Quotes About Justice

The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes,” he answered.

Then those who were about to interrogate Paul stepped back, and the commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put a Roman citizen in chains.

The next day the commander, wanting to learn the real reason Paul was accused by the Jews, released him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul down and had him stand before them.

Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”

At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.

When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.

Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him down to you on the pretext of examining his case more carefully. We are ready to kill him on the way.”

This man was seized by the Jews, and they were about to kill him when I came with my troops to rescue him. For I had learned that he is a Roman citizen,

and since I wanted to understand their charges against him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin.

I found that the accusation involved questions about their own law, but there was no charge worthy of death or imprisonment.

When I was informed that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also instructed his accusers to present their case against him before you.

The governor read the letter and asked what province Paul was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,

he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herodís Praetorium.

Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.

and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”

The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.

When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.

Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.

and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.

Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,

unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ëIt is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.í”