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CLAUDIUS LYSIAS

(Gk. Klaúdios Lysías)

The tribune or chiliarch (commander of 1000 troops) of the Roman cohort stationed at the Fortress of Antonia in Jerusalem. Lysias was not a Roman by birth: his cognomen is Greek and his Roman citizenship came at a high price (Acts 22:28). He probably took the Latin name Claudius when he received his citizenship.

Lysias placed Paul under protective custody after Paul provoked a riot in the temple (Acts 21:27-36). Learning that Paul was not a terrorist (cf. Josephus BJ 2.261-63), Lysias allowed him to speak (Acts 21:37-40). When Paul nearly provoked a second riot, Lysias took him to the fortress, where Paul escaped scourging by revealing his Roman citizenship (Acts 22:1-29). After Paul appeared before the Sanhedrin the next day, Lysias learned of a plot against Paul’s life and sent him by night under heavy guard to Caesarea, along with a letter to Felix, the governor of Caesarea, explaining the circumstances (Acts 23:26-30). Luke’s narrative presents the Romans — as elsewhere in Acts — as fair-minded and just in their dealings with Paul.

Mark L. Strauss

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

CLAUDIUS LYSIAS

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)