Acts 23
Summary. . In this chapter, the apostle continues his trial in Jerusalem. With the Lord’s protection, he is safely transported to Caesarea to be handed over to the governor; this marks the beginning of his new mission on his journey toward Rome. Acts 23:1-11. Apostle Paul before the Council. The apostle Paul addressed the Council, stating that he lived according to the teachings of the Lord God Almighty. This declaration irritated both the listeners and the high priest. The apostle Paul, by the wisdom of the Lord, identified himself before the Council as a Pharisee. Then, a disagreement arose within the Council concerning the resurrection of the dead. Fearing harm to the apostle, the commander brought Paul back to the camp. The following night, the Lord Jesus stood by him and encouraged him, assuring him that he must bear witness about Him in Rome. Acts 23:12-22. A plot to kill apostle Paul. A group of Jews organized a mob to kill Paul and sought support from their leaders. Under the influence of dark mind control, they devised a strong plot. However, the Lord was watching over the apostle, and He guided Paul’s nephew to learn about the plot. The nephew then reported the plot to both the apostle and the commander. Acts 23:23-35. Apostle Paul is sent to Caesarea. The commander received the report of the plot against the apostle and immediately organized a troop of 470 soldiers, horsemen, and spearmen to take the apostle to Caesarea and hand him over to Felix, the governor. The large number of soldiers assigned to protect a single prisoner also suggests that the commander saw a real threat in the news he received. He wanted to send a strong message to the people: if they attempt to rise up, they will have no chance to fight back. With the apostle delivered to the governor, the Lord will open the way for him to spread the good news to many people.
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Then Paul, having looked steadfastly at the council, said, Men, brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience until this day.
Comments Acts 23:1
“Then Paul, having looked steadfastly ...” The apostle looked at all the people who held positions on this Earth and had authority in judgment, but when he spoke to them, he told them that he lived according to the teachings of the Lord God Almighty. His actions and words were according to what he had received.
“In all good conscience until this day.” Give attention, all readers. The apostle announced to all who were there about his actions and faith. And he believed he followed the Lord God Almighty’s guidance in all things.
“In all good conscience until this day.” Give attention, all readers. The apostle announced to all who were there about his actions and faith. And he believed he followed the Lord God Almighty’s guidance in all things.
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And the high priest Ananias commanded those standing by him to strike him on the mouth.
Comments Acts 23:2
When the apostle spoke the truth, it irritated the ears of the listener. When the heart is covered with a dark mind, that heart will not hear the truth. By ordering someone to hit the apostle, this action was not right in a human way. When the person did not violate the rule of the Lord God Almighty, and the ruler ordered the apostle to be struck, the Lord God Almighty Himself would judge the ruler’s action.
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Then Paul said to him, God will smite you, whitewashed wall! And you sit to judge me according to the law, and violating the law, do you command me to be struck?
Comments Acts 23:3
“Then Paul said to him, God will smite ...” The apostle had pronounced the judgment of wrongdoing. When you have authority but misuse it, the Lord God Almighty will be the one who will smite you.
“And you sit to judge me according to the law ...” The apostle told the leader that he sat in the seat to judge, yet he himself violated the law by ordering the apostle to be struck, which is against the law itself.
“And you sit to judge me according to the law ...” The apostle told the leader that he sat in the seat to judge, yet he himself violated the law by ordering the apostle to be struck, which is against the law itself.
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And those who stood by said, Do you revile the high priest of God ?
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Then Paul said, I did not know, brothers, that he was high priest; for it has been written, You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.
Comments Acts 23:4-5
“... Then Paul said, I did not know brothers.” The apostle gave an answer from his understanding: he did not know to whom he was talking at this time.
“That he was high priest.” At this point in time, the apostle realized to whom he was speaking; this was the servant of the Lord God Most High, with whom he was talking.
“For it has been written ...” All children of the Lord must obey the rule that has been written. By the Lord God Most High’s command, you cannot disrespect the elders. Even if he himself is an apostle, the one with whom he is talking right now is the worker of the Lord God Most High and holds a position among humans higher than the apostle himself (see Exodus 22:28).
“That he was high priest.” At this point in time, the apostle realized to whom he was speaking; this was the servant of the Lord God Most High, with whom he was talking.
“For it has been written ...” All children of the Lord must obey the rule that has been written. By the Lord God Most High’s command, you cannot disrespect the elders. Even if he himself is an apostle, the one with whom he is talking right now is the worker of the Lord God Most High and holds a position among humans higher than the apostle himself (see Exodus 22:28).
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Then, Paul having perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the Council, Men, brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am judged.
Comments Acts 23:6
“Then, Paul having perceived that ...” The wisdom belongs to the Lord; here, the apostle received wisdom by looking. The Lord God Almighty gave him wisdom to see the differences between people, and this understanding of the differences between people will work to the advantage of the apostle himself.
“Men, brothers, I am a Pharisee ...” By identifying himself with who he was descended from, he would make people take sides with him. The good news about the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was resurrected, had been proclaimed to the Lord’s children. The difference in the assembly occurred for a reason at this point in time; the Lord God Almighty guided His apostle on what to say.
“Men, brothers, I am a Pharisee ...” By identifying himself with who he was descended from, he would make people take sides with him. The good news about the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was resurrected, had been proclaimed to the Lord’s children. The difference in the assembly occurred for a reason at this point in time; the Lord God Almighty guided His apostle on what to say.
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And he having spoken this, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.
Comments Acts 23:7
“And he having spoken this, there arose ...” The verse clearly tells us that the differences in belief among people create problems. All believers pay attention; division is not in the Lord’s plan. Among believers, unity is the heart of the assembly; you all serve One true God Almighty; there is no difference between humans in the eyes of the Lord Himself.
“And the assembly was divided.” Have a prisoner in the midst, but the assembly split. When there is no unity, things will never go right. Between believers, if division appears on each side, they will expect the Lord God Almighty to help them, and peace will disappear. But the division would also create the space for the dark to enter. But in this place, the Lord God Almighty used this division to save His apostle.
“And the assembly was divided.” Have a prisoner in the midst, but the assembly split. When there is no unity, things will never go right. Between believers, if division appears on each side, they will expect the Lord God Almighty to help them, and peace will disappear. But the division would also create the space for the dark to enter. But in this place, the Lord God Almighty used this division to save His apostle.
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For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
Comments Acts 23:8
“For the Sadducees say there is no ...” Among the Lord’s children, many divisions have created confusion. This group of people rejected the teachings of their forefathers. In their own teachings, the forefathers talk about the Lord God Almighty raising the dead, but in this generation, they have rejected the teachings of their forefathers. When they reject the Lord’s teachings, they also refuse to be called His children.
“But the Pharisees confess both.” On the other hand, the group of the Lord’s children, the Pharisees, stayed firm in the teachings of their forefathers, believing in the mighty power and mercy of the Lord God Almighty in raising the dead.
“But the Pharisees confess both.” On the other hand, the group of the Lord’s children, the Pharisees, stayed firm in the teachings of their forefathers, believing in the mighty power and mercy of the Lord God Almighty in raising the dead.
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And there arose a great cry, and having risen up some of the scribes of the Pharisees part, they were contending, saying, We find no evil in this man; now what if a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel?
Comments Acts 23:9
Those who stand firm in their belief departed from accusing the apostle, because when there was disagreement with the forefather’s teachings, this group did not want to be involved. When they disagreed, they no longer voted to be part of the accusation against the apostle.
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And a great dissension arising, the commander, having feared lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, he commanded the troop to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the camp.
Comments Acts 23:10
“And a great dissension arising ...” Among people, when the dark mind controls them, violence will happen, and here, when the commander saw the turmoil among the people, fear occurred in his heart. The people did not know what they were doing, with fear that the prisoner would die at the hands of the people, the commander ordered the soldiers to go and take the apostle away from the people. With this act, the commander himself thought to save himself first; if the prisoner died, it was not the real problem for the commander, but the prisoner must die under his direction.
“He commanded the troop to go down ...” Under the foreign law control of the country, the commander sent the entire troop in order to make people fear and stop the violence toward the prisoner. Bringing the prisoner back to the camp will stop the confusion among the people.
“He commanded the troop to go down ...” Under the foreign law control of the country, the commander sent the entire troop in order to make people fear and stop the violence toward the prisoner. Bringing the prisoner back to the camp will stop the confusion among the people.
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But the following night, the Lord , having stood by him, said, Take courage, for as you have testified about M e in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.
Comments Acts 23:11
“But the following night, the Lord ...” The beloved Son of God appeared to His apostle. Because this apostle will have great work ahead, the encouragement from this encounter with the beloved Son of God will strengthen the faith of the apostle for the task waiting ahead.
“Said, Take courage.” Simple words from the Lord gave great strength to the apostle. From now on, the apostle’s heart will be strong and rely on the mercy of the beloved Son of God in all his work. The hearts of people will reject the good news, but by this encounter, the apostle will remain vigilant in doing work.
“For as you have testified about Me ...” The order and direction were told to the apostle, where he will be even far away from home, but the goodness of the Lord God Almighty must be proclaimed to all humans, and the love and mercy of the beloved Son of God must be told to all humans; not only for the Lord’s children alone, but the Gentiles must know as well.
“Said, Take courage.” Simple words from the Lord gave great strength to the apostle. From now on, the apostle’s heart will be strong and rely on the mercy of the beloved Son of God in all his work. The hearts of people will reject the good news, but by this encounter, the apostle will remain vigilant in doing work.
“For as you have testified about Me ...” The order and direction were told to the apostle, where he will be even far away from home, but the goodness of the Lord God Almighty must be proclaimed to all humans, and the love and mercy of the beloved Son of God must be told to all humans; not only for the Lord’s children alone, but the Gentiles must know as well.
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Then, when it was day, the Jews, having made a mob, put themselves under a curse, saying neither to eat nor to drink until they should kill Paul.
Comments Acts 23:12
“Then, when it was day, the Jews ...” The Lord’s children, when the dark mind controlled them, their actions went against the teachings of the Lord. Putting a curse on themselves was a wrong thing to do, and the Lord’s children should not do this act against the Lord God Almighty’s teachings.
“Saying neither to eat nor to drink ...” Do not eat or drink; this action, most of the time, is a promise offered to the Lord God Almighty, but now, with the dark mind control, the Lord’s children use this method to force themselves to plot to kill the Lord’s apostle. The punishment for this act would fall upon themselves.
“Saying neither to eat nor to drink ...” Do not eat or drink; this action, most of the time, is a promise offered to the Lord God Almighty, but now, with the dark mind control, the Lord’s children use this method to force themselves to plot to kill the Lord’s apostle. The punishment for this act would fall upon themselves.
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And there were more than forty who had made this plot.
Comments Acts 23:13
The dark mind has power and made people join together to do things against the Lord’s teaching, because the purpose of killing is not what the Lord teaches.
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Who, having come to the chief priests and the elders, said, We have bound ourselves with a curse, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.
Comments Acts 23:14
“Who, having come to the chief priests ...” The Lord’s children sought more support to eliminate the apostle. The dark mind control guided people to seek the higher authorities to join their cause in order to make all the Lord’s children agree with their action. If the chief priests agreed and joined the plot, then all the people would have had strong courage, knowing that their plan was supported by the Lord God Almighty.
“We have bound ourselves ...” To make the case stronger, the Lord’s children told the chief priests that they were fasting and would not taste anything so that they would offer the proper and stronger fast to the Lord God Almighty.
“We have bound ourselves ...” To make the case stronger, the Lord’s children told the chief priests that they were fasting and would not taste anything so that they would offer the proper and stronger fast to the Lord God Almighty.
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Now therefore you, make a report along with the council to the commander so that he brings him down to you, as though you would judge more accurately the things about him; and we, before he comes near, are ready to kill him.
Comments Acts 23:15
“Now therefore you, make a report along ...” The Lord’s children made a strong plot, but the chief priests must agree to this plan to succeed. If the chief priests present this to the commander, the plot will succeed, and the Lord God Almighty will bless all those involved and help with this plot.
“As though you would judge more ...” The dark mind control had intelligence in speaking to the chief priests; by giving the proper reason to judge the prisoner according to their law, the commander would have no choice but to send the prisoner to them.
“And we, before he comes near ...” The Lord’s children gave a way out for the chief priests not to be involved in the problem because the ambush would happen on the way of travel, not at their place. The commander would not find fault with any leader because the people would be the ones who would kill the prisoner.
“As though you would judge more ...” The dark mind control had intelligence in speaking to the chief priests; by giving the proper reason to judge the prisoner according to their law, the commander would have no choice but to send the prisoner to them.
“And we, before he comes near ...” The Lord’s children gave a way out for the chief priests not to be involved in the problem because the ambush would happen on the way of travel, not at their place. The commander would not find fault with any leader because the people would be the ones who would kill the prisoner.
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However, the son of the sister of Paul, having heard of the ambush, came and entered into the camp, and he reported it to Paul.
Comments Acts 23:16
“However, the son of the sister ...” Always, the eye and the ear of the Lord are upon His apostle, and now, leading this young man to hear about the plot; this plot to kill the apostle of the Lord has been heard by someone who relates to the apostle himself.
“Came and entered into the camp ...” For a young person to enter the camp, they needed courage; the Lord God Almighty encouraged this person to rise above their own worries and enter the soldier’s camp. When he entered, he gave this report to the apostle about the plot to kill him. The news the apostle received gave him courage that the Lord God Almighty never forgets him, and knowing this news gave the apostle the courage to continue the work without fear.
“Came and entered into the camp ...” For a young person to enter the camp, they needed courage; the Lord God Almighty encouraged this person to rise above their own worries and enter the soldier’s camp. When he entered, he gave this report to the apostle about the plot to kill him. The news the apostle received gave him courage that the Lord God Almighty never forgets him, and knowing this news gave the apostle the courage to continue the work without fear.
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Then, Paul, having called to him one of the centurions, said, Take this young man to the commander; for he has something to report to him.
Comments Acts 23:17
“Then, Paul, having called to him ...” The apostle, being a prisoner but having a high privilege, could ask the centurion to come to talk with him in person. The plan of the Lord God Almighty to save His apostle will succeed because the Lord God Almighty gave encouraging news, and the way to be. The apostle did not have to worry about his own safety, because the news he received, the Lord God Almighty would use it to save him.
“Take this young man to the commander ...” For the prisoner to ask with authority and give an order to take a common person to meet the commander was not a simple way for a prisoner to do. But by saying that this young man had a report for the commander, the centurion had no choice but to do as the apostle asked.
“Take this young man to the commander ...” For the prisoner to ask with authority and give an order to take a common person to meet the commander was not a simple way for a prisoner to do. But by saying that this young man had a report for the commander, the centurion had no choice but to do as the apostle asked.
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He indeed, therefore, having taken him, brought him to the commander, and he says, Paul the prisoner, called me, and asked me to bring this young man to you, having something to say to you.
Comments Acts 23:18
When the centurion received the request from the apostle to take the young man to the commander, he took the young man with fear and presented him to the commander. Even though the risk to the centurion himself was to be in trouble, because the young man was a commoner, the apostle, who had a higher priority, asked him to do so, and the centurion himself felt compelled to obey.
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Then the commander took him by the hand, and having withdrawn asked him in private, What is it that you have to report to me?
Comments Acts 23:19
“Then the commander took him by ...” The commander felt the urgent need for this talk because this prisoner had more authority than others, and the request to speak with this young man must be important. Talking in private was needed in this case.
“What is it that you have ...” This was not a simple question but an order for the young man to tell the truth about what he knew. The starting point for the apostle to be free was with this answer of the young man. Ear-dropping heard secret things that people talk about, and this secret thing benefited the apostle himself.
“What is it that you have ...” This was not a simple question but an order for the young man to tell the truth about what he knew. The starting point for the apostle to be free was with this answer of the young man. Ear-dropping heard secret things that people talk about, and this secret thing benefited the apostle himself.
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Then he said, The Jews have agreed to ask that you might bring down Paul tomorrow into the Council, as being about to inquire something more earnestly about him.
Comments Acts 23:20
The plan of the Lord God Almighty in saving His apostle started with this news. For the soldiers, they cannot let the prisoner be killed under their watch. This news made the commander aware of the problem to come.
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Therefore, you should not be persuaded by them; for there lie in wait for him more than forty men of them, who have bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor to drink until they have killed him; and now they are ready, awaiting the promise from you.
Comments Acts 23:21
“Therefore, you should not be persuaded ...” The details of the plot to kill the prisoner had been reported to the commander. Now, the commander had the duty to protect the prisoner, because by law, the prisoner must be judged by them. The prisoner must be kept alive to receive the punishment.
“And now they are ready, awaiting ...” With this news, which the commander received, he realized that if something happened to the prisoner, the fault would be his. He received the report, and the protection must be prepared.
“And now they are ready, awaiting ...” With this news, which the commander received, he realized that if something happened to the prisoner, the fault would be his. He received the report, and the protection must be prepared.
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Indeed, therefore, the commander dismissed the young man, having instructed him, Tell no one that you have reported these things to me.
Comments Acts 23:22
By giving this order, the commander ensured that everything was kept secret. The people who plotted the killing cannot have knowledge about this secret being told to the commander. But the true meaning was that the commander wanted, in this place, to capture or kill all those who wanted to make this plot against the prisoner of the soldiers. The people had to know and fear that when the soldiers are involved in something, they cannot interfere in any way.
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And having called to him certain two of the centurions, he said, Make ready two hundred soldiers, so that to go as far as Caesarea, and horsemen seventy, and spearmen two hundred, for the third hour of the night;
Comments Acts 23:23
“And having called to him certain two ...” These two centurions were the soldiers to whom the commander put his trust, that they would do as he orders without delay, and asking many questions.
“Make ready two hundred soldiers ...” The number of soldiers to protect one prisoner also tells all readers that the commander saw a real threat from the news he received. The number of people who agreed to do the plot could put people in fear that the mob has power, but having more soldiers and weapons to attack the plotters will make a positive result for the commander’s safety. All the people, not only this mob, will be afraid and realize that the commander here has more soldiers to call in case of an uproar; the people will not have a chance to fight.
“Make ready two hundred soldiers ...” The number of soldiers to protect one prisoner also tells all readers that the commander saw a real threat from the news he received. The number of people who agreed to do the plot could put people in fear that the mob has power, but having more soldiers and weapons to attack the plotters will make a positive result for the commander’s safety. All the people, not only this mob, will be afraid and realize that the commander here has more soldiers to call in case of an uproar; the people will not have a chance to fight.
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then provide beasts, so that, having set Paul upon, they might bring him safely to Felix the governor.
Comments Acts 23:24
Now, the apostle must travel to meet the governor. The Lord God Almighty had a plan for the apostle to meet with this governor. The work of the apostle with this governor will have an impact on his own life.
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He wrote a letter having this form:
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Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent governor Felix, greetings.
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This man, having been seized by the Jews and being about to be killed by them, having come up with the troop, I rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman.
Comments Acts 23:27
“This man, having been seized ...” The letter also stated the situation of the apostle, showing how people wanted to save their own lives by explaining the good deeds they had done. By showing that treating the prisoner well saved him from death, it will make the Roman happy with him. But also, this tells all that when people do good to someone, it may have a hidden purpose. As in the case of the apostle being sent to the governor, someone wanted to save their own life by doing good to the apostle, with no real good intention in saving him.
“Having come up with the troop ...” By saying that he had learned the true citizenship of the apostle later, this would give the governor more reasons to take sides with them in saving them.
“Having come up with the troop ...” By saying that he had learned the true citizenship of the apostle later, this would give the governor more reasons to take sides with them in saving them.
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Then, desiring to know the charge on account of which they accused him, I brought him down to their Council;
Comments Acts 23:28
To show his innocence, he declared that he did not know what crime the apostle had committed, but to justify the punishment, he brought the prisoner to the Council to be judged.
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whom I found to be accused concerning questions of their law, however, to have no accusations worthy of death or of chains.
Comments Acts 23:29
“Whom I found to be accused ...” The Lord’s children had their own law, different from the foreign law that controlled them. Here is an example of how the Lord’s children in that time misused their law to justify their own reasons.
“However, to have no accusations ...” In the eyes of the outsider, what the apostle did was not worthy of being punished or chained.
“However, to have no accusations ...” In the eyes of the outsider, what the apostle did was not worthy of being punished or chained.
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Then, having been disclosed to me to be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, having instructed the accusers also to speak against him before you.
Comments Acts 23:30
“Then, having been disclosed to me ...” For the commander, when he learned that someone had evil intentions toward the prisoner, in order to save both themselves and the prisoner, they had to send the prisoner away. And now, the apostle’s situation will worsen because when the plot has been built up against the apostle, the soldiers will try to protect the apostle, but by protecting him, they will also limit his ability to be in contact.
“Having instructed the accusers also ...” The commander with authority commanded those who had issues accusing the prisoner of wrongdoing to go and prove their case against the prisoner.
“Having instructed the accusers also ...” The commander with authority commanded those who had issues accusing the prisoner of wrongdoing to go and prove their case against the prisoner.
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Indeed, therefore, the soldiers, according to that having been ordered them, having taken Paul, brought him by night to Antipatris.
Comments Acts 23:31
When the soldiers received an order straight from the commander, they took the apostle and traveled right away; everything had to be fast because of the urgency in the order that the soldiers received.
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Now, on the next day, having allowed the horsemen to go with him, they returned to the camp;
Comments Acts 23:32
Now, the plan of the Lord God Almighty for His apostle’s work started. When the apostle reached the place, his work also began. He must declare the good news in saving human souls to all humans.
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who, having entered into Caesarea and having delivered the letter to the governor, also presented Paul to him.
Comments Acts 23:33
“Who, having entered into Caesarea ...” When soldiers delivered this letter to the governor, the Lord God Almighty would stir up many hearts. Those who read the cause of condemnation to the apostle would have the urge to know the details of those things. And that is the time when the Lord God Almighty will open the path for His apostle to spread the good news to all listeners.
“Also presented Paul to him.” The letter had been delivered; now deliver the prisoner. Read the letter, see the prisoner, and the hearts of people will be stirred strongly. The doubt about the reason for being a prisoner occurred in the hearts of people; many wanted to know the truth of the situation. The work of the Lord God Almighty in people’s hearts will begin as well.
“Also presented Paul to him.” The letter had been delivered; now deliver the prisoner. Read the letter, see the prisoner, and the hearts of people will be stirred strongly. The doubt about the reason for being a prisoner occurred in the hearts of people; many wanted to know the truth of the situation. The work of the Lord God Almighty in people’s hearts will begin as well.
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Then, having read it, he asked from what province he was; and having learned that from Cilicia,
Comments Acts 23:34
The governor asked the apostle, in a harsh way, where he was from. All problems will not be solved easily because of the place; people value one place over another, which also puts people at different levels. For the Lord God Almighty, all humans are the same, but humans, between each other, put the classes of humans up.
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he said, I will hear you fully, when your accusers also might have arrived, having commanded him to be guarded in the governor's headquarters of Herod.
Comments Acts 23:35
“He said, I will hear you fully.” Because of the place the apostle came from, the governor himself opened his ears and wanted to know the whole story.
“When your accusers also might ...” By law, accusers must meet face-to-face with the accused. Humans use this way to justify which side will speak the truth.
“Having commanded him to be ...” Now, the apostle was not put in prison; he stayed in a more comfortable place than most prisoners would.
“When your accusers also might ...” By law, accusers must meet face-to-face with the accused. Humans use this way to justify which side will speak the truth.
“Having commanded him to be ...” Now, the apostle was not put in prison; he stayed in a more comfortable place than most prisoners would.
Life and faith applications. 1) Always defend our faith in the Lord Jesus, regardless of the circumstances. 2) Seek wisdom from the Lord God Almighty, and He will provide guidance in challenging situations. 3) The Lord is watching over us at all times, and He always has a plan for our rescue. 4) We must proclaim the good news about the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was crucified for our sins, buried, and resurrected on the third day. 5) We must be courageous and not be afraid when we serve the Lord God Almighty. 6) Avoid participating in any activities that intend to harm others, as this is never the Lord’s will. 7) Do not be afraid to report to authorities if you have valuable information about people planning to harm others.