Lysias Λυσίας
Roman commander who rescued Paul from a Jewish mob
Who is Lysias in the Bible?
Claudius Lysias was a Roman tribune, or military commander, stationed in Jerusalem who played a crucial role in protecting the apostle Paul from a violent Jewish mob. When Paul was attacked in the temple, Lysias intervened with his soldiers and arrested Paul, initially believing him to be a dangerous rebel (Acts 21:30-33). After discovering a conspiracy to assassinate Paul, Lysias arranged for him to be transported under armed guard to Caesarea to stand trial before the Roman governor Felix (Acts 23:12-35). In his official letter to Felix, Lysias explained the circumstances of Paul's arrest and clarified that the charges against him involved Jewish religious disputes rather than any crime against Rome (Acts 23:26-30). Lysias' intervention was significant because it preserved Paul's life and ensured that the apostle would have the opportunity to defend his faith before Roman authorities, advancing God's plan to bring the gospel to Rome.
Biography
Claudius Lysias was a Roman tribune (commander) stationed in Jerusalem during the time of Paul's arrest (Act.23.26). When Paul was attacked by a Jewish mob in the temple, Lysias intervened with his soldiers and took Paul into custody (Act.21.30-33). Upon learning of a plot to kill Paul, Lysias arranged for him to be transferred to Caesarea under armed guard to appear before Felix, the governor (Act.23.12-35). In his letter to Felix, Lysias explained the circumstances of Paul's arrest and his decision to send him to the governor for judgment (Act.23.26-30). Lysias admitted that he had initially arrested Paul thinking he was a rebel, but later learned that the charges against him were related to Jewish religious disputes (Act.23.28-29). Lysias' actions demonstrate his commitment to maintaining order and ensuring that Paul received a fair trial under Roman law. His letter to Felix also serves as an official record of the events surrounding Paul's arrest and transfer to Caesarea.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentActs 3 verses
- Acts 23:26
"Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings."
Study Acts → - Acts 24:7Study Acts →
- Acts 24:22
"Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”"
Study Acts →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Λυσίας |
| Named | Greek | Κλαύδιος |
Lysias
ersia to collect the revenues which were. not coming in satisfactorily (1 Macc 3:32; 2 Macc 10:11). According to Josephus (Ant., XII, vii, 2), the instructions of Lysias were' "to conquer Judea, enslave its inhabitants, utterly destroy Jerusalem and abolish the whole nation." Lysias, accordingly, armed against Judas Maccabeus a large force under Ptolemy, son of Dorymenes, Nicanor and Gorgias. Of this force Judas defeated the two divisions under Nicanor and Gorgias near Emmaus (166 BC), and in the following year Lysias himself at Bethsura (1 Macc 4), after which he proceeded to the purification of the temple. In the narration of these campaigns there are considerable differences between the writers of 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees which scholars have not found easy to explain. Antiochus died at Babylon on his Persian expedition (164 BC), and Lysias assumed the office of regent during the minority of his son, who was yet a child (1 Macc 6:17). He collected another army at Antioch, and after the recapture of Bethsura was besieging Jerusalem when he learned of the approach of Philip to whom Antiochus, on his deathbed, had entrusted the guardianship of the prince (1 Macc 6:15; 2 Macc 13). He defeated Philip in 163 BC and was supported at Rome, but in the following year he fell with his ward Antiochus into the hands of Demetrius I (Soter), who put both of them to death (1 Macc 7:1-23).
(2) See CLAUDIUS LYSIAS (Ac 23:26).
J. Hutchison
(1) The son of Ptolemy, of Jerusalem, is named (Additions to Esther 11:1) as the interpreter (translator of the Rest of Esther into Greek).
See ESTHER, THE REST OF.
(2)