Paul Stands Before the Council — A Divided Crowd and a Secret Plot (Acts 22:30–23:22)
Have you ever been in a situation where you were trying to do the right thing, but people around you just didn’t get it—or even tried to harm you? That’s what Paul experienced in Acts 22:30–23:22. Even while facing danger, Paul trusted God and used wisdom to stay strong.
Let’s walk through the story together.
Paul Faces the Jewish Council
After Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and almost beaten by a mob, the Roman commander still didn’t understand why everyone was so angry. So, the next day, he brought Paul to stand in front of the Jewish council, also called the Sanhedrin. This group was made up of two main parties: the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
Paul began by saying:
“Brothers, I have lived my life before God with a clear conscience.”
But the high priest, Ananias, didn’t like what Paul said. He ordered someone to strike Paul on the mouth.
Paul reacted sharply:
“God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me by the law, but you break the law by ordering me to be struck!”
When others pointed out that Paul was speaking against the high priest, Paul quickly apologized, saying he didn’t realize who he was, and quoted Scripture:
“Do not speak evil about a ruler of your people.”
Paul wasn’t afraid to speak the truth, but he still showed respect for God’s Word and authority.
Paul Divides the Crowd — on Purpose
Paul noticed something important: some members of the council were Pharisees, who believed in resurrection and angels, while Sadducees did not.
So Paul said:
“I am a Pharisee, and I’m on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead!”
Immediately, the room exploded with arguing. The Pharisees said, “We find nothing wrong with this man.” The Sadducees disagreed strongly. Soon the argument got so heated that the commander was afraid Paul might be torn apart! He ordered soldiers to take Paul back to the barracks for safety.
God Encourages Paul
That night, as Paul sat alone, probably tired and uncertain, the Lord appeared to him and said:
“Take courage! Just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, you must also testify in Rome.”
What a powerful moment. Jesus was reminding Paul: “I’m not done with you yet.”
A Deadly Plot
The next morning, over forty Jewish men made a secret plan. They took an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. They told the religious leaders to ask the commander to bring Paul back for more questioning, and they would ambush and kill him along the way.
But God had another plan.
Paul’s Nephew Saves the Day
Paul’s young nephew heard about the plot. He went to the barracks and told Paul, who called one of the soldiers and said, “Take this young man to the commander—he has something to tell him.”
The commander took the boy aside and listened carefully. When he heard about the plan to kill Paul, he told the boy not to tell anyone and began making arrangements to move Paul secretly and safely.
What We Can Learn from Acts 22:30–23:22
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God gives courage in hard times
Paul faced angry crowds, unfair treatment, and even death threats—but Jesus showed up and encouraged him. -
It’s wise to use the situation to your advantage
Paul knew how to divide the council by bringing up the resurrection. He used discernment and strategy while staying true to his message. -
God uses unlikely people
Paul’s young nephew played a big role in saving his life. God can use anyone—young or old—to accomplish His purpose. -
Even in chaos, God is in control
From riots to secret plots, things looked out of control. But God was still working behind the scenes to protect Paul and keep His plan moving forward.
Final Thought:
Paul didn’t back down when things got tough. He stayed faithful, used wisdom, and trusted that God had a purpose for everything he was facing. Just like Paul, we can have courage knowing that God is with us—even when things feel uncertain.
So if you ever feel overwhelmed or misunderstood, remember Paul’s story. God sees you, He knows what you’re going through, and He’s working even when you can’t see it.
Acts 22:30-23:22 (WEB)
22:30 But on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
23:1 Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, “Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until today.”2 The high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.3 Then 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?”4 Those who stood by said, “Do you malign God’s high priest?”5 Paul 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.’ ”6 But 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!”7 When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the crowd was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these. 9 A 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!”10 When 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.11 The 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.”12 When 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. 13 There were more than forty people who had made this conspiracy. 14 They 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. 15 Now 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.”16 But Paul’s sister’s son heard they were lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul summoned one of the centurions and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.”18 So 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. He has something to tell you.”19 The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”20 He 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. 21 Therefore don’t yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse to neither eat nor drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you.”22 So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”