Blind to the Truth

This has all of the makings of a real crime murder mystery show. A false testimony, attempted murder, a conspiracy of 40 men to ambush and murder the prisoner, accusation of government overthrow. This would definitely make the top 10 list.

We should quickly discuss the events of chapter 23 leading up to Paul’s trial before Felix the governor and then we will focus out time on the content to the trial itself.

We see in chapter the desperate attempts to thwart justice. These men know that they have no evidence that if it were to go to a fair trial that Paul would be released. It is to no advantage that the Romans detain and convict Paul especially since Claudius has already put his reputation and even job at jeopardy by binding and almost flogging a Roman citizen. So this has become a very delicate situation, as he further more does not want a riot on his hands and yet cannot legally find fault with Paul.

So the Jew’s don’t want a trial they want blood, the Romans don’t want it they want peace, and no one gets what they want. So the Jews have to hatch a plan to ambush and kill Paul along the way. I find this whole story some what comical and even amusing in some sense. From the beginning of 23:12 to the end of chapter 24 is over 2 years. I mean these 40 ment have got to be hungry.

Actually the mishnah Jewish writings on the law state that “ if a person were unable to fulfill an oath due to things outside of their control that they could be released from the oath.”

Besides this these men were not of reputable character as they took a vow to assassinate an innocent man and subvert the due process of law. Why should we be surprised that the break the oath after not succeeding.

Besides perhaps there were 40 men because such an endeavor to assassinate a heavily guarded prisoner would have resulted in the loss of many lives no doubt.

These men along with the leadership were blinded by their zeal for the law, they were blinded by thier lust for blood. This is the same pattern that we saw with Jesus, in

John 5:18 ESV

This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

This is the same pattern that we expect to see today, that when men are confronted with the truth that they cannot deny, they have only one response, to silence the messenger. In one extreme case on the issue of abortion a group of activists showed up and since they could not argue thier case they started to bark like a dog as loud as they could to silence the truth. In this case they mean to silence him for good, and they likely would have succeeded save for the nephew of Paul.

We know nothing of him personally nor how he came upon such information, only that he was in some way sympathetic to his uncle and successful in persuading the tribune of the seriousness of the plot.

Claudius not willing to risk his reputation and have an unconvicted Roman citizen assassinated under his custody decides to hastily expedite Paul to Caesarea where the Governor Felix can reside over the trial.

Since the journey was fought with danger he sent 470 soldier to escort Paul about 60 miles total. On a side note the letter Claudius wrote to Felix was partially true, as Luke tells us that he did not find out about Paul’s citizenship until after he had almost flogged him, a part conveniently omitted from the letter.

We now get to the trial of Paul before Felix in chapter 24. The Jewish elders had hired a professional rhetorist which is basically a lawyer to represent them in the Roman court. Tertullus is likely a Hellenist Jew. The typical trial of a Roman citizen would go as follows.

1. The Accuser states his case before the the court

2. The defender arrives.

3. The defender faces his accuser

4. Accused gives a defense

5. Verdict is reached or else deferred

The Accusation

There is really not much to the substance of Tertullus’ accusation. Just a bunch of meaning less flattery meant to seek to make his story more credible by appealing to Felix’s ego. In fact there is reason to believe that Tertullus was hoping that Felix would bend the law a bit in favor of the Jews. The word used in kindness means “the quality of making allowances despite facts that might suggest reason for a different reaction.”

Verse 5 says it all these men saw Paul as a plague. Worse than COVID-19 which needs to be eradicated, so that it does not spread like an infectious disease. One cannot be certain but it is possible that to call this “sect of Judiasm” a sect of the Nazarenes was meant to be a derrogative term. It is clear that the term came from those who followed Jesus who was from Nazareth. There was some animosity of people from that area.

John 1:46 ESV

Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

The only charge that had any indispensability whatsoever was the charge of defiling the temple but there was no evidence that could be brought for this. And the ones who stirred the crowds the Asians were not here. It was actually to Paul’s benefit as their presence would have likely give some weight to their charge of stirring up the world. A clear oversight on the side of the prosecution.

The Defense

Resurrection of the just and the unjust

John 5:27–29 (ESV)

And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

clear conscience - communion

So if we stand before kings and governments our only defense is the defense of Christ. We

The Lack of Judgement

It was to Felix’s advantage to not make a decision. To do so would have had drastic consequences. So it turns out that he punts the ball and is removed from office two years later anyways and replaced by Festus. There was a riot between the Jews and Gentiles and Felix killed many Jews in the process. Historians tell us that his wealthy brother was able to get his sentence lessened and only lost his position as governor.

What ties this whole thing together is this… These men were all blind to the truth. The Jews were outraged and wanted Paul killed. Felix was on the edge having been convicted by the words of Paul pricked in the heart and yet not enough to cause Him to repent.

Drusilla the woman mentioned her was promised bride of a king in Syria at age 16. Some how with the help of a certain magician (history tells us) he was able to convince her to marry him and become his 3rd wife.

Matthew 19:22 ESV

When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Evidentally Felix and Drusilla need to learn what the Gospel and self control was. There is conflict in the heart that seeks and desires something other than the Lord. And sadness in the heart of the one who knows the truth but is unwilling to be moved by the kindness and mercy of God so as to cause him to repent. What a miserable soul the most miserable of all peoples who cannot bring themselves to that point.

Romans 2:4–8 ESV

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.