TKK I.ITKRARY MARVELS OF 8T. LUKE. 



183 



Not only does No. (15) in the Acts contrast with, and correspond 

 to No. (21) in the Crucifixion section of the Gospel^ but it 

 strongly supports the main tripUcations of the book to which 

 it belongs, because it emphasizes the strength and vigour given 

 to the behevers to win souls for Christ ; it therefore draws 

 marked attention to the main subject of the book, the growth 

 of the Church. 



We also find a contrast to No. (22) in the Crucifixion section 

 of the Gospel of St. Luke in No. (16) triphcation in the Acts, 

 which tells of Paul's fife saved on three occasions by a Koman 

 officer from the deadly plans of hostile Jews. 



In the first component Paul was said to have defiled the 

 Temple at Jerusalem by taking Greeks there ; the Jews conse- 

 quently were seeking to kill him ; but tidings came to the 

 Roman chief captain, who rescued Paul by his soldiers from the 

 Jewish crowd. 



The second component is formed by the events of the next 

 day, when Paul was brought before the council of the Jews, 

 and a great discussion arising, " the chief captain, fearing 

 lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the 

 soldiers to go down, and take him by force from among them, 

 and bring him into the castle." 



The third component is formed by the events of the following 

 day, and the succeeding night. Paul, being confined in the castle, 

 and beyond their reach for the time, a number of Jews bound 

 themselves under a great curse to taste nothing until they had 

 killed him. But this plot came to the ears of the chief captain, 

 who again saved Paul's life by sending him at the third hour 

 of the night, on a rapid march, under the protection of a large 

 armed party to Caesar ea. 



This triphcation not only points back to No. (22) in the Gospel, 

 but it also emphasizes the main subject of the Acts, which 

 was manifestly closely connected with the preservation of 

 St. Paul's life. 



(17) The testimonies of three sets of Roman rulers to PauVs 

 faultlessness, and (18) the same testimonies from three other groups. 



We now come to the consideration of a pair of triplications, 

 Nos. (17) and (18) in the Acts, of testimonies to St. Paul's 

 character, which are parallel and similar to a pair, Nos. (23) and 

 (24) in the Gospel of Luke, ihat our Lord was faultless. The 



