VI - ST PAUL AT JERUSALEM AND THE EPISTLES OF THE ROMAN CAPTIVITY

Summary

From Corinth to Jerusalem.

No clear trace of Judaizers

The narrative which occupies the last nine chapters of the Acts, comprising St Paul's journey from Corinth to Jerusalem, his imprisonment, and his transportation to Rome, contains but little matter bearing directly on the history of Judaistic Christianity. At two points alone does it manifestly meet us: on the arrival at Jerusalem, and on the arrival at Rome. It is indeed probable enough that the “grievous wolves” of whom St Paul spoke at Miletus to the Ephesian elders as destined after his departure to enter in “not sparing the flock” (perhaps in allusion to our Lord's words about false prophets in sheep's clothing) were chiefly or even wholly Judaizing emissaries. But St Luke gives us no indication to this effect. They are clearly different from the men of the Ephesian Church itself, spoken of in the next verse; who should speak perverse things to draw away the disciples after themselves.

Bitter hostility of the Jews

On the other hand, throughout that part of the narrative which precedes the final embarcation for Italy, we are continually coming across signs of the bitter hostility of the unbelieving Jews to St Paul and his work. A plot of theirs diverts him from his intended course at the outset, intimations of impending danger from their malice are given at Miletus and at Cæsarea, and then come the actual perils of Jerusalem.