Paul perceiuing the Councel to be deuided, parte Sadducees and parte Pharisees, and Diuelish persecuters of the truth in S. Paul: whose behauiour towardes them is ful of constancie, modestie, and wisdome. 11 (Christ also by a vision encouraging him, and foretelling that he shal to Rome.) 12 Ievves conspire with 40. men to kil him traiterously. 16 But the matter being detected, the Romane Tribune conuaigheth him strongly to Cesaria.
And Paul looking upon the Council, said, Men brethren, I with all good conscience have conversatus sum: lived, not talked before God, until this present day.AND Paul looking vpon the Councel, said, Men brethren, I with al good conscience haue conuersed before God, vntil this present day.Intendens autem in concilium Paulus, ait : Viri fratres, ego omni conscientia bona conversatus sum ante Deum usque in hodiernum diem.
2And the high Priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him, to smite him on the mouth.And the high Priest Ananias commaunded them that stoode by him, to smite him on the mouth.Princeps autem sacerdotum Ananias præcepit astantibus sibi percutere os ejus.
3Then Paul said to him, God shall strike thee, thou whited wall. And thou sitting judgest me according to the law, and contrary to law doest thou command me to be smitten?Then Paul said to him, God shal strike thee, thou whited wall. And thou sitting iudgest me according to the law, and contrarie to law doest thou commaund me to be smitten?Tunc Paulus dixit ad eum : Percutiet te Deus, paries dealbate. Et tu sedens judicas me secundum legem, et contra legem jubes me percuti ?
4And they that stood by, said, Doest thou revile the high Priest of God?And they that stoode by, said, Doest thou reuile the high Priest of God?Et qui astabant dixerunt : Summum sacerdotem Dei maledicis.
5And Paul said, I knew not, brethren, that he is the high Priest. For it is written: The prince of thy people thou shalt not maledices: speak evil of.And Paul said, I knewe not, brethren, that he is the high Priest. For it is written: *The prince of thy people thou shalt not misspeake.¶Dixit autem Paulus : Nesciebam, fratres, quia princeps est sacerdotum. Scriptum est enim : Principem populi tui non maledices.
6And Paul knowing that the one part was of Sadducees, and the other of Pharisees, he cried out in the Council, Men brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees: of the hope and resurrection of the dead am I judged.And Paul knowing that the one part was of Sadducees, and the other of Pharisees, he cried out in the Councel, Men brethren, *I am a Pharisee, the sonne of Pharisees: of the hope and resurrection of the dead am I iudged.Sciens autem Paulus quia una pars esset sadducæorum, et altera pharisæorum, exclamavit in concilio : Viri fratres, ego pharisæus sum, filius pharisæorum : de spe et resurrectione mortuorum ego judicor.
7And when he had said these things, there rose dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the multitude was divided.And when he had said these things, there rose dissension betwene the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the multitude was diuided.Et cum hæc dixisset, facta est dissensio inter pharisæos et sadducæos, et soluta est multitudo.
8For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, nor Angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.For the Sadducees say *there is no resurrection, nor Angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confesse both.¶Sadducæi enim dicunt non esse resurrectionem, neque angelum, neque spiritum : pharisæi autem utraque confitentur.
9And there was made a great cry. And certain of the Pharisees rising up, strove saying, We find no evil in this man. what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an Angel?And there was made a great crie. And certaine of the Pharisees rising vp, stroue saying, We finde no euil in this man. what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an Angel?Factus est autem clamor magnus. Et surgentes quidam pharisæorum, pugnabant, dicentes : Nihil mali invenimus in homine isto : quid si spiritus locutus est ei, aut angelus ?
10And when there was risen great dissension, the Tribune fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him out of the midst of them, and to bring him into the castle.And when there was risen great dissension, the Tribune fearing lest Paul should be torne in peeces by them, commaunded the souldiars to goe downe, and to take him out of the middes of them, and to bring him into the castel.Et cum magna dissensio facta esset, timens tribunus ne discerperetur Paulus ab ipsis, jussit milites descendere, et rapere eum de medio eorum, ac deducere eum in castra.
11And the night following our Lord standing by him, said, Be constant: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou testify at Rome also.And the night folowing our Lord standing by him, said, Be constant: for as thou hast testified of me in Hierusalem, so must thou testifie at Rome also.Sequenti autem nocte assistens ei Dominus, ait : Constans esto : sicut enim testificatus es de me in Jerusalem, sic te oportet et Romæ testificari.
12And when day was come, certain of the Jews gathered themselves together, and vowed themselves, saying, that they would neither eat nor drink till they killed Paul.And when day was come, certaine of the Ievves gathered them selues together, & vowed them selues, saying, that they would neither eate nor drinke til they killed Paul.¶Facta autem die collegerunt se quidam ex Judæis, et devoverunt, se dicentes neque manducaturos, neque bibituros donec occiderent Paulum.
13And they were more than forty men that had made this conspiracy:And they were more then fourtie men that had made this conspiracie:Erant autem plus quam quadraginta viri qui hanc conjurationem fecerant :
14who came to the chief priests and the ancients, and said, By devotione: a curse-bound vow we have vowed ourselves, that we will eat nothing till we kill Paul.who came to the cheefe priests and the auncients, and said, By execration we haue vowed our selues, that we wil eate nothing til we kill Paul.qui accesserunt ad principes sacerdotum et seniores, et dixerunt : Devotione devovimus nos nihil gustaturos, donec occidamus Paulum.
15Now therefore give you knowledge to the Tribune with the Council, that he bring him forth to you, as if you meant to know some more certainty touching him. But we, before he come near, are ready for to kill him.Now therefore giue you knowledge to the Tribune with the Councel, that he bring him forth to you, as if you meant to know some more certaintie touching him. But we, before he come neere, are ready for to kil him.Nunc ergo vos notum facite tribuno cum concilio, ut producat illum ad vos, tamquam aliquid certius cognituri de eo. Nos vero priusquam appropiet, parati sumus interficere illum.
16Which when Paul's sister's son had heard, of their lying in wait, he came and entered into the castle and told Paul.Which when Paules sisters sonne had heard, of their lying in waite, he came and entred into the castel and told Paul.Quod cum audisset filius sororis Pauli insidias, venit, et intravit in castra, nuntiavitque Paulo.
17And Paul calling to him one of the Centurions, said, Bring this young man to the Tribune, for he hath some thing to tell him.And Paul calling to him one of the Centurions, said, Bring this yong man to the Tribune, for he hath some thing to tel him.Vocans autem Paulus ad se unum ex centurionibus, ait : Adolescentem hunc perduc ad tribunum, habet enim aliquid indicare illi.
18And he taking him, brought him to the Tribune, and said, The prisoner Paul desired me to bring this young man unto thee, having some thing to say to thee.ᶜAnd he taking him, brought him to the Tribune, and said, The prisoner Paul desired me to bring this yong man vnto thee, hauing some thing to say to thee.Et ille quidem assumens eum duxit ad tribunum, et ait : Vinctus Paulus rogavit me hunc adolescentem perducere ad te, habentem aliquid loqui tibi.
19And the Tribune taking him by the hand, went aside with him apart, and asked him, What is it that thou hast to tell me?And the Tribune taking him by the hand, went aside with him apart, and asked him, What is it that thou hast to tel me?Apprehendens autem tribunus manum illius, secessit cum eo seorsum, et interrogavit illum : Quid est quod habes indicare mihi ?
20And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee, that to morrow thou wilt bring forth Paul into the Council, as though they meant to inquire some more certainty touching him.And he said, The Ievves haue agreed to desire thee, that to morow thou wilt bring forth Paul into the Councel, as though they meant to inquire some more certaintie touching him.Ille autem dixit : Judæis convenit rogare te ut crastina die producas Paulum in concilium, quasi aliquid certius inquisituri sint de illo :
21But do not thou credit them, for there lie in wait for him more than forty men of them, which have vowed neither to eat nor to drink, till they kill him: and they are now ready, expecting thy promise.But doe not thou credite them, for there lie in waite for him more then fourtie men of them, which haue vowed neither to eate nor to drinke, til they kil him: and they are now ready, expecting thy promisse.tu vero ne credideris illis : insidiantur enim ei ex eis viri amplius quam quadraginta, qui se devoverunt non manducare, neque bibere donec interficiant eum : et nunc parati sunt, exspectantes promissum tuum.
22The Tribune therefore dismissed the young man, commanding that he should speak to no man that he had notified these things unto him.The Tribune therfore dimissed the yong man, commaunding that he should speake to no man that he had notified these things vnto him.Tribunus igitur dimisit adolescentem, præcipiens ne cui loqueretur quoniam hæc nota sibi fecisset.
23And calling two Centurions, he said to them, Make ready two hundred soldiers, to go as far as Caesarea, and seventy horsemen, and lancearios: spearmen, not the weapons two hundred, from the third hour of the night:And calling two Centurions, he said to them, Make ready two hundred souldiars, to goe as farre as Cæsaria, and seuentie horsemen, and launces two hundred, from the third houre of the night:Et vocatis duobus centurionibus, dixit illis : Parate milites ducentos ut eant usque Cæsaream, et equites septuaginta, et lancearios ducentos a tertia hora noctis,
24and prepare beasts, that setting Paul on, they might bring him safe to Felix the præsidem: governor, not a head of stateand prepare beasts, that setting Paul on, they might bring him safe to Felix the Presidentet jumenta præparate ut imponentes Paulum, salvum perducerent ad Felicem præsidem.
25(For he feared lest perhaps the Jews might take him away, and kill him, and himself afterward should sustain reproach, as though he would have taken money)(For he feared lest perhaps the Ievves might take him avvay, and kil him, and him self afterward should sustaine reproche, as though he vvould haue taken money)(Timuit enim ne forte raperent eum Judæi, et occiderent, et ipse postea calumniam sustineret, tamquam accepturus pecuniam.)
26writing a letter containing this much. Claudius Lysias to the most excellent President Felix, greeting.writing a letter conteining this much. *Claudius Lysias to the most excellent President Felix, greeting.*Scribens epistolam continentem hæc : Claudius Lysias optimo præsidi Felici, salutem.
27This man being apprehended of the Jews, and ready to be killed of them, I coming in with the band delivered him, understanding that he is a Roman:This man being apprehended of the Ievves, and ready to be killed of them, I comming in with the band deliuered him, vnderstanding that he is a Romane:Virum hunc comprehensum a Judæis, et incipientem interfici ab eis, superveniens cum exercitu eripui, cognito quia Romanus est.
28and meaning to know the cause that they objected unto him, I brought him down into their Council.and meaning to know the cause that they obiected vnto him, I brought him downe into their Councel.Volensque scire causam quam objiciebant illi, deduxi eum in concilium eorum.
29Whom I found to be accused concerning questions of their law: but having no crime worthy of death or of vinculis: bonds, imprisonment, not musical groups.Whom I found to be accused concerning questions of their law: but hauing no crime worthie of death or of bandes.Quem inveni accusari de quæstionibus legis ipsorum, nihil vero dignum morte aut vinculis habentem criminis.
30And when it was told me of insidiis: ambushes, plots that they had prepared against him, I sent him to thee, signifying also to the accusers, to speak before thee. Fare well.And when it was told me of embushments that they had prepared against him, I sent him to thee, signifying also to the accusers, to speake before thee. Fare wel.Et cum mihi perlatum esset de insidiis quas paraverant illi, misi eum ad te, denuntians et accusatoribus ut dicant apud te. Vale.
31And the soldiers according as it was commanded them, taking Paul, brought him by night to Antipatris.And the souldiars according as it was commaunded them, taking Paul, brought him by night to Antipatris.Milites ergo secundum præceptum sibi assumentes Paulum, duxerunt per noctem in Antipatridem.
32And the next day sending away the horsemen to go with him, they returned to the castle.And the next day sending avvay the horsemen to goe with him, they returned to the castel.Et postera die dimissis equitibus ut cum eo irent, reversi sunt ad castra.
33Who when they were come to Caesarea, and had delivered the letter to the President, they did set Paul also before him.Who when they vvere come to Cæsaria, and had deliuered the letter to the President, they did set Paul also before him.Qui cum venissent Cæsaream, et tradidissent epistolam præsidi, statuerunt ante illum et Paulum.
34And when he had read, and had asked of what province he was: and understanding that of Cilicia:And when he had read, and had asked of vvhat prouince he vvas: and vnderstanding that of Cilicia:Cum legisset autem, et interrogasset de qua provincia esset, et cognoscens quia de Cilicia :
35I will hear thee, said he, when thy accusers are come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's palace.I wil heare thee, said he, when thy accusers are come. And he commaunded him to be kept in Herods palace.Audiam te, inquit, cum accusatores tui venerint. Jussitque in prætorio Herodis custodiri eum.
Annotations
5I knew not. Our Lord (saith S. Cyprian) in the Gospel, when it was said to him, Answerest thou the high Priest so? teaching that the honour of Priesthood must be kept, said nothing to the high Priest, but only purging his innocency, said, if I have spoken evil, bear witness of evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? Also the blessed Apostle when it was said to him, Doest thou assail the high Priest so with ill words? spake not any thing contumeliously against the Priest, whereas he might have put forth himself stoutly against them which had both crucified our Lord, and which had now also lost their God and Christ, Temple and Priesthood, but though in faith and spoiled Priesthood, yet considering the very bare shadow of the name of Priest, he said, I knew not brethren that he was high Priest. By which words of the Apostle, either it may be thought he knew not in deed that he was in that function, because he had not been of long time in those parts: or else that he so said in respect of the abrogation of the high Priesthood of the Jews, whereby he knew this man not to be truly any Priest, as also because at this time they came not orderly to it by succession of Aaron and Law of Moyses, but by the Roman Emperor's favour, as is said before. though (as it is lawful in such a case) the less to irritate them, he frameth his speech so as they might not take occasion of further accusation against him.
8The Sadducees. This was the worst Heresy among the Jews, denying that there be any Angels, or spirits, the Resurrection also of the body: & consequently (as it may very well be gathered by the book of the Machabees) they denied prayer for the dead. for to offer or pray for the dead, & to think rightly & religiously of the Resurrection, are made there sequels one of another. Of this sect of Sadducees was (as Eusebius writeth li. 2 c. 23. Ec. hist.) this Ananias the High Priest, that caused Paul to be smitten. for their Priesthood had now no more the protection of God to preserve it in truth and right judgement, the Christian Priesthood being then established.
12Vowed themselves. Such vows, oaths, or execrations as this, bind no man before God, yea they must in no wise be observed. It is a great offence either to vow voluntarily, or to take any such thing upon a man, for fear or by commandment. For example, if thou have rashly by promise, vow, or oath, appointed to be revenged upon any man, thou bindest not thyself thereby, neither must thou keep thy promise. If thou be put to an oath to accuse Catholics for serving God as they ought to do, or to utter any innocent man to God's enemies and his, thou oughtest first to refuse such unlawful oaths: but if thou have not constancy and courage so to do, yet know thou that such oaths bind not at all in conscience and Law of God, but may and must be broken under pain of damnation. For to make or take such vows or oaths, is one sin, and to keep them, is another far greater. as when Herod, to keep his oath, killed John Baptist. And such vows and oaths to God as these, are unlawful & must be broken: and not the vows of Chastity and Religion, as our new Ministers teach by their words and works.