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Acts 23
Lexham English Bible

Paul Before the Sanhedrin

23 And looking intently at the Sanhedrin, Paul said, “Men and brothers, I have lived my life in all good conscience before God to this day.” 2 So the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near him to strike his mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! And are you sitting there judging me according to the law, and acting contrary to the law do you order me to be struck?” 4 And those who stood nearby said, “Are you reviling the high priest of God?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”[a]

6 Now when[b] Paul realized that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he shouted out in the Sanhedrin, “Men and brothers! I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees! I am being judged concerning the hope and the resurrection of the dead!” 7 And when[c] he said this, a dispute developed between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 (For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angel or spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.) 9 And there was loud shouting, and some of the scribes from the party of the Pharisees stood up and[d] contended sharply, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man! But what if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 And when[e] the dispute became severe, the military tribune, fearing lest Paul be torn apart by them, ordered the detachment to go down, take him away from their midst, and bring him[f] into the barracks.[g] 11 And the next night the Lord stood by him and[h] said, “Have courage, for as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

A Conspiracy to Kill Paul

12 And when it[i] was day, the Jews made a conspiracy and[j] bound themselves under a curse, saying they would[k] neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. 13 Now there were more than forty who had made this conspiracy, 14 who went to the chief priests and the elders and[l] said, “We have bound ourselves under a curse to partake of nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 Therefore, now you along with the Sanhedrin explain to the military tribune that he should bring him down to you, as if you were going to determine more accurately the things concerning him. And we are ready to do away with him before he comes near.”

16 But when[m] the son of Paul’s sister heard about the ambush, he came and entered into the barracks[n] and[o] reported it[p] to Paul. 17 So Paul called one of the centurions and[q] said, “Bring this young man to the military tribune, because he has something to report to him.” 18 So he took him and[r] brought him[s] to the military tribune and said, “The prisoner Paul called me and[t] asked me[u] to bring this young man to you because he[v] has something to tell you.” 19 And the military tribune, taking hold of his hand and withdrawing privately, asked, “What is it that you have to report to me?” 20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you that you bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as if they were going to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him. 21 You therefore do not be persuaded by them, because more than forty men of their number[w] are lying in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse neither to eat nor to drink until they have done away with him. And now they are ready, waiting for you to agree.”[x] 22 So the military tribune sent the young man away, directing him,[y] “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”

23 And he summoned two of the centurions and[z] said, “Make ready from the third hour of the night two hundred soldiers and seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen,[aa] in order that they may proceed as far as Caesarea. 24 And provide mounts so that they can put Paul on them and[ab] bring him[ac] safely to Felix the governor.” 25 He wrote[ad] a letter that had this form:[ae]

26 Claudius Lysias.

To his excellency Governor Felix.

Greetings!

27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I[af] came upon them[ag] with the detachment and[ah] rescued him,[ai] because I[aj] learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 And because I[ak] wanted to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him[al] down to their Sanhedrin.[am] 29 I found he[an] was accused concerning controversial questions of their law, but having no charge deserving death or imprisonment. 30 And when it[ao] was made known to me there would be a plot against the man, I sent him[ap] to you immediately, also ordering his[aq] accusers to speak against him[ar] before you.

31 Therefore the soldiers, in accordance with their orders,[as] took Paul and[at] brought him[au] to Antipatris during the night. 32 And on the next day they let the horsemen go on with him, and[av] they returned to the barracks.[aw] 33 The horsemen,[ax] when they[ay] came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, also presented Paul to him. 34 So after[az] reading the letter[ba] and asking what province he was from, and learning that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing whenever your accusers arrive also,” giving orders for him to be guarded in the praetorium[bb] of Herod.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 23:5 A quotation from Exod 22:28
  2. Acts 23:6 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“realized”) which is understood as temporal
  3. Acts 23:7 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“said”)
  4. Acts 23:9 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stood up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  5. Acts 23:10 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“became”)
  6. Acts 23:10 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  7. Acts 23:10 Or “headquarters”
  8. Acts 23:11 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stood by”) has been translated as a finite verb
  9. Acts 23:12 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was”)
  10. Acts 23:12 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“made”) has been translated as a finite verb
  11. Acts 23:12 Literally “saying neither to eat nor to drink”; the words “they would” are supplied for smoother English style
  12. Acts 23:14 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went to”) has been translated as a finite verb
  13. Acts 23:16 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard about”) which is understood as temporal
  14. Acts 23:16 Or “headquarters”
  15. Acts 23:16 Here “and” is supplied because the two previous participles (“came” and “entered”) have been translated as finite verbs
  16. Acts 23:16 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  17. Acts 23:17 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“called”) has been translated as a finite verb
  18. Acts 23:18 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
  19. Acts 23:18 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  20. Acts 23:18 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“called”) has been translated as a finite verb
  21. Acts 23:18 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  22. Acts 23:18 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“has”) which is understood as causal
  23. Acts 23:21 Literally “them”
  24. Acts 23:21 Literally “the assurance of agreement from you”
  25. Acts 23:22 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  26. Acts 23:23 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“summoned”) has been translated as a finite verb
  27. Acts 23:23 A word of uncertain meaning, probably a military technical term
  28. Acts 23:24 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“put … on”) has been translated as a finite verb
  29. Acts 23:24 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  30. Acts 23:25 Literally “writing”
  31. Acts 23:25 Or “content”
  32. Acts 23:27 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came upon”) which is understood as temporal
  33. Acts 23:27 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  34. Acts 23:27 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came upon”) has been translated as a finite verb
  35. Acts 23:27 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  36. Acts 23:27 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“learned”) which is understood as causal
  37. Acts 23:28 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“wanted”) which is understood as causal
  38. Acts 23:28 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  39. Acts 23:28 Or “council”
  40. Acts 23:29 Literally “whom”
  41. Acts 23:30 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was made known”) which is understood as temporal
  42. Acts 23:30 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  43. Acts 23:30 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  44. Acts 23:30 Some manuscripts have “to state the charges against him” (literally, “to speak the things against him”)
  45. Acts 23:31 Literally “what was ordered to them”
  46. Acts 23:31 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
  47. Acts 23:31 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  48. Acts 23:32 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“let”) has been translated as a finite verb
  49. Acts 23:32 Or “headquarters”
  50. Acts 23:33 Literally “who”
  51. Acts 23:33 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came”) which is understood as temporal
  52. Acts 23:34 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“reading”) which is understood as temporal
  53. Acts 23:34 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  54. Acts 23:35 The “praetorium” of Herod refers to the palace of Herod the Great in Caesarea Maritima
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Acts 23
New International Version

23 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin(A) and said, “My brothers,(B) I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience(C) to this day.” 2 At this the high priest Ananias(D) ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.(E) 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!(F) You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”(G)

4 Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!”

5 Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’[a]”(H)

6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees(I) and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers,(J) I am a Pharisee,(K) descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.”(L) 7 When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection,(M) and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)

9 There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees(N) stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,”(O) they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”(P) 10 The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.(Q)

11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage!(R) As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”(S)

The Plot to Kill Paul

12 The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy(T) and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.(U) 13 More than forty men were involved in this plot. 14 They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.(V) 15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin(W) petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.”

16 But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks(X) and told Paul.

17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him to the commander.

The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner,(Y) sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”

19 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”

20 He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin(Z) tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him.(AA) 21 Don’t give in to them, because more than forty(AB) of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him.(AC) They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.”

22 The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

Paul Transferred to Caesarea

23 Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen[b] to go to Caesarea(AD) at nine tonight.(AE) 24 Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”(AF)

25 He wrote a letter as follows:

26 Claudius Lysias,

To His Excellency,(AG) Governor Felix:

Greetings.(AH)

27 This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him,(AI) but I came with my troops and rescued him,(AJ) for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen.(AK) 28 I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin.(AL) 29 I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law,(AM) but there was no charge against him(AN) that deserved death or imprisonment. 30 When I was informed(AO) of a plot(AP) to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers(AQ) to present to you their case against him.

31 So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. 32 The next day they let the cavalry(AR) go on with him, while they returned to the barracks.(AS) 33 When the cavalry(AT) arrived in Caesarea,(AU) they delivered the letter to the governor(AV) and handed Paul over to him. 34 The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,(AW) 35 he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers(AX) get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard(AY) in Herod’s palace.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 23:5 Exodus 22:28
  2. Acts 23:23 The meaning of the Greek for this word is uncertain.
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Acts 23
New King James Version

The Jerusalem Jews Plot to Kill Paul

23 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, (A)I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him (B)to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and (C)do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”

4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”

5 Then Paul said, (D)“I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, (E)‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”

6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, (F)I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; (G)concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”

7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 8 (H)For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. 9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, (I)“We find no evil in this man; [a]but (J)if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, (K)let us not fight against God.”

10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.

The Plot Against Paul

11 But (L)the following night the Lord stood by him and said, [b]“Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in (M)Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at (N)Rome.”

12 And when it was day, (O)some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had (P)killed Paul. 13 Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy. 14 They came to the chief priests and (Q)elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you [c]tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

16 So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you.”

19 Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

20 And he said, (R)“The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him. 21 But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you.”

22 So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”

Sent to Felix

23 And he called for two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to (S)Caesarea at the third hour of the night; 24 and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” 25 He wrote a letter in the following manner:

26 Claudius Lysias,

To the most excellent governor Felix:

Greetings.

27 (T)This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. 28 (U)And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council. 29 I found out that he was accused (V)concerning questions of their law, (W)but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains. 30 And (X)when it was told me that [d]the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him immediately to you, and (Y)also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him.

Farewell.

31 Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the barracks. 33 When they came to (Z)Caesarea and had delivered the (AA)letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34 And when the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was from (AB)Cilicia, 35 he said, (AC)“I will hear you when your accusers also have come.” And he commanded him to be kept in (AD)Herod’s [e]Praetorium.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 23:9 NU what if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him? omitting the last clause
  2. Acts 23:11 Take courage
  3. Acts 23:15 NU omits tomorrow
  4. Acts 23:30 NU there would be a plot against the man
  5. Acts 23:35 Headquarters
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Acts 23
English Standard Version

23 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, (A)I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest (B)Ananias commanded those who stood by him (C)to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you (D)whitewashed (E)wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet (F)contrary to the law you (G)order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile (H)God's high priest?” 5 And Paul said, (I)“I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, (J)‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were (K)Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, (L)I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is (M)with respect to the (N)hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees (O)say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of (P)the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, (Q)“We find nothing wrong in this man. What (R)if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into (S)the barracks.

11 (T)The following night (U)the Lord stood by him and said, (V)“Take courage, for (W)as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must (X)testify also in Rome.”

A Plot to Kill Paul

12 When it was day, (Y)the Jews made a plot and (Z)bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

16 Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered (AA)the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul (AB)the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” 19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20 And he said, (AC)“The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who (AD)have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”

Paul Sent to Felix the Governor

23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.[a] 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to (AE)Felix (AF)the governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:

26 “Claudius Lysias, to (AG)his Excellency the governor Felix, (AH)greetings. 27 (AI)This man was seized by the Jews and (AJ)was about to be killed by them (AK)when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, (AL)having learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 And (AM)desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was being accused (AN)about questions of their law, but (AO)charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 (AP)And when it was disclosed to me (AQ)that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, (AR)ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”

31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to (AS)the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. 33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what (AT)province he was from. And when he learned (AU)that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing (AV)when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's (AW)praetorium.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 23:23 That is, 9 p.m.
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