How does extradition work, like between America and Canada?
Extradition works when one government prevails upon another to return a fugitive. If someone commits a crime in America and flees to Canada, the law allows American authorities to prevail on the Canadian government to extradite them back home to America.
Les explains that Judaism had a fair amount of clout even with the Romans, so the High Priest and rulers of Israel had enough influence with the Roman government that in a few cities of the Middle Eastern Roman Empire they could actually demand extradition like we do today. He illustrates: if someone from America commits a horrible crime and flees to Canada, the law allows us to prevail on the Canadian government to extradite them back home to America. The Judaizers and the High Priest of Israel had that kind of control over the Roman government, so there were certain cities where they could ask for extradition. This is what Saul and the religious leaders of Israel kicked into gear when they sought to go to Damascus and bring back renegade Jews who had followed Jesus of Nazareth.