,” COM Meeting (December 5, 1996)

44-47     Parker Palmer, The Active Life, p. 124-129
44-45     John Dominic Crossan, quoting Sibylline Oracles 2:313-38, In Search of Paul, p. 233

44-45    Geza Vermes, The Changing Faces of Jesus, p. 144 f.

44         Gary Snyder, “Glamor,” Axe Handles, p. 94

46-47     Imaging the Word, Vol. 2, p. 192-195

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  43 And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.  44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need.  46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

2:43 εγενετο δε παση ψυχη φοβος πολλα τε τερατα και σημεια δια των αποστολων εγινετο 2:44 παντες δε οι πιστευοντες ησαν επι το αυτο και ειχον απαντα κοινα  2:45 και τα κτηματα και τας υπαρξεις επιπρασκον και διεμεριζον αυτα πασιν καθοτι αν τις χρειαν ειχεν 2:46 καθ ημεραν τε προσκαρτερουντες ομοθυμαδον εν τω ιερω κλωντες τε κατ οικον αρτον μετελαμβανον τροφης εν αγαλλιασει και αφελοτητι καρδιας 2:47 αινουντες τον θεον και εχοντες χαριν προς ολον τον λαον ο δε κυριος προσετιθει τους σωζομενους καθ ημεραν τη εκκλησια

8      Malachi 4:2
13    Exodus 3:15; Mark 12:26-27
16    1 Peter 1:21
22    Deuteronomy 18:15
23    Deuteronomy 18:19
25    Genesis 22:18

4        Al de Jourdan, “Seeing Jesus,” The Upper Room (July/August 1998), p. 5

6-7       John Shea, An Experience Named Spirit, p. 211

11-26     Donald Juel, Messianic Exegesis, p. 82-85

1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.  2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple.  3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms.  4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, “Look at us.”  5 And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them.  6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”  7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.  8 And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.  9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s, astounded.  12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people, “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?  13 The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.  14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.  16 And his name, by faith in his name, has made this man strong whom you see and know; and the faith which is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

17 “And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.  18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.  19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.  22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet from your brethren as he raised me up. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.  23 And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’  24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came afterwards, also proclaimed these days.  25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God gave to your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your posterity shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’  26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

3:1 3:1 επι το αυτο δε πετρος και ιωαννης ανεβαινον εις το ιερον επι την ωραν της προσευχης την ενατην 3:2 και τις ανηρ χωλος εκ κοιλιας μητρος αυτου υπαρχων εβασταζετο ον ετιθουν καθ ημεραν προς την θυραν του ιερου την λεγομενην ωραιαν του αιτειν ελεημοσυνην παρα των εισπορευομενων εις το ιερον 3:3 ος ιδων πετρον και ιωαννην μελλοντας εισιεναι εις το ιερον ηρωτα ελεημοσυνην  3:4 ατενισας δε πετρος εις αυτον συν τω ιωαννη ειπεν βλεψον εις ημας 3:5 ο δε επειχεν αυτοις προσδοκων τι παρ αυτων λαβειν 3:6 ειπεν δε πετρος αργυριον και χρυσιον ουχ υπαρχει μοι ο δε εχω τουτο σοι διδωμι εν τω ονοματι ιησου χριστου του ναζωραιου εγειραι και περιπατει 3:7 και πιασας αυτον της δεξιας χειρος ηγειρεν παραχρημα δε εστερεωθησαν αυτου αι βασεις και τα σφυρα 3:8 και εξαλλομενος εστη και περιεπατει και εισηλθεν συν αυτοις εις το ιερον περιπατων και αλλομενος και αινων τον θεον 3:9 και ειδεν αυτον πας ο λαος περιπατουντα και αινουντα τον θεον 3:10 επεγινωσκον τε αυτον οτι ουτος ην ο προς την ελεημοσυνην καθημενος επι τη ωραια πυλη του ιερου και επλησθησαν θαμβους και εκστασεως επι τω συμβεβηκοτι αυτω

3:11 κρατουντος δε του ιαθεντος χωλου τον πετρον και ιωαννην συνεδραμεν προς αυτους πας ο λαος επι τη στοα τη καλουμενη σολομωντος εκθαμβοι 3:12 ιδων δε πετρος απεκρινατο προς τον λαον ανδρες ισραηλιται τι θαυμαζετε επι τουτω η ημιν τι ατενιζετε ως ιδια δυναμει η ευσεβεια πεποιηκοσιν του περιπατειν αυτον 3:13 ο θεος αβρααμ και ισαακ και ιακωβ ο θεος των πατερων ημων εδοξασεν τον παιδα αυτου ιησουν ον υμεις μεν παρεδωκατε και ηρνησασθε αυτον κατα προσωπον πιλατου κριναντος εκεινου απολυειν 3:14 υμεις δε τον αγιον και δικαιον ηρνησασθε και ητησασθε ανδρα φονεα χαρισθηναι υμιν 3:15 τον δε αρχηγον της ζωης απεκτεινατε ον ο θεος ηγειρεν εκ νεκρων ου ημεις μαρτυρες εσμεν 3:16 και επι τη πιστει του ονοματος αυτου τουτον ον θεωρειτε και οιδατε εστερεωσεν το ονομα αυτου και η πιστις η δι αυτου εδωκεν αυτω την ολοκληριαν ταυτην απεναντι παντων υμων

3:17 και νυν αδελφοι οιδα οτι κατα αγνοιαν επραξατε ωσπερ και οι αρχοντες υμων 3:18 ο δε θεος α προκατηγγειλεν δια στοματος παντων των προφητων αυτου παθειν τον χριστον επληρωσεν ουτως 3:19 μετανοησατε ουν και επιστρεψατε εις το εξαλειφθηναι υμων τας αμαρτιας 3:20 οπως αν ελθωσιν καιροι αναψυξεως απο προσωπου του κυριου 3:20 και αποστειλη τον προκεχειρισμενον υμιν χριστον ιησουν 3:21 ον δει ουρανον μεν δεξασθαι αχρι χρονων αποκαταστασεως παντων ων ελαλησεν ο θεος δια στοματος παντων των αγιων αυτου προφητων απ αιωνος 3:22 μωσης μεν γαρ προς τους πατερας ειπεν οτι προφητην υμιν αναστησει κυριος ο θεος ημων εκ των αδελφων υμων ως εμε αυτου ακουσεσθε κατα παντα οσα αν λαληση προς υμας 3:23 εσται δε πασα ψυχη ητις εαν μη ακουση του προφητου εκεινου εξολοθρευθησεται εκ του λαου 3:24 και παντες δε οι προφηται απο σαμουηλ και των καθεξης οσοι ελαλησαν και κατηγγειλαν τας ημερας ταυτας 3:25 υμεις εστε υιοι των προφητων και της διαθηκης ης διεθετο ο θεος προς τους πατερας ημων λεγων προς αβρααμ και εν τω σπερματι σου ενευλογηθησονται πασαι αι πατριαι της γης 3:26 υμιν πρωτον ο θεος αναστησας τον παιδα αυτου ιησουν απεστειλεν αυτον ευλογουντα υμας εν τω αποστρεφειν εκαστον απο των πονηριων υμων

11            Psalm 118:22
25-26    Psalm 2:1-2
32           Acts 2:44-45
34           Deuteronomy 15:4
36-37    Genesis 47:13-26

11-12     Ivan Steiger, Ivan Steiger Sees the Bible, p. 254
13-21    Denise Levertov, “Interim,” Poems 1968-1972 (Relearning the Alphabet), p. 21

13            David H. C. Read, “Saints in Hiding,” I Am Persuaded, p. 84-92
24-31     John Koenig, Rediscovering New Testament Prayer, p. 139-140

32-37   My question

32-35   Parker Palmer, The Active Life, p. 124-129
32-35   The Essential Gandhi, p. 102 f.
32-34   Imaging the Word, Vol. 3, p. 196
32          John Howard Yoder, in Body Politics, quoted by C. Christopher Smith and John Pattison in Slow Church, p. 221

1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.  3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the morrow, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

5 On the morrow their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Ca’iaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.  7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a cripple, by what means this man has been healed, 10 be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well.  11 This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the head of the corner.  12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they wondered; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man that had been healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.  15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is manifest to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.  17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to any one in this name.”  18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”  21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for all men praised God for what had happened.  22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

23 When they were released they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.  24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who by the mouth of our father David, thy servant,c didst say by the Holy Spirit, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves in array, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’ -27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against thy holy servantc Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever thy hand and thy plan had predestined to take place.  29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness, 30 while thou stretchest out thy hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of thy holy servant Jesus.”  31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.

32 Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common.  33 And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.  34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need.  36 Thus Joseph who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

4:1 λαλουντων δε αυτων προς τον λαον επεστησαν αυτοις οι ιερεις και ο στρατηγος του ιερου και οι σαδδουκαιοι 4:2 διαπονουμενοι δια το διδασκειν αυτους τον λαον και καταγγελλειν εν τω ιησου την αναστασιν των νεκρων 4:3 και επεβαλον αυτοις τας χειρας και εθεντο εις τηρησιν εις την αυριον ην γαρ εσπερα ηδη 4:4 πολλοι δε των ακουσαντων τον λογον επιστευσαν και εγενηθη ο αριθμος των ανδρων ωσει χιλιαδες πεντε

4:5 εγενετο δε επι την αυριον συναχθηναι αυτων τους αρχοντας και πρεσβυτερους και γραμματεις εις ιερουσαλημ 4:6 και ανναν τον αρχιερεα και καιαφαν και ιωαννην και αλεξανδρον και οσοι ησαν εκ γενους αρχιερατικου 4:7 και στησαντες αυτους εν μεσω επυνθανοντο εν ποια δυναμει η εν ποιω ονοματι εποιησατε τουτο υμεις 4:8 τοτε πετρος πλησθεις πνευματος αγιου ειπεν προς αυτους αρχοντες του λαου και πρεσβυτεροι του ισραηλ 4:9 ει ημεις σημερον ανακρινομεθα επι ευεργεσια ανθρωπου ασθενους εν τινι ουτος σεσωσται 4:10 γνωστον εστω πασιν υμιν και παντι τω λαω ισραηλ οτι εν τω ονοματι ιησου χριστου του ναζωραιου ον υμεις εσταυρωσατε ον ο θεος ηγειρεν εκ νεκρων εν τουτω ουτος παρεστηκεν ενωπιον υμων υγιης 4:11 ουτος εστιν ο λιθος ο εξουθενηθεις υφ υμων των οικοδομουντων ο γενομενος εις κεφαλην γωνιας  4:12 και ουκ εστιν εν αλλω ουδενι η σωτηρια ουτε γαρ ονομα εστιν ετερον [υπο τον ουρανον] το δεδομενον εν ανθρωποις εν ω δει σωθηναι ημας

4:13 θεωρουντες δε την του πετρου παρρησιαν και ιωαννου και καταλαβομενοι οτι ανθρωποι αγραμματοι εισιν και ιδιωται εθαυμαζον επεγινωσκον τε αυτους οτι συν τω ιησου ησαν 4:14 τον δε ανθρωπον βλεποντες συν αυτοις εστωτα τον τεθεραπευμενον ουδεν ειχον αντειπειν 4:15 κελευσαντες δε αυτους εξω του συνεδριου απελθειν συνεβαλλον προς αλληλους 4:16 λεγοντες τι ποιησομεν τοις ανθρωποις τουτοις οτι μεν γαρ γνωστον σημειον γεγονεν δι αυτων πασιν τοις κατοικουσιν ιερουσαλημ φανερον και ου δυναμεθα αρνησασθαι 4:17 αλλ ινα μη επι πλειον διανεμηθη εις τον λαον απειλη απειλησομεθα αυτοις μηκετι λαλειν επι τω ονοματι τουτω μηδενι ανθρωπων  4:18 και καλεσαντες αυτους παρηγγειλαν αυτοις το καθολου μη φθεγγεσθαι μηδε διδασκειν επι τω ονοματι του ιησου 4:19 ο δε πετρος και ιωαννης αποκριθεντες προς αυτους ειπον ει δικαιον εστιν ενωπιον του θεου υμων ακουειν μαλλον η του θεου κρινατε 4:20 ου δυναμεθα γαρ ημεις α ειδομεν και ηκουσαμεν μη λαλειν 4:21 οι δε προσαπειλησαμενοι απελυσαν αυτους μηδεν ευρισκοντες το πως κολασονται αυτους δια τον λαον οτι παντες εδοξαζον τον θεον επι τω γεγονοτι 4:22 ετων γαρ ην πλειονων τεσσαρακοντα ο ανθρωπος εφ ον εγεγονει το σημειον τουτο της ιασεως

4:23 απολυθεντες δε ηλθον προς τους ιδιους και απηγγειλαν οσα προς αυτους οι αρχιερεις και οι πρεσβυτεροι ειπον 4:24 οι δε ακουσαντες ομοθυμαδον ηραν φωνην προς τον θεον και ειπον δεσποτα συ ο θεος ο ποιησας τον ουρανον και την γην και την θαλασσαν και παντα τα εν αυτοις 4:25 ο δια στοματος δαυιδ παιδος σου ειπων ινα τι εφρυαξαν εθνη και λαοι εμελετησαν κενα 4:26 παρεστησαν οι βασιλεις της γης και οι αρχοντες συνηχθησαν επι το αυτο κατα του κυριου και κατα του χριστου αυτου 4:27 συνηχθησαν γαρ επ αληθειας επι τον αγιον παιδα σου ιησουν ον εχρισας ηρωδης τε και ποντιος πιλατος συν εθνεσιν και λαοις ισραηλ 4:28 ποιησαι οσα η χειρ σου και η βουλη σου προωρισεν γενεσθαι 4:29 και τα νυν κυριε επιδε επι τας απειλας αυτων και δος τοις δουλοις σου μετα παρρησιας πασης λαλειν τον λογον σου 4:30 εν τω την χειρα σου εκτεινειν σε εις ιασιν και σημεια και τερατα γινεσθαι δια του ονοματος του αγιου παιδος σου ιησου 4:31 και δεηθεντων αυτων εσαλευθη ο τοπος εν ω ησαν συνηγμενοι και επλησθησαν απαντες πνευματος αγιου και ελαλουν τον λογον του θεου μετα παρρησιας

4:32 του δε πληθους των πιστευσαντων ην η καρδια και η ψυχη μια και αβεις τι των υπαρχοντων αυτων ελεγεν ιδιον ειναι αλλ ην αυτοις απαντα κοινα 4:33 και μεγαλη δυναμει απεδιδουν το μαρτυριον οι αποστολοι της αναστασεως του κυριου ιησου χαρις τε μεγαλη ην επι παντας αυτους 4:34 ουδε γαρ ενδεης τις υπηρχεν εν αυτοις οσοι γαρ κτητορες χωριων η οικιων υπηρχον πωλουντες εφερον τας τιμας των πιπρασκομενων 4:35 και ετιθουν παρα τους ποδας των αποστολων διεδιδοτο δε εκαστω καθοτι αν τις χρειαν ειχεν 4:36 ιωσης δε ο επικληθεις βαρναβας απο των αποστολων ο εστιν μεθερμηνευομενον υιος παρακλησεως λευιτης κυπριος τω γενει 4:37 υπαρχοντος αυτω αγρου πωλησας ηνεγκεν το χρημα και εθηκεν παρα τους ποδας των αποστολων

1-11    Leviticus 10:1-5; Joshua 7; 2 Kings 5:19-27; Acts 1:18
14       Acts 2:17-18
20      Jeremiah 7:1-2
28      Matthew 27:25

1-12    Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon, Resident Aliens, p. 130-140
1-11    Frederick Buechner, “Ananias,” Peculiar Treasures, p. 12 p. 13
1-11    Thomas Merton, “A certain brother renouncing the world and,” The Wisdom of the Desert, p. 33

1 But a man named Ananias with his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.  3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land?  4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”  5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.  8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”  9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Hark, the feet of those that have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”  10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.  11 And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all who heard of these things.

12 Now many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico.  13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor.  14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.  16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

17 But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison.  19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”  21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and taught.

Now the high priest came and those who were with him and called together the council and all the senate of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.  22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, and they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the sentries standing at the doors, but when we opened it we found no one inside.”  24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to.  25 And some one came and told them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.”  26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but without violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”  29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.  30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.  31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.  32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this they were enraged and wanted to kill them.  34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, held in honor by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a while.  35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you do with these men.  36 For before these days Theudas arose, giving himself out to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was slain and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.  37 After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered.  38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this undertaking is of men, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”

40 So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.  42 And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

5:1 ανηρ δε τις ανανιας ονοματι συν σαπφειρη τη γυναικι αυτου επωλησεν κτημα 5:2 και ενοσφισατο απο της τιμης συνειδυιας και της γυναικος αυτου και ενεγκας μερος τι παρα τους ποδας των αποστολων εθηκεν 5:3 ειπεν δε πετρος ανανια δια τι επληρωσεν ο σατανας την καρδιαν σου ψευσασθαι σε το πνευμα το αγιον και νοσφισασθαι σε απο της τιμης του χωριου 5:4 ουχι μενον σοι εμενεν και πραθεν εν τη ση εξουσια υπηρχεν τι οτι εθου εν τη καρδια σου το πραγμα τουτο ουκ εψευσω ανθρωποις αλλα τω θεω 5:5 ακουων δε ο ανανιας τους λογους τουτους πεσων εξεψυξεν και εγενετο φοβος μεγας επι παντας τους ακουοντας ταυτα 5:6 ανασταντες δε οι νεωτεροι συνεστειλαν αυτον και εξενεγκαντες εθαψαν

5:7 εγενετο δε ως ωρων τριων διαστημα και η γυνη αυτου μη ειδυια το γεγονος εισηλθεν 5:8 απεκριθη δε αυτη ο πετρος ειπε μοι ει τοσουτου το χωριον απεδοσθε η δε ειπεν ναι τοσουτου 5:9 ο δε πετρος ειπεν προς αυτην τι οτι συνεφωνηθη υμιν πειρασαι το πνευμα κυριου ιδου οι ποδες των θαψαντων τον ανδρα σου επι τη θυρα και εξοισουσιν σε 5:10 επεσεν δε παραχρημα παρα τους ποδας αυτου και εξεψυξεν εισελθοντες δε οι νεανισκοι ευρον αυτην νεκραν και εξενεγκαντες εθαψαν προς τον ανδρα αυτης 5:11 και εγενετο φοβος μεγας εφ ολην την εκκλησιαν και επι παντας τους ακουοντας ταυτα

5:12 δια δε των χειρων των αποστολων αβσημεια και τερατα εν τω λαω πολλα και ησαν ομοθυμαδον απαντες εν τη στοα σολομωντος 5:13 των δε λοιπων ουδεις ετολμα κολλασθαι αυτοις αλλ εμεγαλυνεν αυτους ο λαος 5:14 μαλλον δε προσετιθεντο πιστευοντες τω κυριω πληθη ανδρων τε και γυναικων 5:15 ωστε κατα τας πλατειας εκφερειν τους ασθενεις και τιθεναι επι κλινων και κραββατων ινα ερχομενου πετρου καν η σκια επισκιαση τινι αυτων 5:16 συνηρχετο δε και το πληθος των περιξ πολεων εις ιερουσαλημ φεροντες ασθενεις και οχλουμενους υπο πνευματων ακαθαρτων οιτινες εθεραπευοντο απαντες

5:17 αναστας δε ο αρχιερευς και παντες οι συν αυτω η ουσα αιρεσις των σαδδουκαιων επλησθησαν ζηλου 5:18 και επεβαλον τας χειρας αυτων επι τους αποστολους και εθεντο αυτους εν τηρησει δημοσια 5:19 αγγελος δε κυριου δια της νυκτος ηνοιξεν τας θυρας της φυλακης εξαγαγων τε αυτους ειπεν 5:20 πορευεσθε και σταθεντες λαλειτε εν τω ιερω τω λαω παντα τα ρηματα της ζωης ταυτης 5:21 ακουσαντες δε εισηλθον υπο τον ορθρον εις το ιερον και εδιδασκον παραγενομενος

δε ο αρχιερευς και οι συν αυτω συνεκαλεσαν το συνεδριον και πασαν την γερουσιαν των υιων ισραηλ και απεστειλαν εις το δεσμωτηριον αχθηναι αυτους 5:22 οι δε υπηρεται παραγενομενοι ουχ ευρον αυτους εν τη φυλακη αναστρεψαντες δε απηγγειλαν 5:23 λεγοντες οτι το μεν δεσμωτηριον ευρομεν κεκλεισμενον εν παση ασφαλεια και τους φυλακας εστωτας προ των θυρων ανοιξαντες δε εσω ουδενα ευρομεν 5:24 ως δε ηκουσαν τους λογους τουτους ο τε ιερευς και ο στρατηγος του ιερου και οι αρχιερεις διηπορουν περι αυτων τι αν γενοιτο τουτο 5:25 παραγενομενος δε τις απηγγειλεν αυτοις οτι ιδου οι ανδρες ους εθεσθε εν τη φυλακη εισιν εν τω ιερω εστωτες και διδασκοντες τον λαον 5:26 τοτε απελθων ο στρατηγος συν τοις υπηρεταις ηγαγεν αυτους ου μετα βιας εφοβουντο γαρ τον λαον ινα μη λιθασθωσιν

5:27 αγαγοντες δε αυτους εστησαν εν τω συνεδριω και επηρωτησεν αυτους ο αρχιερευς 5:28 λεγων ου παραγγελια παρηγγειλαμεν υμιν μη διδασκειν επι τω ονοματι τουτω και ιδου πεπληρωκατε την ιερουσαλημ της διδαχης υμων και βουλεσθε επαγαγειν εφ ημας το αιμα του ανθρωπου τουτου 5:29 αποκριθεις δε πετρος και οι αποστολοι ειπον πειθαρχειν δει θεω μαλλον η ανθρωποις 5:30 ο θεος των πατερων ημων ηγειρεν ιησουν ον υμεις διεχειρισασθε κρεμασαντες επι ξυλου 5:31 τουτον ο θεος αρχηγον και σωτηρα υψωσεν τη δεξια αυτου δουναι μετανοιαν τω ισραηλ και αφεσιν αμαρτιων 5:32 και ημεις εσμεν αυτου μαρτυρες των ρηματων τουτων και το πνευμα δε το αγιον ο εδωκεν ο θεος τοις πειθαρχουσιν αυτω

5:33 οι δε ακουοντες διεπριοντο και εβουλευοντο ανελειν αυτους 5:34 αναστας δε τις εν τω συνεδριω φαρισαιος ονοματι γαμαλιηλ νομοδιδασκαλος τιμιος παντι τω λαω εκελευσεν εξω βραχυ τι τους αποστολους ποιησαι 5:35 ειπεν τε προς αυτους ανδρες ισραηλιται προσεχετε εαυτοις επι τοις ανθρωποις τουτοις τι μελλετε πρασσειν 5:36 προ γαρ τουτων των ημερων ανεστη θευδας λεγων ειναι τινα εαυτον ω προσεκληθη αριθμος ανδρων ωσει τετρακοσιων ος ανηρεθη και παντες οσοι επειθοντο αυτω διελυθησαν και εγενοντο εις ουδεν 5:37 μετα τουτον ανεστη ιουδας ο γαλιλαιος εν ταις ημεραις της απογραφης και απεστησεν λαον ικανον οπισω αυτου κακεινος απωλετο και παντες οσοι επειθοντο αυτω διεσκορπισθησαν 5:38 και τα νυν λεγω υμιν αποστητε απο των ανθρωπων τουτων και εασατε αυτους οτι εαν η εξ ανθρωπων η βουλη η το εργον τουτο καταλυθησεται 5:39 ει δε εκ θεου εστιν ου δυνασθε καταλυσαι αυτο μηποτε

και θεομαχοι ευρεθητε 5:40 επεισθησαν δε αυτω και προσκαλεσαμενοι τους αποστολους δειραντες παρηγγειλαν μη λαλειν επι τω ονοματι του ιησου και απελυσαν αυτους 5:41 οι μεν ουν επορευοντο χαιροντες απο προσωπου του συνεδριου οτι υπερ του ονοματος του ιησου κατηξιωθησαν ατιμασθηναι 5:42 πασαν τε ημεραν εν τω ιερω και κατ οικον ουκ επαυοντο διδασκοντες και ευαγγελιζομενοι ιησουν τον χριστον

Frederick Buechner, “Stephen,” Peculiar Treasures, p. 161-162
Ben F. Meyer, “The Hellenistai,” The Early Christians, p. 67-83

1-6    C. Norman Kraus, The Community of the Spirit, p. 83

7      James Charlesworth, “Reinterpreting John,” Bible Review (February 1993), p. 24

1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.  2 And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.  3 Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty.  4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”  5 And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them.

7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.  9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen.  10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.  11 Then they secretly instigated men, who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”  12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”  15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

6:1 εν δε ταις ημεραις ταυταις πληθυνοντων των μαθητων εγενετο γογγυσμος των ελληνιστων προς τους εβραιους οτι παρεθεωρουντο εν τη διακονια τη καθημερινη αι χηραι αυτων 6:2 προσκαλεσαμενοι δε οι δωδεκα το πληθος των μαθητων ειπον ουκ αρεστον εστιν ημας καταλειψαντας τον λογον του θεου διακονειν τραπεζαις 6:3 επισκεψασθε ουν αδελφοι ανδρας εξ υμων μαρτυρουμενους επτα πληρεις πνευματος αγιου και σοφιας ους καταστησωμεν επι της χρειας ταυτης 6:4 ημεις δε τη προσευχη και τη διακονια του λογου προσκαρτερησομεν 6:5 και ηρεσεν ο λογος ενωπιον παντος του πληθους και εξελεξαντο στεφανον ανδρα πληρης πιστεως και πνευματος αγιου και φιλιππον και προχορον και νικανορα και τιμωνα και παρμεναν και νικολαον προσηλυτον αντιοχεα 6:6 ους εστησαν ενωπιον των αποστολων και προσευξαμενοι επεθηκαν αυτοις τας χειρας

6:7 και ο λογος του θεου ηυξανεν και επληθυνετο ο αριθμος των μαθητων εν ιερουσαλημ σφοδρα πολυς τε οχλος των ιερεων υπηκουον τη πιστει

6:8 στεφανος δε πληρης πιστεως και δυναμεως εποιει τερατα και σημεια μεγαλα εν τω λαω 6:9 ανεστησαν δε τινες των εκ της συναγωγης της λεγομενης λιβερτινων και κυρηναιων και αλεξανδρεων και των απο κιλικιας και ασιας συζητουντες τω στεφανω  6:10 και ουκ ισχυον αντιστηναι τη σοφια και τω πνευματι ω ελαλει 6:11 τοτε υπεβαλον ανδρας λεγοντας οτι ακηκοαμεν αυτου λαλουντος ρηματα βλασφημα εις μωσην και τον θεον 6:12 συνεκινησαν τε τον λαον και τους πρεσβυτερους και τους γραμματεις και επισταντες συνηρπασαν αυτον και ηγαγον εις το συνεδριον 6:13 εστησαν τε μαρτυρας ψευδεις λεγοντας ο ανθρωπος ουτος ου παυεται ρηματα βλασφημα λαλων κατα του τοπου του αγιου και του νομου 6:14 ακηκοαμεν γαρ αυτου λεγοντος οτι ιησους ο ναζωραιος ουτος καταλυσει τον τοπον τουτον και αλλαξει τα εθη α παρεδωκεν ημιν μωσης 6:15 και ατενισαντες εις αυτον απαντες οι καθεζομενοι εν τω συνεδριω ειδον το προσωπον αυτου ωσει προσωπον αγγελου

46-50    Samuel Terrien, The Elusive Presence, p. 449-451

1 And the high priest said, “Is this so?” 2 And Stephen said: “Brethren and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, ‘Depart from your land and from your kindred and go into the land which I will show you.’  4 Then he departed from the land of the Chaldeans, and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living; 5 yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him in possession and to his posterity after him, though he had no child.  6 And God spoke to this effect, that his posterity would be aliens in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and ill-treat them four hundred years.  7 ‘But I will judge the nation which they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.’  8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.

9 “And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him, 10 and rescued him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him governor over Egypt and over all his household.  11 Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food.  12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent forth our fathers the first time. 13 And at the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh.  14 And Joseph sent and called to him Jacob his father and all his kindred, seventy-five souls; 15 and Jacob went down into Egypt. And he died, himself and our fathers, 16 and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

17 “But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt 18 till there arose over Egypt another king who had not known Joseph.  19 He dealt craftily with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, that they might not be kept alive.  20 At this time Moses was born, and was beautiful before God. And he was brought up for three months in his father’s house; 21 and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son.  22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.

23 “When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking the Egyptian.  25 He supposed that his brethren understood that God was giving them deliverance by his hand, but they did not understand.  26 And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and would have reconciled them, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren, why do you wrong each other?’ 27 But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?  28 Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 At this retort Moses fled, and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.

30 “Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush.  31 When Moses saw it he wondered at the sight; and as he drew near to look, the voice of the Lord came, 32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look.  33 And the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the shoes from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.  34 I have surely seen the ill-treatment of my people that are in Egypt and heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’

35 “This Moses whom they refused, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ God sent as both ruler and deliverer by the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush.  36 He led them out, having performed wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years.  37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet from your brethren as he raised me up.’  38 This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living oracles to give to us.  39 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’  41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and rejoiced in the works of their hands.  42 But God turned and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you offer to me slain beasts and sacrifices, forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?  43 And you took up the tent of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan, the figures which you made to worship; and I will remove you beyond Babylon.’

44 “Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen.  45 Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations which God thrust out before our fathers. So it was until the days of David, 46 who found favor in the sight of God and asked leave to find a habitation for the God of Jacob.  47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him.  48 Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with hands; as the prophet says, 49 ‘Heaven is my throne, and earth my footstool. What house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest?  50 Did not my hand make all these things?’

51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.  52 Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth against him.  55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.”  57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together upon him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.  59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”  60 And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

7:1 ειπεν δε ο αρχιερευς ει αρα ταυτα ουτως εχει 7:2 ο δε εφη ανδρες αδελφοι και πατερες ακουσατε ο θεος της δοξης ωφθη τω πατρι ημων αβρααμ οντι εν τη μεσοποταμια πριν η κατοικησαι αυτον εν χαρραν 7:3 και ειπεν προς αυτον εξελθε εκ της γης σου και εκ της συγγενειας σου και δευρο εις γην ην αν σοι δειξω 7:4 τοτε εξελθων εκ γης χαλδαιων κατωκησεν εν χαρραν κακειθεν μετα το αποθανειν τον πατερα αυτου μετωκισεν αυτον εις την γην ταυτην εις ην υμεις νυν κατοικειτε 7:5 και ουκ εδωκεν αυτω κληρονομιαν εν αυτη ουδε βημα ποδος και επηγγειλατο δουναι αυτω εις κατασχεσιν αυτην και τω σπερματι αυτου μετ αυτον ουκ οντος αυτω τεκνου 7:6 ελαλησεν δε ουτως ο θεος οτι εσται το σπερμα αυτου παροικον εν γη αλλοτρια και δουλωσουσιν αυτο και κακωσουσιν ετη τετρακοσια 7:7 και το εθνος ω εαν δουλευσωσιν κρινω εγω ειπεν ο θεος και μετα ταυτα εξελευσονται και λατρευσουσιν μοι εν τω τοπω τουτω  7:8 και εδωκεν αυτω διαθηκην περιτομης και ουτως εγεννησεν τον ισαακ και περιετεμεν αυτον τη ημερα τη ογδοη και ο ισαακ τον ιακωβ και ο ιακωβ τους δωδεκα πατριαρχας

7:9 και οι πατριαρχαι ζηλωσαντες τον ιωσηφ απεδοντο εις αιγυπτον και ην ο θεος μετ αυτου 7:10 και εξειλετο αυτον εκ πασων των θλιψεων αυτου και εδωκεν αυτω χαριν και σοφιαν εναντιον φαραω βασιλεως αιγυπτου και κατεστησεν αυτον ηγουμενον επ αιγυπτον και ολον τον οικον αυτου 7:11 ηλθεν δε λιμος εφ ολην την γην αιγυπτου και χανααν και θλιψις μεγαλη και ουχ ευρισκον χορτασματα οι πατερες ημων 7:12 ακουσας δε ιακωβ οντα σιτα εν αιγυπτω εξαπεστειλεν τους πατερας ημων πρωτον 7:13 και εν τω δευτερω ανεγνωρισθη ιωσηφ τοις αδελφοις αυτου και φανερον εγενετο τω φαραω το γενος του ιωσηφ 7:14 αποστειλας δε ιωσηφ μετεκαλεσατο τον πατερα αυτου ιακωβ και πασαν την συγγενειαν [αυτου] εν ψυχαις εβδομηκοντα πεντε 7:15 κατεβη δε ιακωβ εις αιγυπτον και ετελευτησεν αυτος και οι πατερες ημων 7:16 και μετετεθησαν εις αβκαι ετεθησαν εν τω μνηματι ο ωνησατο αβρααμ τιμης αργυριου παρα των υιων βτου αβ

7:17 καθως δε ηγγιζεν ο χρονος της επαγγελιας ης ωμοσεν ο θεος τω αβρααμ ηυξησεν ο λαος και επληθυνθη εν αιγυπτω 7:18 αχρις ου ανεστη βασιλευς ετερος ος ουκ ηδει τον ιωσηφ 7:19 ουτος κατασοφισαμενος το γενος ημων εκακωσεν τους πατερας ημων του ποιειν εκθετα τα βρεφη αυτων εις το μη ζωογονεισθαι 7:20 εν ω καιρω εγεννηθη μωσης και ην αστειος τω θεω ος ανετραφη μηνας τρεις εν τω οικω του πατρος 7:21 εκτεθεντα δε αυτον ανειλετο η θυγατηρ φαραω και ανεθρεψατο αυτον εαυτη εις υιον 7:22 και επαιδευθη μωσης παση σοφια αιγυπτιων ην δε δυνατος εν λογοις και εργοις

7:23 ως δε επληρουτο αυτω τεσσαρακονταετης χρονος ανεβη επι την καρδιαν αυτου επισκεψασθαι τους αδελφους αυτου τους υιους ισραηλ 7:24 και ιδων τινα αδικουμενον ημυνατο και εποιησεν εκδικησιν τω καταπονουμενω παταξας τον αιγυπτιον 7:25 ενομιζεν δε συνιεναι τους αδελφους αυτου οτι ο θεος δια χειρος αυτου διδωσιν αυτοις σωτηριαν οι δε ου συνηκαν 7:26 τη αβεπιουση ημερα ωφθη αυτοις μαχομενοις και συνηλασεν αυτους εις ειρηνην ειπων ανδρες αδελφοι εστε υμεις ινα τι αδικειτε αλληλους 7:27 ο δε αδικων τον πλησιον απωσατο αυτον ειπων τις σε κατεστησεν αρχοντα και δικαστην εφ ημας 7:28 μη ανελειν με συ θελεις ον τροπον ανειλες χθες τον αιγυπτιον 7:29 εφυγεν δε μωσης εν τω λογω τουτω και εγενετο παροικος εν γη μαδιαμ ου εγεννησεν υιους δυο

7:30 και πληρωθεντων ετων τεσσαρακοντα ωφθη αυτω εν τη ερημω του ορους σινα αγγελος κυριου εν φλογι πυρος βατου 7:31 ο δε μωσης ιδων εθαυμαζεν το οραμα προσερχομενου δε αυτου κατανοησαι εγενετο φωνη κυριου προς αυτον 7:32 εγω ο θεος των πατερων σου ο θεος αβρααμ και ο θεος ισαακ και ο θεος ιακωβ εντρομος δε γενομενος μωσης ουκ ετολμα κατανοησαι 7:33 ειπεν δε αυτω ο κυριος λυσον το υποδημα των ποδων σου ο γαρ τοπος εν ω εστηκας γη αγια εστιν 7:34 ιδων ειδον την κακωσιν του λαου μου του εν αιγυπτω και του στεναγμου αυτων ηκουσα και κατεβην εξελεσθαι αυτους και νυν δευρο αποστελω σε εις αιγυπτον

7:35 τουτον τον μωσην ον ηρνησαντο ειποντες τις σε κατεστησεν αρχοντα και δικαστην τουτον ο θεος αρχοντα και λυτρωτην απεστειλεν εν χειρι αγγελου του οφθεντος αυτω εν τη βατω 7:36 ουτος εξηγαγεν αυτους ποιησας τερατα και σημεια εν γη αιγυπτω και εν ερυθρα θαλασση και εν τη ερημω ετη τεσσαρακοντα 7:37 ουτος εστιν ο μωσης ο ειπων τοις υιοις ισραηλ προφητην υμιν αναστησει κυριος ο θεος ημων εκ των αδελφων υμων ως εμε 7:38 ουτος εστιν ο γενομενος εν τη εκκλησια εν τη ερημω μετα του αγγελου του λαλουντος αυτω εν τω ορει σινα και των πατερων ημων ος εδεξατο λογον ζωντα δουναι ημιν 7:39 ω ουκ ηθελησαν υπηκοοι γενεσθαι οι πατερες ημων αλλ απωσαντο και εστραφησαν τη καρδια αυτων εις αιγυπτον 7:40 ειποντες τω ααρων ποιησον ημιν θεους οι προπορευσονται ημων ο γαρ μωσης ουτος ος εξηγαγεν ημας εκ γης αιγυπτου ουκ οιδαμεν τι γεγονεν αυτω 7:41 και εμοσχοποιησαν εν ταις ημεραις εκειναις και ανηγαγον θυσιαν τω ειδωλω και ευφραινοντο εν τοις εργοις των χειρων αυτων 7:42 εστρεψεν δε ο θεος και παρεδωκεν αυτους λατρευειν τη στρατια του ουρανου καθως γεγραπται εν βιβλω των προφητων μη σφαγια και θυσιας προσηνεγκατε μοι ετη τεσσαρακοντα εν τη ερημω οικος ισραηλ 7:43 και ανελαβετε την σκηνην του μολοχ και το αστρον του θεου υμων ρεμφαν τους τυπους ους εποιησατε προσκυνειν αυτοις και μετοικιω υμας επεκεινα βαβυλωνος

7:44 η σκηνη του μαρτυριου ην τοις πατρασιν ημων εν τη ερημω καθως διεταξατο ο λαλων τω μωση ποιησαι αυτην κατα τον τυπον ον εωρακει 7:45 ην και εισηγαγον διαδεξαμενοι οι πατερες ημων μετα ιησου εν τη κατασχεσει των εθνων ων εξωσεν ο θεος απο προσωπου των πατερων ημων εως των ημερων δαυιδ 7:46 ος ευρεν χαριν ενωπιον του θεου και ητησατο ευρειν σκηνωμα τω θεω ιακωβ 7:47 σολομων δε ωκοδομησεν αυτω οικον 7:48 αλλ ουχ ο υψιστος εν χειροποιητοις ναοις κατοικει καθως ο προφητης λεγει 7:49 ο ουρανος μοι θρονος η δε γη υποποδιον των ποδων μου ποιον οικον οικοδομησετε μοι λεγει κυριος η τις τοπος της καταπαυσεως μου 7:50 ουχι η χειρ μου εποιησεν ταυτα παντα

7:51 σκληροτραχηλοι και απεριτμητοι τη καρδια και τοις ωσιν υμεις αει τω πνευματι τω αγιω αντιπιπτετε ως οι πατερες υμων και υμεις 7:52 τινα των προφητων ουκ εδιωξαν οι πατερες υμων και απεκτειναν τους προκαταγγειλαντας περι της ελευσεως του δικαιου ου νυν υμεις προδοται και φονεις γεγενησθε 7:53 οιτινες ελαβετε τον νομον εις διαταγας αγγελων και ουκ εφυλαξατε 7:54 ακουοντες δε ταυτα διεπριοντο ταις καρδιαις αυτων και εβρυχον τους οδοντας επ αυτον 7:55 υπαρχων δε πληρης πνευματος αγιου ατενισας εις τον ουρανον ειδεν δοξαν θεου και ιησουν εστωτα εκ δεξιων του θεου 7:56 και ειπεν ιδου θεωρω τους ουρανους ανεωγμενους και τον υιον του ανθρωπου εκ δεξιων εστωτα του θεου  7:57 κραξαντες δε φωνη μεγαλη συνεσχον τα ωτα αυτων και ωρμησαν ομοθυμαδον επ αυτον 7:58 και εκβαλοντες εξω της πολεως ελιθοβολουν και οι μαρτυρες απεθεντο τα ιματια παρα τους ποδας νεανιου καλουμενου σαυλου 7:59 και ελιθοβολουν τον στεφανον επικαλουμενον και λεγοντα κυριε ιησου δεξαι το πνευμα μου 7:60 θεις δε τα γονατα εκραξεν φωνη μεγαλη κυριε μη στησης αυτοις την αμαρτιαν ταυτην και τουτο ειπων εκοιμηθη

1             Genesis 11:1
3             Acts 22:4-5, 26:9-10
12           Matthew 6:9-10
26-40    Song of Songs 6:12
32-33    Isaiah 53:7-8
39-40    John 6:21

4         Richard Wilbur, “Two Voices in a Meadow (A Milkweed),” New and Collected Poems, p. 181

5-24         Frederick Buechner, “Simon Magus,” Peculiar Treasures, p. 157-158
14-24       J. Heinrich Arnold, Discipleship, p. 252

14-24       Gary Gunderson, Deeply Woven Roots, p. 95

18-19       C. Christopher Smith and John Pattison, Slow Church, p. 41

26-39      Fred Craddock, “Looking for an Entrance,” Sermon on Tape, Iliff Week Lectures, 1/25/88
26-39      Frederick Buechner, “Ethiopian Eunuch,” Peculiar Treasures, p. 32-33
26-39      Donald Juel, “The Servant-Christ,” Messianic Exegesis, p. 128

1 And Saul was consenting to his death.

And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.  2 Devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.  3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.  5 Philip went down to a city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ.  6 And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did.  7 For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.  8 So there was much joy in that city.

9 But there was a man named Simon who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the nation of Sama’ria, saying that he himself was somebody great.  10 They all gave heed to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that power of God which is called Great.”  11 And they gave heed to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.  12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.  13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16 for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.  18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me also this power, that any one on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”  20 But Peter said to him, “Your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!  21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.  22 Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.  23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.”  24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

26 But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert road.  27 And he rose and went. And behold, an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a minister of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah.  29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.”  30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless some one guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.  32 Now the passage of the scripture which he was reading was this: “As a sheep led to the slaughter or a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth.  33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken up from the earth.”  34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, pray, does the prophet say this, about himself or about some one else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him the good news of Jesus.  36 And as they went along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What is to prevent my being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.  39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.  40 But Philip was found at Azotus, and passing on he preached the gospel to all the towns till he came to Caesarea.

8:1 σαυλος δε ην συνευδοκων τη αναιρεσει αυτου

εγενετο δε εν εκεινη τη ημερα διωγμος μεγας επι την εκκλησιαν την εν ιεροσολυμοις παντες δε διεσπαρησαν κατα τας χωρας της ιουδαιας και σαμαρειας πλην των αποστολων 8:2 συνεκομισαν δε τον στεφανον ανδρες ευλαβεις και εποιησαντο κοπετον μεγαν επ αυτω  8:3 σαυλος δε ελυμαινετο την εκκλησιαν κατα τους οικους εισπορευομενος συρων τε ανδρας και γυναικας παρεδιδου εις φυλακην

8:4 οι μεν ουν διασπαρεντες διηλθον ευαγγελιζομενοι τον λογον 8:5 φιλιππος δε κατελθων εις πολιν της σαμαρειας εκηρυσσεν αυτοις τον χριστον 8:6 προσειχον τε οι οχλοι τοις λεγομενοις υπο του φιλιππου ομοθυμαδον εν τω ακουειν αυτους και βλεπειν τα σημεια α εποιει 8:7 πολλων γαρ των εχοντων πνευματα ακαθαρτα βοωντα φωνη μεγαλη εξηρχετο πολλοι δε παραλελυμενοι και χωλοι εθεραπευθησαν 8:8 και εγενετο χαρα μεγαλη εν τη πολει εκεινη

8:9 ανηρ δε τις ονοματι σιμων προυπηρχεν εν τη πολει μαγευων και εξιστων το εθνος της σαμαρειας λεγων ειναι τινα εαυτον μεγαν 8:10 ω προσειχον απο μικρου εως μεγαλου λεγοντες ουτος εστιν η δυναμις του θεου η μεγαλη 8:11 προσειχον δε αυτω δια το ικανω χρονω ταις μαγειαις εξεστακεναι αυτους 8:12 οτε δε επιστευσαν τω φιλιππω ευαγγελιζομενω τα περι της βασιλειας του θεου και του ονοματος ιησου χριστου εβαπτιζοντο ανδρες τε και γυναικες 8:13 ο δε σιμων και αυτος επιστευσεν και βαπτισθεις ην προσκαρτερων τω φιλιππω θεωρων τε δυναμεις βββεξιστατο

8:14 ακουσαντες δε οι εν ιεροσολυμοις αποστολοι οτι δεδεκται η σαμαρεια τον λογον του θεου απεστειλαν προς αυτους τον πετρον και ιωαννην 8:15 οιτινες καταβαντες προσηυξαντο περι αυτων οπως λαβωσιν πνευμα αγιον 8:16 ουπω γαρ ην επ ουδενι αυτων επιπεπτωκος μονον δε βεβαπτισμενοι υπηρχον εις το ονομα του χριστου ιησου 8:17 τοτε επετιθουν τας χειρας επ αυτους και ελαμβανον πνευμα αγιον  8:18 θεασαμενος δε ο σιμων οτι δια της επιθεσεως των χειρων των αποστολων διδοται το πνευμα το αγιον προσηνεγκεν αυτοις χρηματα 8:19 λεγων δοτε καμοι την εξουσιαν ταυτην ινα ω αβεπιθω τας χειρας λαμβανη πνευμα αγιον 8:20 πετρος δε ειπεν προς αυτον το αργυριον σου συν σοι ειη εις απωλειαν οτι την δωρεαν του θεου ενομισας δια χρηματων κτασθαι 8:21 ουκ εστιν σοι μερις ουδε κληρος εν τω λογω τουτω η γαρ καρδια σου ουκ εστιν ευθεια ενωπιον του θεου 8:22 μετανοησον ουν απο της κακιας σου ταυτης και δεηθητι του θεου ει αρα αφεθησεται σοι η επινοια της καρδιας σου 8:23 εις γαρ χολην πικριας και συνδεσμον αδικιας ορω σε οντα 8:24 αποκριθεις δε ο σιμων ειπεν δεηθητε υμεις υπερ εμου προς τον κυριον οπως μηδεν επελθη επ εμε ων ειρηκατε

8:25 οι μεν ουν διαμαρτυραμενοι και λαλησαντες τον λογον του κυριου υπεστρεψαν εις ιερουσαλημ πολλας τε κωμας των σαμαρειτων ευηγγελισαντο

8:26 αγγελος δε κυριου ελαλησεν προς φιλιππον λεγων αναστηθι και πορευου κατα μεσημβριαν επι την οδον την καταβαινουσαν απο ιερουσαλημ εις γαζαν αυτη εστιν ερημος 8:27 και αναστας επορευθη και ιδου ανηρ αιθιοψ ευνουχος δυναστης κανδακης της βασιλισσης αιθιοπων ος ην επι πασης της γαζης αυτης ος εληλυθει προσκυνησων εις ιερουσαλημ 8:28 ην τε υποστρεφων και καθημενος επι του αρματος αυτου αβανεγινωσκεν τον προφητην ησαιαν 8:29 ειπεν δε το πνευμα τω φιλιππω προσελθε και κολληθητι τω αρματι τουτω 8:30 προσδραμων δε ο φιλιππος ηκουσεν αυτου αναγινωσκοντος τον προφητην ησαιαν και ειπεν αρα γε γινωσκεις α αναγινωσκεις 8:31 ο δε ειπεν πως γαρ αν δυναιμην εαν μη τις οδηγηση με παρεκαλεσεν τε τον φιλιππον αναβαντα καθισαι συν αυτω 8:32 η δε περιοχη της γραφης ην ανεγινωσκεν ην αυτη ως προβατον επι σφαγην ηχθη και ως αμνος εναντιον του κειροντος αυτον αφωνος ουτως ουκ ανοιγει το στομα αυτου 8:33 εν τη ταπεινωσει αυτου η κρισις αυτου ηρθη την δε γενεαν αυτου τις διηγησεται οτι αιρεται απο της γης η ζωη αυτου 8:34 αποκριθεις δε ο ευνουχος τω φιλιππω ειπεν δεομαι σου περι τινος ο προφητης λεγει τουτο περι εαυτου η περι ετερου τινος 8:35 ανοιξας δε ο φιλιππος το στομα αυτου και αρξαμενος απο της γραφης ταυτης ευηγγελισατο αυτω τον ιησουν 8:36 ως δε επορευοντο κατα την οδον ηλθον επι τι υδωρ και φησιν ο ευνουχος ιδου υδωρ τι κωλυει με βαπτισθηναι 8:37 8:38 και εκελευσεν στηναι το αρμα και κατεβησαν αμφοτεροι εις το υδωρ ο τε φιλιππος και ο ευνουχος και εβαπτισεν αυτον 8:39 οτε δε ανεβησαν εκ του υδατος πνευμα κυριου ηρπασεν τον φιλιππον και ουκ ειδεν αυτον ουκετι ο ευνουχος επορευετο γαρ την οδον αυτου χαιρων 8:40 φιλιππος δε ευρεθη εις αζωτον και διερχομενος ευηγγελιζετο τας πολεις πασας εως του ελθειν αυτον εις καισαρειαν

15           Isaiah 60:3-4
23-25    2 Corinthians 11:32-33

1-30    Samuel Terrien, “On the Road to Damascus,” The Elusive Presence, p. 434
1-19    Rita Dove, “On the Road to Damascus,” Grace Notes, p. 71 f.

1-19    Thomas Merton, “St. Paul,” Selected Poems, p. 42
1-19    Kimberly C. Richter, “What Do You Think God Is Up to?” The Covenant Connection (Summer, 2005), p. 2 & 6.

2      James Charlesworth, “Reinterpreting John,” Bible Review (February 1993), p. 24 f.

2            Meister Eckhart, “German Sermons,” Preacher and Teacher, p. 320-325
4            Stanley Hauerwas, “Do You Love Me?” Minding the Web, p. 179

10-18     Dante, “Canto 26,” Paradiso, p. 174

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  3 Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him.  4 And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting; 6 but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”  7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.  9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”  13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name.”  15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”  17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized, 19 and took food and was strengthened.

For several days he was with the disciples at Damascus.  20 And in the synagogues immediately he proclaimed Jesus, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed, and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called on this name? And he has come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests.”  22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

23 When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night, to kill him; 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down over the wall, lowering him in a basket.

26 And when he had come to Jerusalem he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.28 So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, 29 preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists; but they were seeking to kill him.  30 And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.

31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Sama’ria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied.

32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda.  33 There he found a man named Aene’as, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed.  34 And Peter said to him, “Aene’as, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose.  35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36 Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.  37 In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.  38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, “Please come to us without delay.”  39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them.  40 But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, rise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.  41 And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive.  42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.  43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

9:1 ο δε σαυλος ετι εμπνεων απειλης και φονου εις τους μαθητας του κυριου προσελθων τω αρχιερει 9:2 ητησατο παρ αυτου επιστολας εις δαμασκον προς τας συναγωγας οπως εαν τινας ευρη της οδου οντας ανδρας τε και γυναικας δεδεμενους αγαγη εις ιερουσαλημ 9:3 εν δε τω πορευεσθαι εγενετο αυτον εγγιζειν τη δαμασκω και εξαιφνης περιηστραψεν αυτον φως απο του ουρανου 9:4 και πεσων επι την γην ηκουσεν φωνην λεγουσαν αυτω σαουλ σαουλ τι με διωκεις 9:5 ειπεν δε τις ει κυριε ο δε κυριος ειπεν εγω ειμι ιησους ον συ διωκεις 9:6 αλλα αναστηθι και εισελθε εις την πολιν και λαληθησεται σοι τι σε δει ποιειν 9:7 οι δε ανδρες οι συνοδευοντες αυτω ειστηκεισαν ενεοι ακουοντες μεν της φωνης μηδενα δε θεωρουντες 9:8 ηγερθη δε ο σαυλος απο της γης ανεωγμενων τε των οφθαλμων αυτου ουδενα εβλεπεν χειραγωγουντες δε αυτον εισηγαγον εις δαμασκον 9:9 και ην ημερας τρεις μη βλεπων και ουκ εφαγεν ουδε επιεν

9:10 ην δε τις μαθητης εν δαμασκω ονοματι ανανιας και ειπεν προς αυτον ο κυριος εν οραματι ανανια ο δε ειπεν ιδου εγω κυριε 9:11 ο δε κυριος προς αυτον αναστας πορευθητι επι την ρυμην την καλουμενην ευθειαν και ζητησον εν οικια ιουδα σαυλον ονοματι ταρσεα ιδου γαρ προσευχεται  9:12 και ειδεν εν οραματι ανδρα ονοματι ανανιαν εισελθοντα και επιθεντα αυτω χειρα οπως αναβλεψη 9:13 απεκριθη δε ανανιας κυριε ακηκοα απο πολλων περι του ανδρος τουτου οσα κακα εποιησεν τοις αγιοις σου εν ιερουσαλημ 9:14 και ωδε εχει εξουσιαν παρα των αρχιερεων δησαι παντας τους επικαλουμενους το ονομα σου 9:15 ειπεν δε προς αυτον ο κυριος πορευου οτι σκευος εκλογης μοι εστιν ουτος του βαστασαι το ονομα μου ενωπιον εθνων και βασιλεων υιων τε ισραηλ 9:16 εγω γαρ υποδειξω αυτω οσα δει αυτον υπερ του ονοματος μου παθειν 9:17 απηλθεν δε ανανιας και εισηλθεν εις την οικιαν και επιθεις επ αυτον τας χειρας ειπεν σαουλ αδελφε ο κυριος απεσταλκεν με ο οφθεις σοι εν τη οδω η ηρχου οπως αναβλεψης και πλησθης πνευματος αγιου 9:18 και ευθεως απεπεσον απο των οφθαλμων αυτου ωσει λεπιδες ανεβλεψεν τε [παραχρημα] και αναστας εβαπτισθη 9:19 και λαβων τροφην ενισχυσεν

εγενετο δε ο σαυλος μετα των εν δαμασκω μαθητων ημερας τινας 9:20 και ευθεως εν ταις συναγωγαις εκηρυσσεν τον χριστον οτι ουτος εστιν ο υιος του θεου 9:21 εξισταντο δε παντες οι ακουοντες και ελεγον ουχ ουτος εστιν ο πορθησας εν ιερουσαλημ τους επικαλουμενους το ονομα τουτο και ωδε εις τουτο εληλυθεν ινα δεδεμενους αυτους αγαγη επι τους αρχιερεις 9:22 σαυλος δε μαλλον ενεδυναμουτο και συνεχυνεν τους ιουδαιους τους κατοικουντας εν δαμασκω συμβιβαζων οτι ουτος εστιν ο χριστος

9:23 ως δε επληρουντο ημεραι ικαναι συνεβουλευσαντο οι ιουδαιοι ανελειν αυτον 9:24 εγνωσθη δε τω σαυλω η επιβουλη αυτων παρετηρουν τε τας πυλας ημερας τε και νυκτος οπως αυτον ανελωσιν 9:25 λαβοντες δε αυτον οι μαθηται νυκτος καθηκαν δια του τειχους χαλασαντες εν σπυριδι

9:26 παραγενομενος δε ο σαυλος εν ιερουσαλημ επειρατο κολλασθαι τοις μαθηταις και παντες εφοβουντο αυτον μη πιστευοντες οτι εστιν μαθητης 9:27 βαρναβας δε επιλαβομενος αυτον ηγαγεν προς τους αποστολους και διηγησατο αυτοις πως εν τη οδω ειδεν τον κυριον και οτι ελαλησεν αυτω και πως εν δαμασκω επαρρησιασατο εν τω ονοματι του ιησου 9:28 και ην μετ αυτων εισπορευομενος [και εκπορευομενοσ] εις ιερουσαλημ και παρρησιαζομενος εν τω ονοματι του κυριου ιησου 9:29 ελαλει τε και συνεζητει προς τους ελληνιστας οι δε επεχειρουν αυτον ανελειν 9:30 επιγνοντες δε οι αδελφοι κατηγαγον αυτον εις καισαρειαν και εξαπεστειλαν αυτον εις ταρσον

9:31 αι μεν ουν εκκλησιαι καθ ολης της ιουδαιας και γαλιλαιας και σαμαρειας ειχον ειρηνην οικοδομουμεναι και πορευομεναι τω φοβω του κυριου και τη παρακλησει του αγιου πνευματος επληθυνοντο

9:32 εγενετο δε πετρον διερχομενον δια παντων κατελθειν και προς τους αγιους τους κατοικουντας λυδδαν 9:33 ευρεν δε εκει ανθρωπον τινα αινεαν ονοματι εξ ετων οκτω κατακειμενον επι κραββατω ος ην παραλελυμενος 9:34 και ειπεν αυτω ο πετρος αινεα ιαται σε ιησους ο χριστος αναστηθι και στρωσον σεαυτω και ευθεως ανεστη 9:35 και ειδον αυτον παντες οι κατοικουντες λυδδαν και τον ασσαρωνα οιτινες επεστρεψαν επι τον κυριον

9:36 εν ιοππη δε τις ην μαθητρια ονοματι ταβηθα η διερμηνευομενη λεγεται δορκας αυτη ην πληρης αγαθων εργων και ελεημοσυνων ων εποιει 9:37 εγενετο δε εν ταις ημεραις εκειναις ασθενησασαν αυτην αποθανειν λουσαντες δε αυτην εθηκαν εν υπερωω 9:38 εγγυς δε ουσης λυδδης τη ιοππη οι μαθηται ακουσαντες οτι πετρος εστιν εν αυτη απεστειλαν προς αυτον παρακαλουντες μη οκνησαι διελθειν εως αυτων 9:39 αναστας δε πετρος συνηλθεν αυτοις ον παραγενομενον ανηγαγον εις το υπερωον και παρεστησαν αυτω πασαι αι χηραι κλαιουσαι και επιδεικνυμεναι χιτωνας και ιματια οσα εποιει μετ αυτων ουσα η δορκας 9:40 εκβαλων δε εξω παντας ο πετρος θεις τα γονατα προσηυξατο και επιστρεψας προς το σωμα ειπεν ταβηθα αναστηθι η δε ηνοιξεν τους οφθαλμους αυτης και ιδουσα τον πετρον ανεκαθισεν 9:41 δους δε αυτη χειρα ανεστησεν αυτην φωνησας δε τους αγιους και τας χηρας παρεστησεν αυτην ζωσαν 9:42 γνωστον δε εγενετο καθ ολης της ιοππης και πολλοι επιστευσαν επι τον κυριον 9:43 εγενετο δε ημερας ικανας μειναι αυτον εν ιοππη παρα τινι σιμωνι βυρσει

9-16        Mark 7:14-19; Romans 14:14
34            Deuteronomy 10:17
38            Acts 1:8
39            Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13
41            John 14:22
44-48     John 4:39-42

25-26     Francis Bacon, “Novum Organum,” The Man Who Saw Through Time, p. 73

34-43    Ed Erwin, “Between Text and Sermon,” Interpretation (April 1995), p. 179-182

34-43    Frank Matera, J.”Expository Article,” Interpretation (January 1987), p. 62-66

34-36    Imaging the Word, Vol. 2, p. 114-117

1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms liberally to the people, and prayed constantly to God.  3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.”  4 And he stared at him in terror, and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.  5 And now send men to Joppa, and bring one Simon who is called Peter; 6 he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.”  7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those that waited on him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

9 The next day, as they were on their journey and coming near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.  10 And he became hungry and desired something to eat; but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heaven opened, and something descending, like a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth.  12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air.  13 And there came a voice to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”  14 But Peter said, “No, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”  15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has cleansed, you must not call common.”  16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there.  19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you.  20 Rise and go down, and accompany them without hesitation; for I have sent them.”  21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house, and to hear what you have to say.”

23 So he called them in to be his guests.

The next day he rose and went off with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.  24 And on the following day they entered Caesare’a. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his kinsmen and close friends.  25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.  26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.”  27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered; 28 and he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit any one of another nation; but God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.  29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”

30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel, 31 saying, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.  32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the seaside.’  33 So I sent to you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

34 And Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.  36 You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:  38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.  39 And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.  42 And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead.  43 To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

44 While Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.  45 And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.  46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can any one forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

10:1 ανηρ δε τις ην εν καισαρεια ονοματι κορνηλιος εκατονταρχης εκ σπειρης της καλουμενης ιταλικης 10:2 ευσεβης και φοβουμενος τον θεον συν παντι τω οικω αυτου ποιων τε ελεημοσυνας πολλας τω λαω και δεομενος του θεου δια παντος 10:3 ειδεν εν οραματι φανερως ωσει ωραν ενατην της ημερας αγγελον του θεου εισελθοντα προς αυτον και ειποντα αυτω κορνηλιε 10:4 ο δε ατενισας αυτω και εμφοβος γενομενος ειπεν τι εστιν κυριε ειπεν δε αυτω αι προσευχαι σου και αι ελεημοσυναι σου ανεβησαν εις μνημοσυνον ενωπιον του θεου 10:5 και νυν πεμψον εις ιοππην ανδρας και μεταπεμψαι σιμωνα τον επικαλουμενον πετρον 10:6 ουτος ξενιζεται παρα τινι σιμωνι βυρσει ω εστιν οικια παρα θαλασσαν 10:7 ως δε απηλθεν ο αγγελος ο λαλων τω κορνηλιω φωνησας δυο των οικετων αυτου και στρατιωτην ευσεβη των προσκαρτερουντων αυτω 10:8 και εξηγησαμενος αυτοις απαντα απεστειλεν αυτους εις την ιοππην

10:9 τη δε επαυριον οδοιπορουντων εκεινων και τη πολει εγγιζοντων ανεβη πετρος επι το δωμα προσευξασθαι περι ωραν εκτην 10:10 εγενετο δε προσπεινος και ηθελεν γευσασθαι παρασκευαζοντων δε εκεινων επεπεσεν επ αυτον εκστασις 10:11 και θεωρει τον ουρανον ανεωγμενον και καταβαινον επ αυτον σκευος τι ως οθονην μεγαλην τεσσαρσιν αρχαις δεδεμενον και καθιεμενον επι της γης 10:12 εν ω υπηρχεν παντα τα τετραποδα της γης και τα θηρια και τα ερπετα και τα πετεινα του ουρανου 10:13 και εγενετο φωνη προς αυτον αναστας πετρε θυσον και φαγε 10:14 ο δε πετρος ειπεν μηδαμως κυριε οτι ουδεποτε εφαγον παν κοινον η ακαθαρτον 10:15 και φωνη παλιν εκ δευτερου προς αυτον α ο θεος εκαθαρισεν συ μη κοινου 10:16 τουτο δε εγενετο επι τρις και παλιν ανεληφθη το σκευος εις τον ουρανον

10:17 ως δε εν εαυτω διηπορει ο πετρος τι αν ειη το οραμα ο ειδεν και ιδου οι ανδρες οι απεσταλμενοι απο του κορνηλιου διερωτησαντες την οικιαν σιμωνος επεστησαν επι τον πυλωνα 10:18 και φωνησαντες επυνθανοντο ει σιμων ο επικαλουμενος πετρος ενθαδε ξενιζεται 10:19 του δε πετρου διενθυμουμενου περι του οραματος ειπεν αυτω το πνευμα ιδου ανδρες ζητουσιν σε 10:20 αλλα αναστας καταβηθι και πορευου συν αυτοις μηδεν διακρινομενος διοτι εγω απεσταλκα αυτους 10:21 καταβας δε πετρος προς τους ανδρας ειπεν ιδου εγω ειμι ον ζητειτε τις η αιτια δι ην παρεστε 10:22 οι δε ειπον κορνηλιος εκατονταρχης ανηρ δικαιος και φοβουμενος τον θεον μαρτυρουμενος τε υπο ολου του εθνους των ιουδαιων εχρηματισθη υπο αγγελου αγιου μεταπεμψασθαι σε εις τον οικον αυτου και ακουσαι ρηματα παρα σου 10:23 εισκαλεσαμενος ουν αυτους εξενισεν

τη δε επαυριον ο πετρος εξηλθεν συν αυτοις και τινες των αδελφων των απο ιοππης συνηλθον αυτω 10:24 και τη επαυριον εισηλθον εις την καισαρειαν ο δε κορνηλιος ην προσδοκων αυτους συγκαλεσαμενος τους συγγενεις αυτου και τους αναγκαιους φιλους 10:25 ως δε εγενετο του εισελθειν τον πετρον συναντησας αυτω ο κορνηλιος πεσων επι τους ποδας προσεκυνησεν 10:26 ο δε πετρος αυτον ηγειρεν λεγων αναστηθι καγω αυτος ανθρωπος ειμι 10:27 και συνομιλων αυτω εισηλθεν και ευρισκει συνεληλυθοτας πολλους 10:28 εφη τε προς αυτους υμεις επιστασθε ως αθεμιτον εστιν ανδρι ιουδαιω κολλασθαι η προσερχεσθαι αλλοφυλω και εμοι ο θεος εδειξεν μηδενα κοινον η ακαθαρτον λεγειν ανθρωπον 10:29 διο και αναντιρρητως ηλθον μεταπεμφθεις πυνθανομαι ουν τινι λογω μετεπεμψασθε με

10:30 και ο κορνηλιος εφη απο τεταρτης ημερας μεχρι ταυτης της ωρας ημην νηστευων και την ενατην ωραν προσευχομενος εν τω οικω μου και ιδου ανηρ εστη ενωπιον μου εν εσθητι λαμπρα 10:31 και φησιν κορνηλιε εισηκουσθη σου η προσευχη και αι ελεημοσυναι σου εμνησθησαν ενωπιον του θεου 10:32 πεμψον ουν εις ιοππην και μετακαλεσαι σιμωνα ος επικαλειται πετρος ουτος ξενιζεται εν οικια σιμωνος βυρσεως παρα θαλασσαν ος παραγενομενος λαλησει σοι 10:33 εξαυτης ουν επεμψα προς σε συ τε καλως εποιησας παραγενομενος νυν ουν παντες ημεις ενωπιον του θεου παρεσμεν ακουσαι παντα τα προστεταγμενα σοι υπο του θεου

10:34 ανοιξας δε πετρος το στομα ειπεν επ αληθειας καταλαμβανομαι οτι ουκ εστιν προσωποληπτης ο θεος 10:35 αλλ εν παντι εθνει ο φοβουμενος αυτον και εργαζομενος δικαιοσυνην δεκτος αυτω εστιν 10:36 τον λογον ον απεστειλεν τοις υιοις ισραηλ ευαγγελιζομενος ειρηνην δια ιησου χριστου ουτος εστιν παντων κυριος  10:37 υμεις οιδατε το γενομενον ρημα καθ ολης της ιουδαιας αρξαμενον απο της γαλιλαιας μετα το βαπτισμα ο εκηρυξεν ιωαννης 10:38 ιησουν τον απο βως εχρισεν αυτον ο θεος πνευματι αγιω και δυναμει ος διηλθεν ευεργετων και ιωμενος παντας τους καταδυναστευομενους υπο του διαβολου οτι ο θεος ην μετ αυτου 10:39 και ημεις εσμεν μαρτυρες παντων ων εποιησεν εν τε τη χωρα των ιουδαιων και εν ιερουσαλημ ον και ανειλον κρεμασαντες επι ξυλου 10:40 τουτον ο θεος ηγειρεν τη τριτη ημερα και εδωκεν αυτον εμφανη γενεσθαι 10:41 ου παντι τω λαω αλλα μαρτυσιν τοις προκεχειροτονημενοις υπο του θεου ημιν οιτινες συνεφαγομεν και συνεπιομεν αυτω μετα το αναστηναι αυτον εκ νεκρων 10:42 και παρηγγειλεν ημιν κηρυξαι τω λαω και διαμαρτυρασθαι οτι αυτος εστιν ο ωρισμενος υπο του θεου κριτης ζωντων και νεκρων 10:43 τουτω παντες οι προφηται μαρτυρουσιν αφεσιν αμαρτιων λαβειν δια του ονοματος αυτου παντα τον πιστευοντα εις αυτον

10:44 ετι λαλουντος του πετρου τα ρηματα ταυτα επεπεσεν το πνευμα το αγιον επι παντας τους ακουοντας τον λογον 10:45 και εξεστησαν οι εκ περιτομης πιστοι οσοι συνηλθον τω πετρω οτι και επι τα εθνη η δωρεα του αγιου πνευματος εκκεχυται 10:46 ηκουον γαρ αυτων λαλουντων γλωσσαις και μεγαλυνοντων τον θεον τοτε απεκριθη ο πετρος 10:47 μητι το υδωρ κωλυσαι δυναται τις του μη βαπτισθηναι τουτους οιτινες το πνευμα το αγιον ελαβον καθως και ημεις 10:48 προσεταξεν τε αυτους βαπτισθηναι εν τω ονοματι του κυριου τοτε ηρωτησαν αυτον επιμειναι ημερας τινας

16     Acts 1:5
19     Acts 8:1-4
28     Acts 21:10

21-26    Walter J. Burghardt, S.J., “Middleman for Christ,” Lovely in Eyes Not His, p. 201-205

1 Now the apostles and the brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.  2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, 3 saying, “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” 4 But Peter began and explained to them in order:  5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, something descending, like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came down to me.  6 Looking at it closely I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air.  7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’  8 But I said, ‘No, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’  9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’  10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven.  11 At that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea.  12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brethren also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.  13 And he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.  16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’  17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” 18 When they heard this they were silenced. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance unto life.”

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoeni’cia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews.  20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyre’ne, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.  21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord.  22 News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord.  25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.

27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.  28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius. 29 And the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brethren who lived in Judea; 30 and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

11:1 ηκουσαν δε οι αποστολοι και οι αδελφοι οι οντες κατα την ιουδαιαν οτι και τα εθνη εδεξαντο τον λογον του θεου 11:2 και οτε ανεβη πετρος εις ιεροσολυμα διεκρινοντο προς αυτον οι εκ περιτομης 11:3 λεγοντες οτι προς ανδρας ακροβυστιαν εχοντας εισηλθες και συνεφαγες αυτοις 11:4 αρξαμενος δε ο πετρος εξετιθετο αυτοις καθεξης λεγων 11:5 εγω ημην εν πολει ιοππη προσευχομενος και ειδον εν εκστασει οραμα καταβαινον σκευος τι ως οθονην μεγαλην τεσσαρσιν αρχαις καθιεμενην εκ του ουρανου και ηλθεν αχρις εμου 11:6 εις ην ατενισας κατενοουν και ειδον τα τετραποδα της γης και τα θηρια και τα ερπετα και τα πετεινα του ουρανου 11:7 ηκουσα δε φωνης λεγουσης μοι αναστας πετρε θυσον και φαγε 11:8 ειπον δε μηδαμως κυριε οτι παν κοινον η ακαθαρτον ουδεποτε εισηλθεν εις το στομα μου  11:9 απεκριθη δε μοι φωνη εκ δευτερου εκ του ουρανου α ο θεος εκαθαρισεν συ μη κοινου 11:10 τουτο δε εγενετο επι τρις και παλιν ανεσπασθη απαντα εις τον ουρανον 11:11 και ιδου εξαυτης τρεις ανδρες επεστησαν επι την οικιαν εν η ημην απεσταλμενοι απο καισαρειας προς με 11:12 ειπεν δε μοι το πνευμα συνελθειν αυτοις μηδεν διακρινομενον ηλθον δε συν εμοι και οι εξ αδελφοι ουτοι και εισηλθομεν εις τον οικον του ανδρος 11:13 απηγγειλεν τε ημιν πως ειδεν τον αγγελον εν τω οικω αυτου σταθεντα και ειποντα αυτω αποστειλον εις ιοππην ανδρας και μεταπεμψαι σιμωνα τον επικαλουμενον πετρον 11:14 ος λαλησει ρηματα προς σε εν οις σωθηση συ και πας ο οικος σου 11:15 εν δε τω αρξασθαι με λαλειν επεπεσεν το πνευμα το αγιον επ αυτους ωσπερ και εφ ημας εν αρχη 11:16 εμνησθην δε του ρηματος κυριου ως ελεγεν ιωαννης μεν εβαπτισεν υδατι υμεις δε βαπτισθησεσθε εν πνευματι αγιω 11:17 ει ουν την ισην δωρεαν εδωκεν αυτοις ο θεος ως και ημιν πιστευσασιν επι τον κυριον ιησουν χριστον εγω δε τις ημην δυνατος κωλυσαι τον θεον 11:18 ακουσαντες δε ταυτα ησυχασαν και εδοξαζον τον θεον λεγοντες αραγε και τοις εθνεσιν ο θεος την μετανοιαν εδωκεν εις ζωην

11:19 οι μεν ουν διασπαρεντες απο της θλιψεως της γενομενης επι στεφανω διηλθον εως φοινικης και κυπρου και αντιοχειας μηδενι λαλουντες τον λογον ει μη μονον ιουδαιοις 11:20 ησαν δε τινες εξ αυτων ανδρες κυπριοι και κυρηναιοι οιτινες εισελθοντες εις αντιοχειαν ελαλουν προς τους ελληνιστας ευαγγελιζομενοι τον κυριον ιησουν 11:21 και ην χειρ κυριου μετ αυτων πολυς τε αριθμος πιστευσας επεστρεψεν επι τον κυριον 11:22 ηκουσθη δε ο λογος εις τα ωτα της εκκλησιας της εν ιεροσολυμοις περι αυτων και εξαπεστειλαν βαρναβαν διελθειν εως αντιοχειας 11:23 ος παραγενομενος και ιδων την χαριν του θεου εχαρη και παρεκαλει παντας τη προθεσει της καρδιας προσμενειν τω κυριω 11:24 οτι ην ανηρ αγαθος και πληρης πνευματος αγιου και πιστεως και προσετεθη οχλος ικανος τω κυριω 11:25 εξηλθεν δε εις ταρσον ο βαρναβας αναζητησαι σαυλον 11:26 και ευρων ηγαγεν αυτον εις αντιοχειαν εγενετο δε αυτους ενιαυτον ολον συναχθηναι τη εκκλησια και διδαξαι οχλον ικανον χρηματισαι τε πρωτον εν αντιοχεια τους μαθητας χριστιανους

11:27 εν ταυταις δε ταις ημεραις κατηλθον απο ιεροσολυμων προφηται εις αντιοχειαν 11:28 αναστας δε εις εξ αυτων ονοματι αγαβος εσημανεν δια του πνευματος λιμον μεγαν μελλειν εσεσθαι εφ ολην την οικουμενην οστις και εγενετο επι κλαυδιου καισαρος 11:29 των δε μαθητων καθως ευπορειτο τις ωρισαν εκαστος  αυτων εις διακονιαν πεμψαι τοις κατοικουσιν εν τη ιουδαια αδελφοις 11:30 ο και εποιησαν αποστειλαντες προς τους πρεσβυτερους δια χειρος βαρναβα και σαυλου

4     Exodus 12:1-27

6-17    Denise Levertov, “St. Peter and the Angel,” Oblique Prayers, p. 79

6-17    Barrie Shepherd, “The Greatest Story Ever Ignored,” GA Luncheon (June 26, 2000)
11        Meister Eckhart, “German Sermons,” Preacher and Teacher, p. 244-246

1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church.  2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword; 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread.  4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.  5 So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

6 The very night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison; 7 and behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.  8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your mantle around you and follow me.”  9 And he went out and followed him; he did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.  10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened to them of its own accord, and they went out and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel left him.  11 And Peter came to himself, and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.  13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a maid named Rhoda came to answer.  14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and told that Peter was standing at the gate.  15 They said to her, “You are mad.” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking; and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.  17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell this to James and to the brethren.” Then he departed and went to another place.

18 Now when day came, there was no small stir among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.  19 And when Herod had sought for him and could not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and remained there.

20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; and they came to him in a body, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food.  21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and made an oration to them.  22 And the people shouted, “The voice of a god, and not of man!”  23 Immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give God the glory; and he was eaten by worms and died.

24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.  25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, bringing with them John whose other name was Mark.

12:1 κατ εκεινον δε τον καιρον επεβαλεν ηρωδης ο βασιλευς τας χειρας κακωσαι τινας των απο της εκκλησιας 12:2 ανειλεν δε ιακωβον τον αδελφον ιωαννου μαχαιρα 12:3 και ιδων οτι αρεστον εστιν τοις ιουδαιοις προσεθετο συλλαβειν και πετρον ησαν δε αι ημεραι των αζυμων 12:4 ον και πιασας εθετο εις φυλακην παραδους τεσσαρσιν τετραδιοις στρατιωτων φυλασσειν αυτον βουλομενος μετα το πασχα αναγαγειν αυτον τω λαω 12:5 ο μεν ουν πετρος ετηρειτο εν τη φυλακη προσευχη δε ην εκτενης γινομενη υπο της εκκλησιας προς τον θεον υπερ αυτου

12:6 οτε δε εμελλεν αυτον προαγειν ο ηρωδης τη νυκτι εκεινη ην ο πετρος κοιμωμενος μεταξυ δυο στρατιωτων δεδεμενος αλυσεσιν δυσιν φυλακες τε προ της θυρας ετηρουν την φυλακην 12:7 και ιδου αγγελος κυριου επεστη και φως ελαμψεν εν τω οικηματι παταξας δε την πλευραν του πετρου ηγειρεν αυτον λεγων αναστα εν ταχει και εξεπεσον αυτου αι αλυσεις εκ των χειρων 12:8 ειπεν τε ο αγγελος προς αυτον περιζωσαι και υποδησαι τα σανδαλια σου εποιησεν δε ουτως και λεγει αυτω περιβαλου το ιματιον σου και ακολουθει μοι 12:9 και εξελθων ηκολουθει αυτω και ουκ ηδει οτι αληθες εστιν το γινομενον δια του αγγελου εδοκει δε οραμα βλεπειν 12:10 διελθοντες δε πρωτην φυλακην και δευτεραν ηλθον επι την πυλην την σιδηραν την φερουσαν εις την πολιν ητις αυτοματη ηνοιχθη αυτοις και εξελθοντες προηλθον ρυμην μιαν και ευθεως απεστη ο αγγελος απ αυτου 12:11 και ο πετρος γενομενος εν εαυτω ειπεν νυν οιδα αληθως οτι εξαπεστειλεν κυριος τον αγγελον αυτου και εξειλετο με εκ χειρος ηρωδου και πασης της προσδοκιας του λαου των ιουδαιων

12:12 συνιδων τε ηλθεν επι την οικιαν μαριας της μητρος ιωαννου του επικαλουμενου μαρκου ου ησαν ικανοι συνηθροισμενοι και προσευχομενοι 12:13 κρουσαντος δε του πετρου την θυραν του πυλωνος προσηλθεν παιδισκη υπακουσαι ονοματι ροδη 12:14 και επιγνουσα την φωνην του πετρου απο της χαρας ουκ ηνοιξεν τον πυλωνα εισδραμουσα δε απηγγειλεν εσταναι τον πετρον προ του πυλωνος 12:15 οι δε προς αυτην ειπον μαινη η δε διισχυριζετο ουτως εχειν οι δε ελεγον ο αγγελος αυτου εστιν 12:16 ο δε πετρος επεμενεν κρουων ανοιξαντες δε ειδον αυτον και εξεστησαν 12:17 κατασεισας δε αυτοις τη χειρι σιγαν διηγησατο αυτοις πως ο κυριος αυτον εξηγαγεν εκ της φυλακης ειπεν δε απαγγειλατε ιακωβω και τοις αδελφοις ταυτα και εξελθων επορευθη εις ετερον τοπον

12:18 γενομενης δε ημερας ην ταραχος ουκ ολιγος εν τοις στρατιωταις τι αρα ο πετρος εγενετο 12:19 ηρωδης δε επιζητησας αυτον και μη ευρων ανακρινας τους φυλακας εκελευσεν απαχθηναι και κατελθων απο της ιουδαιας εις την καισαρειαν διετριβεν

12:20 ην δε ο ηρωδης θυμομαχων τυριοις και σιδωνιοις ομοθυμαδον δε παρησαν προς αυτον και πεισαντες βλαστον τον επι του κοιτωνος του βασιλεως ητουντο ειρηνην δια το τρεφεσθαι αυτων την χωραν απο της βασιλικης 12:21 τακτη δε ημερα ο ηρωδης ενδυσαμενος εσθητα βασιλικην και καθισας επι του βηματος εδημηγορει προς αυτους 12:22 ο δε δημος επεφωνει φωνη θεου και ουκ ανθρωπου 12:23 παραχρημα δε επαταξεν αυτον αγγελος κυριου ανθ ων ουκ εδωκεν δοξαν τω θεω και γενομενος σκωληκοβρωτος εξεψυξεν

12:24 ο δε λογος του θεου ηυξανεν και επληθυνετο 12:25 βαρναβας δε και σαυλος υπεστρεψαν εις ιερουσαλημ πληρωσαντες την διακονιαν συμπαραλαβοντες και ιωαννην τον επικληθεντα μαρκον

23    2 Samuel 7:12; Psalm 89:4
33    Psalm 2:7
34    2 Samuel 23:1-5;  Isaiah 55:3
35    Psalm 16:10
41    Habakkuk 1:5
47    Isaiah 49:6
51    Matthew 10:14; Mark 6:11; Luke 9:5, 10:11

1-4         H. E. Fosdick, The Meaning of Prayer, p. 161 f.
1-3         Walter J. Burghardt, S.J., “Middleman for Christ,” Lovely in Eyes Not His, p. 201-205
14-52    John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed, Excavating Jesus, p. 63

38-39       Christoph Blumhardt, “Who Forgives All Your Iniquity,” Blumhardt Reader, p. 205-208
47             Francis Patrick Sullivan, “Breaking Out,” A Time To Sow, p. 105

1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.  2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”  3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus.  5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.  6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet, named Bar-Jesus.  7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.  8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) withstood them, seeking to turn away the proconsul from the faith.  9 But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?  11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.  12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

13 Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem; 14 but they passed on from Perga and came to Antioch of Pisid’ia. And on the sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.  15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.”  16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel, and you that fear God, listen.  17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.  18 And for about forty years he bore with them in the wilderness.  19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years.  20 And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.  21 Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.  22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 Of this man’s posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.  24 Before his coming John had preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.  25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’

26 “Brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.  27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning him.  28 Though they could charge him with nothing deserving death, yet they asked Pilate to have him killed.  29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.  30 But God raised him from the dead; 31 and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.  32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, ‘Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee.’  34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he spoke in this way, ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’  35 Therefore he says also in another psalm, ‘Thou wilt not let thy Holy One see corruption.’  36 For David, after he had served the counsel of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37 but he whom God raised up saw no corruption.  38 Let it be known to you therefore, brethren, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him every one that believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.  40 Beware, therefore, lest there come upon you what is said in the prophets:  41 ‘Behold, you scoffers, and wonder, and perish; for I do a deed in your days, a deed you will never believe, if one declares it to you.’”

42 As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next sabbath. 43 And when the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

44 The next sabbath almost the whole city gathered together to hear the word of God.  45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted what was spoken by Paul, and reviled him.  46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.  47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.’”

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.  49 And the word of the Lord spread throughout all the region.  50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.  51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and went to Iconium.  52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

13:1 ησαν δε τινες εν αντιοχεια κατα την ουσαν εκκλησιαν προφηται και διδασκαλοι ο τε βαρναβας και συμεων ο καλουμενος νιγερ και λουκιος ο κυρηναιος μαναην τε ηρωδου του τετραρχου συντροφος και σαυλος 13:2 λειτουργουντων δε αυτων τω κυριω και νηστευοντων ειπεν το πνευμα το αγιον αφορισατε δη μοι τον βαρναβαν και τον σαυλον εις το εργον ο προσκεκλημαι αυτους 13:3 τοτε νηστευσαντες και προσευξαμενοι και επιθεντες τας χειρας αυτοις απελυσαν

13:4 ουτοι μεν ουν εκπεμφθεντες υπο του πνευματος του αγιου κατηλθον εις την σελευκειαν εκειθεν δε απεπλευσαν εις την κυπρον   13:5 και γενομενοι εν σαλαμινι κατηγγελλον τον λογον του θεου εν ταις συναγωγαις των ιουδαιων ειχον δε και ιωαννην υπηρετην 13:6 διελθοντες δε την νησον αχρι παφου ευρον τινα μαγον ψευδοπροφητην ιουδαιον ω ονομα βαριησους 13:7 ος ην συν τω ανθυπατω σεργιω παυλω ανδρι συνετω ουτος προσκαλεσαμενος βαρναβαν και σαυλον επεζητησεν ακουσαι τον λογον του θεου 13:8 ανθιστατο δε αυτοις ελυμας ο μαγος ουτως γαρ μεθερμηνευεται το ονομα αυτου ζητων διαστρεψαι τον ανθυπατον απο της πιστεως 13:9 σαυλος δε ο και παυλος πλησθεις πνευματος αγιου και ατενισας εις αυτον 13:10 ειπεν ω πληρης παντος δολου και πασης ραδιουργιας υιε διαβολου εχθρε πασης δικαιοσυνης ου παυση διαστρεφων τας οδους κυριου τας ευθειας 13:11 και νυν ιδου χειρ κυριου επι σε και εση τυφλος μη βλεπων τον ηλιον αχρι καιρου παραχρημα δε επεπεσεν επ αυτον αχλυς και σκοτος και περιαγων εζητει χειραγωγους 13:12 τοτε ιδων ο ανθυπατος το γεγονος επιστευσεν εκπλησσομενος επι τη διδαχη του κυριου

13:13 αναχθεντες δε απο της παφου οι περι τον παυλον ηλθον εις περγην της παμφυλιας ιωαννης δε αποχωρησας απ αυτων υπεστρεψεν εις ιεροσολυμα 13:14 αυτοι δε διελθοντες απο της περγης παρεγενοντο εις αντιοχειαν της πισιδιας και εισελθοντες εις την συναγωγην τη ημερα των σαββατων εκαθισαν 13:15 μετα δε την αναγνωσιν του νομου και των προφητων απεστειλαν οι αρχισυναγωγοι προς αυτους λεγοντες ανδρες αδελφοι ει εστιν λογος εν υμιν παρακλησεως προς τον λαον λεγετε 13:16 αναστας δε παυλος και κατασεισας τη χειρι ειπεν ανδρες ισραηλιται και οι φοβουμενοι τον θεον ακουσατε 13:17 ο θεος του λαου τουτου εξελεξατο τους πατερας ημων και τον λαον υψωσεν εν τη παροικια εν γη αιγυπτω και μετα βραχιονος υψηλου εξηγαγεν αυτους εξ αυτης   13:18 και ως τεσσαρακονταετη χρονον ετροποφορησεν αυτους εν τη ερημω 13:19 και καθελων εθνη επτα εν γη χανααν κατεκληρονομησεν αυτοις την γην αυτων 13:20 και μετα ταυτα ως ετεσιν τετρακοσιοις και πεντηκοντα εδωκεν κριτας εως σαμουηλ του προφητου 13:21 κακειθεν ητησαντο βασιλεα και εδωκεν αυτοις ο θεος τον σαουλ υιον κις ανδρα εκ φυλης βενιαμιν ετη τεσσαρακοντα 13:22 και μεταστησας αυτον ηγειρεν αυτοις τον δαυιδ εις βασιλεα ω και ειπεν μαρτυρησας ευρον δαυιδ τον του ιεσσαι ανδρα κατα την καρδιαν μου ος ποιησει παντα τα θεληματα μου 13:23 τουτου ο θεος απο του σπερματος κατ επαγγελιαν ηγαγεν τω ισραηλ σωτηριαν 13:24 προκηρυξαντος ιωαννου προ προσωπου της εισοδου αυτου βαπτισμα μετανοιας τω ισραηλ 13:25 ως δε επληρου [ο] ιωαννης τον δρομον ελεγεν τινα με υπονοειτε ειναι ουκ ειμι εγω αλλ ιδου ερχεται μετ εμε ου ουκ ειμι αξιος το υποδημα των ποδων λυσαι

13:26 ανδρες αδελφοι υιοι γενους αβρααμ και οι εν υμιν φοβουμενοι τον θεον υμιν ο λογος της σωτηριας ταυτης απεσταλη 13:27 οι γαρ κατοικουντες [εν] ιερουσαλημ και οι αρχοντες αυτων τουτον αγνοησαντες και τας φωνας των προφητων τας κατα παν σαββατον αναγινωσκομενας κριναντες επληρωσαν 13:28 και μηδεμιαν αιτιαν θανατου ευροντες ητησαντο πιλατον αναιρεθηναι αυτον 13:29 ως δε ετελεσαν παντα τα περι αυτου γεγραμμενα καθελοντες απο του ξυλου εθηκαν εις μνημειον 13:30 ο δε θεος ηγειρεν αυτον εκ νεκρων 13:31 ος ωφθη επι ημερας πλειους τοις συναναβασιν αυτω απο της γαλιλαιας εις ιερουσαλημ οιτινες εισιν μαρτυρες αυτου προς τον λαον 13:32 και ημεις υμας ευαγγελιζομεθα την προς τους πατερας επαγγελιαν γενομενην 13:33 οτι ταυτην ο θεος εκπεπληρωκεν τοις τεκνοις αυτων ημιν αναστησας ιησουν 13:33 ως και εν τω ψαλμω τω δευτερω γεγραπται υιος μου ει συ εγω σημερον γεγεννηκα σε 13:34 οτι δε ανεστησεν αυτον εκ νεκρων μηκετι μελλοντα υποστρεφειν εις διαφθοραν ουτως ειρηκεν οτι δωσω υμιν τα οσια δαυιδ τα πιστα 13:35 διο και εν ετερω λεγει ου δωσεις τον οσιον σου ιδειν διαφθοραν 13:36 δαυιδ μεν γαρ ιδια γενεα υπηρετησας τη του θεου βουλη εκοιμηθη και προσετεθη προς τους πατερας αυτου και ειδεν διαφθοραν 13:37 ον δε ο θεος ηγειρεν ουκ ειδεν διαφθοραν 13:38 γνωστον ουν εστω υμιν ανδρες αδελφοι οτι δια τουτου υμιν αφεσις αμαρτιων καταγγελλεται 13:39 και απο παντων ων ουκ ηδυνηθητε εν τω νομω μωυσεως δικαιωθηναι εν τουτω πας ο πιστευων δικαιουται   13:40 βλεπετε ουν μη επελθη εφ υμας το ειρημενον εν τοις προφηταις 13:41 ιδετε οι καταφρονηται και θαυμασατε και αφανισθητε οτι εργον εγω εργαζομαι εν ταις ημεραις υμων ο ου μη πιστευσητε εαν τις εκδιηγηται υμιν

13:42 εξιοντων δε εκ της συναγωγης των ιουδαιων παρεκαλουν τα εθνη εις το μεταξυ σαββατον λαληθηναι αυτοις τα ρηματα [ταυτα] 13:43 λυθεισης δε της συναγωγης ηκολουθησαν πολλοι των ιουδαιων και των σεβομενων προσηλυτων τω παυλω και τω βαρναβα οιτινες προσλαλουντες επειθον αυτους επιμενειν τη χαριτι του θεου

13:44 τω τε ερχομενω σαββατω σχεδον πασα η πολις συνηχθη ακουσαι τον λογον του θεου 13:45 ιδοντες δε οι ιουδαιοι τους οχλους επλησθησαν ζηλου και αντελεγον τοις υπο του παυλου λεγομενοις αντιλεγοντες και βλασφημουντες 13:46 παρρησιασαμενοι δε ο παυλος και ο βαρναβας ειπον υμιν ην αναγκαιον πρωτον λαληθηναι τον λογον του θεου επειδη δε απωθεισθε αυτον και ουκ αξιους κρινετε εαυτους της αιωνιου ζωης ιδου στρεφομεθα εις τα εθνη 13:47 ουτως γαρ εντεταλται ημιν ο κυριος τεθεικα σε εις φως εθνων του ειναι σε εις σωτηριαν εως εσχατου της γης

13:48 ακουοντα δε τα εθνη εχαιρεν και εδοξαζον τον λογον του κυριου και επιστευσαν οσοι ησαν τεταγμενοι εις ζωην αιωνιον 13:49 διεφερετο δε ο λογος του κυριου δι ολης της χωρας 13:50 οι δε ιουδαιοι παρωτρυναν τας σεβομενας γυναικας και τας ευσχημονας και τους πρωτους της πολεως και επηγειραν διωγμον επι τον παυλον και τον βαρναβαν και εξεβαλον αυτους απο των οριων αυτων 13:51 οι δε εκτιναξαμενοι τον κονιορτον των ποδων αυτων επ αυτους ηλθον εις ικονιον 13:52 οι δε μαθηται επληρουντο χαρας και πνευματος αγιου

15     Exodus 20:11;  Psalm 146:6

8-18      Francis Bacon, “Novum Organum,” The Man Who Saw Through Time, p. 73

22-23     Francis Patrick Sullivan, “No More Bullshit,” A Time To Sow, p. 109

1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue, and so spoke that a great company believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.  2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.  3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.  4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.  5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to molest them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; 7 and there they preached the gospel.

8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting, who could not use his feet; he was a cripple from birth, who had never walked.  9 He listened to Paul speaking; and Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and walked.  11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”  12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they called Hermes. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the people.  14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying, 15 “Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.  16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways; 17 yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”  18 With these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

19 But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium; and having persuaded the people, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.  20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city; and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.  23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed.

24 Then they passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia.  25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia; 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived, they gathered the church together and declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.  28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.

14:1 εγενετο δε εν ικονιω κατα το αυτο εισελθειν αυτους εις την συναγωγην των ιουδαιων και λαλησαι ουτως ωστε πιστευσαι ιουδαιων τε και ελληνων πολυ πληθος 14:2 οι δε απειθουντες ιουδαιοι επηγειραν και εκακωσαν τας ψυχας των εθνων κατα των αδελφων 14:3 ικανον μεν ουν χρονον διετριψαν παρρησιαζομενοι επι τω κυριω τω μαρτυρουντι τω λογω της χαριτος αυτου διδοντι σημεια και τερατα γινεσθαι δια των χειρων αυτων 14:4 εσχισθη δε το πληθος της πολεως και οι μεν ησαν συν τοις ιουδαιοις οι δε συν τοις αποστολοις 14:5 ως δε εγενετο ορμη των εθνων τε και ιουδαιων συν τοις αρχουσιν αυτων υβρισαι και λιθοβολησαι αυτους 14:6 συνιδοντες κατεφυγον εις τας πολεις της λυκαονιας λυστραν και δερβην και την περιχωρον 14:7 κακει ησαν ευαγγελιζομενοι

14:8 και τις ανηρ εν λυστροις αδυνατος τοις ποσιν εκαθητο χωλος εκ κοιλιας μητρος αυτου υπαρχων ος ουδεποτε β 14:9 ουτος ηκουσεν του παυλου λαλουντος ος ατενισας αυτω και ιδων οτι πιστιν εχει του σωθηναι 14:10 ειπεν μεγαλη τη φωνη αναστηθι επι τους ποδας σου ορθως και ηλλετο και περιεπατει 14:11 οι δε οχλοι ιδοντες ο εποιησεν ο παυλος επηραν την φωνην αυτων λυκαονιστι λεγοντες οι θεοι ομοιωθεντες ανθρωποις κατεβησαν προς ημας 14:12 εκαλουν τε τον μεν βαρναβαν δια τον δε παυλον ερμην επειδη αυτος ην ο ηγουμενος του λογου 14:13 ο δε ιερευς του διος του οντος προ της πολεως αυτων ταυρους και στεμματα επι τους πυλωνας ενεγκας συν τοις οχλοις ηθελεν θυειν 14:14 ακουσαντες δε οι αποστολοι βαρναβας και παυλος διαρρηξαντες τα ιματια αυτων εισεπηδησαν εις τον οχλον κραζοντες 14:15 και λεγοντες ανδρες τι ταυτα ποιειτε και ημεις ομοιοπαθεις εσμεν υμιν ανθρωποι ευαγγελιζομενοι υμας απο τουτων των ματαιων επιστρεφειν επι τον θεον τον ζωντα ος εποιησεν τον ουρανον και την γην και την θαλασσαν και παντα τα εν αυτοις 14:16 ος εν ταις παρωχημεναις γενεαις ειασεν παντα τα εθνη πορευεσθαι ταις οδοις αυτων 14:17 καιτοιγε ουκ αμαρτυρον εαυτον αφηκεν αγαθοποιων ουρανοθεν υμιν υετους διδους και καιρους καρποφορους εμπιπλων τροφης και ευφροσυνης τας καρδιας ημων 14:18 και ταυτα λεγοντες μολις κατεπαυσαν τους οχλους του μη θυειν αυτοις

14:19 επηλθον δε απο αντιοχειας και ικονιου ιουδαιοι και πεισαντες τους οχλους και λιθασαντες τον παυλον εσυρον εξω της πολεως νομισαντες αυτον τεθναναι 14:20 κυκλωσαντων δε αυτον των μαθητων αναστας εισηλθεν εις την πολιν και τη επαυριον εξηλθεν συν τω βαρναβα εις δερβην

14:21 ευαγγελισαμενοι τε την πολιν εκεινην και μαθητευσαντες ικανους υπεστρεψαν εις την λυστραν και ικονιον και αντιοχειαν 14:22 επιστηριζοντες τας ψυχας των μαθητων παρακαλουντες εμμενειν τη πιστει και οτι δια πολλων θλιψεων δει ημας εισελθειν εις την βασιλειαν του θεου 14:23 χειροτονησαντες δε αυτοις πρεσβυτερους κατ εκκλησιαν προσευξαμενοι μετα νηστειων παρεθεντο αυτους τω κυριω εις ον πεπιστευκεισαν

14:24 και διελθοντες την πισιδιαν ηλθον εις παμφυλιαν 14:25 και λαλησαντες εν περγη τον λογον κατεβησαν εις ατταλειαν 14:26 κακειθεν απεπλευσαν εις αντιοχειαν οθεν ησαν παραδεδομενοι τη χαριτι του θεου εις το εργον ο επληρωσαν 14:27 παραγενομενοι δε και συναγαγοντες την εκκλησιαν ανηγγειλαν οσα εποιησεν ο θεος μετ αυτων και οτι ηνοιξεν τοις εθνεσιν θυραν πιστεως 14:28 διετριβον δε εκει χρονον ουκ ολιγον συν τοις μαθηταις

John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed, Excavating Jesus, p. 38 f. (Galatians 2:11-17)

1            Leviticus 12:3
7            Acts 10:1-43
8            Acts 2:4, 10:44
16-18    Amos 9:11-12
20          Exodus 34:15-17; Leviticus 17:10-16, 18:6-23
28-29    1 Corinthians 10:25-26
38          Acts 13:13

28-29      Brian Zahn, When Everything’s on Fire, p. 63

1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”  2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.  3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, reporting the conversion of the Gentiles, and they gave great joy to all the brethren.  4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.  5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up, and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.”

6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.  7 And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.  8 And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us; 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith.  10 Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?  11 But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

12 And all the assembly kept silence; and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.  13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brethren, listen to me.  14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.  15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written, 16 ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up, 17 that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, 18 says the Lord, who has made these things known from of old.’  19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood.  21 For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every sabbath in the synagogues.”

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, 23 with the following letter: “The brethren, both the apostles and the elders, to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting.  24 Since we have heard that some persons from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.  28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:  29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.  31 And when they read it, they rejoiced at the exhortation.  32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words and strengthened them.  33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brethren to those who had sent them.  35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Come, let us return and visit the brethren in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”  37 And Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.  38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.  39 And there arose a sharp contention, so that they separated from each other; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.  41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

15:1 και τινες κατελθοντες απο της ιουδαιας εδιδασκον τους αδελφους οτι εαν μη περιτεμνησθε τω εθει μωυσεως ου δυνασθε σωθηναι 15:2 γενομενης ουν στασεως και ζητησεως ουκ ολιγης τω παυλω και τω βαρναβα προς αυτους εταξαν αναβαινειν παυλον και βαρναβαν και τινας αλλους εξ αυτων προς τους αποστολους και πρεσβυτερους εις ιερουσαλημ περι του ζητηματος τουτου 15:3 οι μεν ουν προπεμφθεντες υπο της εκκλησιας διηρχοντο την φοινικην και σαμαρειαν εκδιηγουμενοι την επιστροφην των εθνων και εποιουν χαραν μεγαλην πασιν τοις αδελφοις 15:4 παραγενομενοι δε εις ιερουσαλημ απεδεχθησαν υπο της εκκλησιας και των αποστολων και των πρεσβυτερων ανηγγειλαν τε οσα ο θεος εποιησεν μετ αυτων 15:5 εξανεστησαν δε τινες των απο της αιρεσεως των φαρισαιων πεπιστευκοτες λεγοντες οτι δει περιτεμνειν αυτους παραγγελλειν τε τηρειν τον νομον μωυσεως

15:6 συνηχθησαν δε οι αποστολοι και οι πρεσβυτεροι ιδειν περι του λογου τουτου 15:7 πολλης δε συζητησεως γενομενης αναστας πετρος ειπεν προς αυτους ανδρες αδελφοι υμεις επιστασθε οτι αφ ημερων αρχαιων ο θεος εν ημιν εξελεξατο δια του στοματος μου ακουσαι τα εθνη τον λογον του ευαγγελιου και πιστευσαι 15:8 και ο καρδιογνωστης θεος εμαρτυρησεν αυτοις δους αυτοις το πνευμα το αγιον καθως και ημιν 15:9 και ουδεν διεκρινεν μεταξυ ημων τε και αυτων τη πιστει καθαρισας τας καρδιας αυτων 15:10 νυν ουν τι πειραζετε τον θεον επιθειναι ζυγον επι τον τραχηλον των μαθητων ον ουτε οι πατερες ημων ουτε ημεις ισχυσαμεν βαστασαι 15:11 αλλα δια της χαριτος του κυριου ιησου πιστευομεν σωθηναι καθ ον τροπον κακεινοι

15:12 εσιγησεν δε παν το πληθος και ηκουον βαρναβα και παυλου εξηγουμενων οσα εποιησεν ο θεος σημεια και τερατα εν τοις εθνεσιν δι αυτων 15:13 μετα δε το σιγησαι αυτους απεκριθη ιακωβος λεγων ανδρες αδελφοι ακουσατε μου 15:14 συμεων εξηγησατο καθως πρωτον ο θεος επεσκεψατο λαβειν εξ εθνων λαον επι τω ονοματι αυτου 15:15 και τουτω συμφωνουσιν οι λογοι των προφητων καθως γεγραπται 15:16 μετα ταυτα αναστρεψω και ανοικοδομησω την σκηνην δαυιδ την πεπτωκυιαν και τα κατεσκαμμενα αυτης ανοικοδομησω και ανορθωσω αυτην 15:17 οπως αν εκζητησωσιν οι καταλοιποι των ανθρωπων τον κυριον και παντα τα εθνη εφ ους επικεκληται το ονομα μου επ αυτους λεγει κυριος ο ποιων ταυτα παντα 15:18 γνωστα απ αιωνος εστιν τω θεω παντα τα εργα αυτου 15:19 διο εγω κρινω μη παρενοχλειν τοις απο των εθνων επιστρεφουσιν επι τον θεον  15:20 αλλα επιστειλαι αυτοις του απεχεσθαι απο των αλισγηματων των ειδωλων και της πορνειας και του πνικτου και του αιματος 15:21 μωυσης γαρ εκ γενεων αρχαιων κατα πολιν τους κηρυσσοντας αυτον εχει εν ταις συναγωγαις κατα παν σαββατον αναγινωσκομενος

15:22 τοτε εδοξεν τοις αποστολοις και τοις πρεσβυτεροις συν ολη τη εκκλησια εκλεξαμενους ανδρας εξ αυτων πεμψαι εις αντιοχειαν συν παυλω και βαρναβα ιουδαν τον επικαλουμενον βαρσαββαν και σιλαν ανδρας ηγουμενους εν τοις αδελφοις 15:23 γραψαντες δια χειρος αυτων ταδε οι αποστολοι και οι πρεσβυτεροι και οι αδελφοι τοις κατα την αντιοχειαν και συριαν και κιλικιαν αδελφοις τοις εξ εθνων χαιρειν 15:24 επειδη ηκουσαμεν οτι τινες εξ ημων εξελθοντες εταραξαν υμας λογοις ανασκευαζοντες τας ψυχας υμων λεγοντες περιτεμνεσθαι και τηρειν τον νομον οις ου διεστειλαμεθα  15:25 εδοξεν ημιν γενομενοις ομοθυμαδον εκλεξαμενους ανδρας πεμψαι προς υμας συν τοις αγαπητοις ημων βαρναβα και παυλω 15:26 ανθρωποις παραδεδωκοσιν τας ψυχας αυτων υπερ του ονοματος του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου 15:27 απεσταλκαμεν ουν ιουδαν και σιλαν και αυτους δια λογου απαγγελλοντας τα αυτα 15:28 εδοξεν γαρ τω αγιω πνευματι και ημιν μηδεν πλεον επιτιθεσθαι υμιν βαρος πλην των επαναγκες τουτων 15:29 απεχεσθαι ειδωλοθυτων και αιματος και πνικτου και πορνειας εξ ων διατηρουντες εαυτους ευ πραξετε ερρωσθε

15:30 οι μεν ουν απολυθεντες ηλθον εις αντιοχειαν και συναγαγοντες το πληθος επεδωκαν την επιστολην 15:31 αναγνοντες δε εχαρησαν επι τη παρακλησει 15:32 ιουδας αβκαι σιλας και αυτοι προφηται οντες δια λογου πολλου παρεκαλεσαν τους αδελφους και επεστηριξαν  15:33 ποιησαντες δε χρονον απελυθησαν μετ ειρηνης απο των αδελφων προς τους αποστολους 15:34 15:35 παυλος δε και βαρναβας διετριβον εν αντιοχεια διδασκοντες και ευαγγελιζομενοι μετα και ετερων πολλων τον λογον του κυριου

15:36 μετα δε τινας ημερας ειπεν παυλος προς βαρναβαν επιστρεψαντες δη επισκεψωμεθα τους αδελφους ημων κατα πασαν πολιν εν αις κατηγγειλαμεν τον λογον του κυριου πως εχουσιν 15:37 βαρναβας δε εβουλευσατο συμπαραλαβειν τον ιωαννην τον καλουμενον μαρκον 15:38 παυλος δε ηξιου τον αποσταντα απ αυτων απο παμφυλιας και μη συνελθοντα αυτοις εις το εργον μη συμπαραλαβειν τουτον 15:39 εγενετο ουν παροξυσμος ωστε αποχωρισθηναι αυτους απ αλληλων τον τε βαρναβαν παραλαβοντα τον μαρκον εκπλευσαι εις κυπρον   15:40 παυλος δε επιλεξαμενος σιλαν εξηλθεν παραδοθεις τη χαριτι του θεου υπο των αδελφων 15:41 διηρχετο δε την συριαν και κιλικιαν επιστηριζων τας εκκλησιας

9-15     Imaging the Word, Vol. 1, p. 204-205
16-34    Imaging the Word, Vol. 1, p. 206-209

1 And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek.  2 He was well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Iconium.  3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.  4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions which had been reached by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.  5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.  7 And when they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; 8 so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.  9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing beseeching him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  10 And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

11 Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia, and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days; 13 and on the sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.  14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said by Paul.  15 And when she was baptized, with her household, she besought us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by soothsaying.  17 She followed Paul and us, crying, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”  18 And this she did for many days. But Paul was annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the rulers; 20 and when they had brought them to the magistrates they said, “These men are Jews and they are disturbing our city.  21 They advocate customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”  22 The crowd joined in attacking them; and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods.  23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely.  24 Having received this charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and every one’s fetters were unfastened.  27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.  28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”  29 And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and brought them out and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house.  33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his family.  34 Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God.

35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.”  36 And the jailer reported the words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go; now therefore come out and go in peace.”  37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now cast us out secretly? No! let them come themselves and take us out.”  38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens; 39 so they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city.  40 So they went out of the prison, and visited Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they exhorted them and departed.

16:1 κατηντησεν δε εις δερβην και λυστραν και ιδου μαθητης τις ην εκει ονοματι τιμοθεος υιος γυναικος τινος ιουδαιας πιστης πατρος δε ελληνος 16:2 ος εμαρτυρειτο υπο των εν λυστροις και ικονιω αδελφων 16:3 τουτον ηθελησεν ο παυλος συν αυτω εξελθειν και λαβων περιετεμεν αυτον δια τους ιουδαιους τους οντας εν τοις τοποις εκεινοις ηδεισαν γαρ απαντες τον πατερα αυτου οτι ελλην υπηρχεν 16:4 ως δε διεπορευοντο τας πολεις παρεδιδουν αυτοις φυλασσειν τα δογματα τα κεκριμενα υπο των αποστολων και των πρεσβυτερων των εν ιερουσαλημ  16:5 αι μεν ουν εκκλησιαι εστερεουντο τη πιστει και επερισσευον τω αριθμω καθ ημεραν

16:6 διελθοντες δε την φρυγιαν και την γαλατικην χωραν κωλυθεντες υπο του αγιου πνευματος λαλησαι τον λογον εν τη ασια 16:7 ελθοντες κατα την μυσιαν επειραζον κατα την βιθυνιαν πορευεσθαι και ουκ ειασεν αυτους το πνευμα 16:8 παρελθοντες δε την μυσιαν κατεβησαν εις τρωαδα 16:9 και οραμα δια της νυκτος ωφθη τω παυλω ανηρ τις ην μακεδων εστως παρακαλων αυτον και λεγων διαβας εις μακεδονιαν βοηθησον ημιν 16:10 ως δε το οραμα ειδεν ευθεως εζητησαμεν εξελθειν εις την μακεδονιαν συμβιβαζοντες οτι προσκεκληται ημας ο κυριος ευαγγελισασθαι αυτους

16:11 αναχθεντες ουν απο της τρωαδος ευθυδρομησαμεν εις σαμοθρακην τη τε επιουση εις νεαπολιν 16:12 εκειθεν τε εις φιλιππους ητις εστιν πρωτη της μεριδος της μακεδονιας πολις κολωνεια ημεν δε εν αυτη τη πολει διατριβοντες ημερας τινας 16:13 τη τε ημερα των σαββατων εξηλθομεν εξω της πολεως παρα ποταμον ου ενομιζετο προσευχη ειναι και καθισαντες ελαλουμεν ταις συνελθουσαις γυναιξιν 16:14 και τις γυνη ονοματι λυδια πορφυροπωλις πολεως θυατειρων σεβομενη τον θεον ηκουεν ης ο κυριος διηνοιξεν την καρδιαν προσεχειν τοις λαλουμενοις υπο του παυλου 16:15 ως δε εβαπτισθη και ο οικος αυτης παρεκαλεσεν λεγουσα ει κεκρικατε με πιστην τω κυριω ειναι εισελθοντες εις τον οικον μου μεινατε και παρεβιασατο ημας

16:16 εγενετο δε πορευομενων ημων εις προσευχην παιδισκην τινα εχουσαν πνευμα πυθωνος απαντησαι ημιν ητις εργασιαν πολλην παρειχεν τοις κυριοις αυτης μαντευομενη 16:17 αυτη κατακολουθησασα τω παυλω και ημιν εκραζεν λεγουσα ουτοι οι ανθρωποι δουλοι του θεου του υψιστου εισιν οιτινες καταγγελλουσιν ημιν οδον σωτηριας  16:18 τουτο δε εποιει επι πολλας ημερας διαπονηθεις δε ο παυλος και επιστρεψας τω πνευματι ειπεν παραγγελλω σοι εν τω ονοματι ιησου χριστου εξελθειν απ αυτης και εξηλθεν αυτη τη ωρα

16:19 ιδοντες δε οι κυριοι αυτης οτι εξηλθεν η ελπις της εργασιας αυτων επιλαβομενοι τον παυλον και τον σιλαν ειλκυσαν εις την αγοραν επι τους αρχοντας 16:20 και προσαγαγοντες αυτους τοις στρατηγοις ειπον ουτοι οι ανθρωποι εκταρασσουσιν ημων την πολιν ιουδαιοι υπαρχοντες 16:21 και καταγγελλουσιν εθη α ουκ εξεστιν ημιν παραδεχεσθαι ουδε ποιειν ρωμαιοις ουσιν 16:22 και συνεπεστη ο οχλος κατ αυτων και οι στρατηγοι περιρρηξαντες αυτων τα ιματια εκελευον ραβδιζειν 16:23 πολλας τε επιθεντες αυτοις πληγας εβαλον εις φυλακην παραγγειλαντες τω δεσμοφυλακι ασφαλως τηρειν αυτους 16:24 ος παραγγελιαν τοιαυτην ειληφως εβαλεν αυτους εις την εσωτεραν φυλακην και τους ποδας αυτων ησφαλισατο εις το ξυλον

16:25 κατα δε το μεσονυκτιον παυλος και σιλας προσευχομενοι υμνουν τον θεον επηκροωντο δε αυτων οι δεσμιοι 16:26 αφνω δε σεισμος εγενετο μεγας ωστε σαλευθηναι τα θεμελια του δεσμωτηριου ανεωχθησαν τε παραχρημα αι θυραι πασαι και παντων τα δεσμα ανεθη 16:27 εξυπνος δε γενομενος ο δεσμοφυλαξ και ιδων ανεωγμενας τας θυρας της φυλακης σπασαμενος μαχαιραν εμελλεν εαυτον αναιρειν νομιζων εκπεφευγεναι τους δεσμιους 16:28 εφωνησεν δε φωνη μεγαλη ο παυλος λεγων μηδεν πραξης σεαυτω κακον απαντες γαρ εσμεν ενθαδε 16:29 αιτησας δε φωτα εισεπηδησεν και εντρομος γενομενος προσεπεσεν τω παυλω και τω σιλα 16:30 και προαγαγων αυτους εξω εφη κυριοι τι με δει ποιειν ινα σωθω  16:31 οι δε ειπον πιστευσον επι τον κυριον ιησουν χριστον και σωθηση συ και ο οικος σου 16:32 και ελαλησαν αυτω τον λογον του κυριου και πασιν τοις εν τη οικια αυτου 16:33 και παραλαβων αυτους εν εκεινη τη ωρα της νυκτος ελουσεν απο των πληγων και εβαπτισθη αυτος και οι αυτου παντες παραχρημα 16:34 αναγαγων τε αυτους εις τον οικον αυτου παρεθηκεν τραπεζαν και ηγαλλιατο πανοικι πεπιστευκως τω θεω

16:35 ημερας δε γενομενης απεστειλαν οι στρατηγοι τους ραβδουχους λεγοντες απολυσον τους ανθρωπους εκεινους 16:36 απηγγειλεν δε ο δεσμοφυλαξ τους λογους τουτους προς τον παυλον οτι απεσταλκασιν οι στρατηγοι ινα απολυθητε νυν ουν εξελθοντες πορευεσθε εν ειρηνη 16:37 ο δε παυλος εφη προς αυτους δειραντες ημας δημοσια ακατακριτους ανθρωπους ρωμαιους υπαρχοντας εβαλον εις φυλακην και νυν λαθρα ημας εκβαλλουσιν ου γαρ αλλα ελθοντες αυτοι εξαγαγετωσαν  16:38 ανηγγειλαν δε τοις στρατηγοις οι ραβδουχοι τα ρηματα ταυτα και εφοβηθησαν ακουσαντες οτι ρωμαιοι εισιν 16:39 και ελθοντες παρεκαλεσαν αυτους και εξαγαγοντες ηρωτων εξελθειν της πολεως 16:40 εξελθοντες δε εκ της φυλακης εισηλθον προς την λυδιαν και ιδοντες τους αδελφους παρεκαλεσαν αυτους και εξηλθον

24-25    1 Kings 8:27; Isaiah 42:5; Acts 7:48

1-10    Hans-Ruedi Weber, “Biblical Proclamation and Politics,” Experiments with Bible Study, p. 233
1-9      John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed, Excavating Jesus, p. 63

16-34    Walker Percy, “The Message in the Bottle,” The Message in the Bottle, p. 140

16-34    William H. Willimon, “Eyewitnesses and Ministers of the Word,” Interpretation (April 1988), p.161-165
22-28    H. E. Fosdick, The Meaning of Prayer, p. 10 f.
23          Jaroslav Pelikan, The Illustrated Jesus through the Centuries, p. 44
27          Horace Bushnell, “Religious Nature and Religious Character,” Sermons, p. 26-37

1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.  2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and for three weeks he argued with them from the scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”  4 And some of them were persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas; as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.  5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked fellows of the rabble, they gathered a crowd, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the people.  6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brethren before the city authorities, crying, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them; and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”  8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard this.  9 And when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea; and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.  11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see if these things were so.  12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.  13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there too, stirring up and inciting the crowds.  14 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there.  15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.

16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.  17 So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the market place every day with those who chanced to be there.  18 Some also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers met him. And some said, “What would this babbler say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities” — because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.  19 And they took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is which you present?  20 For you bring some strange things to our ears; we wish to know therefore what these things mean.”  21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.

22 So Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.  24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything.  26 And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us, 28 for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’  29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the Deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, a representation by the art and imagination of man.  30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all men by raising him from the dead.”

32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, “We will hear you again about this.”  33 So Paul went out from among them.  34 But some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

17:1 διοδευσαντες δε την αμφιπολιν και απολλωνιαν ηλθον εις θεσσαλονικην οπου ην η συναγωγη των ιουδαιων 17:2 κατα δε το ειωθος τω παυλω εισηλθεν προς αυτους και επι σαββατα τρια διελεξατο αυτοις απο των γραφων 17:3 διανοιγων και παρατιθεμενος οτι τον χριστον εδει παθειν και αναστηναι εκ νεκρων και οτι ουτος εστιν ο χριστος ιησους ον εγω καταγγελλω υμιν 17:4 και τινες εξ αυτων επεισθησαν και προσεκληρωθησαν τω παυλω και τω σιλα των τε σεβομενων ελληνων πολυ πληθος γυναικων τε των πρωτων ουκ ολιγαι 17:5 προσλαβομενοι δε οι ιουδαιοι οι απειθουντες των αγοραιων τινας ανδρας πονηρους και οχλοποιησαντες εθορυβουν την πολιν επισταντες τε τη οικια ιασονος εζητουν αυτους αγαγειν εις τον δημον 17:6 μη ευροντες δε αυτους εσυρον τον ιασονα και τινας αδελφους επι τους πολιταρχας βοωντες οτι οι την οικουμενην αναστατωσαντες ουτοι και ενθαδε παρεισιν 17:7 ους υποδεδεκται ιασων και ουτοι παντες απεναντι των δογματων καισαρος πρασσουσιν βασιλεα λεγοντες ετερον ειναι ιησουν 17:8 εταραξαν δε τον οχλον και τους πολιταρχας ακουοντας ταυτα 17:9 και λαβοντες το ικανον παρα του ιασονος και των λοιπων απελυσαν αυτους

17:10 οι δε αδελφοι ευθεως δια της νυκτος εξεπεμψαν τον τε παυλον και τον σιλαν εις βεροιαν οιτινες παραγενομενοι εις την συναγωγην απηεσαν των ιουδαιων 17:11 ουτοι δε ησαν ευγενεστεροι των εν θεσσαλονικη οιτινες εδεξαντο τον λογον μετα πασης προθυμιας το καθ ημεραν ανακρινοντες τας γραφας ει εχοι ταυτα ουτως 17:12 πολλοι μεν ουν εξ αυτων επιστευσαν και των ελληνιδων γυναικων των ευσχημονων και ανδρων ουκ ολιγοι 17:13 ως δε εγνωσαν οι απο της θεσσαλονικης ιουδαιοι οτι και εν τη βεροια κατηγγελη υπο του παυλου ο λογος του θεου ηλθον κακει σαλευοντες τους οχλους 17:14 ευθεως δε τοτε τον παυλον εξαπεστειλαν οι αδελφοι πορευεσθαι ως επι την θαλασσαν υπεμενον δε ο τε σιλας και ο τιμοθεος εκει 17:15 οι δε καθιστωντες τον παυλον ηγαγον αυτον εως αθηνων και λαβοντες εντολην προς τον σιλαν και τιμοθεον ινα ως ταχιστα ελθωσιν προς αυτον εξηεσαν

17:16 εν δε ταις αθηναις εκδεχομενου αυτους του παυλου παρωξυνετο το πνευμα αυτου εν αυτω θεωρουντι κατειδωλον ουσαν την πολιν 17:17 διελεγετο μεν ουν εν τη συναγωγη τοις ιουδαιοις και τοις σεβομενοις και εν τη αγορα κατα πασαν ημεραν προς τους παρατυγχανοντας 17:18 τινες δε και των επικουρειων και των στοικων φιλοσοφων συνεβαλλον αυτω και τινες ελεγον τι αν θελοι ο σπερμολογος ουτος λεγειν οι δε ξενων δαιμονιων δοκει καταγγελευς ειναι οτι τον ιησουν και την αναστασιν ευηγγελιζετο 17:19 επιλαβομενοι τε αυτου επι τον αρειον παγον ηγαγον λεγοντες δυναμεθα γνωναι τις η καινη αυτη η υπο σου λαλουμενη διδαχη 17:20 ξενιζοντα γαρ τινα εισφερεις εις τας ακοας ημων βουλομεθα ουν γνωναι τι αν θελοι ταυτα ειναι 17:21 αθηναιοι δε παντες και οι επιδημουντες ξενοι εις ουδεν ετερον ευκαιρουν η λεγειν τι και ακουειν καινοτερον

17:22 σταθεις δε ο παυλος εν μεσω του αρειου παγου εφη ανδρες αθηναιοι κατα παντα ως δεισιδαιμονεστερους υμας θεωρω 17:23 διερχομενος γαρ και αναθεωρων τα σεβασματα υμων ευρον και βωμον εν ω επεγεγραπτο αγνωστω θεω ον ουν αγνοουντες ευσεβειτε τουτον εγω καταγγελλω υμιν 17:24 ο θεος ο ποιησας τον κοσμον και παντα τα εν αυτω ουτος ουρανου και γης κυριος υπαρχων ουκ εν χειροποιητοις ναοις κατοικει 17:25 ουδε υπο χειρων ανθρωπων θεραπευεται προσδεομενος τινος αυτος διδους πασιν ζωην και πνοην βπαντα 17:26 εποιησεν τε εξ ενος αιματος παν εθνος ανθρωπων κατοικειν επι παν το προσωπον της γης ορισας προστεταγμενους καιρους και τας οροθεσιας της κατοικιας αυτων 17:27 ζητειν τον κυριον ει αρα γε ψηλαφησειαν αυτον και ευροιεν καιγε ου μακραν απο ενος εκαστου ημων υπαρχοντα 17:28 εν αυτω γαρ ζωμεν και κινουμεθα και εσμεν ως και τινες των καθ υμας ποιητων ειρηκασιν του γαρ και γενος εσμεν 17:29 γενος ουν υπαρχοντες του θεου ουκ οφειλομεν νομιζειν χρυσω η αργυρω η λιθω χαραγματι τεχνης και ενθυμησεως ανθρωπου το θειον ειναι ομοιον 17:30 τους μεν ουν χρονους της αγνοιας υπεριδων ο θεος τα νυν παραγγελλει τοις ανθρωποις πασιν πανταχου μετανοειν 17:31 διοτι εστησεν ημεραν εν η μελλει κρινειν την οικουμενην εν δικαιοσυνη εν ανδρι ω ωρισεν πιστιν παρασχων πασιν αναστησας αυτον εκ νεκρων

17:32 ακουσαντες δε αναστασιν νεκρων οι μεν εχλευαζον οι δε ειπον ακουσομεθα σου παλιν περι τουτου 17:33 και ουτως ο παυλος εξηλθεν εκ μεσου αυτων 17:34 τινες δε ανδρες κολληθεντες αυτω επιστευσαν εν οις και διονυσιος ο αρεοπαγιτης και γυνη ονοματι δαμαρις και ετεροι συν αυτοις

18    Numbers 6:18

1 After this he left Athens and went to Corinth.  2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, lately come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them; 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them, and they worked, for by trade they were tentmakers.  4 And he argued in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.

5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with preaching, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.  6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”  7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God; his house was next door to the synagogue.  8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with all his household; and many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.  9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city.”  11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack upon Paul and brought him before the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is persuading men to worship God contrary to the law.”  14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, I should have reason to bear with you, O Jews; 15 but since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I refuse to be a judge of these things.”  16 And he drove them from the tribunal.  17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to this.

18 After this Paul stayed many days longer, and then took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he cut his hair, for he had a vow.  19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself went into the synagogue and argued with the Jews.  20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined; 21 but on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.

22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch.  23 After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the scriptures.  25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and expounded to him the way of God more accurately.  27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully confuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.

18:1 μετα δε ταυτα χωρισθεις ο παυλος εκ των αθηνων ηλθεν εις κορινθον 18:2 και ευρων τινα ιουδαιον ονοματι ακυλαν ποντικον τω γενει προσφατως εληλυθοτα απο της ιταλιας και πρισκιλλαν γυναικα αυτου δια το τεταχεναι κλαυδιον χωριζεσθαι παντας τους ιουδαιους εκ της ρωμης προσηλθεν αυτοις 18:3 και δια το ομοτεχνον ειναι εμενεν παρ αυτοις και ειργαζετο ησαν γαρ σκηνοποιοι την τεχνην 18:4 διελεγετο δε εν τη συναγωγη κατα παν σαββατον επειθεν τε ιουδαιους και ελληνας

18:5 ως δε κατηλθον απο της μακεδονιας ο τε σιλας και ο τιμοθεος συνειχετο τω πνευματι ο παυλος διαμαρτυρομενος τοις ιουδαιοις τον χριστον ιησουν 18:6 αντιτασσομενων δε αυτων και βλασφημουντων εκτιναξαμενος τα ιματια ειπεν προς αυτους το αιμα υμων επι την κεφαλην υμων καθαρος εγω απο του νυν εις τα εθνη πορευσομαι 18:7 και μεταβας εκειθεν ηλθεν εις οικιαν τινος ονοματι ιουστου σεβομενου τον θεον ου η οικια ην συνομορουσα τη συναγωγη 18:8 κρισπος δε ο αρχισυναγωγος επιστευσεν τω κυριω συν ολω τω οικω αυτου και πολλοι των κορινθιων ακουοντες επιστευον και εβαπτιζοντο 18:9 ειπεν δε ο κυριος δι οραματος εν νυκτι τω παυλω μη φοβου αλλα λαλει και μη σιωπησης 18:10 διοτι εγω ειμι μετα σου και ουδεις επιθησεται σοι του κακωσαι σε διοτι λαος εστιν μοι πολυς εν τη πολει ταυτη 18:11 εκαθισεν τε ενιαυτον και μηνας εξ διδασκων εν αυτοις τον λογον του θεου

18:12 γαλλιωνος δε ανθυπατευοντος της αχαιας κατεπεστησαν ομοθυμαδον οι ιουδαιοι τω παυλω και ηγαγον αυτον επι το βημα 18:13 λεγοντες οτι παρα τον νομον ουτος αναπειθει τους ανθρωπους σεβεσθαι τον θεον 18:14 μελλοντος δε του παυλου ανοιγειν το στομα ειπεν ο γαλλιων προς τους ιουδαιους ει μεν ουν ην αδικημα τι η ραδιουργημα πονηρον ω ιουδαιοι κατα λογον αν ηνεσχομην υμων 18:15 ει δε ζητημα εστιν περι λογου και ονοματων και νομου του καθ υμας οψεσθε αυτοι κριτης γαρ εγω τουτων ου βουλομαι ειναι 18:16 και απηλασεν αυτους απο του βηματος 18:17 επιλαβομενοι δε παντες οι ελληνες σωσθενην τον αρχισυναγωγον ετυπτον εμπροσθεν του βηματος και ουδεν τουτων τω γαλλιωνι εμελλεν

18:18 ο δε παυλος ετι προσμεινας ημερας ικανας τοις αδελφοις αποταξαμενος εξεπλει εις την συριαν και συν αυτω πρισκιλλα και ακυλας κειραμενος την κεφαλην εν κεγχρεαις ειχεν γαρ ευχην 18:19 κατηντησεν δε εις εφεσον και εκεινους κατελιπεν αυτου αυτος δε εισελθων εις την συναγωγην διελεχθη τοις ιουδαιοις 18:20 ερωτωντων δε αυτων επι πλειονα χρονον μειναι παρ αυτοις ουκ επενευσεν 18:21 αλλ απεταξατο αυτοις ειπων δει με παντως την εορτην την ερχομενην ποιησαι εις ιεροσολυμα παλιν δε ανακαμψω προς υμας του θεου θελοντος και ανηχθη απο της εφεσου

18:22 και κατελθων εις καισαρειαν αναβας και ασπασαμενος την εκκλησιαν κατεβη εις αντιοχειαν 18:23 και ποιησας χρονον τινα εξηλθεν διερχομενος καθεξης την γαλατικην χωραν και φρυγιαν επιστηριζων παντας τους μαθητας

18:24 ιουδαιος δε τις απολλως ονοματι αλεξανδρευς τω γενει ανηρ λογιος κατηντησεν εις εφεσον δυνατος ων εν ταις γραφαις 18:25 ουτος ην κατηχημενος την οδον του κυριου και ζεων τω πνευματι ελαλει και εδιδασκεν ακριβως τα περι του κυριου επισταμενος μονον το βαπτισμα ιωαννου  18:26 ουτος τε ηρξατο παρρησιαζεσθαι εν τη συναγωγη ακουσαντες δε αυτου ακυλας και πρισκιλλα προσελαβοντο αυτον και ακριβεστερον αυτω εξεθεντο την του θεου οδον 18:27 βουλομενου δε αυτου διελθειν εις την αχαιαν προτρεψαμενοι οι αδελφοι εγραψαν τοις μαθηταις αποδεξασθαι αυτον ος παραγενομενος συνεβαλετο πολυ τοις πεπιστευκοσιν δια της χαριτος 18:28 ευτονως γαρ τοις ιουδαιοις διακατηλεγχετο δημοσια επιδεικνυς δια των γραφων ειναι τον χριστον ιησουν

4    Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:4-8; Luke 3:4, 3:16; John 1:26-27

1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples.  2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”  3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.”  4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”  5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.  7 There were about twelve of them in all.

8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God; 9 but when some were stubborn and disbelieved, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them, taking the disciples with him, and argued daily in the hall of Tyrannus.  10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

11 And God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.  13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this.  15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, mastered all of them, and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.  17 And this became known to all residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks; and fear fell upon them all; and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.  18 Many also of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.  20 So the word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily.

21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”  22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

23 About that time there arose no little stir concerning the Way.  24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen.  25 These he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth.  26 And you see and hear that not only at Ephesus but almost throughout all Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable company of people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may count for nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”

28 When they heard this they were enraged, and cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”  29 So the city was filled with the confusion; and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel.  30 Paul wished to go in among the crowd, but the disciples would not let him; 31 some of the Asiarchs also, who were friends of his, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.  32 Now some cried one thing, some another; for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.  33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, wishing to make a defense to the people.  34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all with one voice cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”  35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?  36 Seeing then that these things cannot be contradicted, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash.  37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess.  38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against any one, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges against one another.  39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly.  40 For we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, there being no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.”  41 And when he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

19:1 εγενετο δε εν τω τον απολλω ειναι εν κορινθω παυλον διελθοντα τα ανωτερικα μερη ελθειν εις εφεσον και ευρων τινας μαθητας 19:2 ειπεν προς αυτους ει πνευμα αγιον ελαβετε πιστευσαντες οι δε ειπον προς αυτον αλλ ουδε ει πνευμα αγιον εστιν ηκουσαμεν 19:3 ειπεν τε προς αυτους εις τι ουν εβαπτισθητε οι δε ειπον εις το ιωαννου βαπτισμα 19:4 ειπεν δε παυλος ιωαννης μεν εβαπτισεν βαπτισμα μετανοιας τω λαω λεγων εις τον ερχομενον μετ αυτον ινα πιστευσωσιν τουτ εστιν εις τον χριστον ιησουν 19:5 ακουσαντες δε εβαπτισθησαν εις το ονομα του κυριου ιησου 19:6 και επιθεντος αυτοις του παυλου τας χειρας ηλθεν το πνευμα το αγιον επ αυτους ελαλουν τε γλωσσαις και προεφητευον 19:7 ησαν δε οι παντες ανδρες ωσει δεκαδυο

19:8 εισελθων δε εις την συναγωγην επαρρησιαζετο επι μηνας τρεις διαλεγομενος και πειθων τα περι της βασιλειας του θεου 19:9 ως δε τινες εσκληρυνοντο και ηπειθουν κακολογουντες την οδον ενωπιον του πληθους αποστας απ αυτων αφωρισεν τους μαθητας καθ ημεραν διαλεγομενος εν τη σχολη τυραννου τινος 19:10 τουτο δε εγενετο επι ετη δυο ωστε παντας τους κατοικουντας την ασιαν ακουσαι τον λογον του κυριου ιησου ιουδαιους τε και ελληνας

19:11 δυναμεις τε ου τας τυχουσας εποιει ο θεος δια των χειρων παυλου 19:12 ωστε και επι τους ασθενουντας επιφερεσθαι απο του χρωτος αυτου σουδαρια η σιμικινθια και απαλλασσεσθαι απ αυτων τας νοσους τα τε πνευματα τα πονηρα εξερχεσθαι απ αυτων 19:13 επεχειρησαν δε τινες απο των περιερχομενων ιουδαιων εξορκιστων ονομαζειν επι τους εχοντας τα πνευματα τα πονηρα το ονομα του κυριου ιησου λεγοντες ορκιζομεν υμας τον ιησουν ον ο παυλος κηρυσσει 19:14 ησαν δε τινες υιοι σκευα ιουδαιου αρχιερεως επτα οι τουτο ποιουντες 19:15 αποκριθεν δε το πνευμα το πονηρον ειπεν τον ιησουν γινωσκω και τον παυλον επισταμαι υμεις δε τινες εστε 19:16 και εφαλλομενος επ αυτους ο ανθρωπος εν ω ην το πνευμα το πονηρον και κατακυριευσαν αυτων ισχυσεν κατ αυτων ωστε γυμνους και τετραυματισμενους εκφυγειν εκ του οικου εκεινου 19:17 τουτο δε εγενετο γνωστον πασιν ιουδαιοις τε και ελλησιν τοις κατοικουσιν την εφεσον και επεπεσεν φοβος επι παντας αυτους και εμεγαλυνετο το ονομα του κυριου ιησου 19:18 πολλοι τε των πεπιστευκοτων ηρχοντο εξομολογουμενοι και αναγγελλοντες τας πραξεις αυτων 19:19 ικανοι δε των τα περιεργα πραξαντων συνενεγκαντες τας βιβλους κατεκαιον ενωπιον παντων και συνεψηφισαν τας τιμας αυτων και ευρον αργυριου μυριαδας πεντε 19:20 ουτως κατα κρατος ο λογος του κυριου ηυξανεν και ισχυεν

19:21 ως δε επληρωθη ταυτα εθετο ο παυλος εν τω πνευματι διελθων την μακεδονιαν και αχαιαν πορευεσθαι εις ιερουσαλημ ειπων οτι μετα το γενεσθαι με εκει δει με και ρωμην ιδειν 19:22 αποστειλας δε εις την μακεδονιαν δυο των διακονουντων αυτω τιμοθεον και εραστον αυτος επεσχεν χρονον εις την ασιαν

19:23 εγενετο δε κατα τον καιρον εκεινον ταραχος ουκ ολιγος περι της οδου 19:24 δημητριος γαρ τις ονοματι αργυροκοπος ποιων ναους αργυρους αρτεμιδος παρειχετο τοις τεχνιταις εργασιαν ουκ ολιγην 19:25 ους συναθροισας και τους περι τα τοιαυτα εργατας ειπεν ανδρες επιστασθε οτι εκ ταυτης της εργασιας η ευπορια ημων εστιν 19:26 και θεωρειτε και ακουετε οτι ου μονον εφεσου αλλα σχεδον πασης της ασιας ο παυλος ουτος πεισας μετεστησεν ικανον οχλον λεγων οτι ουκ εισιν θεοι οι δια χειρων γινομενοι 19:27 ου μονον δε τουτο κινδυνευει ημιν το μερος εις απελεγμον ελθειν αλλα και το της μεγαλης θεας ιερον αρτεμιδος εις ουθεν λογισθηναι μελλειν βκαι καθαιρεισθαι την μεγαλειοτητα αυτης ην ολη η ασια και η οικουμενη σεβεται

19:28 ακουσαντες δε και γενομενοι πληρεις θυμου εκραζον λεγοντες μεγαλη η αρτεμις εφεσιων 19:29 και επλησθη η πολις ολη της συγχυσεως ωρμησαν τε ομοθυμαδον εις το θεατρον συναρπασαντες γαιον και αρισταρχον μακεδονας συνεκδημους παυλου 19:30 του δε παυλου βουλομενου εισελθειν εις τον δημον ουκ ειων αυτον οι μαθηται 19:31 τινες δε και των ασιαρχων οντες αυτω φιλοι πεμψαντες προς αυτον παρεκαλουν μη δουναι εαυτον εις το θεατρον 19:32 αλλοι μεν ουν αλλο τι εκραζον ην γαρ η εκκλησια συγκεχυμενη και οι πλειους ουκ ηδεισαν τινος ενεκεν συνεληλυθεισαν 19:33 εκ δε του οχλου προεβιβασαν αλεξανδρον βαυτον των ιουδαιων ο δε αλεξανδρος κατασεισας την χειρα ηθελεν απολογεισθαι τω δημω 19:34 επιγνοντες δε οτι ιουδαιος εστιν φωνη εγενετο μια εκ παντων ως επι ωρας δυο κραζοντων μεγαλη η αρτεμις εφεσιων 19:35 καταστειλας δε ο γραμματευς τον οχλον φησιν ανδρες εφεσιοι τις γαρ εστιν ανθρωπος ος ου γινωσκει την εφεσιων πολιν νεωκορον ουσαν της μεγαλης θεας αρτεμιδος και του διοπετους 19:36 αναντιρρητων ουν οντων τουτων δεον εστιν υμας κατεσταλμενους υπαρχειν και μηδεν προπετες πρασσειν 19:37 ηγαγετε γαρ τους ανδρας τουτους ουτε ιεροσυλους ουτε βλασφημουντας την θεον υμων 19:38 ει μεν ουν δημητριος και οι συν αυτω τεχνιται εχουσιν προς τινα λογον αγοραιοι αγονται και ανθυπατοι εισιν εγκαλειτωσαν αλληλοις 19:39 ει δε τι περι ετερων επιζητειτε εν τη εννομω εκκλησια επιλυθησεται 19:40 και γαρ κινδυνευομεν εγκαλεισθαι στασεως περι της σημερον μηδενος αιτιου υπαρχοντος περι ου ου δυνησομεθα δουναι λογον της συστροφης ταυτης  19:41 και ταυτα ειπων απελυσεν την εκκλησιαν

21    Mark 1:15
24    2 Timothy 4:7
26    Ezekiel 33:1-4
35    Matthew 5:7; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Ephesians 4:27

9-12    Frederick Buechner, “Eutychus,” Peculiar Treasures, p. 34

1 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples and having exhorted them took leave of them and departed for Macedonia.  2 When he had gone through these parts and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece.  3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.  4 Sopater of Beroea, the son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.  5 These went on and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.

7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and he prolonged his speech until midnight.  8 There were many lights in the upper chamber where we were gathered.  9 And a young man named Eutychus was sitting in the window. He sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer; and being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.  10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and embracing him said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.”  11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed.  12 And they took the lad away alive, and were not a little comforted.

13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there; for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land.  14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.  15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we came to Miletus.  16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.  18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you all the time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which befell me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance to God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.  22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, bound in the Spirit, not knowing what shall befall me there; 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.  24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

25 And now, behold, I know that all you among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom will see my face no more.  26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.  28 Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son.  29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.  31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.  32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.  33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.  34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me.  35 In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

36 And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all.  37 And they all wept and embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they brought him to the ship.

20:1 μετα δε το παυσασθαι τον θορυβον προσκαλεσαμενος ο παυλος τους μαθητας και ασπασαμενος εξηλθεν πορευθηναι εις την μακεδονιαν 20:2 διελθων δε τα μερη εκεινα και παρακαλεσας αυτους λογω πολλω ηλθεν εις την ελλαδα 20:3 ποιησας τε μηνας τρεις γενομενης αυτω επιβουλης υπο των ιουδαιων μελλοντι αναγεσθαι εις την συριαν εγενετο γνωμη του υποστρεφειν δια μακεδονιας 20:4 συνειπετο δε αυτω αχρι της ασιας σωπατρος βεροιαιος θεσσαλονικεων δε αρισταρχος και σεκουνδος και γαιος δερβαιος και τιμοθεος ασιανοι δε τυχικος και τροφιμος 20:5 ουτοι προσελθοντες εμενον ημας εν τρωαδι 20:6 ημεις δε εξεπλευσαμεν μετα τας ημερας των αζυμων απο φιλιππων και ηλθομεν προς αυτους εις την τρωαδα αχρι ημερων πεντε ου διετριψαμεν ημερας επτα

20:7 εν δε τη μια των σαββατων συνηγμενων των μαθητων κλασαι αρτον ο παυλος διελεγετο αυτοις μελλων εξιεναι τη επαυριον παρετεινεν τε τον λογον μεχρι μεσονυκτιου 20:8 ησαν δε λαμπαδες ικαναι εν τω υπερωω ου ημεν συνηγμενοι 20:9 καθημενος δε τις νεανιας ονοματι ευτυχος επι της θυριδος καταφερομενος υπνω βαθει διαλεγομενου του παυλου επι πλειον κατενεχθεις απο του υπνου επεσεν απο του τριστεγου κατω και ηρθη νεκρος 20:10 καταβας δε ο παυλος επεπεσεν αυτω και συμπεριλαβων ειπεν μη θορυβεισθε η γαρ ψυχη αυτου εν αυτω εστιν 20:11 αναβας δε και κλασας αρτον και γευσαμενος εφ ικανον τε ομιλησας αχρις αυγης ουτως εξηλθεν 20:12 ηγαγον δε τον παιδα ζωντα και παρεκληθησαν ου μετριως

20:13 ημεις δε προσελθοντες επι το πλοιον ανηχθημεν εις την ασσον εκειθεν μελλοντες αναλαμβανειν τον παυλον ουτως γαρ ην διατεταγμενος μελλων αυτος πεζευειν 20:14 ως δε συνεβαλεν ημιν εις την ασσον αναλαβοντες αυτον ηλθομεν εις μιτυληνην 20:15 κακειθεν αποπλευσαντες τη επιουση κατηντησαμεν αντικρυ χιου τη δε ετερα παρεβαλομεν εις σαμον και μειναντες εν τρωγυλλιω τη εχομενη ηλθομεν εις μιλητον 20:16 εκρινεν γαρ ο παυλος παραπλευσαι την εφεσον οπως μη γενηται αυτω χρονοτριβησαι εν τη ασια εσπευδεν γαρ ει δυνατον ην αυτω την ημεραν της πεντηκοστης γενεσθαι εις ιεροσολυμα

20:17 απο δε της μιλητου πεμψας εις εφεσον μετεκαλεσατο τους πρεσβυτερους της εκκλησιας 20:18 ως δε παρεγενοντο προς αυτον ειπεν αυτοις υμεις επιστασθε απο πρωτης ημερας αφ ης επεβην εις την ασιαν πως μεθ υμων τον παντα χρονον εγενομην 20:19 δουλευων τω κυριω μετα πασης ταπεινοφροσυνης και πολλων δακρυων και πειρασμων των συμβαντων μοι εν ταις επιβουλαις των ιουδαιων 20:20 ως ουδεν υπεστειλαμην των συμφεροντων του μη αναγγειλαι υμιν και διδαξαι υμας δημοσια και κατ οικους 20:21 διαμαρτυρομενος ιουδαιοις τε και ελλησιν την εις τον θεον μετανοιαν και πιστιν την εις τον κυριον ημων ιησουν 20:22 και νυν ιδου εγω δεδεμενος τω πνευματι πορευομαι εις ιερουσαλημ τα εν αυτη συναντησοντα μοι μη ειδως 20:23 πλην οτι το πνευμα το αγιον κατα πολιν διαμαρτυρεται λεγον οτι δεσμα με και θλιψεις μενουσιν 20:24 αλλ ουδενος λογον ποιουμαι ουδε εχω την ψυχην μου τιμιαν εμαυτω ως τελειωσαι τον δρομον μου μετα χαρας και την διακονιαν ην ελαβον παρα του κυριου ιησου διαμαρτυρασθαι το ευαγγελιον της χαριτος του θεου

20:25 και νυν ιδου εγω οιδα οτι ουκετι οψεσθε το προσωπον μου υμεις παντες εν οις διηλθον κηρυσσων την βασιλειαν του θεου 20:26 διοτι μαρτυρομαι υμιν εν τη σημερον ημερα οτι καθαρος εγω απο του αιματος παντων  20:27 ου γαρ υπεστειλαμην του μη αναγγειλαι υμιν πασαν την βουλην του θεου 20:28 προσεχετε ουν εαυτοις και παντι τω ποιμνιω εν ω υμας το πνευμα το αγιον εθετο επισκοπους ποιμαινειν την εκκλησιαν του κυριου και θεου ην περιεποιησατο δια του ιδιου αιματος 20:29 εγω γαρ οιδα τουτο οτι εισελευσονται μετα την αφιξιν μου λυκοι βαρεις εις υμας μη φειδομενοι του ποιμνιου 20:30 και εξ υμων αυτων αναστησονται ανδρες λαλουντες διεστραμμενα του αποσπαν τους μαθητας οπισω αυτων 20:31 διο γρηγορειτε μνημονευοντες οτι τριετιαν νυκτα και ημεραν ουκ επαυσαμην μετα δακρυων νουθετων ενα εκαστον 20:32 και αβαβπαρατιθεμαι υμας αδελφοι τω θεω και τω λογω της χαριτος αυτου τω δυναμενω εποικοδομησαι και δουναι υμιν κληρονομιαν εν τοις ηγιασμενοις πασιν 20:33 αργυριου η χρυσιου η ιματισμου ουδενος επεθυμησα  20:34 αυτοι γινωσκετε οτι ταις χρειαις μου και τοις ουσιν μετ εμου υπηρετησαν αι χειρες αυται 20:35 παντα υπεδειξα υμιν οτι ουτως κοπιωντας δει αντιλαμβανεσθαι των ασθενουντων μνημονευειν τε των λογων του κυριου ιησου οτι αυτος ειπεν μακαριον εστιν μαλλον διδοναι η λαμβανειν

20:36 και ταυτα ειπων θεις τα γονατα αυτου συν πασιν αυτοις προσηυξατο 20:37 ικανος δε εγενετο κλαυθμος παντων και επιπεσοντες επι τον τραχηλον του παυλου κατεφιλουν αυτον 20:38 οδυνωμενοι μαλιστα επι τω λογω ω ειρηκει οτι ουκετι μελλουσιν το προσωπον αυτου θεωρειν προεπεμπον δε αυτον εις το πλοιον

John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed, Excavating Jesus, p. 41-43 (Romans 15)

8            Acts 6:5, 8:5
10           Acts 11:28
23-24    Numbers 6:13-21
25           Acts 15:29
29           Acts 20:4

1 And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.  2 And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail.  3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload its cargo.  4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. Through the Spirit they told Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.  5 And when our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey; and they all, with wives and children, brought us on our way till we were outside the city; and kneeling down on the beach we prayed and bade one another farewell.  6 Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.

7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we greeted the brethren and stayed with them for one day.  8 On the morrow we departed and came to Caesarea; and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.  9 And he had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.  10 While we were staying for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.  11 And coming to us he took Paul’s girdle and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this girdle and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”  12 When we heard this, we and the people there begged him not to go up to Jerusalem.  13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”  14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “The will of the Lord be done.” 15 After these days we made ready and went up to Jerusalem.  16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.

17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.  18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present.  19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.  20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed; they are all zealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs.  22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.  23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you but that you yourself live in observance of the law.  25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity.” 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself with them and went into the temple, to give notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for every one of them.

27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, who had seen him in the temple, stirred up all the crowd, and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching men everywhere against the people and the law and this place; moreover he also brought Greeks into the temple, and he has defiled this holy place.”  29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.  30 Then all the city was aroused, and the people ran together; they seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.  31 And as they were trying to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.  32 He at once took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them; and when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.  33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done.  34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing, some another; and as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.  35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd; 36 for the mob of the people followed, crying, “Away with him!”

37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek?  38 Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; I beg you, let me speak to the people.”  40 And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people; and when there was a great hush, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying:

21:1 ως δε εγενετο αναχθηναι ημας αποσπασθεντας απ αυτων ευθυδρομησαντες ηλθομεν εις την κων τη δε εξης εις την ροδον κακειθεν εις παταρα  21:2 και ευροντες πλοιον διαπερων εις φοινικην επιβαντες ανηχθημεν 21:3 αναφανεντες δε την κυπρον και καταλιποντες αυτην ευωνυμον επλεομεν εις συριαν και κατηχθημεν εις τυρον εκεισε γαρ ην το πλοιον αποφορτιζομενον τον γομον 21:4 και ανευροντες μαθητας επεμειναμεν αυτου ημερας επτα οιτινες τω παυλω ελεγον δια του πνευματος μη αναβαινειν εις ιερουσαλημ 21:5 οτε δε εγενετο ημας εξαρτισαι τας ημερας εξελθοντες επορευομεθα προπεμποντων ημας παντων συν γυναιξιν και τεκνοις εως εξω της πολεως και θεντες τα γονατα επι τον αιγιαλον προσηυξαμεθα 21:6 και ασπασαμενοι αλληλους επεβημεν εις το πλοιον εκεινοι δε υπεστρεψαν εις τα ιδια

21:7 ημεις δε τον πλουν διανυσαντες απο τυρου κατηντησαμεν εις πτολεμαιδα και ασπασαμενοι τους αδελφους εμειναμεν ημεραν μιαν παρ αυτοις 21:8 τη δε επαυριον εξελθοντες οι περι τον παυλον βεις καισαρειαν και εισελθοντες εις τον οικον φιλιππου του ευαγγελιστου οντος εκ των επτα εμειναμεν παρ αυτω 21:9 τουτω δε ησαν θυγατερες παρθενοι τεσσαρες προφητευουσαι 21:10 επιμενοντων δε ημων ημερας πλειους κατηλθεν τις απο της ιουδαιας προφητης ονοματι αγαβος 21:11 και ελθων προς ημας και αρας την ζωνην του παυλου δησας τε αυτου τους ποδας και τας χειρας ειπεν ταδε λεγει το πνευμα το αγιον τον ανδρα ου εστιν η ζωνη αυτη ουτως δησουσιν εν ιερουσαλημ οι ιουδαιοι και παραδωσουσιν εις χειρας εθνων 21:12 ως δε ηκουσαμεν ταυτα παρεκαλουμεν ημεις τε και οι εντοπιοι του μη αναβαινειν αυτον εις ιερουσαλημ 21:13 απεκριθη τε ο παυλος τι ποιειτε κλαιοντες και συνθρυπτοντες μου την καρδιαν εγω γαρ ου μονον δεθηναι αλλα και αποθανειν εις ιερουσαλημ ετοιμως εχω υπερ του ονοματος του κυριου ιησου 21:14 μη πειθομενου δε αυτου ησυχασαμεν ειποντες το θελημα του κυριου γενεσθω 21:15 μετα δε τας ημερας ταυτας επισκευασαμενοι ανεβαινομεν εις ιερουσαλημ 21:16 συνηλθον δε και των μαθητων απο καισαρειας συν ημιν αγοντες παρ ω ξενισθωμεν μνασωνι τινι κυπριω αρχαιω μαθητη

21:17 γενομενων δε ημων εις ιεροσολυμα ασμενως εδεξαντο ημας οι αδελφοι 21:18 τη δε επιουση εισηει ο παυλος συν ημιν προς ιακωβον παντες τε παρεγενοντο οι πρεσβυτεροι 21:19 και ασπασαμενος αυτους εξηγειτο καθ εν εκαστον ων εποιησεν ο θεος εν τοις εθνεσιν δια της διακονιας αυτου 21:20 οι δε ακουσαντες εδοξαζον τον κυριον ειποντες αυτω θεωρεις αδελφε ποσαι μυριαδες εισιν ιουδαιων των πεπιστευκοτων και παντες ζηλωται του νομου υπαρχουσιν 21:21 κατηχηθησαν δε περι σου οτι αποστασιαν διδασκεις απο μωυσεως τους κατα τα εθνη παντας ιουδαιους λεγων μη περιτεμνειν αυτους τα τεκνα μηδε τοις εθεσιν περιπατειν 21:22 τι ουν εστιν παντως δει πληθος συνελθειν ακουσονται γαρ οτι εληλυθας 21:23 τουτο ουν ποιησον ο σοι λεγομεν εισιν ημιν ανδρες τεσσαρες ευχην εχοντες εφ εαυτων 21:24 τουτους παραλαβων αγνισθητι συν αυτοις και δαπανησον επ αυτοις ινα ξυρησωνται την κεφαλην και γνωσιν παντες οτι ων κατηχηνται περι σου ουδεν εστιν αλλα στοιχεις και αυτος τον νομον φυλασσων 21:25 περι δε των πεπιστευκοτων εθνων ημεις επεστειλαμεν κριναντες μηδεν τοιουτο τηρειν αυτους ει μη φυλασσεσθαι αυτους το τε ειδωλοθυτον και το αιμα και πνικτον και πορνειαν 21:26 τοτε ο παυλος παραλαβων τους ανδρας τη εχομενη ημερα συν αυτοις αγνισθεις εισηει εις το ιερον διαγγελλων την εκπληρωσιν των ημερων του αγνισμου εως ου προσηνεχθη υπερ ενος εκαστου αυτων η προσφορα

21:27 ως δε εμελλον αι επτα ημεραι συντελεισθαι οι απο της ασιας ιουδαιοι θεασαμενοι αυτον εν τω ιερω συνεχεον παντα τον οχλον και επεβαλον τας χειρας επ αυτον 21:28 κραζοντες ανδρες ισραηλιται βοηθειτε ουτος εστιν ο ανθρωπος ο κατα του λαου και του νομου και του τοπου τουτου παντας πανταχου διδασκων ετι τε και ελληνας εισηγαγεν εις το ιερον και κεκοινωκεν τον αγιον τοπον τουτον 21:29 ησαν γαρ εωρακοτες τροφιμον τον εφεσιον εν τη πολει συν αυτω ον ενομιζον οτι εις το ιερον εισηγαγεν ο παυλος 21:30 εκινηθη τε η πολις ολη και εγενετο συνδρομη του λαου και επιλαβομενοι του παυλου ειλκον αυτον εξω του ιερου και ευθεως εκλεισθησαν αι θυραι 21:31 ζητουντων δε αυτον αποκτειναι ανεβη φασις τω χιλιαρχω της σπειρης οτι ολη συγκεχυται ιερουσαλημ 21:32 ος εξαυτης παραλαβων στρατιωτας και εκατονταρχους κατεδραμεν επ αυτους οι δε ιδοντες τον χιλιαρχον και τους στρατιωτας επαυσαντο τυπτοντες τον παυλον 21:33 εγγισας δε ο χιλιαρχος επελαβετο αυτου και εκελευσεν δεθηναι αλυσεσιν δυσιν και επυνθανετο τις αν ειη και τι εστιν πεποιηκως 21:34 αλλοι δε αλλο τι εβοων εν τω οχλω μη δυναμενος δε γνωναι το ασφαλες δια τον θορυβον εκελευσεν αγεσθαι αυτον εις την παρεμβολην 21:35 οτε δε εγενετο επι τους αναβαθμους συνεβη βασταζεσθαι αυτον υπο των στρατιωτων δια την βιαν του οχλου 21:36 ηκολουθει γαρ το πληθος του λαου κραζον αιρε αυτον

21:37 μελλων τε εισαγεσθαι εις την παρεμβολην ο παυλος λεγει τω χιλιαρχω ει εξεστιν μοι ειπειν προς σε ο δε εφη ελληνιστι γινωσκεις 21:38 ουκ αρα συ ει ο αιγυπτιος ο προ τουτων των ημερων αναστατωσας και εξαγαγων εις την ερημον τους τετρακισχιλιους ανδρας των σικαριων   21:39 ειπεν δε ο παυλος εγω ανθρωπος μεν ειμι ιουδαιος ταρσευς της κιλικιας ουκ ασημου πολεως πολιτης δεομαι δε σου επιτρεψον μοι λαλησαι προς τον λαον 21:40 επιτρεψαντος δε αυτου ο παυλος εστως επι των αναβαθμων κατεσεισεν τη χειρι τω λαω πολλης δε σιγης γενομενης προσεφωνει τη εβραιδι διαλεκτω λεγων

3        Acts 5:34-39
4-5    Acts 8:3; 26:9-11
20     Acts 7:58

1 “Brethren and fathers, hear the defense which I now make before you.”

2 And when they heard that he addressed them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet. And he said:

3 “I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as you all are this day.  4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brethren, and I journeyed to Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

6 “As I made my journey and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me.  7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.’  9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.  10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’  11 And when I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And in that very hour I received my sight and saw him.  14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Just One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard.  16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get quickly out of Jerusalem, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’  19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in thee.  20 And when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by and approving, and keeping the garments of those who killed him.’  21 And he said to me, ‘Depart; for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

22 Up to this word they listened to him; then they lifted up their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he ought not to live.”  23 And as they cried out and waved their garments and threw dust into the air, 24 the tribune commanded him to be brought into the barracks, and ordered him to be examined by scourging, to find out why they shouted thus against him.  25 But when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen, and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard that, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.”  27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.”  28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”  29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him instantly; and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

30 But on the morrow, desiring to know the real reason why the Jews accused him, he unbound him, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.

22:1 ανδρες αδελφοι και πατερες ακουσατε μου της προς υμας νυνι απολογιας

22:2 ακουσαντες δε οτι τη εβραιδι διαλεκτω προσεφωνει αυτοις μαλλον παρεσχον ησυχιαν και φησιν

22:3 εγω μεν ειμι ανηρ ιουδαιος γεγεννημενος εν ταρσω της κιλικιας ανατεθραμμενος δε εν τη πολει ταυτη παρα τους ποδας γαμαλιηλ πεπαιδευμενος κατα ακριβειαν του πατρωου νομου ζηλωτης υπαρχων του θεου καθως παντες υμεις εστε σημερον 22:4 ος ταυτην την οδον εδιωξα αχρι θανατου δεσμευων και παραδιδους εις φυλακας ανδρας τε και γυναικας 22:5 ως και ο αρχιερευς μαρτυρει μοι και παν το πρεσβυτεριον παρ ων και επιστολας δεξαμενος προς τους αδελφους εις δαμασκον επορευομην αξων και τους εκεισε οντας δεδεμενους εις ιερουσαλημ ινα τιμωρηθωσιν

22:6 εγενετο δε μοι πορευομενω και εγγιζοντι τη δαμασκω περι μεσημβριαν εξαιφνης εκ του ουρανου περιαστραψαι φως ικανον περι εμε 22:7 επεσα τε εις το εδαφος και ηκουσα φωνης λεγουσης μοι σαουλ σαουλ τι με διωκεις 22:8 εγω δε απεκριθην τις ει κυριε ειπεν τε προς με εγω ειμι ιησους ο ναζωραιος ον συ διωκεις 22:9 οι δε συν εμοι οντες το μεν φως εθεασαντο και εμφοβοι εγενοντο την δε φωνην ουκ ηκουσαν του λαλουντος μοι 22:10 ειπον δε τι ποιησω κυριε ο δε κυριος ειπεν προς με αναστας πορευου εις δαμασκον κακει σοι λαληθησεται περι παντων ων τετακται σοι ποιησαι  22:11 ως δε ουκ ενεβλεπον απο της δοξης του φωτος εκεινου χειραγωγουμενος υπο των συνοντων μοι ηλθον εις δαμασκον

22:12 ανανιας δε τις ανηρ ευσεβης κατα τον νομον μαρτυρουμενος υπο παντων των κατοικουντων ιουδαιων 22:13 ελθων προς με και επιστας ειπεν μοι σαουλ αδελφε αναβλεψον καγω αυτη τη ωρα ανεβλεψα εις αυτον 22:14 ο δε ειπεν ο θεος των πατερων ημων προεχειρισατο σε γνωναι το θελημα αυτου και ιδειν τον δικαιον και ακουσαι φωνην εκ του στοματος αυτου 22:15 οτι εση μαρτυς αυτω προς παντας ανθρωπους ων εωρακας και ηκουσας 22:16 και νυν τι μελλεις αναστας βαπτισαι και απολουσαι τας αμαρτιας σου επικαλεσαμενος το ονομα του κυριου

22:17 εγενετο δε μοι υποστρεψαντι εις ιερουσαλημ και προσευχομενου μου εν τω ιερω γενεσθαι με εν εκστασει 22:18 και ιδειν αυτον λεγοντα μοι σπευσον και εξελθε εν ταχει εξ ιερουσαλημ διοτι ου παραδεξονται σου την μαρτυριαν περι εμου 22:19 καγω ειπον κυριε αυτοι επιστανται οτι εγω ημην φυλακιζων και δερων κατα τας συναγωγας τους πιστευοντας επι σε 22:20 και οτε εξεχειτο το αιμα στεφανου του μαρτυρος σου και αυτος ημην εφεστως και συνευδοκων τη αναιρεσει αυτου [και] φυλασσων τα ιματια των αναιρουντων αυτον 22:21 και ειπεν προς με πορευου οτι εγω εις εθνη μακραν εξαποστελω σε

22:22 ηκουον δε αυτου αχρι τουτου του λογου και επηραν την φωνην αυτων λεγοντες αιρε απο της γης τον τοιουτον ου γαρ καθηκεν αυτον ζην 22:23 κραζοντων δε αυτων και ριπτουντων τα ιματια και κονιορτον βαλλοντων εις τον αερα 22:24 εκελευσεν αυτον ο χιλιαρχος αγεσθαι εις την παρεμβολην ειπων μαστιξιν ανεταζεσθαι αυτον ινα επιγνω δι ην αιτιαν ουτως επεφωνουν αυτω 22:25 ως δε βαυτον τοις ιμασιν ειπεν προς τον εστωτα εκατονταρχον ο παυλος ει ανθρωπον ρωμαιον και ακατακριτον εξεστιν υμιν μαστιζειν 22:26 ακουσας δε ο εκατονταρχος προσελθων απηγγειλεν τω χιλιαρχω λεγων ορα τι μελλεις ποιειν ο γαρ ανθρωπος ουτος ρωμαιος εστιν 22:27 προσελθων δε ο χιλιαρχος ειπεν αυτω λεγε μοι ει συ ρωμαιος ει ο δε εφη ναι 22:28 απεκριθη τε ο χιλιαρχος εγω πολλου κεφαλαιου την πολιτειαν ταυτην εκτησαμην ο δε παυλος εφη εγω δε και γεγεννημαι 22:29 ευθεως ουν απεστησαν απ αυτου οι μελλοντες αυτον ανεταζειν και ο χιλιαρχος δε εφοβηθη επιγνους οτι ρωμαιος εστιν και οτι ην αυτον δεδεκως

22:30 τη δε επαυριον βουλομενος γνωναι το ασφαλες το τι κατηγορειται παρα των ιουδαιων ελυσεν αυτον απο των δεσμων και εκελευσεν ελθειν τους αρχιερεις και ολον το συνεδριον αυτων και καταγαγων τον παυλον εστησεν εις αυτους

3    Matthew 23:27-28
5    Exodus 22:28
6    Acts 26:5; Philippians 3:5
8    Matthew 22:23; Mark 12:18; Luke 20:27

1 And Paul, looking intently at the council, said, “Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience up to this day.”  2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God shall strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead I am on trial.”  7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.  8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.  9 Then a great clamor arose; and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them and bring him into the barracks.

11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also at Rome.”

12 When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.  13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy.  14 And they went to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.   15 You therefore, along with the council, give notice now to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

16 Now the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush; so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.  17 And Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune; for he has something to tell him.”  18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.”  19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him.

21 But do not yield to them; for more than forty of their men lie in ambush for him, having bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you.”  22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of this.”

23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “At the third hour of the night get ready two hundred soldiers with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea. 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”  25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:

26 “Claudius Lysias to his Excellency the governor Felix, greeting.  27 This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen.  28 And desiring to know the charge on which they accused him, I brought him down to their council.  29 I found that he was accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment.  30 And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”

31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.  32 And on the morrow they returned to the barracks, leaving the horsemen to go on with him. 33 When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him.  34 On reading the letter, he asked to what province he belonged. When he learned that he was from Cilicia 35 he said, “I will hear you when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod’s praetorium.

23:1 ατενισας δε ο παυλος τω συνεδριω ειπεν ανδρες αδελφοι εγω παση συνειδησει αγαθη πεπολιτευμαι τω θεω αχρι ταυτης της ημερας 23:2 ο δε αρχιερευς ανανιας επεταξεν τοις παρεστωσιν αυτω τυπτειν αυτου το στομα 23:3 τοτε ο παυλος προς αυτον ειπεν τυπτειν σε μελλει ο θεος τοιχε κεκονιαμενε και συ καθη κρινων με κατα τον νομον και παρανομων κελευεις με τυπτεσθαι 23:4 οι δε παρεστωτες ειπον τον αρχιερεα του θεου λοιδορεις 23:5 εφη τε ο παυλος ουκ ηδειν αδελφοι οτι εστιν αρχιερευς γεγραπται γαρ αρχοντα του λαου σου ουκ ερεις κακως

23:6 γνους δε ο παυλος οτι το εν μερος εστιν σαδδουκαιων το δε ετερον φαρισαιων εκραξεν εν τω συνεδριω ανδρες αδελφοι εγω φαρισαιος ειμι υιος φαρισαιου περι ελπιδος και αναστασεως νεκρων εγω κρινομαι 23:7 τουτο δε αυτου λαλησαντος εγενετο στασις των φαρισαιων [και των σαδδουκαιων] και εσχισθη το πληθος 23:8 σαδδουκαιοι μεν γαρ λεγουσιν μη ειναι αναστασιν μηδε αγγελον μητε πνευμα φαρισαιοι δε ομολογουσιν τα αμφοτερα 23:9 εγενετο δε κραυγη μεγαλη και ανασταντες οι γραμματεις του μερους των φαρισαιων διεμαχοντο λεγοντες ουδεν κακον ευρισκομεν εν τω ανθρωπω τουτω ει δε πνευμα ελαλησεν αυτω η αγγελος μη θεομαχωμεν 23:10 πολλης δε γενομενης στασεως ευλαβηθεις ο χιλιαρχος μη διασπασθη ο παυλος υπ αυτων εκελευσεν το στρατευμα καταβηναι και αρπασαι αυτον εκ μεσου αυτων αγειν τε εις την παρεμβολην

23:11 τη δε επιουση νυκτι επιστας αυτω ο κυριος ειπεν θαρσει παυλε ως γαρ διεμαρτυρω τα περι εμου εις ιερουσαλημ ουτως σε δει και εις ρωμην μαρτυρησαι

23:12 γενομενης δε ημερας ποιησαντες τινες των ιουδαιων συστροφην ανεθεματισαν εαυτους λεγοντες μητε φαγειν μητε πιειν εως ου αποκτεινωσιν τον παυλον 23:13 ησαν δε πλειους τεσσαρακοντα οι ταυτην την συνωμοσιαν πεποιηκοτες 23:14 οιτινες προσελθοντες τοις αρχιερευσιν και τοις πρεσβυτεροις ειπον αναθεματι ανεθεματισαμεν εαυτους μηδενος γευσασθαι εως ου αποκτεινωμεν τον παυλον 23:15 νυν ουν υμεις εμφανισατε τω χιλιαρχω συν τω συνεδριω οπως αυριον αυτον καταγαγη προς υμας ως μελλοντας διαγινωσκειν ακριβεστερον τα περι αυτου ημεις δε προ του εγγισαι αυτον ετοιμοι εσμεν του ανελειν αυτον

23:16 ακουσας δε ο υιος της αδελφης παυλου ββπαραγενομενος και εισελθων εις την παρεμβολην απηγγειλεν τω παυλω 23:17 προσκαλεσαμενος δε ο παυλος ενα των εκατονταρχων εφη τον νεανιαν τουτον απαγαγε προς τον χιλιαρχον εχει γαρ τι απαγγειλαι αυτω 23:18 ο μεν ουν παραλαβων αυτον ηγαγεν προς τον χιλιαρχον και φησιν ο δεσμιος παυλος προσκαλεσαμενος με ηρωτησεν τουτον τον νεανιαν αγαγειν προς σε εχοντα τι λαλησαι σοι 23:19 επιλαβομενος δε της χειρος αυτου ο χιλιαρχος και αναχωρησας κατ ιδιαν επυνθανετο τι εστιν ο εχεις απαγγειλαι μοι 23:20 ειπεν δε οτι οι ιουδαιοι συνεθεντο του ερωτησαι σε οπως αυριον εις το συνεδριον καταγαγης τον παυλον ως μελλοντα τι ακριβεστερον πυνθανεσθαι περι αυτου 23:21 συ ουν μη πεισθης αυτοις ενεδρευουσιν γαρ αυτον εξ αυτων ανδρες πλειους τεσσαρακοντα οιτινες ανεθεματισαν εαυτους μητε φαγειν μητε πιειν εως ου ανελωσιν αυτον και νυν ετοιμοι εισιν προσδεχομενοι την απο σου επαγγελιαν 23:22 ο μεν ουν χιλιαρχος απελυσεν τον νεανιαν παραγγειλας μηδενι εκλαλησαι οτι ταυτα ενεφανισας προς με

23:23 και προσκαλεσαμενος δυο τινας των εκατονταρχων ειπεν ετοιμασατε στρατιωτας διακοσιους οπως πορευθωσιν εως καισαρειας και ιππεις εβδομηκοντα και δεξιολαβους διακοσιους απο τριτης ωρας της νυκτος 23:24 κτηνη τε παραστησαι ινα επιβιβασαντες τον παυλον διασωσωσιν προς φηλικα τον ηγεμονα 23:25 γραψας επιστολην περιεχουσαν τον τυπον τουτον

23:26 κλαυδιος λυσιας τω κρατιστω ηγεμονι φηλικι χαιρειν 23:27 τον ανδρα τουτον συλληφθεντα υπο των ιουδαιων και μελλοντα αναιρεισθαι υπ αυτων επιστας συν τω στρατευματι εξειλομην αυτον μαθων οτι ρωμαιος εστιν 23:28 βουλομενος δε γνωναι την αιτιαν δι ην ενεκαλουν αυτω κατηγαγον αυτον εις το συνεδριον αυτων 23:29 ον ευρον εγκαλουμενον περι ζητηματων του νομου αυτων μηδεν αξιον θανατου η δεσμων εγκλημα εχοντα 23:30 μηνυθεισης δε μοι επιβουλης εις τον ανδρα μελλειν εσεσθαι υπο των ιουδαιων εξαυτης επεμψα προς σε παραγγειλας και τοις κατηγοροις λεγειν τα προς αυτον επι σου ερρωσο

23:31 οι μεν ουν στρατιωται κατα το διατεταγμενον αυτοις αναλαβοντες τον παυλον ηγαγον δια της νυκτος εις την αντιπατριδα 23:32 τη δε επαυριον εασαντες τους ιππεις πορευεσθαι συν αυτω υπεστρεψαν εις την παρεμβολην 23:33 οιτινες εισελθοντες εις την καισαρειαν και αναδοντες την επιστολην τω ηγεμονι παρεστησαν και τον παυλον αυτω 23:34 αναγνους δε ο ηγεμων και επερωτησας εκ ποιας επαρχιας εστιν και πυθομενος οτι απο κιλικιας 23:35 διακουσομαι σου εφη οταν και οι κατηγοροι σου παραγενωνται εκελευσεν τε αυτον εν τω πραιτωριω ηρωδου φυλασσεσθαι

Frederick Buechner, “Felix,” Peculiar Treasures, p. 37-38

17-18    Acts 21:17-28
21          Acts 23:6

1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul; 2 and when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your provision, most excellent Felix, reforms are introduced on behalf of this nation, 3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.  4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.  5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.  6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.  8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from him about everything of which we accuse him.”

9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all this was so.

10 And when the governor had motioned to him to speak, Paul replied: “Realizing that for many years you have been judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.  11 As you may ascertain, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem; 12 and they did not find me disputing with any one or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues, or in the city.  13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.  14 But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the law or written in the prophets, 15 having a hope in God which these themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.  16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men.  17 Now after some years I came to bring to my nation alms and offerings.  18 As I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia -19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, if they have anything against me.  20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21 except this one thing which I cried out while standing among them, ‘With respect to the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you this day.’”

22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.”  23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but should have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess; and he sent for Paul and heard him speak upon faith in Christ Jesus.  25 And as he argued about justice and self-control and future judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity I will summon you.”  26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.

27 But when two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

24:1 μετα δε πεντε ημερας κατεβη ο αρχιερευς ανανιας μετα των πρεσβυτερων και ρητορος τερτυλλου τινος οιτινες ενεφανισαν τω ηγεμονι κατα του παυλου 24:2 κληθεντος δε αυτου ηρξατο κατηγορειν ο τερτυλλος λεγων 24:3 24:3 πολλης ειρηνης τυγχανοντες δια σου και κατορθωματων γινομενων τω εθνει τουτω δια της σης προνοιας παντη τε και πανταχου αποδεχομεθα κρατιστε φηλιξ μετα πασης ευχαριστιας 24:4 ινα δε μη επι πλειον σε εγκοπτω παρακαλω ακουσαι σε ημων συντομως τη ση επιεικεια 24:5 ευροντες γαρ τον ανδρα τουτον λοιμον και κινουντα στασιν πασιν τοις ιουδαιοις τοις κατα την οικουμενην πρωτοστατην τε της των ναζωραιων αιρεσεως 24:6 ος και το ιερον επειρασεν βεβηλωσαι ον και εκρατησαμεν 24:7 24:8 παρ ου δυνηση αυτος ανακρινας περι παντων τουτων επιγνωναι ων ημεις κατηγορουμεν αυτου

24:9 συνεπεθεντο δε και οι ιουδαιοι φασκοντες ταυτα ουτως εχειν

24:10 απεκριθη δε ο παυλος νευσαντος αυτω του ηγεμονος λεγειν εκ πολλων ετων οντα σε κριτην τω εθνει τουτω επισταμενος ευθυμοτερον τα περι εμαυτου απολογουμαι 24:11 δυναμενου σου γνωναι οτι ου πλειους εισιν μοι ημεραι δεκαδυο αφ ης ανεβην προσκυνησων εν ιερουσαλημ 24:12 και ουτε εν τω ιερω ευρον με προς τινα διαλεγομενον η επισυστασιν ποιουντα οχλου ουτε εν ταις συναγωγαις ουτε κατα την πολιν 24:13 ουτε παραστησαι βδυνανται περι ων νυν κατηγορουσιν μου 24:14 ομολογω δε τουτο σοι οτι κατα την οδον ην λεγουσιν αιρεσιν ουτως λατρευω τω πατρωω θεω πιστευων πασιν τοις κατα τον νομον και τοις προφηταις γεγραμμενοις 24:15 ελπιδα εχων εις τον θεον ην και αυτοι ουτοι προσδεχονται αναστασιν μελλειν εσεσθαι νεκρων δικαιων τε και αδικων 24:16 εν τουτω δε αυτος ασκω απροσκοπον συνειδησιν εχων προς τον θεον και τους ανθρωπους δια παντος  24:17 δι ετων δε πλειονων παρεγενομην ελεημοσυνας ποιησων εις το εθνος μου και προσφορας 24:18 εν οις ευρον με ηγνισμενον εν τω ιερω ου μετα οχλου ουδε μετα θορυβου τινες απο της ασιας ιουδαιοι 24:19 ους βεπι σου παρειναι και κατηγορειν ει τι εχοιεν προς με 24:20 η αυτοι ουτοι ειπατωσαν τι ευρον εν εμοι αδικημα σταντος μου επι του συνεδριου 24:21 η περι μιας ταυτης φωνης ης εκραξα εστως εν αυτοις οτι περι αναστασεως νεκρων εγω κρινομαι σημερον υφ υμων

24:22 ακουσας δε ταυτα ο φηλιξ ανεβαλετο αυτους ακριβεστερον ειδως τα περι της οδου ειπων οταν λυσιας ο χιλιαρχος καταβη διαγνωσομαι τα καθ υμας 24:23 διαταξαμενος τε τω εκατονταρχη τηρεισθαι τον παυλον εχειν τε ανεσιν και μηδενα κωλυειν των ιδιων αυτου υπηρετειν η προσερχεσθαι αυτω

24:24 μετα δε ημερας τινας παραγενομενος ο φηλιξ συν δρουσιλλη τη γυναικι ουση ιουδαια μετεπεμψατο τον παυλον και ηκουσεν αυτου περι της εις χριστον πιστεως 24:25 διαλεγομενου δε αυτου περι δικαιοσυνης και εγκρατειας και του κριματος του μελλοντος εσεσθαι εμφοβος γενομενος ο φηλιξ απεκριθη το νυν εχον πορευου καιρον δε μεταλαβων μετακαλεσομαι σε 24:26 αμα και ελπιζων οτι χρηματα δοθησεται αυτω υπο του παυλου οπως λυση αυτον διο και πυκνοτερον αυτον μεταπεμπομενος ωμιλει αυτω

24:27 διετιας δε πληρωθεισης ελαβεν διαδοχον ο φηλιξ πορκιον φηστον θελων τε χαριτας καταθεσθαι τοις ιουδαιοις ο φηλιξ κατελιπεν τον παυλον δεδεμενον

1 Now when Festus had come into his province, after three days he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.  2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they urged him, 3 asking as a favor to have the man sent to Jerusalem, planning an ambush to kill him on the way.  4 Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and that he himself intended to go there shortly.  5 “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them accuse him.”

6 When he had stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea; and the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought.  7 And when he had come, the Jews who had gone down from Jerusalem stood about him, bringing against him many serious charges which they could not prove.  8 Paul said in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended at all.”  9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem, and there be tried on these charges before me?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried; to the Jews I have done no wrong, as you know very well.  11 If then I am a wrongdoer, and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death; but if there is nothing in their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.”  12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go.”

13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to welcome Festus.  14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix; 15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews gave information about him, asking for sentence against him.  16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up any one before the accused met the accusers face to face, and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.  17 When therefore they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in.  18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed; 19 but they had certain points of dispute with him about their own superstition and about one Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.  20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wished to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them.  21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.”  22 And Agrippa said to Festus, “I should like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you shall hear him.”

23 So on the morrow Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then by command of Festus Paul was brought in.  24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.  25 But I found that he had done nothing deserving death; and as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to send him.  26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you, and, especially before you, King Agrippa, that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write.  27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”

25:1 φηστος ουν επιβας τη επαρχια μετα τρεις ημερας ανεβη εις ιεροσολυμα απο καισαρειας 25:2 ενεφανισαν δε αυτω ο αρχιερευς και οι πρωτοι των ιουδαιων κατα του παυλου και παρεκαλουν αυτον  25:3 αιτουμενοι χαριν κατ αυτου οπως μεταπεμψηται αυτον εις ιερουσαλημ ενεδραν ποιουντες ανελειν αυτον κατα την οδον 25:4 ο μεν ουν φηστος απεκριθη τηρεισθαι τον παυλον εν καισαρεια εαυτον δε μελλειν εν ταχει εκπορευεσθαι 25:5 οι ουν δυνατοι εν υμιν φησιν συγκαταβαντες ει τι εστιν εν τω ανδρι τουτω κατηγορειτωσαν αυτου

25:6 διατριψας δε εν αυτοις ημερας πλειους η δεκα καταβας εις καισαρειαν τη επαυριον καθισας επι του βηματος εκελευσεν τον παυλον αχθηναι 25:7 παραγενομενου δε αυτου περιεστησαν οι απο ιεροσολυμων καταβεβηκοτες ιουδαιοι πολλα και βαρεα αιτιωματα φεροντες κατα του παυλου α ουκ ισχυον αποδειξαι 25:8 απολογουμενου αυτου οτι ουτε εις τον νομον των ιουδαιων ουτε εις το ιερον ουτε εις καισαρα τι ημαρτον 25:9 ο φηστος δε τοις ιουδαιοις θελων χαριν καταθεσθαι αποκριθεις τω παυλω ειπεν θελεις εις ιεροσολυμα αναβας εκει περι τουτων κρινεσθαι επ εμου 25:10 ειπεν δε ο παυλος επι του βηματος καισαρος εστως ειμι ου με δει κρινεσθαι ιουδαιους ουδεν ηδικησα ως και συ καλλιον επιγινωσκεις 25:11 ει μεν γαρ αδικω και αξιον θανατου πεπραχα τι ου παραιτουμαι το αποθανειν ει δε ουδεν εστιν ων ουτοι κατηγορουσιν μου ουδεις με δυναται αυτοις χαρισασθαι καισαρα επικαλουμαι 25:12 τοτε ο φηστος συλλαλησας μετα του συμβουλιου απεκριθη καισαρα επικεκλησαι επι καισαρα πορευση

25:13 ημερων δε διαγενομενων τινων αγριππας ο βασιλευς και βερνικη κατηντησαν εις καισαρειαν ασπασαμενοι τον φηστον 25:14 ως δε πλειους ημερας διετριβεν εκει ο φηστος τω βασιλει ανεθετο τα κατα τον παυλον λεγων ανηρ τις εστιν καταλελειμμενος υπο φηλικος δεσμιος 25:15 περι ου γενομενου μου εις ιεροσολυμα ενεφανισαν οι αρχιερεις και οι πρεσβυτεροι των ιουδαιων αιτουμενοι κατ αυτου δικην 25:16 προς ους απεκριθην οτι ουκ εστιν εθος ρωμαιοις χαριζεσθαι τινα ανθρωπον εις απωλειαν πριν η ο κατηγορουμενος κατα προσωπον εχοι τους κατηγορους τοπον τε απολογιας λαβοι περι του εγκληματος 25:17 συνελθοντων ουν αυτων ενθαδε αναβολην μηδεμιαν ποιησαμενος τη εξης καθισας επι του βηματος εκελευσα αχθηναι τον ανδρα 25:18 περι ου σταθεντες οι κατηγοροι ουδεμιαν αιτιαν επεφερον ων υπενοουν εγω 25:19 ζητηματα δε τινα περι της ιδιας δεισιδαιμονιας ειχον προς αυτον και περι τινος ιησου τεθνηκοτος ον εφασκεν ο παυλος ζην 25:20 απορουμενος δε εγω την περι τουτου ζητησιν ελεγον ει βουλοιτο πορευεσθαι εις ιερουσαλημ κακει κρινεσθαι περι τουτων 25:21 του δε παυλου επικαλεσαμενου τηρηθηναι αυτον εις την του σεβαστου διαγνωσιν εκελευσα τηρεισθαι αυτον εως ου πεμψω αυτον προς καισαρα 25:22 αγριππας δε προς τον φηστον εφη εβουλομην και αυτος του ανθρωπου ακουσαι ο δε αυριον φησιν ακουση αυτου

25:23 τη ουν επαυριον ελθοντος του αγριππα και της βερνικης μετα πολλης φαντασιας και εισελθοντων εις το ακροατηριον συν τε τοις χιλιαρχοις και ανδρασιν τοις κατ εξοχην ουσιν της πολεως και κελευσαντος του φηστου ηχθη ο παυλος 25:24 και φησιν ο φηστος αγριππα βασιλευ και παντες οι συμπαροντες ημιν ανδρες θεωρειτε τουτον περι ου παν το πληθος των ιουδαιων ενετυχον μοι εν τε ιεροσολυμοις και ενθαδε επιβοωντες μη δειν ζην αυτον μηκετι 25:25 εγω δε καταλαβομενος μηδεν αξιον θανατου αυτον πεπραχεναι και αυτου δε τουτου επικαλεσαμενου τον σεβαστον εκρινα πεμπειν αυτον 25:26 περι ου ασφαλες τι γραψαι τω κυριω ουκ εχω διο προηγαγον αυτον εφ υμων και μαλιστα επι σου βασιλευ αγριππα οπως της ανακρισεως γενομενης σχω τι γραψαι 25:27 αλογον γαρ μοι δοκει πεμποντα δεσμιον μη και τας κατ αυτου αιτιας σημαναι

Frederick Buechner, “Agrippa,” Peculiar Treasures, p. 8-9

5        Acts 23:6;  Philippians 3:5
9-11    Acts 8:3,  22:4-5
20     Acts 9:20-29
23     Isaiah 42:6,  49:6;  1 Corinthians 15:20;  Colossians 1:15-20

4-8    Sermon, “In Time,” April 15, 2018, El Estero Presbyterian Church, Monterey, CA

24    John Wesley, “The Nature of Enthusiasm,” Fifty-Three Sermons, p. 461-475
28    John Wesley, “The Almost Christian,” Fifty-Three Sermons, p. 29-38

1 Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:

2 “I think myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 because you are especially familiar with all customs and controversies of the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4 “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews.  5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.  6 And now I stand here on trial for hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!  8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?

9 “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  10 And I did so in Jerusalem; I not only shut up many of the saints in prison, by authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.  11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme; and in raging fury against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

12 “Thus I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.  13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining round me and those who journeyed with me.  14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.’  15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and bear witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles — to whom I send you 18 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

19 “Wherefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and perform deeds worthy of their repentance.  21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.  22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass:  23 that the Christ must suffer, and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.”

24 And as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are mad; your great learning is turning you mad.”  25 But Paul said, “I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking the sober truth.  26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this was not done in a corner.  27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”  28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time you think to make me a Christian!”  29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am — except for these chains.”

30 Then the king rose, and the governor and Berni’ce and those who were sitting with them; 31 and when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.”  32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

26:1 αγριππας δε προς τον παυλον εφη επιτρεπεται σοι υπερ σεαυτου λεγειν τοτε ο παυλος απελογειτο εκτεινας την χειρα

26:2 περι παντων ων εγκαλουμαι υπο ιουδαιων βασιλευ αγριππα ηγημαι εμαυτον μακαριον επι σου μελλων απολογεισθαι σημερον 26:3 μαλιστα γνωστην οντα σε παντων των κατα ιουδαιους ηθων τε και ζητηματων διο δεομαι σου μακροθυμως ακουσαι μου

26:4 την μεν ουν βιωσιν μου την εκ νεοτητος την απ αρχης γενομενην εν τω εθνει μου εν ιεροσολυμοις ισασιν παντες οι ιουδαιοι  26:5 προγινωσκοντες με ανωθεν εαν θελωσιν μαρτυρειν οτι κατα την ακριβεστατην αιρεσιν της ημετερας θρησκειας εζησα φαρισαιος 26:6 και νυν επ ελπιδι της προς τους πατερας επαγγελιας γενομενης υπο του θεου εστηκα κρινομενος 26:7 εις ην το δωδεκαφυλον ημων εν εκτενεια νυκτα και ημεραν λατρευον ελπιζει καταντησαι περι ης ελπιδος εγκαλουμαι βασιλευ αγριππα υπο ιουδαιων 26:8 τι απιστον κρινεται παρ υμιν ει ο θεος νεκρους εγειρει

26:9 εγω μεν ουν εδοξα εμαυτω προς το ονομα ιησου του ναζωραιου δειν πολλα εναντια πραξαι 26:10 ο και εποιησα εν ιεροσολυμοις και πολλους των αγιων εγω φυλακαις κατεκλεισα την παρα των αρχιερεων εξουσιαν λαβων αναιρουμενων τε αυτων κατηνεγκα ψηφον 26:11 και κατα πασας τας συναγωγας πολλακις τιμωρων αυτους ηναγκαζον βλασφημειν περισσως τε εμμαινομενος αυτοις εδιωκον εως και εις τας εξω πολεις

26:12 εν οις και πορευομενος εις την δαμασκον μετ εξουσιας και επιτροπης της παρα των αρχιερεων 26:13 ημερας μεσης κατα την οδον ειδον βασιλευ ουρανοθεν υπερ την λαμπροτητα του ηλιου περιλαμψαν με φως και τους συν εμοι πορευομενους 26:14 παντων δε καταπεσοντων ημων εις την γην ηκουσα φωνην λαλουσαν προς με και λεγουσαν τη εβραιδι διαλεκτω σαουλ σαουλ τι με διωκεις σκληρον σοι προς κεντρα λακτιζειν 26:15 εγω δε ειπον τις ει κυριε ο δε ειπεν εγω ειμι ιησους ον συ διωκεις 26:16 αλλα αναστηθι και στηθι επι τους ποδας σου εις τουτο γαρ ωφθην σοι προχειρισασθαι σε υπηρετην και μαρτυρα ων τε ειδες ων τε οφθησομαι σοι 26:17 εξαιρουμενος σε εκ του λαου και των εθνων εις ους εγω σε αποστελλω 26:18 ανοιξαι οφθαλμους αυτων αβυποστρεψαι απο σκοτους εις φως και της εξουσιας του σατανα επι τον θεον του λαβειν αυτους αφεσιν αμαρτιων και κληρον εν τοις ηγιασμενοις πιστει τη εις εμε

26:19 οθεν βασιλευ αγριππα ουκ εγενομην απειθης τη ουρανιω οπτασια 26:20 αλλα τοις εν δαμασκω πρωτον και ιεροσολυμοις εις πασαν τε την χωραν της ιουδαιας και τοις εθνεσιν βμετανοειν και επιστρεφειν επι τον θεον αξια της μετανοιας εργα πρασσοντας 26:21 ενεκα τουτων οι ιουδαιοι με συλλαβομενοι εν τω ιερω επειρωντο διαχειρισασθαι 26:22 επικουριας ουν τυχων της παρα του θεου αχρι της ημερας ταυτης εστηκα μαρτυρομενος μικρω τε και μεγαλω ουδεν εκτος λεγων ων τε οι προφηται ελαλησαν μελλοντων γινεσθαι και μωυσης 26:23 ει παθητος ο χριστος ει πρωτος εξ αναστασεως νεκρων φως μελλει καταγγελλειν τω λαω και τοις εθνεσιν

26:24 ταυτα δε αυτου απολογουμενου ο φηστος μεγαλη τη φωνη εφη μαινη παυλε τα πολλα σε γραμματα εις μανιαν περιτρεπει 26:25 ο δε ου μαινομαι φησιν κρατιστε φηστε αλλα αληθειας και σωφροσυνης ρηματα αποφθεγγομαι 26:26 επισταται γαρ περι τουτων ο βασιλευς προς ον και παρρησιαζομενος λαλω λανθανειν γαρ αυτον τι τουτων ου πειθομαι ουδεν ου γαρ εν γωνια πεπραγμενον τουτο 26:27 πιστευεις βασιλευ αγριππα τοις προφηταις οιδα οτι πιστευεις 26:28 ο δε αγριππας προς τον παυλον εφη εν ολιγω με πειθεις χριστιανον γενεσθαι 26:29 ο δε παυλος ειπεν ευξαιμην αν τω θεω και εν ολιγω και εν πολλω ου μονον σε αλλα και παντας τους ακουοντας μου σημερον γενεσθαι τοιουτους οποιος καγω ειμι παρεκτος των δεσμων τουτων

26:30 και ταυτα ειποντος αυτου ανεστη ο βασιλευς και ο ηγεμων η τε βερνικη και οι συγκαθημενοι αυτοις 26:31 και αναχωρησαντες ελαλουν προς αλληλους λεγοντες οτι ουδεν θανατου αξιον η δεσμων πρασσει ο ανθρωπος ουτος 26:32 αγριππας δε τω φηστω εφη απολελυσθαι εδυνατο ο ανθρωπος ουτος ει μη επεκεκλητο καισαρα

1 And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort, named Julius.  2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.  4 And putting to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us.  5 And when we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia.  6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy, and put us on board.  7 We sailed slowly for a number of days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go on, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone.  8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.

9 As much time had been lost, and the voyage was already dangerous because the fast had already gone by, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”  11 But the centurion paid more attention to the captain and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.  12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to put to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, looking northeast and southeast, and winter there.

13 And when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close inshore.  14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land; 15 and when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven.  16 And running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the boat; 17 after hoisting it up, they took measures to undergird the ship; then, fearing that they should run on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and so were driven.  18 As we were violently storm-tossed, they began next day to throw the cargo overboard; 19 and the third day they cast out with their own hands the tackle of the ship.  20 And when neither sun nor stars appeared for many a day, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.

21 As they had been long without food, Paul then came forward among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and should not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss.  22 I now bid you take heart; for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood by me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and lo, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’  25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.  26 But we shall have to run on some island.”

27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were drifting across the sea of Adria, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land.  28 So they sounded and found twenty fathoms; a little farther on they sounded again and found fifteen fathoms.  29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let out four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come.  30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”  32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let it go.

33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing.  34 Therefore I urge you to take some food; it will give you strength, since not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.”  35 And when he had said this, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.  36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves.  37 (We were in all two hundred and seventy-six persons in the ship.)  38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to bring the ship ashore.  40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders; then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach.  41 But striking a shoal they ran the vessel aground; the bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was broken up by the surf.  42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape; 43 but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their purpose. He ordered those who could swim to throw themselves overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all escaped to land.

27:1 ως δε εκριθη του αποπλειν ημας εις την ιταλιαν παρεδιδουν τον τε παυλον και τινας ετερους δεσμωτας εκατονταρχη ονοματι ιουλιω σπειρης σεβαστης 27:2 επιβαντες δε πλοιω αδραμυττηνω μελλοντες πλειν τους κατα την ασιαν τοπους ανηχθημεν οντος συν ημιν αρισταρχου μακεδονος θεσσαλονικεως 27:3 τη τε ετερα κατηχθημεν εις σιδωνα φιλανθρωπως τε ο ιουλιος τω παυλω χρησαμενος επετρεψεν προς αβφιλους πορευθεντα επιμελειας τυχειν 27:4 κακειθεν αναχθεντες υπεπλευσαμεν την κυπρον δια το τους ανεμους ειναι εναντιους 27:5 το τε πελαγος το κατα την κιλικιαν και παμφυλιαν διαπλευσαντες κατηλθομεν εις μυρα της λυκιας . 27:6 κακει ευρων ο εκατονταρχος πλοιον αλεξανδρινον πλεον εις την ιταλιαν ενεβιβασεν ημας εις αυτο 27:7 εν ικαναις δε ημεραις βραδυπλοουντες και μολις γενομενοι κατα την κνιδον μη προσεωντος ημας του ανεμου υπεπλευσαμεν την κρητην κατα σαλμωνην 27:8 μολις τε παραλεγομενοι αυτην ηλθομεν εις τοπον τινα καλουμενον καλους λιμενας ω εγγυς ην πολις λασαια

27:9 ικανου δε χρονου διαγενομενου και οντος ηδη επισφαλους του πλοος δια το και την νηστειαν ηδη παρεληλυθεναι παρηνει ο παυλος 27:10 λεγων αυτοις ανδρες θεωρω οτι μετα υβρεως και πολλης ζημιας ου μονον του φορτιου και του πλοιου αλλα και των ψυχων ημων μελλειν εσεσθαι τον πλουν 27:11 ο δε εκατονταρχης τω κυβερνητη και τω ναυκληρω επειθετο μαλλον η τοις υπο του παυλου λεγομενοις 27:12 ανευθετου δε του λιμενος υπαρχοντος προς παραχειμασιαν οι πλειους εθεντο βουλην αναχθηναι κακειθεν ειπως δυναιντο καταντησαντες εις φοινικα παραχειμασαι λιμενα της κρητης βλεποντα κατα λιβα και κατα χωρον

27:13 υποπνευσαντος δε νοτου δοξαντες της προθεσεως κεκρατηκεναι αραντες ασσον παρελεγοντο την κρητην 27:14 μετ ου πολυ δε εβαλεν κατ αυτης ανεμος τυφωνικος ο καλουμενος ευροκλυδων 27:15 συναρπασθεντος δε του πλοιου και μη δυναμενου αντοφθαλμειν τω ανεμω επιδοντες εφερομεθα 27:16 νησιον δε τι υποδραμοντες καλουμενον κλαυδην μολις ισχυσαμεν περικρατεις γενεσθαι της σκαφης 27:17 ην αραντες βοηθειαις εχρωντο υποζωννυντες το πλοιον φοβουμενοι τε μη εις την συρτην εκπεσωσιν χαλασαντες το σκευος ουτως εφεροντο 27:18 σφοδρως δε χειμαζομενων ημων τη εξης εκβολην εποιουντο 27:19 και τη τριτη αυτοχειρες την σκευην του πλοιου ερριψαμεν  27:20 μητε δε ηλιου μητε αστρων επιφαινοντων επι πλειονας ημερας χειμωνος τε ουκ ολιγου επικειμενου λοιπον περιηρειτο πασα ελπις του σωζεσθαι ημας

27:21 πολλης δε ασιτιας υπαρχουσης τοτε σταθεις ο παυλος εν μεσω αυτων ειπεν εδει μεν ω ανδρες πειθαρχησαντας μοι μη αναγεσθαι απο της κρητης κερδησαι τε την υβριν ταυτην και την ζημιαν 27:22 και αβαβπαραινω υμας ευθυμειν αποβολη γαρ ψυχης ουδεμια εσται εξ υμων πλην του πλοιου 27:23 παρεστη γαρ μοι ταυτη τη νυκτι αγγελος του θεου ου ειμι ω και λατρευω 27:24 λεγων μη φοβου παυλε καισαρι σε δει παραστηναι και ιδου κεχαρισται σοι ο θεος παντας τους πλεοντας μετα σου 27:25 διο ευθυμειτε ανδρες πιστευω γαρ τω θεω οτι ουτως εσται καθ ον τροπον λελαληται μοι 27:26 εις νησον δε τινα δει ημας εκπεσειν

27:27 ως δε τεσσαρεσκαιδεκατη νυξ εγενετο διαφερομενων ημων εν τω αδρια κατα μεσον της νυκτος υπενοουν οι ναυται προσαγειν τινα αυτοις χωραν 27:28 και βολισαντες ευρον οργυιας εικοσι βραχυ δε διαστησαντες και παλιν βολισαντες ευρον οργυιας δεκαπεντε 27:29 φοβουμενοι τε μηπως εις τραχεις τοπους αβεκ πρυμνης ριψαντες αγκυρας τεσσαρας ηυχοντο ημεραν γενεσθαι  27:30 των δε ναυτων ζητουντων φυγειν εκ του πλοιου και χαλασαντων την σκαφην εις την θαλασσαν προφασει ως εκ πρωρας μελλοντων αγκυρας εκτεινειν 27:31 ειπεν ο παυλος τω εκατονταρχη και τοις στρατιωταις εαν μη ουτοι μεινωσιν εν τω πλοιω υμεις σωθηναι ου δυνασθε 27:32 τοτε οι στρατιωται απεκοψαν τα σχοινια της σκαφης και ειασαν αυτην εκπεσειν

27:33 αχρι δε ου ημελλεν ημερα γινεσθαι παρεκαλει ο παυλος απαντας μεταλαβειν τροφης λεγων τεσσαρεσκαιδεκατην σημερον ημεραν προσδοκωντες ασιτοι διατελειτε μηδεν προσλαβομενοι  27:34 διο παρακαλω υμας προσλαβειν τροφης τουτο γαρ προς της υμετερας σωτηριας υπαρχει ουδενος γαρ υμων θριξ εκ της κεφαλης πεσειται 27:35 ειπων δε ταυτα και λαβων αρτον ευχαριστησεν τω θεω ενωπιον παντων και κλασας ηρξατο εσθιειν 27:36 ευθυμοι δε γενομενοι παντες και αυτοι προσελαβοντο τροφης 27:37 ημεν δε εν τω πλοιω αι πασαι ψυχαι διακοσιαι εβδομηκοντα εξ 27:38 κορεσθεντες δε της τροφης εκουφιζον το πλοιον εκβαλλομενοι τον σιτον εις την θαλασσαν

27:39 οτε δε ημερα εγενετο την γην ουκ επεγινωσκον κολπον δε τινα κατενοουν εχοντα αιγιαλον εις ον εβουλευσαντο ει δυνατον εξωσαι το πλοιον 27:40 και τας αγκυρας περιελοντες ειων εις την θαλασσαν αμα ανεντες τας ζευκτηριας των πηδαλιων και επαραντες τον αρτεμονα τη πνεουση κατειχον εις τον αιγιαλον 27:41 περιπεσοντες δε εις τοπον διθαλασσον επωκειλαν την ναυν και η μεν πρωρα ερεισασα εμεινεν ασαλευτος η δε πρυμνα ελυετο υπο της βιας των κυματων 27:42 των δε στρατιωτων βουλη εγενετο ινα τους δεσμωτας αποκτεινωσιν μη τις εκκολυμβησας διαφυγη 27:43 ο δε εκατονταρχος βουλομενος διασωσαι τον παυλον εκωλυσεν αυτους του βουληματος εκελευσεν τε τους δυναμενους κολυμβαν απορριψαντας πρωτους επι την γην εξιεναι 27:44 και τους λοιπους ους μεν επι σανισιν ους δε επι τινων των απο του πλοιου και ουτως εγενετο παντας διασωθηναι επι την γην

19        Acts 25:11
26-27     Isaiah 6:9-10

5-8    Francis Bacon, “Novum Organum,” The Man Who Saw Through Time, p. 73

1-6     Geza Vermes, The Changing Faces of Jesus, p. 261 & 269

1 After we had escaped, we then learned that the island was called Malta.  2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.  3 Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, when a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.  4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.  6 They waited, expecting him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead; but when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.  8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery; and Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him.  9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.  10 They presented many gifts to us; and when we sailed, they put on board whatever we needed.

11 After three months we set sail in a ship which had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the Twin Brothers as figurehead.  12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.  13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium; and after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.  14 There we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.  15 And the brethren there, when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them Paul thanked God and took courage.

16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him.

17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews; and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brethren, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.  18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.  19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar–though I had no charge to bring against my nation.  20 For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”  21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brethren coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.  22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in great numbers. And he expounded the matter to them from morning till evening, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, while others disbelieved.  25 So, as they disagreed among themselves, they departed, after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:  26 ‘Go to this people, and say, You shall indeed hear but never understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive.  27 For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn for me to heal them.’  28 Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

30 And he lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered.

28:1 και διασωθεντες τοτε επεγνωσαν οτι μελιτη η νησος καλειται 28:2 οι δε βαρβαροι παρειχον ου την τυχουσαν φιλανθρωπιαν ημιν αναψαντες γαρ πυραν προσελαβοντο παντας ημας δια τον υετον τον εφεστωτα και δια το ψυχος 28:3 συστρεψαντος δε του παυλου φρυγανων πληθος και επιθεντος επι την πυραν εχιδνα εκ της θερμης διεξελθουσα καθηψεν της χειρος αυτου 28:4 ως δε ειδον οι βαρβαροι κρεμαμενον το θηριον εκ της χειρος αυτου ελεγον προς αλληλους παντως φονευς εστιν ο ανθρωπος ουτος ον διασωθεντα εκ της θαλασσης η δικη ζην ουκ ειασεν 28:5 ο μεν ουν αποτιναξας το θηριον εις το πυρ επαθεν ουδεν κακον 28:6 οι δε προσεδοκων αυτον μελλειν πιμπρασθαι η καταπιπτειν αφνω νεκρον επι πολυ δε αυτων προσδοκωντων και θεωρουντων μηδεν ατοπον εις αυτον γινομενον μεταβαλλομενοι ελεγον θεον αυτον ειναι

28:7 εν δε τοις περι τον τοπον εκεινον υπηρχεν χωρια τω πρωτω της νησου ονοματι ποπλιω ος αναδεξαμενος ημας τρεις ημερας φιλοφρονως εξενισεν  28:8 εγενετο δε τον πατερα του ποπλιου πυρετοις και δυσεντερια συνεχομενον κατακεισθαι προς ον ο παυλος εισελθων και προσευξαμενος επιθεις τας χειρας αυτω ιασατο αυτον 28:9 τουτου ουν γενομενου και οι λοιποι οι εχοντες ασθενειας εν τη νησω προσηρχοντο και εθεραπευοντο 28:10 οι και πολλαις τιμαις ετιμησαν ημας και αναγομενοις επεθεντο τα προς την χρειαν

28:11 μετα δε τρεις μηνας ηχθημεν εν πλοιω παρακεχειμακοτι εν τη νησω αλεξανδρινω παρασημω διοσκουροις 28:12 και καταχθεντες εις συρακουσας επεμειναμεν ημερας τρεις 28:13 οθεν περιελθοντες κατηντησαμεν εις ρηγιον και μετα μιαν ημεραν επιγενομενου νοτου δευτεραιοι ηλθομεν εις ποτιολους 28:14 ου ευροντες αδελφους παρεκληθημεν επ αυτοις επιμειναι ημερας επτα και ουτως εις την ρωμην ηλθομεν  28:15 κακειθεν οι αδελφοι ακουσαντες τα περι ημων εξηλθον εις απαντησιν ημιν αχρις αππιου φορου και τριων ταβερνων ους ιδων ο παυλος ευχαριστησας τω θεω ελαβεν θαρσος

28:16 οτε δε ηλθομεν εις ρωμην ο εκατονταρχος παρεδωκεν τους δεσμιους τω στρατοπεδαρχω τω δε παυλω επετραπη μενειν καθ εαυτον συν τω φυλασσοντι αυτον στρατιωτη

28:17 εγενετο δε μετα ημερας τρεις συγκαλεσασθαι τον παυλον τους οντας των ιουδαιων πρωτους συνελθοντων δε αυτων ελεγεν προς αυτους ανδρες αδελφοι εγω ουδεν εναντιον ποιησας τω λαω η τοις εθεσιν τοις πατρωοις δεσμιος εξ ιεροσολυμων παρεδοθην εις τας χειρας των ρωμαιων 28:18 οιτινες ανακριναντες με εβουλοντο απολυσαι δια το μηδεμιαν αιτιαν θανατου υπαρχειν εν εμοι 28:19 αντιλεγοντων δε των ιουδαιων ηναγκασθην επικαλεσασθαι καισαρα ουχ ως του εθνους μου εχων τι κατηγορησαι  28:20 δια ταυτην ουν την αιτιαν παρεκαλεσα υμας ιδειν και προσλαλησαι ενεκεν γαρ της ελπιδος του ισραηλ την αλυσιν ταυτην περικειμαι 28:21 οι δε προς αυτον ειπον ημεις ουτε γραμματα περι σου εδεξαμεθα απο της ιουδαιας ουτε παραγενομενος τις των αδελφων απηγγειλεν η ελαλησεν τι περι σου πονηρον 28:22 αξιουμεν δε παρα σου ακουσαι α φρονεις περι μεν γαρ της αιρεσεως ταυτης γνωστον εστιν ημιν οτι πανταχου αντιλεγεται

28:23 ταξαμενοι δε αυτω ημεραν ηκον προς αυτον εις την ξενιαν πλειονες οις εξετιθετο διαμαρτυρομενος την βασιλειαν του θεου πειθων τε αυτους τα περι του ιησου απο τε του νομου μωσεως και των προφητων απο πρωι εως εσπερας 28:24 και οι μεν επειθοντο τοις λεγομενοις οι δε ηπιστουν 28:25 ασυμφωνοι δε οντες προς αλληλους απελυοντο ειποντος του παυλου ρημα εν οτι καλως το πνευμα το αγιον ελαλησεν δια ησαιου του προφητου προς τους πατερας ημων  28:26 λεγον πορευθητι προς τον λαον τουτον και ειπον ακοη ακουσετε και ου μη συνητε και βλεποντες βλεψετε και ου μη ιδητε 28:27 επαχυνθη γαρ η καρδια του λαου τουτου και τοις ωσιν βαρεως ηκουσαν και τους οφθαλμους αυτων εκαμμυσαν μηποτε ιδωσιν τοις οφθαλμοις και τοις ωσιν ακουσωσιν και τη καρδια συνωσιν και επιστρεψωσιν και ιασομαι αυτους 28:28 γνωστον ουν εστω υμιν οτι τοις εθνεσιν απεσταλη το σωτηριον του θεου αυτοι και ακουσονται 28:29 και ταυτα αυτου ειποντος απηλθον οι ιουδαιοι πολλην εχοντες εν εαυτοις συζητησιν

28:30 εμεινεν δε ο παυλος διετιαν ολην εν ιδιω μισθωματι και απεδεχετο παντας τους εισπορευομενους προς αυτον 28:31 κηρυσσων την βασιλειαν του θεου και διδασκων τα περι του κυριου ιησου χριστου μετα πασης παρρησιας ακωλυτως