Acts Chapter 23

At a Glance

  • Acts 23 places Paul in the midst of a charged judicial scene in Jerusalem.
  • This chapter unfolds within the Jerusalem narrative arc, mapping the interplay between Jewish leadership, Roman authority, and the apostolic mission.
  • - Courage in the face of hostility: Paul’s bold deflection of accusations and his strategic theological argument.
  • - Resurrection and hope: The Pharisee–Sadducee dispute centers on beliefs about the resurrection and life beyond.
  • - Divine protection and purpose: God’s word to Paul about testifying in Rome anchors courage amid danger.

Acts 23 places Paul in the midst of a charged judicial scene in Jerusalem. Paul, addressing the Sanhedrin, asserts his clean conscience before God, prompting a sharp rebuke from the high priest who orders him struck. The moment exposes the judiciary’s fragility and the volatility of political-religious power. Paul’s strategic discernment then surfaces as he recognizes the sectarian divide between the Sadducees and Pharisees. He declares himself a Pharisee, aligning with the hope of the resurrection to provoke a theological dispute that fragments the council. The tactic succeeds in diffusing immediate violence as a crowd begins to clash along doctrinal lines, forcing the commander to remove Paul to the fortress for safety. The night scene offers a divine counterpoint: the Lord appears to Paul, encouraging him that he must testify in Rome as well. Meanwhile, conspirators plot to kill Paul, intensifying the danger. The chapter thickens with political maneuvering, threats to Paul’s life, and the ever-present question of who will protect the apostle. Luke uses this episode to illustrate how God’s plan will advance through opposition and how Paul’s mission continues under the shadow of imminent danger, culminating in a summons to continue the apostolic testimony beyond Jerusalem toward Rome.

This chapter unfolds within the Jerusalem narrative arc, mapping the interplay between Jewish leadership, Roman authority, and the apostolic mission. Luke crafts a tense courtroom drama to show how religious leadership can become entangled with political power and resistance to the gospel. The stratagem of Paul’s Pharisaic appeal reveals Luke’s interest in the continuity of the earliest church’s debates about resurrection and faith in Jesus as the Christ. The chapter also presents a prophetic dimension: though Paul faces imminent threats, divine assurance remains that he will testify in Rome. The setting before the Sanhedrin and the ensuing plotline foreshadow the broader persecution Paul will endure and the eventual spread of the gospel to the Gentile world through Roman pathways.

- Courage in the face of hostility: Paul’s bold deflection of accusations and his strategic theological argument.

- Resurrection and hope: The Pharisee–Sadducee dispute centers on beliefs about the resurrection and life beyond.

- Divine protection and purpose: God’s word to Paul about testifying in Rome anchors courage amid danger.

- Institutional conflict and moral complexity: The Sanhedrin’s politics reveal the fragility of leadership under pressure.

- The necessity of witness: Even when threatened, Paul remains committed to bearing testimony to Jesus.

Paul’s fearless defense invites believers to articulate faith with integrity when confronted by hostility or misunderstandings. The chapter encourages wise navigation of conflict—standing firm in conscience, yet engaging in constructive dialogue that points to the resurrection and hope in Christ. For churches today, the episode highlights the dangers of internal factionalism and the importance of keeping the primary mission in view: witness to Jesus. It also speaks to perseverance when plans look imperiled and reinforces that God’s purposes surpass human schemes. The narrative can empower Christians to seek prudent courage in environments that threaten religious liberty, while remaining biblically grounded and prayerful.

Key Themes

Courage in the face of hostility: Paul’s bold deflection of accusations and his strategic theological argument.Resurrection and hope: The Pharisee–Sadducee dispute centers on beliefs about the resurrection and life beyond.Divine protection and purpose: God’s word to Paul about testifying in Rome anchors courage amid danger.Institutional conflict and moral complexity: The Sanhedrin’s politics reveal the fragility of leadership under pressure.

Chapter Text

1

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

2

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

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?

4

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

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.

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.

7

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

8

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

13

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

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.

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.

16

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

23

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;

24

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

25

And he wrote a letter after this manner:

26

Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.

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.

28

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

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.

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.

31

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

32

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

33

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

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;

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.

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