And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
WhatsApp
Copy
Acts 23
Listen to the Word
Initializing audio...
WhatsApp
Copy
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?
WhatsApp
Copy
WhatsApp
Copy
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.
WhatsApp
Copy
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.
WhatsApp
Copy
And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
WhatsApp
Copy
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
WhatsApp
Copy
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.
WhatsApp
Copy
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.
WhatsApp
Copy
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.
WhatsApp
Copy
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.
WhatsApp
Copy
WhatsApp
Copy
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.
WhatsApp
Copy
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.
WhatsApp
Copy
And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
WhatsApp
Copy
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.
WhatsApp
Copy
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.
WhatsApp
Copy
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?
WhatsApp
Copy
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.
WhatsApp
Copy
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.
WhatsApp
Copy
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.
WhatsApp
Copy
And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
WhatsApp
Copy
WhatsApp
Copy
WhatsApp
Copy
WhatsApp
Copy
This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
WhatsApp
Copy
And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:
WhatsApp
Copy
Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
WhatsApp
Copy
And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.
WhatsApp
Copy
WhatsApp
Copy
WhatsApp
Copy
Who, when they came to Caesarea and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
WhatsApp
Copy
And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;
WhatsApp
Copy
I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.
WhatsApp
Copy
Chapter Study & Analysis
Overview
Acts 23 details Paul’s appearance before the Sanhedrin and the subsequent plot to assassinate him. He is miraculously protected by his nephew’s intervention and the Roman commander’s decision to move him to Caesarea under heavy guard.
CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS
1. A Good Conscience: Paul lived in "all good conscience before God" (v. 1). Our greatest defense against accusation is a life lived with integrity and a heart that is clear before our Creator.2. Divine Encouragement in Crisis: The Lord stood by Paul and told him to "be of good cheer" (v. 11). In our darkest hours, the presence and promises of Christ are our primary source of strength.
3. God’s Providential Protection: God used a young boy and a pagan commander to save Paul’s life (v. 16-24). We must trust that God can use anyone and any circumstance to fulfill His purposes for us.
Practical Lessons
FORMAL PRAYER
Lord of Hosts, who art a shield to all who trust in Thee: we thank Thee for Thy providential care. Keep our consciences pure and fill us with Thy cheer when we face opposition, for Thou art able to deliver us from every secret plot and open enemy. Amen.