Again the Jews urge against the prisoner the old charges of sedition and heresy, while both Jews and Romans accuse him of instigating the burning of the city. While his enemies were vehemently urging their accusations, Paul preserved a quiet dignity; no shade of fear or anger disturbed the peaceful serenity that rested upon his countenance. The people and even the judges beheld him with surprise. They had been present at many trials, and had looked upon many a criminal; but never had they seen a man wear such a look of holy calmness as did the prisoner before them. The keen eyes of the judges, accustomed as they were to read the countenances of their prisoners, searched the face of Paul for some hidden trace of crime, but in vain. When he was permitted to speak in his own behalf, all listened with eager interest to his words.{LP 313.2}

Jøderne fremfører igen de gamle anklager om optøjer og kætteri imod fangen, medens både jøder og romere anklager ham for at anspore til at brænde byen. Medens hans fjender fremfører deres anklager på voldsom måde, bevarer Paulus en stille værdighed; ingen skygge af frygt og vrede forstyrrer den fredfulde klarhed som hvilede over hans ansigt. Folk og endog dommere så overrasket på ham. De har været med til mange domme, og de så på mange kriminelle; men havde aldrig set en mand der så, så hellig rolig ud, som fangen der stod foran dem. Dommernes skarpe øjne, var vandt til at læse deres fangers ansigtsudtryk, undersøgte Paulus ansigt for skjulte spor af forbrydelser, men forgæves. Da han fik lov til at tale for sig, lyttede alle med ivrig interesse til hans ord.