*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.
Acts 22:30–23:22 teaches us that God is always in control, even in difficult situations. Paul faced opposition and danger, but God encouraged him, saying he would continue his mission. Even when others plotted against him, God provided a way out. This reminds us that when we follow God, He watches over us and has a purpose for our lives. We can apply this by trusting God in tough times, standing firm in our faith, and believing that He will guide and protect us through every challenge.
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.”