Study Desk

We went on ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, where we were to take Paul aboard. He had arranged this because he was going there on foot.

Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.

Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, and some another. And since the commander could not confirm the facts because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks.

When Paul reached the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.

Because the brilliance of the light had blinded me, my companions led me by the hand into Damascus.

and saw the Lord saying to me, 'Hurry! Leave Jerusalem quickly, because the people here will not accept your testimony about Me.'

Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial."

Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent."

When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: "Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation.

to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.

And now I stand on trial because of my hope in the promise that God made to our fathers,

the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to realize as they earnestly serve God day and night. It is because of this hope, O king, that I am accused by the Jews.

For the king knows about these matters, and I can speak freely to him. I am confident that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.

After putting out from there, we sailed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us.

By now much time had passed, and the voyage had already become dangerous because it was after the Fast. So Paul advised them,

But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because you will not experience any loss of life, but only of the ship.

So for your own preservation, I urge you to eat something, because not a single hair of your head will be lost."

The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. They kindled a fire and welcomed all of us because it was raining and cold.

They examined me and wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.

So for this reason I have called to see you and speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."