Acts 23
Acts 23 begins as the apostle Paul defends his position before the Jerusalem council (the Sanhedrin). Jewish leaders plot to remove Paul quickly, but Paul reveals that he is a Roman citizen and is therefore protected. This chapter is an important turning point that shows both Paul’s boldness as a man of faith and his wisdom as a Roman citizen.
1versePaul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, “Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until today.”
2verseThe high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
3verseThen Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?”
4verseThose who stood by said, “Do you malign God’s high priest?”
5versePaul said, “I didn’t know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
6verseBut when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”
7verseWhen he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the crowd was divided.
8verseFor the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these.
9verseA great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight against God!”
10verseWhen a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them and bring him into the barracks.
11verseThe following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”
12verseWhen it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.
13verseThere were more than forty people who had made this conspiracy.
14verseThey came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great curse to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.
15verseNow therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes near.”
16verseBut Paul’s sister’s son heard they were lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul.
17versePaul summoned one of the centurions and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.”
18verseSo he took him and brought him to the commanding officer and said, “Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”
19verseThe commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”
20verseHe said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.
21verseTherefore don’t yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse to neither eat nor drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you.”
22verseSo the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”
23verseHe called to himself two of the centurions, and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night.”
24verseHe asked them to provide mounts, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.
25verseHe wrote a letter like this:
26verse“Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.
27verse“This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.
28verseDesiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council.
29verseI found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment.
30verseWhen I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell.”
31verseSo the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32verseBut on the next day they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the barracks.
33verseWhen they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.
34verseWhen the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. When he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said,
35verse“I will hear you fully when your accusers also arrive.” He commanded that he be kept in Herod’s palace.
Paul before the Council
Paul says that his conscience is free, but the high priest Ananias orders him to be struck. Paul points out that this is an action contrary to the law. Paul then takes advantage of the fact that the council is divided between the Sadducees and the Pharisees, and he mentions belief in the resurrection, sparking their dispute and turning the situation in his favor. This is a part that clearly shows Paul’s wise handling of events.
God’s Encouragement for Paul
As the disturbance in the council grows even worse, the Roman commander rescues Paul. That night, the Lord appears to Paul and says, "You must testify in Rome as you testified about me in Jerusalem." This passage firmly demonstrates God’s guidance and protection for what lies ahead.
An Assassination Plot and the Intervention of Roman Authority
A plot by the Jews to assassinate Paul is devised, but Paul’s nephew manages to get word to the commander. The commander mobilizes a large force to protect Paul and escorts him to Caesarea by night. This scene shows that God can sometimes protect His people through secular power and order as well.
Meditation Points
- Wisdom and boldness of believers: Paul’s wisdom and boldness before the council encourage us to think about how readers today should speak and act in the situations they are given.
- God’s promises and protection: God’s comfort and guidance become a great strength for us even in suffering.
Try Applying It to Me
- When, in my own life right now, there is unwanted misunderstanding and danger, I can learn an attitude of responding wisely like Paul and trusting in God’s help.
- Even in the midst of hardship, I can live believing that God is with me and that He will surely lead me down the path of what is good.
