Acts 23
35 verses
Paul's assertion that he stands on trial because of his hope in the resurrection of the dead—a doctrine that divides Pharisees (who believe in resurrection) from Sadducees (who deny it)—represents a strategic move that exploits the council's internal division, yet also reflects Paul's genuine conviction that the gospel is continuous with the Jewish hope for resurrection. The Lord's appearance to Paul in the night—Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome—provides divine reassurance and redirection, ensuring Paul that his witness will not be confined to Jerusalem but extended to the imperial capital. The discovery of a plot by forty Jews to assassinate Paul, revealed through the tribune's investigation and Paul's nephew's intervention, necessitates the prisoner's removal to Caesarea under heavy guard; the tribune's letter to Felix frames Paul's case as a matter of Jewish law but notes the absence of criminal guilt, establishing the pattern of Roman officials' ambivalence regarding the apostle. The transfer from Jerusalem to Caesarea represents a geographical and narrative shift away from the Jewish power structure and toward the Roman judicial process that will culminate in Paul's appeal to Caesar.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
1
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
0 0Open verse page →
2
And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
0 0Open verse page →
3
Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
0 0Open verse page →
4
And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?
0 0Open verse page →
5
Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
0 0Open verse page →
6
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
0 1Open verse page →
7
And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
0 0Open verse page →
8
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
0 0Open verse page →
9
And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
0 0Open verse page →
10
And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
0 0Open verse page →
11
And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
0 1Open verse page →
12
And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
0 0Open verse page →
13
And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
0 0Open verse page →
14
And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.
0 0Open verse page →
15
Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.
0 0Open verse page →
16
And when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
0 0Open verse page →
17
Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
0 0Open verse page →
18
So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.
0 0Open verse page →
19
Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?
0 0Open verse page →
20
And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
0 0Open verse page →
21
But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.
0 0Open verse page →
22
So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.
0 1Open verse page →
23
And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
0 0Open verse page →
24
And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
0 0Open verse page →
25
And he wrote a letter after this manner:
0 0Open verse page →
26
Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
0 0Open verse page →
27
This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
0 0Open verse page →
28
And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:
0 0Open verse page →
29
Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
0 0Open verse page →
30
And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.
0 0Open verse page →
31
Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.
0 0Open verse page →
32
On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
0 0Open verse page →
33
Who, when they came to Cesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
0 0Open verse page →
34
And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;
0 0Open verse page →
35
I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s judgment hall.
0 0Open verse page →
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
No notes on this chapter yet. Be the first to write one!