ProlepsisOpen in the graph →

Prophecy

Before governors and kings: Gallio, Felix, Festus, Agrippa (Mark 13:9)

Paul pleading before King Agrippa II and the governor Festus (Acts 26), artist’s impression by James Thornhill (around 1710).
Artist’s impression Paul pleading before King Agrippa II and the governor Festus (Acts 26), artist’s impression by James Thornhill (around 1710). — James Thornhill, Wikimedia Commons · Domaine public

○ Written after the events, according to historians; tradition dates it before

Written c. 30–62 AD according to tradition; c. 65–73 AD according to historians. Event: c. 51–60 AD.

See the full entry: sources, objections, answers

In short

The announcement. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus warns his disciples, around 30-33, that they will be handed over to courts, beaten in synagogues and brought before governors and kings because of him.

What happened. Around 51-60, the book of Acts tells how the apostle Paul appears before Gallio, Felix, Festus and King Agrippa. These officials are known from an inscription at Delphi, from Tacitus and from Josephus, and Paul himself writes that he was flogged five times by Jews. Around 112, the governor Pliny tries Christians at his tribunal.

What is still debated. outside sources confirm the names and dates of the officials, not Paul's trials, which are told only by Acts, by the same author as the Gospel of Luke.

What would be striking if the text came first

Names, titles and dates agree with independent sources, and Paul confirms in his own letter the beatings in synagogues that the same verse announces. But according to historians, Mark was written after these trials, and Acts itself links announcement and fulfillment.

Main objection (in French for now)

Limite principale : Luc annonce (Lc 21:12) et Luc raconte l’accomplissement (Actes) ; ce n’est pas une confirmation indépendante. Les sources profanes confirment l’existence et les dates des magistrats, pas les procès de Paul.

The text (World English Bible)

“But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them.

Mark 13:9

Sources