Acts 22:17-29
Dear RTB’ers,
Paul in Jerusalem, continuing his speech to the Jewish crowd. Up to this word they listened to him. (v. 22a) It’s confusing to me also why the Jews listened to Paul “Up to this word…”, and then turned against him. I had the same question back in 2020 when we were reading Acts and the Epistles. Why “Up to this word…”? Are they charging him with blasphemy (since they want to kill him)? “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” (v. 22b) But where is the blasphemy? Is it Paul’s claim of the Lord speaking directly to him? (vv. 18, 21) But the Lord spoke directly to so many of the Old Testament prophets. Again, Jesus’ words come to mind, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!” (Matthew 23:37a) Or “… from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary.” (Luke 11:51a) Why “Up to this word…”? Strange.
So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him. (v. 29) Paul was a Roman citizen. This item was also important back in Acts 16 when Paul and Silas had been jailed in Philippi. Carol and I have felt similar protections as U.S. citizens when traveling abroad. We move around confidently, knowing that we have the U.S. government behind us. Our blue passports are “gold”. Without providing all the details, there was an occasion early in our first year in Slovakia (2004-2005) when someone reported to us that a high official had said, “Give these people what they want; the Embassy is involved.” Such was the power of the U.S. presence in Slovakia – and elsewhere around the world. Paul had that same coverage from Rome and it served him well on a number of occasions – including some reading in the next few chapters.
Blessings!
This comment is late — I’m almost caught up with reading but going back to look at Fred’s posts.
I was told in years past that the Jews listened “up to this word”: Gentiles. When Paul spoke about their own history, they listened. But they reacted when he said God told him to go to those who were not “chosen” like they were.
So thankful God sent Paul to preach the Word to the Gentiles! That was God’s original plan when He chose Abraham and told him, “I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.” (Genesis 12:3) It seems that the Jewish nation had forgotten this original instruction. They had converts from other nations, but the rules about not going into Gentile homes, not eating with Gentiles, not letting them in the temple, etc.: these must have made the Jews feel very exclusive and entitled.
God gave them the gift of being his people. They wanted to keep it that way. Thus, Paul’s defense was indefensible to them!
Also, have you ever wondered what happened to the 40+ who had strictly bound themselves to “taste no food” until they killed Paul? A serious oath before the Lord that they never fulfilled…