Lysias in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

A Roman chiliarch or captain in charge of the troops of the citadel Antonia at Paul's last visit to Jerusalem. He rescued Paul from the fanatical crowd, and subsequently from the plot of more than 40 zealots against his life (Acts 21:27-36; Acts 23:12-33). With worldly tact he in writing to Felix makes no mention of having bound Paul for scourging (Acts 21:33; Acts 22:24-29), for he" feared" the consequences to himself of having so treated a Roman citizen. Still his treatment of the apostle otherwise, after he knew his Roman citizenship, was fair and firm.