Luke's record of Paul's defense before Romans and Jews-common men and powerful rulers-is building to a crescendo in these chapters. Paul is ever-more like his Master. --His defense is multifaceted. His tactics subtle and wise. His truth is unchanged from the first day he received Christ, but he has learned what it means to suffer, and he has yet more education to receive. --23-11 is the key to this entire passage, and explains why it is Paul must suffer as he does. Why would God require this of Paul- Why might he require suffering and persecution from us-