Before the council
Acts 23:1–11FocusResurrection and reassurance
Connection to the wholeThe hearing divides over resurrection, and the Lord's reassurance connects Paul's witness in Jerusalem with a future witness in Rome.
interpretation Acts 23:33
KJVWho, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
Read it in context
Paul's Transfer to Caesarea and Initial Appearance Before Felix
Start reading at Acts 23:1 (Acts 23:1 to Acts 23:35).
The recommended start is at the beginning of the chapter, as the events leading to Paul's transfer and appearance before Felix begin with his trial before the Sanhedrin and the subsequent plot against his life.
- 23:1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
- 23:2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
- 23:3 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?
- 23:4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?
- 23:5 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.
- 23:6 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.
- 23:7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
- 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
- 23:9 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.
- 23:10 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.
- 23:11 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.
- 23:12 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.
- 23:13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
- 23:14 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.
- 23:15 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.
- 23:16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
- 23:17 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.
- 23:18 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.
- 23:19 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?
- 23:20 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.
- 23:21 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.
- 23:22 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.
- 23:23 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;
- 23:24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
- 23:25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:
- 23:26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
- 23:27 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.
- 23:28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:
- 23:29 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.
- 23:30 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.
- 23:31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.
- 23:32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
- 23:33 Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
- 23:34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;
- 23:35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the traditional author of Acts and the Gospel of Luke. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3; Colossians 4:14. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Acts 23:1–23:35): Paul addresses the council of chief priests, Sadducees, and Pharisees. His nephew reports a plot, and the Roman commander sends Paul under guard to Felix. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus, the same named recipient as Luke's Gospel, with the account also serving the wider Christian readership. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3. stated in the text
What
- What is the main event or theme? The horsemen, having brought Paul from Antipatris, arrived in Caesarea, delivered the chief captain's letter to Governor Felix, and presented Paul before him. stated in the text
- What is God revealing? God is revealing His protective providence over Paul, ensuring his safety from the Jewish plot and advancing His plan for Paul to bear witness in Rome. interpretation
- What is the literary style? Narrative history book background
When
- When was it written? c. A.D. 62 to 64 book background
- When does the event take place? The event takes place on the day following Paul's night journey from Antipatris to Caesarea, which was the day after his departure from Jerusalem. This occurred within the period of c. A.D. 30 to 62, specifically around A.D. 57-59. stated in the text
Where
- Where did it happen? Caesarea stated in the text
- Where was the author located? Rome traditionally held
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Paul's Transfer to Caesarea and Initial Appearance Before Felix (Acts 23:23 to Acts 23:35). Start reading at Acts 23:1. The recommended start is at the beginning of the chapter, as the events leading to Paul's transfer and appearance before Felix begin with his trial before the Sanhedrin and the subsequent plot against his life.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? This verse marks the successful completion of Paul's transfer from Jerusalem to Caesarea, fulfilling the chief captain's command to bring Paul safely to Governor Felix and thwarting the Jewish conspiracy against Paul's life. It sets the stage for Paul's subsequent trials and imprisonment in Caesarea. stated in the text
- How does it point to Christ? Paul's journey and trials, though difficult, are part of God's sovereign plan to spread the gospel, just as Christ endured trials and suffering to accomplish redemption. The Lord had promised Paul he would bear witness in Rome (Acts 23:11), and this transfer is a significant step towards the fulfillment of that divine purpose, mirroring Christ's own path of suffering leading to His ultimate exaltation and the spread of His kingdom. interpretation
- How do I apply it today? Believers can trust in God's protective providence even amidst opposition and danger, knowing that He works all things according to His purpose. Just as Paul was divinely protected and guided through perilous circumstances, we can rely on God's faithfulness to accomplish His will in our lives and through our witness. interpretation
Cited: Acts 23:33, Acts 23:24, Acts 23:26, Acts 23:32, Acts 23:11
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens by referring to the author's former treatise to Theophilus, tying it to Luke, and shifts into first-person plural in the travel accounts.
Acts 1:1Acts 16:10
Early traditionEarly testimony names Luke.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Time covered by Acts
About 30 years
- AD 30 or 33Approximate beginning · Acts 1
The risen Jesus instructs His apostles
Acts begins after Jesus’ resurrection and describes His ascension. - About AD 62Approximate ending · Acts 28
Paul teaches while confined in Rome
The account closes with Paul receiving visitors and teaching during two full years in his rented lodging.
The narrative moves from Jerusalem to Rome over roughly three decades. Chapters do not represent equal amounts of time.
View historical notes and sources
Using a beginning in AD 30 or 33 and an ending around AD 62 gives approximately 29–32 years. These are reconstructed dates for the events, not a date for the writing of Acts. The book does not explicitly total its elapsed years.
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Acts 23
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
The plot uncovered
Acts 23:12–22FocusA planned ambush
Connection to the wholeA conspiracy against Paul is disclosed through his nephew, prompting protective action by the Roman authorities.
interpretation FocusCustody transferred
Connection to the wholeThe guarded transfer and accompanying letter move the case from Jerusalem to the governor's jurisdiction in Caesarea.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Acts
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
The promised power and the Jerusalem church
Acts 1:1–2:47FocusWitness begins
Connection to the wholeJesus' promise, the coming of the Holy Ghost, Peter's preaching, and the hearers' response establish the beginning of the church's witness.
interpretation Witness and opposition in Jerusalem
Acts 3:1–7:60FocusBoldness, order, and rejection
Connection to the wholePublic testimony and growth are accompanied by internal needs and increasing opposition, culminating in Stephen's death.
interpretation The witness moves outward
Acts 8:1–12:25FocusSamaria, Saul, and Gentile hearers
Connection to the wholePersecution scatters believers; new fields open, Saul is called, and the reception of Gentiles becomes a matter publicly explained to the church.
interpretation Mission and the Gentile question
Acts 13:1–15:35FocusChurches established and the council
Connection to the wholeThe first missionary journey and the Jerusalem deliberation address the place of Gentile believers without making circumcision the entrance requirement.
interpretation Further journeys and growing churches
Acts 15:36–21:16FocusStrengthening and expanding witness
Connection to the wholePaul and his companions travel through new regions and revisit churches, moving toward the journey to Jerusalem despite coming danger.
interpretation FocusTestimony through imprisonment
Connection to the wholePaul's custody becomes a setting for witness before authorities and brings him to Rome, where the account closes with continued proclamation.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.