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Acts 23
1Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, "Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day."
2The high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
3Then 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?"
4Those who stood by said, "Do you malign God's high priest?"
5Paul 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.'"
6But 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!"
7When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these.
9A 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!"
10When 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.
11The 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."
12When 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.
13There were more than forty people who had made this conspiracy.
14They 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.
15Now 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."
16But Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul.
17Paul summoned one of the centurions, and said, "Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him."
18So 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, who has something to tell you."
19The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?"
20He 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.
21Therefore don't yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse neither to eat nor to drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you."
22So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, "Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me."
23He 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."
24He asked them to provide animals, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.
25He wrote a letter like this:
26"Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.
27"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.
28Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council.
29I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment.
30When 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."
31So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32But on the next day they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the barracks.
33When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.
34When the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. When he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said,
35"I will hear you fully when your accusers also arrive." He commanded that he be kept in Herod's palace.
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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.