World English Bible · Under Rome
Acts 9
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But , still breathing threats and slaughter against of , went to the and asked for letters from him to the of , that if he found any who were of , whether men or women, he might bring them bound to . As he traveled, he got close to , and suddenly a from shone around him. He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, ", , why do you persecute me?" He said, "Who are you, ?" said, "I am , whom you are persecuting. But rise up and enter into the city, then you will be told what you must do." The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one. arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand and brought him into . He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a certain at named . said to him in a , "!" He said, "Behold, it's me, ." said to him, "Arise and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named , a man of . For behold, he is praying, and in a he has seen a man named coming in and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight." But answered, ", I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your at . Here he has from the to bind all who call on your name." But said to him, "Go your way, for he is my chosen to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the . For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake." departed and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, "Brother , , who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with ." Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was . He took food and was strengthened. stayed several days with who were at . Immediately in the he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of . All who heard him were amazed, and said, "Isn't this he who in made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the !" But increased more in strength, and confounded the who lived at , proving that this is the Christ. When many days were fulfilled, the conspired together to kill him, but their plot became known to . They watched the both day and night that they might kill him, but his took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket. When had come to , he tried to join himself to ; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was . But took him and brought him to , and declared to them how he had seen on , and that he had spoken to him, and how at he had preached boldly in the name of . He was with them entering into , preaching boldly in the name of . He spoke and disputed against the , but they were seeking to kill him. When the brothers knew it, they brought him down to and sent him off to . So the assemblies throughout all , , and had peace and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the and in the comfort of . As went throughout all those parts, he came down also to who lived at . There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years because he was paralyzed. said to him, "Aeneas, heals you. Get up and make your bed!" Immediately he arose. All who lived at and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to . Now there was at a certain named , which when translated means . This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did. In those days, she became sick and . When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. As was near , , hearing that was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the stood by him weeping, and showing the tunics and other garments which had made while she was with them. sent them all out, and knelt down and . Turning to the body, he said, ", get up!" She opened her eyes, and when she saw , she sat up. He gave her his hand and her up. Calling and , he presented her alive. This became known throughout all , and many in . He stayed many days in with a tanner named .
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The world at this moment · Under Rome, 63 BC to AD 100 ›
Judea as a client kingdom and then a province. Roads, garrisons, taxes, crucifixion, and a common Greek language that let a message travel the empire faster than any before it.
- Rome
- The republic tears itself apart in civil war and comes out as an empire under Augustus. What follows is two centuries of relative peace across the whole Mediterranean, enforced by legions and paid for by taxes, with safe roads and safe sea lanes. Every one of Paul's journeys depends on that.
- Judea
- Governed first through Herod the Great, a client king of enormous ability and enormous brutality who rebuilds the temple into one of the wonders of the ancient world, then directly by Roman prefects. Crucifixion is the standard penalty for sedition and is used often and publicly.
- The wider world
- Greek is spoken from Spain to Syria, which means a letter written in Corinth can be read in Rome without translation. Jewish communities already exist in most major cities, which is where the first Christian preaching lands. Mystery religions, imperial cult, and philosophy all compete in the same marketplace.
- Further afield
- The Han dynasty rules China and trades silk westward along routes that touch the Roman world at second hand. In Britain the Roman conquest begins within a decade of the crucifixion.