16. And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, i. e. of their intention to do so, he went and entered into the castle and told Paul.

17. Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

18. So he took him and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul, the prisoner, called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.

19. Then the chief captain took him by the hand, either as a mark of courtesy, or to prevent him from making an attempt against his life, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?

20. And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to-morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

21.

But do not thou yield unto them; for there lie in wait for him, rather, “there will lie in wait for him," for the ambush was not yet laid*, of them more than forty men, who have bound themselves with an oath of execration that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him, and now are they ready, looking for thy promise.

They are ready to lay the ambush, as soon as thou shalt declare that thou wilt bring him down the next day.

22.

So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, saying, See thou tell no man that thou hast showed these things to

me.

He was unwilling, perhaps, to provoke these Jews to acts of resentment against himself, or feared that an attempt might be made, in case of its being discovered, to defeat the plan which he had formed for removing Paul to a place of security.

23. And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cæsarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen, or, : body guards+, two hundred, at the third hour of the night, i. e. nine in the evening.

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24. And provide them beasts, i. e. a succession of them, in case they should be wanted, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the go

vernor.

25.

And he wrote a letter after this manner," to this purpose:"

26. Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting, "sendeth health."

27. This man was taken of the Jews, and would have been killed of them. Then came I with an army, rather, "with the soldiers," and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

This colour he chuses to give to the transaction, in order to court the favour of a Roman governor, although it appears from the history that he did not know him to be a Roman till he had rescued him.

28. And when I would have known, "when I wished to know," the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:

29. Whom I perceived to be accused of questions," on some questions," of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

30. And when it was told me how that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent straitway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.

31. Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris ; so called from Antipater, the father of Herod."

32. On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, being now out of all danger of interruption from the Jews, and returned to the castle:

33. Who, when they came to Cæ ́sarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

This was not the settled residence of the governor at this time; but he happened to be at this place, while on his visit to different parts of the province. It was distant seventy miles from Jerusalem.

34. And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was, and when he understood that he was of Cilicia;

35. I will hear thee, said he, when thy accusers also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment-hall.

This was a palace built by Herod, when he beautified and enlarged the city of Cæsarea.

REFLECTIONS.

The most remarkable circumstance in this story, which is related with too much simplicity and plainness to require any comment, is the illustration which it gives of the fatal tendency of religious bigotry. In the first part of the chapter we behold the highpriest, in the sacred office of a judge, animated with religious zeal, grossly violating the duties of his station. Here we find the common people, from the same cause, deviating still further from the rules of justice and propriety. They form the dreadful resolution of imbruing their hands in the blood of an innocent man and illustrious character, and, to render their efforts more effectual, they combine their forces. Least their zeal should cool or their efforts slacken, they lay themselves under the most solemn obligations which they can devise, not to taste food until it be accomplished. The artful plot is laid, the several steps by which they shall approach their victim are marked out, and they are already furnished with the weapons of death for executing their diabolical design. No remorse of conscience, no pity for the sufferer, no fear of offending Heaven touches their hearts and betrays the secret, but the imprudence of their own zeal. They communicate their design without shame or fear to the Jewish council. And could it be reli