The Jerusalem Riot

Summary of Acts 21-28• 21 – Jerusalem Riot

• 22 – Paul’s defense to the crowd

• 23 – Paul before the Sanhedrin

• 24 – Paul before Governor Felix

• 25 – Paul before Governor Festus

• 26 – Paul before King Agrippa II

• 27 – Paul sails for Rome/Storm/Shipwreck

• 28 – Paul arrives in Rome

Paul’s 3Paul’s 3rdrd Missionary Journey Missionary Journey

Jerusalem!Jerusalem!• The brothers received

us warmly. (17)

• They praised God! (20)

• However…. (20)

The LieThe LieThey have been informed that

you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to

turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to

our customs. (21)

The Temple RiotThe Temple Riot

• Some Asian Jews spread the word that Paul had brought a Gentile, Trophimus, into the Temple (21:29)

Herod’s Temple in the 1Herod’s Temple in the 1stst Century Century

“No foreigner is to enter within the

forecourt and the balustrade around

the sanctuary. Whoever is caught will have himself to

blame for his subsequent death.”

• Found at the entrance to the Court of the Women

• 4 ½ foot wall

• Latin & Greek

Paul’s Defense Paul’s Defense to the Mobto the Mob

• In Aramaic

• Very Jewish

End of DefenseEnd of Defense

• Your martyr Stephen (20)

• Go, I will send you far away to the Gentiles (21)

The crowd listened to Paul until he said this.

(22:22)

Paul was spared a flogging by appealing to his Roman citizenship.

Roman Roman CitizenCitizen

• Born a citizen (Acts 22:28)

• Mentioned by Luke – never by Paul in his letters

Roman Roman CitizenCitizen

• Only 5 million of 50 million inhabitants of the empire were citizens (10%)

The CommanderThe Commander

• Commander Claudius Lysias released Paul and called a meeting of the Sanhedrin

StrategyStrategy

• Divide & Conquer!

• I am a Pharisee!

StrategyStrategy

• I am on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead. (6)

The Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in

Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.

(23:11)

ConspiracyConspiracy• More than 40 men

• Vow – Not to eat or drink till Paul was dead

• Took plan to the chief priests and elders

ConspiracyConspiracy• Plan was discovered by

Paul’s nephew who lived in Jerusalem

• Told Paul

• Told Claudius Lysias

Go Tonight!Go Tonight!• 1,000 soldiers

were stationed in Jerusalem

• 470 were sent to protect Paul

Governor FelixGovernor Felix

• Procurator of Judea (A.D. 52-59)

• A freed slave

• Freedman Rank

Governor FelixGovernor Felix• Immoral (married 3

times), cruel• Tacitus – indulging in

every kind of cruelty and lust, exercised the power of a king in the spirit of a slave.

Governor FelixGovernor Felix• Felix, who was well

acquainted with the Way (22)

• Had a Jewish wife

• Decided to wait for Claudius Lysias

Sermon to Felix Sermon to Felix and Drusillaand Drusilla

• Left Paul in prison for 2 years as a favor to the Jews

Nero Replaces Felix with FestusNero Replaces Felix with Festus

• Felix was a terrible ruler who hated the Jews

• Festus was much stronger and fairer

• Died after only 3 years

Nero Replaces Felix with FestusNero Replaces Felix with Festus

• Felix was a terrible ruler who hated the Jews

• Festus was much stronger and fairer

• Died after only 3 years in office

I appeal to Caesar!

To Caesar you will go!

Acts 25:11 Acts 25:12

King Agrippa IIKing Agrippa II& Bernice& Bernice

• Brother and Sister• Siblings of Drusilla (Wife of Felix)

• Children of Agrippa I

• Great-grandchildren of Herod the Great

The VerdictThe Verdict• Paul was innocent

• He could have been set free

• Must send him to Rome

• Typhoon hit them at Crete

• “Sandbars of Syrtis” (17) are in N. Africa

• “We…gave up hope” (20)

• You must stand trial before Caesar

• 18:9 – Corinth

• 23:11 – Jerusalem

Do Not Fear!Do Not Fear!

• Complete dark (20)

• 14 nights (27)

• 276 people

• Struck sandbar

• Saved by the Centurion

Shipwreck on Malta (28:1)

Paul in RomePaul in Rome• Lived by himself in

his own rented apartment (16, 30)

• A soldier to guard him (16)

• Probably chained in 4-hour shifts

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who

came to see him. Boldly and without

hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Acts 28:30-31)

?Luke does not tell us the result of

Paul’s trial before Caesar.

During the 2 years in Rome Paul wrote the 4 Prison Epistles

• Ephesians• Philippians• Colossians• Philemon