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Acts 23
1Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”
2At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.
3Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit here to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.”
4But those standing nearby said, “How dare you insult the high priest of God!”
5“Brothers,” Paul replied, “I was not aware that he was the high priest, for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”
6Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
7As soon as he had said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
8For the Sadducees say that there is neither a resurrection nor angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.
9A great clamor arose, and some scribes from the party of the Pharisees got up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”
10The dispute grew so violent that the commander was afraid they would tear Paul to pieces. He ordered the soldiers to go down and remove him by force and bring him into the barracks.
11The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.”
12When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
13More than forty of them were involved in this plot.
14They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.
15Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him down to you on the pretext of examining his case more carefully. We are ready to kill him on the way.”
16But when the son of Paul’s sister heard about the plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.
17Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.”
18So the centurion took him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner sent and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”
19The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside, and asked, “What do you need to tell me?”
20He answered, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of acquiring more information about him.
21Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.”
22So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, “Do not tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”
23Then he called two of his centurions and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea in the third hour of the night.
24Provide mounts for Paul to take him safely to Governor Felix.”
25And he wrote the following letter:
26Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings.
27This man was seized by the Jews, and they were about to kill him when I came with my troops to rescue him. For I had learned that he is a Roman citizen,
28and since I wanted to understand their charges against him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin.
29I found that the accusation involved questions about their own law, but there was no charge worthy of death or imprisonment.
30When I was informed that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also instructed his accusers to present their case against him before you.
31So the soldiers followed their orders and brought Paul by night to Antipatris.
32The next day they returned to the barracks and let the horsemen go on with him.
33When the horsemen arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul to him.
34The governor read the letter and asked what province Paul was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,
35he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s Praetorium.
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Afflictions and Adversities: Consolation In Acts 23:11
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.”
Ananias: High Priest, Before Whom Paul Was Tried Acts 23:2–5
At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. / Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit here to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.” / But those standing nearby said, “How dare you insult the high priest of God!”
Angel (A Spirit): Functions of Medium of Revelation to Prophets Acts 23:9
A great clamor arose, and some scribes from the party of the Pharisees got up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”
Anger: Paul, Toward Ananias Acts 23:3
Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit here to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.”
Antipatris: A City in Samaria Acts 23:31
So the soldiers followed their orders and brought Paul by night to Antipatris.
Armies were Composed of Spearmen or Heavy Troops Acts 23:23
Then he called two of his centurions and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea in the third hour of the night.
Armies: March in Ranks: Centurions Acts 23:17, 23
Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” / Then he called two of his centurions and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea in the third hour of the night.
Armies: March in Ranks: Escort Duty Performed By Acts 23:23, 24, 31–33
Then he called two of his centurions and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea in the third hour of the night. / Provide mounts for Paul to take him safely to Governor Felix.” / So the soldiers followed their orders and brought Paul by night to Antipatris.
Caesarea by Roman Soldiers to be Tried by Felix Acts 23:23–35
Then he called two of his centurions and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea in the third hour of the night. / Provide mounts for Paul to take him safely to Governor Felix.” / And he wrote the following letter:
Caesarea: The Home of Felix Acts 23:23, 24
Then he called two of his centurions and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea in the third hour of the night. / Provide mounts for Paul to take him safely to Governor Felix.”
Castle: A Tower Acts 23:10, 16, 32
The dispute grew so violent that the commander was afraid they would tear Paul to pieces. He ordered the soldiers to go down and remove him by force and bring him into the barracks. / But when the son of Paul’s sister heard about the plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. / The next day they returned to the barracks and let the horsemen go on with him.
Centurion: A Commander of Approximately One-Hundred Soldiers in the Roman Army Acts 23:17, 23
Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” / Then he called two of his centurions and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea in the third hour of the night.
Change of Venue: Granted Paul Acts 23:17–35
Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” / So the centurion took him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner sent and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.” / The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside, and asked, “What do you need to tell me?”
Christian Minister: Persecution: Paul Acts 23:11–35
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.” / When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot.
Citizens: Duties of Acts 23:5
“Brothers,” Paul replied, “I was not aware that he was the high priest, for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”
Claudius Lysius: Sends Paul to Felix Acts 23:10–35
The dispute grew so violent that the commander was afraid they would tear Paul to pieces. He ordered the soldiers to go down and remove him by force and bring him into the barracks. / The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.” / When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
Conquering Acts 23:1
Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”
Conscience without Spiritual Illumination, a False Guide Acts 23:1
Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”
Conscience: General Scriptures Concerning Acts 23:1
Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”
Conspiracy: Paul Acts 23:12–15
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.
Court: Accused Spoke in his own Defense Acts 23:1–7
Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.” / At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. / Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit here to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.”
Court: Contempt of Acts 23:1–5
Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.” / At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. / Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit here to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.”
Courts of Justice: The Accused: Sometimes Treated with Insult Acts 23:2, 3
At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. / Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit here to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.”
Defense of Paul Acts 23:1–6
Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.” / At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. / Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit here to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.”
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary
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Acts 23:6-12 The return of the prisoner only deepened the perplexity of
Pilate, who, "calling together the chief priests, rulers, and people," tells them plainly that not one of their charges against "this man" had been made good, while even Herod, to whose jurisdiction he more naturally belonged, had done nothing to Him: He "will therefore chastise and release him" (Lu 23:13-16).
Acts 23:39 Verse 39
But ye have a custom that I should release one unto you at the passover, &c.--See on Mr 15:7-11. "On the typical import of the choice of Christ to suffer, by which Barabbas was set free, see the sixteenth chapter of Leviticus, particularly Le 16:5-10, where the subject is the sin offering on the great day of atonement" [Krafft in Luthardt].
Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
Pastoral and devotional reflections focused on spiritual formation and application.
Acts 23:1-5 Verses 1-5
See here the character of an honest man. He sets God before him, and lives as in his sight. He makes conscience of what he says and does, and, according to the best of his knowledge, he keeps from whatever is evil, and cleaves to what is good. He is conscientious in all his words and conduct. Those who thus live before God, may, like Paul, have confidence both toward God and man. Though the answer of Paul contained a just rebuke and prediction, he seems to have been too angry at the treatment he received in uttering them. Great men may be told of their faults, and public complaints may be made in a proper manner; but the law of God requires respect for those in authority.
Acts 23:6-11 Verses 6-11
The Pharisees were correct in the faith of the Jewish church. The Sadducees were no friends to the Scripture or Divine revelation; they denied a future state; they had neither hope of eternal happiness, nor dread of eternal misery. When called in question for his being a Christian, Paul might truly say he was called in question for the hope of the resurrection of the dead. It was justifiable in him, by this profession of his opinion on that disputed point, to draw off the Pharisees from persecuting him, and to lead them to protect him from this unlawful violence. How easily can God defend his own cause! Though the Jews seemed to be perfectly agreed in their conspiracy against religion, yet they were influenced by very different motives. There is no true friendship among the wicked, and in a moment, and with the utmost ease, God can turn their union into open enmity. Divine consolations stood Paul in the most stead; the chief captain rescued him out of the hands of cruel men, but the event he could not tell. Whoever is against us, we need not fear, if the Lord stand by us. It is the will of Christ, that his servants who are faithful, should be always cheerful. He might think he should never see Rome; but God tells him, even in that he should be gratified, since he desired to go there only for the honour of Christ, and to do good.
Acts 23:12-24 Verses 12-24
False religious principles, adopted by carnal men, urge on to such wickedness, as human nature would hardly be supposed capable of. Yet the Lord readily disappoints the best concerted schemes of iniquity. Paul knew that the Divine providence acts by reasonable and prudent means; and that, if he neglected to use the means in his power, he could not expect God's providence to work on his behalf. He who will not help himself according to his means and power, has neither reason nor revelation to assure him that he shall receive help from God. Believing in the Lord, we and ours shall be kept from every evil work, and kept to his kingdom. Heavenly Father, give us by thy Holy Spirit, for Christ's sake, this precious faith.
Acts 23:25-35 Verses 25-35
God has instruments for every work. The natural abilities and moral virtues of the heathens often have been employed to protect his persecuted servants. Even the men of the world can discern between the conscientious conduct of upright believers, and the zeal of false professors, though they disregard or understand not their doctrinal principles. All hearts are in God's hand, and those are blessed who put their trust in him, and commit their ways unto him.