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Acts 23

And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

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?

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

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.

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.

And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

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.

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.

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.

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.

And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.

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.

Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.

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.

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.

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?

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 inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

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.

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.

And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;

And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.

And he wrote a letter after this manner:

Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.

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.

And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:

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.

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.

Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.

On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:

Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;

I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.

What does Acts 23:15 mean?

Explanation

Acts 23:15 is a part of the narrative regarding the Apostle Paul's encounters after his arrest in Jerusalem.

In this verse, a group of Jewish men are plotting to kill Paul.

They ask the Sanhedrin (the Jewish council) to request the Roman commander to bring Paul before them under the pretense of wanting to examine his case more thoroughly.

The assassins intended to ambush and kill Paul during this transfer.

The verse reveals both the intensity of the animosity towards Paul and the extent to which his opponents are willing to go to eliminate him.

At a deeper level, it shows the conflict between the early Christian movement and the existing Jewish religious establishment, as well as the political maneuvering involved in the power struggles of the time.

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Historical Context

Acts 23:15 takes place after Paul's arrest in Jerusalem.

The early Christians were often in conflict with traditional Jewish authorities, who saw the new sect as heretical.

Paul's teachings and successful missionary work added to the tensions.

In the broader historical context, Judea was under Roman rule, and the Jewish authorities had limited power, requiring them to manipulate the Romans to achieve their ends against opponents like Paul.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse may be seen as an example of the persecution that followers of Jesus could expect, as foretold in the Gospels (e.g., Matthew 5:10-12).

It also illustrates the concept of God's providence, as subsequent verses show that the plot is foiled, which can be interpreted as divine intervention to protect the apostle and ensure the continued spread of the Christian message.

Practical Applications

In contemporary terms, Acts 23:15 could be used to discuss topics such as integrity, the morality of deception, and the pursuit of justice.

It can serve as a cautionary tale against allowing hatred or religious zealotry to drive one's actions and the importance of transparency and honesty in legal and personal dealings.

Cross-References

Acts 23:12-13 - The plot to kill Paul is first mentioned.
Acts 23:16-22 - The plot is discovered and revealed by Paul's nephew.
Matthew 5:10-12 - Jesus speaks of the persecution that his followers will face.
2 Timothy 3:12 - Paul writes that all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Acts 9:23-25 - An earlier account of a plot to kill Paul in Damascus.

Language Study

The language used in Acts 23:15 is Koine Greek. Relevant terms include:

"Signify" (Greek: "εμφανίσατε," translated as "make known"): It connotes the idea of making something clear or revealing intentions.
"Chief captain" (Greek: "χιλίαρχον," translated as "tribune"): Refers to the Roman military officer in charge of a cohort.
"Inquire" (Greek: "διαγινώσκειν," translated as "examine thoroughly"): Suggests a judicial examination or investigation.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The zeal with which Paul's opponents seek to kill him echoes the broader cultural context of the ancient world, where religious and political conflicts were often settled through violence.

It also parallels situations in other ancient cultures where conspiracies and intrigues were common around religious and political figures.

Scientific Perspectives

While there is no direct scientific dimension to this verse, modern social science can shed light on group dynamics and the psychology of conspiracy.

Scientific study of group behavior could analyze what happens when individuals come together over a shared belief and are willing to resort to extreme measures.

Commentaries

Different biblical scholars and commentators offer varied insights into Acts 23:15.

Some emphasize the cunning and deceit of Paul's opponents, others discuss the legal manipulation constituted by the request for a further hearing.

Many commentaries also point out the providence of God in frustrating the plans of the wicked, thereby allowing Paul's ministry to continue. The role of Paul's nephew in later verses is often pointed out as a pivotal divine intervention.

Acts 23

Acts 23

What does Acts 23:15 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 23:15 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?