Claudius Lysias
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Claudius Lysias was a Roman military tribune who intervened to rescue the Apostle Paul from a violent mob in Jerusalem, recognized Paul's Roman citizenship, and subsequently transferred him under guard to the governor Felix in Caesarea Maritima for safekeeping.
What is the meaning of Claudius Lysias in the Bible?
Claudius Lysias was a Roman military tribune who intervened to rescue the Apostle Paul from a violent mob in Jerusalem, recognized Paul's Roman citizenship, and subsequently transferred him under guard to the governor Felix in Caesarea Maritima for safekeeping.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Lysias' role clarifies the legal protections afforded to Roman citizens in the first century and illustrates the tension between Roman administrative procedures and local Jewish religious sentiments, providing historical context for the narrative in Acts 21-23.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.