Supernatural Powers Were
Behind the Apostles’ Flogging

Despite supernatural evil powers not being specifically mentioned in the account of the apostles’ flogging, the principle expounded in Ephesians 6:12 applies: “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood . . .”

Humans seem to have been participants in the events summarized by Paul as “ . . . Satan stopped us,” (details below) just as they were in the satanically-initiated raids that plundered Job’s property and killed his children (Job 1:13-16,17-19). Likewise, the fulfillment of “ . . the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested . . .” (Revelation 2:10) presumably involved humans as well as supernatural powers, and a similar mix of humans and spiritual powers was involved in Jesus’ death (Luke 22:3-4; John 13:2).

Events Surrounding “ . . . Satan stopped us”

Acts 17:1-2,4,6,9-10,13-14  . . . they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. . . . Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures . . . Some of them were persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women. But the unpersuaded Jews took along some wicked men from the marketplace, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people. When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the rulers of the city . . . When they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. . . . But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise, agitating the multitudes. Then the brothers immediately sent out Paul to go as far as to the sea . . .

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