*Acts 22:30-23:22
Paul defends himself before the Jewish council but faces hostility and a plot to kill him.
- Paul Before the Sanhedrin:
- The Roman commander, unsure of the specific accusations against Paul, convenes the Sanhedrin to investigate.
- Paul begins his defense by asserting his conscientious service to God. However, the high priest Ananias orders those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth for what he perceives as disrespect.
- Paul rebukes Ananias, prophesying that God will strike him. When told that he is insulting the high priest, Paul expresses regret, citing the law that one should not speak evil of a ruler.
- Paul’s Strategic Claim:
- Recognizing the divided composition of the Sanhedrin (Pharisees and Sadducees), Paul declares his Pharisee background and states that he is on trial for his hope in the resurrection of the dead.
- This statement incites a dispute between the Pharisees, who believe in the resurrection, and the Sadducees, who do not.
- The division becomes so heated that the Roman commander fears for Paul’s safety and orders troops to take him back to the barracks.
- The Lord’s Encouragement to Paul:
- That night, the Lord appears to Paul, encouraging him and telling him that he must also testify in Rome, just as he has in Jerusalem.
- The Jewish Conspiracy to Kill Paul:
- More than forty Jews form a conspiracy, swearing an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed Paul.
- They plan to request that the Sanhedrin summon Paul again, intending to ambush and kill him during his transfer.
- The Plot Revealed by Paul’s Nephew:
- Paul’s nephew hears about the plot and visits Paul in the barracks to inform him.
- Paul calls one of the centurions, asking him to take his nephew to the commander with the information.
- The Nephew’s Report to the Commander:
- Paul’s nephew tells the commander about the ambush planned against Paul.
- The commander takes the information seriously, instructing the young man to keep the discussion confidential.
22:30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.
23:1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
23:2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
23:3 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? 23:4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest? 23:5 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.
23:6 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.
23:7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
23:9 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.
23:10 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.
23:11 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.
23:12 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.
23:13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
23:14 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.
23:15 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.
23:16 And when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
23:17 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.
23:18 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.
23:19 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? 23:20 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.
23:21 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.
23:22 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.