THESE THINGS WERE NOT DONE IN A CORNER
THESE THINGS WERE NOT DONE IN A CORNER
Though Paul had done nothing wrong he was unjustly imprisoned in Jerusalem (See Acts chapters 22 and 23). When more than 40 Jews in Jerusalem conspired to kill Paul, the Roman commander sent him at night to Caesarea. The situation was so dangerous that Paul was accompanied by 2 centurions. 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen (Acts 23:23). Felix was the Roman Governor in Caesarea at the time. He kept Paul in prison for two years hoping to get a bribe from him. Remarkably, Paul had never been charged with a crime.
Felix left office in Caesarea and Porcius Festus became the next governor. He put Paul on trial to determine why he was in prison. Then Festus, in order to please the Jews, suggested that the trial take place in Jerusalem. Paul knew that the Jews would kill him if he returned to Jerusalem, so as a Roman citizen, he demanded to be tried in Caesar’s court (Acts 25:10).
As we have said, Paul had not been charged with any crime. All Festus knew was that the Jews had a dispute with Paul about their own religion and a dead man named Jesus whom Paul insisted had been raised from the dead (Acts 25:19). Festus was embarrassed because it was unreasonable to send a man to Caesar without specifying any charges against him (Acts 25:27). So he sought the advice of King Agrippa who was an expert on Jewish matters. He was the great grandson of Herod the Great and Paul confirmed his expertise by saying: “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.” (Acts 26:2-3)
At his trial Paul testified: “God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen—that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” (Acts 26:22-23)
Festus interrupted Paul and said that his great learning had driven him insane.
“I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.” (Acts 26:25-26)
PLEASE CONSIDER
The following information will provide insight into things that happened in Jerusalem that King Agrippa knew!
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He knew Rome began ruling Judea in 63 B.C. They obviously received regular reports on what was happening there.
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He knew there was a Roman fortress right next to the Jewish temple. It was called Fortress Antonio.
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Josephus said that six cohorts were stationed there (about 6,000 soldiers). Obviously Agrippa knew this.
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He knew if the Jews misbehaved that Roman soldiers could even enter the temple and kill them. This had already happened (Luke 13:1).
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Remember! When the Jews in the temple were trying to kill Paul “at once” the Roman commander from the fortress took some officers and soldiers and rescued Paul (Acts 21:32). •
Agrippa knew the Roman Empire had 63,000 miles of paved roads and their postal system could deliver a letter 500 miles in only 24 hours. As we have said, the Roman government knew what was going on in Judea and so did King Agrippa.
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He knew that Jesus had been crucified. Even secular historians like Tacitus made reference to the fact that Jesus had been executed in Jerusalem by Pontius Pilate. Tacitus, by the way, was also a Roman Senator.
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But that was not all:
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When Jesus died a violent earthquake hit Jerusalem, tearing the veil in the temple in two from the top to the bottom (Matthew 27:51).
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Furthermore, “The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.” (Matthew 27:52-53).
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Furthermore, when Jesus died: “From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.” (Matthew 27:45)
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Furthermore, when Jesus was buried his tomb was secured by Roman guards and an official seal was placed on the stone (Matthew 27:66).
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On Sunday, another violent earthquake hit Jerusalem. At that time an angel, whose appearance was like lightening, rolled away the stone and sat on it. The guards saw the angel, were afraid of him, and became like dead men (Matthew 28:2-4). Agrippa probably knew this too!
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When the guards reported this to the chief priests and elders they were paid a large sum of money to lie about what happened. This was very dangerous for them for if a Roman guard allowed someone to escape they were killed. This is why the Roman guard in Phillipi was going to commit suicide when he thought his prisoners had escaped (Acts 16:27).
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If a report of what really happened reached the governor these Jewish leaders promised to bribe him too (Matthew 28:14).
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Jesus was raised from the dead and appeared to his closest disciples! (John 20:24-31). It is probable that Agrippa knew this.
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Furthermore, the resurrected Jesus also appeared to over 500 of his disciples at the same time (1 Corinthians 15:6). This too was not a secret!
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Furthermore, in only a few days about 5,000 men came to believe in the resurrection (Acts 4:4) and shortly after than multitudes more were added to their number including both men and women (Acts 5:14).
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Furthermore, when the apostles were arrested they miraculously escaped from prison and went directly to the temple continuing to declare that Jesus had been raised from the dead (Acts 5:17-26).
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This too was common knowledge! So later when Herod arrested Peter, he assigned 16 soldiers to guard him (Acts 12:4). When an angel delivered Peter from prison all 16 soldiers were cross-examined and then executed (Acts 12:19).
DON’T YOU THINK THAT AN EXPERT IN THE JEWS RELIGION LIKE KING AGRIPPA KNEW THESE THINGS?
OBVIOUSLY HE DID! AND THAT’S WHY PAUL SAID TO KING AGRIPPA: “THE KING IS FAMILIAR WITH THESE THINGS, AND I CAN SPEAK FREELY TO HIM. I AM CONVINCED THAT NONE OF THIS HAS ESCAPED HIS NOTICE, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT DONE IN A CORNER.” (ACTS 26:26)
WHAT ABOUT AGRIPPA?
Paul knew that Agrippa was “well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies.” Remember! Paul was a chosen vessel to carry the name of Christ before the Gentiles and their kings (Acts 9:15). So he continued:
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“King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” (Acts 26:27) The Lord had predicted through Ananias that Paul would carry his name before the Gentiles and their kings (Acts 9:15). This prophecy came true with Agrippa.
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“Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (Acts 26:28) When Paul witnessed to a proconsul on the Island of Cyprus he immediately believed even though he did not have as much information as Agrippa (Acts 13:6-12). Yes! Paul had reason to believe that Agrippa might immediately confess Christ! •
“Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” (Acts 26:29) When God’s watchman fails to warn the wicked he is responsible for their blood (Ezekiel 33:1-6). Because Paul warned the Corinthians he had done his duty and knew that their blood would be on their own heads (Acts 18:6). Paul was not only inviting Agrippa to confess Christ, but also everyone who was listening to him. If they refused Christ their blood was on their own heads. •
The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.” Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” (Acts 26:31-32)
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Paul was not discouraged by the fact that he spent two years in prison and would have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar. Paul knew that “In all things God works for the good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). In fact, with regard to what happened to him he explained to the Philippians: “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” (Philippians 1:12)
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Agrippa had all the evidence he needed to become a Christian! He became king in A.D. 48. He first ruled in Lebanon and then his territory was expanded later to include more of the Jewish territory. He was also in control of the Jewish priesthood.
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Agrippa was almost persuaded to become a Christian, but almost is but to fail. The five foolish virgins almost made it to the wedding feast (Matthew 25:1-13). They were just outside the door! This causes us to wonder if many lost people will be only a few inches short of salvation.
REJECTING THE EVIDENCE OF THE RESURRECTION
We have pointed out that the Roman guards and Jewish leaders knew that Jesus was raised from the dead but still refused to allow the truth of his resurrection to change the way they were living. Paul was different. The reality of the resurrection literally transformed his life. He explained in 1
Corinthians 15 that this was the central fact of the Gospel and if Christ has not been raised from the dead his entire ministry was in vain.
Sadly, however, there are still people who know all of these facts and still refuse to allow the reality of the resurrection to bring them to repentance. Please consider the following story that was told by Jesus. Since Jesus revealed the name of Lazarus in this story many believe it was a historical reality and not a mere parable. We reproduce the whole story here as it reveals the eternal consequences of our actions on earth.
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” (Luke 16:19-31)
WHAT ABOUT YOU AND ME?
I am writing this article in December 2023. In what year are you reading it? The year you state reveals something very significant. It reveals the reality of Jesus! The year “2023” means that Jesus was born 2023 years ago! The birth of Jesus divides time in the civilized world into A.D. and B.C. The letters A.D. stand for “Anno Domini”. These are Latin words which mean “the year of our Lord”. The letters B.C. mean “Before Christ”. There has never been any person in the world more important than Jesus! The entire civilized world calculates time based upon the reality of his life.
It has not always been this way. When Jesus was born the most significant event in history was the founding of Rome. The city of Rome was founded 753 years before Jesus was born. Since Rome dominated the world it became the focal point for measuring time. The Latin words “Ab Urbe Condita”, mean “from the founding of the city.” Thus ancient historians would consider that Jesus was born 753 A.U.C. (or from the founding of Rome)
Around 525 years after Jesus was born (1,278 A.U.C.) The Roman poet Ovid, called Rome the “Urbs Aeterna” which means the “Eternal City”. The rule of Rome, however, was not eternal. 476 years after Jesus was born the rule of Rome came to an end. Recognizing this, a Scythian monk named Dionysius Exiguus decided to allow the birth of Jesus to divide time. Rome was not eternal, but Jesus is! Consequently, he divided time into B.C. (before Christ) and A.D. (Anno domini) These are Latin words which mean “the year of our Lord”. At the time there was no more significant person in history
than Christ. Because the civilized world knew about Jesus this soon became the way that virtually everyone reckoned time.
The eternal nature of the kingdom of Christ is proved by his resurrection. It is not just you and me that accept Jesus as a point of reference, but as of the year 2021, 168 countries in the world use the birth of Jesus to divide time. While most use the letters A.D.and B.C, some who do not accept Jesus as Lord prefer to use C.E. and B.C.E. C.E. stands for “common era” and B.C.E. stands for “before the common era”. This, however, should not fool anyone. Jesus is still the defining reality that defines the “common era” and divides time!
Yes! Jesus is the most famous person in the world and those who have never heard of him live in isolation from civilization. Most who have never heard of Jesus do not watch television, read the newspaper, buy magazines, or have access to the world wide web. They have no factories, hospitals, radio stations, or printing presses. They travel on foot or on animals. They stay close to home. They manufacture no machines, and live without electricity. Some are even so primitive that they have not yet discovered the wheel! When they learn about Jesus, however, their lives and their cultures are invariably dramatically transformed!
Charles Darwin, who is famous for propounding the theory of evolution, returned to England in 1836. He has just spent five years circling the globe searching for evidence to prove the theory of evolution. When he heard his colleagues criticize Christian missionaries, however, he rebuffed those critics with these words. “They forget, or will not remember, that human sacrifices and the power of an idolatrous priesthood – a system of profligacy unparalleled in another part of the world – infanticide, a consequence of that system – bloody wars, where conquerors spared neither women nor children – that all these have been abolished; and that dishonesty, intemperance, and licentiousness have been greatly reduced by Christianity. In a voyager to forget these things is base ingratitude; for should he chance to be at the point of shipwreck on some unknown coast, he will most devoutly pray that the lesson of the missionary may have reached thus far . . . The lesson of the missionary is the enchanters wand. The house has been built, the windows framed, the fields plowed, and even the trees grafted by the New Zealander . . . The march of improvement, consequent on the introduction of Christianity through the South Seas, probably stands by itself in the records of history.” (Journals of Research by Charles Darwin, pages 414. 425, and 505)
Even Darwin knew that the life and ministry of Jesus was “not done in a corner.”
MANY STRIPES OR FEW STRIPES
“And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:47-48 KJV)
“Yes”! The story of Jesus has not been hidden in a corner! As we have said, Jesus is the most famous man in the world! The story of his life has been preached all over the world. You know that story and you need to ponder the significance of this historical reality! Hopefully your review of history will convince you that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Based upon this evidence
there is no reason for you to reject Jesus. “These things were not done in a corner”! That’s why God will punish you more severely than others if you do not obey the Gospel!
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The good news is that you don’t have to be punished at all! There is absolutely no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)
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“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) •
Receive Christ now and you will have all of your sins forgiven and you will receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
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Your name will be written in heaven (Luke 10:20)
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You will be filled with inexpressible and glorious joy (1 Peter 1:8).
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The rich man in Hades had many regrets, but nobody who dies ever regrets confessing Christ as Lord!