23:2-5Josephus, a respected first-century historian, described Ananias as profane, greedy, and hot-tempered. Paul’s outburst came as a result of the illegal command that Ananias had given. Ananias had violated Jewish law by assuming that Pau! was guilty without a trial and ordering his punishment (see Deuteronomy 19:15). Paul didn’t recognize Ananias as the high priest, probably because Ananias's command broke the jaw he was pledged to represent. As Christians, we are to represent Christ. If someone we know says, “I didn’t know you were a Christian,” we have failed to represent him as we should. We are not merely Christ's followers; we are his representative to others.
Life Application Study BibleActsChapter 23
Acts 23
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1878, 1879, 1880
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
23Acts 23
1? 3 Gazing intently at the high council,* Paul began: “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!” 2instantly Ananias the high priest commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth. 3But Paul said to him, “God will slap you, you corrupt hypocrite!* What kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me struck like that?” 4Those standing near Paul said to him, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?” 5“T’m sorry, brothers. I didn’t realize he was the high priest,” Paul replied, “for the Scriptures say, ‘You must not speak evil of any of your rulers.’*” 6Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!” 7This divided the council—the Pharisees against the Sadducees—8 for the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, but the Pharisees believe in all of these. 9So there was a great uproar. Some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees jumped up and began to argue forcefully. “We see nothing wrong with him,” they shouted. “Perhaps a spirit or an angel spoke to him.” 10As the conflict grew more violent, the commander was afraid they would tear Paul apart. So he ordered his soldiers to go and rescue him by force and take him back to the fortress. "That night the LORD appeared to Paul and said, 11Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”
The Plan to Kill Paul
1212The next morning a group of Jews* got together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 1 There were more than forty of them in the conspiracy. 4They went to the leading priests and elders and told them, “We have bound ourselves with an oath to eat nothing until we have killed Paul. 5So you and the high council should ask the commander to bring Paul back to the council again. Pretend you want to examine his case more fully. We will kill him on the way.” 16But Paul's nephew—his sister’s son—heard of their plan and went to the fortress and told Paul. 17Paul called for one of the Roman officers* and said, Take this young man to the commander. He has something important to tell him.” 18So the officer did, explaining, “Paul, the prisoner, called me over and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.” 19The commander took his hand, led him aside, and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?” 20Paul’s nephew told him, “Some Jews are going to ask you to bring Paul before the high council tomorrow, pretending they want to get some more information. 21But don’t do it! There are more than forty men hiding along the way ready to ambush him. They have vowed not to eat or drink anything until they have killed him. They are ready now, just waiting for your consent.” 22“Don’t let anyone know you told me this,” the commander warned the young man.
Paul Is Sent to Caesarea
2323Then the commander called two of his officers and ordered, “Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o'clock tonight. Also take 200 spearmen and 70 mounted troops. 24Provide horses for Paul to ride, and get him safely to Governor Felix.” 25Then he wrote this letter to the governor: 26“From Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings! 27“This man was seized by some Jews, and they were about to kill him when I arrived with the troops. When 1 learned that he was a Roman citizen, I removed him to safety. 28Then I took him to their high council to try to learn the basis of the accusations against him. 291 soon discovered the charge was something regarding their religious law—certainly nothing worthy of imprisonment or death. 30But when I was informed of a plot to kill him, I immediately sent him on to you. I have told his accusers to bring their charges before you.” 31So that night, as ordered, the soldiers took Paul as far as Antipatris. 32They returned to the fortress the next morning, while the mounted troops took him on to Caesarea. 33When they arrived in Caesarea, they presented Paul and the letter to Governor Felix. 34He read it and then asked Paul what province he was from. “Cilicia,” Paul answered. 35“T will hear your case myself when your accusers arrive,” the governor told him. Then the governor ordered him kept in the prison at Herod’s headquarters.*
Textual footnotes
- 23:1 Greek Sanhedrin; also in 23:6, 15, 20, 28.
- 23:3 Greek you whitewashed wail.
- 23:5 Exod 22:28.
- 23:12 Greek the Jews.
- 23:17 Greek centurions; also in 23:23.
- 23:35 Greek Herod's Praetorium.
Life Application Notes 9 notes
23:6-8The Sadducees and Pharisees were two groups of religious leaders but with strikingly different beliefs. The Pharisees believed in a bodily resurrection, but the Sadducees did not. The Sadducees adhered only to Genesis through Deuteronomy, which contain no explicit teaching on resurrection. Paul’s words moved the debate away from himself and toward their festering controversy about resurrection. The Jewish council was split.
23:6-8Paul's sudden insight that the council was a mixture of Sadducees and Pharisees is an example of the insight that Jesus promises to believers (Mark 13:9-11). God will help us when we are under fire for our faith. Like Paul, we should always be ready to present our testimony. The Holy Spirit will give us the courage to speak boldly.
23:14,15When the Pharisee/Sadducee controversy died down, the religious leaders refocused their attention on Paul. To these leaders, politics and position had become more important than God. They were ready to plan another murder, just as they had done with Jesus. But as always, God was in control.
23:16This is the only biblical reference to a member of Paul’s family. Some scholars believe that Paul’s family had disowned him when he became a Christian. Pau! wrote of having suffered the loss of everything for Christ (Philippians 3:8). His nephew was able to see him, even though Paul was in protective custody, because Roman prisoners were accessible to their relatives and friends, who could bring them food and other amenities.
23:16-22It is easy to overlook children, assuming that they aren't old enough to do much for the LORD. But this young man played an important part in protecting Paul’s life. God can use anyone, of any age, who is willing to yield to him. Jesus made it clear that children are important (Matthew 18:2-6). Give children the importance God gives them.
23:23,24The Roman commander ordered Pau! sent to Caesarea. Jerusalem was the seat of Jewish government, but Caesarea was the Roman headquarters for the area. God works in amazing and amusing ways. God could have used any number of ways to get Paul to Caesarea, but he chose to use the Roman army to deliver Paul from his enemies. God’s ways are not our ways. Ours are limited; his are not. Don't limit God by asking him to respond your way. When God intervenes, things will work out much better than you could ever anticipate.
23:26Felix was the Roman governor of Judea from A.D. 52 to 59. This was the same position Pontius Pilate had held. While the Jews were given much freedom to govern themselves, the governor ran the army, kept the peace, and gathered the taxes.
23:26How did Luke know what was written in the letter from Claudius Lysias? In his concern for historical accuracy, Luke used many sources to make sure that his writings were correct (see Luke 1:1-4). This letter was probably read aloud in court when Paul came before Felix to answer the Jews’ accusations, Also, because Paul was a Roman citizen, a copy may have been given to him as a courtesy.
Charts, profiles & sidebars from the printed pages
Study feature · page 1879
Reference 3:9-12 6:2-5
Heroic Action
UNSUNG HEROES IN ACTS When we think of the success of the early church, we often think of the work of the apostles. But the church could have died if it hadn't been for the unsung heroes, the men and women who through some small but committed act moved the church forward.
Hero Crippled man Five deacons
After his healing, he praised God. As the crowds gathered to see what happened, Peter used the opportunity to tell many about Jesus. Everyone has heard of Stephen, and many know of Philip, but there were five other men chosen to be deacons. They not only laid the foundation for service in the church, but their hard work also gave the apostles the time they needed to preach the gospel. He had the responsibility of being the first to demonstrate Christ’s love to Saul (Paul) after his conversion. His example showed Peter that the gospel was for aif people, Jews and Gentiles. Her persistence brought Peter inside Mary’s home, where he would be safe. He took command of the Jerusalem council and had the courage and discernment to help form a decision that would affect literally millions of Christians over many generations. She opened her home to Paul, from which he led many to Christ and founded a church in Philippi. He risked his life for the gospel by allowing Paul to stay in his home. He stood up for what was true and right, even though he faced persecution for it. He saved Paul's life by telling officials of a murder plot. He spared Paul when the other soldiers wanted to kill him.
9:10-19 10:30-35 12:13-15 15:13-21 16:13-15 17:5-9 23:16-24 27:1, 43
Ananias Cornelius Rhoda James Lydia Jason Paul’s nephew Julius
Study feature · page 1880
IMPRISONMENT IN CAESAREA Paul brought news of his third journey to the elders of the Jerusalem church, who rejoiced at his ministry. But Paul’s presence soon stirred up the Jews, who persuaded the Romans to arrest him. A plot to kill Paul was uncovered, so Paul was taken by night to Antipatris and then transferred to the provincial prison in Caesarea.
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