Study Desk

"If we let Him go on like this, all the people will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take over both our place and our nation."

and they are proclaiming customs that are not lawful for us to accept or to practice, since we are Romans."

But Paul said to them, "After beating us in public without due process—men who are Romans—they threw us into prison; and now they are releasing us secretly? No indeed! On the contrary, let them come in person and lead us out."

The officers reported these words to the chief magistrates. And they became fearful when they heard that they were Romans,

"I replied to them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any person before the accused meets his accusers face to face, and has an opportunity to make his defense against the charges.

After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, "Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem.