The Variant Readings of the Western Text of the Acts of the Apostles (XV) 137 [a’] 22 But Saul became all the 22 But Saul became all the more more powerful in the word and powerful and confounded the confounded the Jews who lived in Jews who lived in Damascus by Damascus by demonstrating that demonstrating that the Messiah was the Messiah was Jesus, in whom Jesus. God was well pleased. 23 When a considerable number of [A’Ba] 23 When a considerable number of days had passed, the Jews plotted days had passed, the Jews plotted together to kill him. together to kill him. [b] 24a Their plot, however, became 24a Their plot, however, became known to Saul. known to Saul. 24b But they were keeping a close [b’] 24b But they were keeping a close watch even on the gates, day and watch even on the gates, day and night, so that they might kill him. night, so that they might kill him. [a’] 25 But the brethren took him at 25 But his disciples took him at night night and lowered him through and through the wall lowered him, the wall, letting him down in a letting him down in a basket. basket. [A’A’ a] 26 When he arrived in Ierousalem, 26 When he arrived in Ierousalem, he he tried to join the disciples; tried to join the disciples; 26b and they were all afraid of him, [b] 26b and they were all afraid of not trusting that he was a disciple. him, not trusting that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took an interest [c] 27a But Barnabas took an and introduced him to the apostles; interest and introduced him to the apostles; [d] 27b and he explained to them how 27b and he explained to them how he he had seen the Lord on the road had seen the Lord on the road and and that he had spoken to him and that he had spoken to him and how how in Damascus he had boldly in Damascus he had boldly spoken spoken publicly in the name of publicly in the name of Jesus. Jesus. [c′] 28 And with them he went in and 28 And with them he went in and out in Ierousalem, boldly speaking out in Ierousalem, boldly speaking publicly in the name of the Lord, publicly in the name of the Lord, 29a and in addition he spoke and 29a and in addition he spoke and disputed with the Hellenists. disputed with the Hellenists. [b′] 29b They, however, set about 29b They, however, set about trying trying to kill him. to kill him. 30 When the brethren found out, [a′] 30 When the brethren found out, they took him down to Caesarea and they took him down to Caesarea by sent him off to Tarsus. night and sent him off to Tarsus.