Monthly Archives: January 2009

Gallio, the proconsul of Achaea, is described in Acts 18:12-17 as allowing Sosthenes to be beaten without trial.  Interestingly, Gallio appears to have been the son of Seneca the Elder, and brother of the famed Seneca the Younger the tutor … Continue reading →

While Paul was in prison he was sent to Felix, the governor of Judea (which was the same government position Pontius Pilate held years before).  A letter to Felix is transcribed in Acts 23:26-30.  His dealings with Paul are spoken … Continue reading →

Bernice (also spelled Berenice) is mentioned in three places in Acts as she accompanies her brother, Agrippa II, during Paul’s legal hearing (Acts 25:13, 23; 26:30).  From Josephus’ description (War 2.15.1)she seems to have been a devout Jew who begged … Continue reading →

Tactitus also mentions Agrippa II, before whom Paul preached while given a legal hearing in Acts 25-26. According to Luke, Agrippa was quite moved by Paul’s words and said “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” (Acts 26:28). Josephus … Continue reading →

One of Tactitus’ works of history is called The Annals. It details the history of Rome from Tiberius to Nero.  It’s most famous passage is when Tacitus mentions Jesus, Pontius Pilate, and Nero’s persecution of early Roman Christians (The Annals … Continue reading →