23 保羅注視著公會的人,說:「弟兄們,我在上帝面前行事為人一向問心無愧。」 大祭司亞拿尼亞一聽,就命那些站在旁邊的人打保羅的嘴。 保羅對亞拿尼亞說:「你這偽君子[a],上帝要擊打你!你坐在那裡不是應當依法審問我嗎?你怎麼違法叫人打我?」

站在旁邊的人說:「你竟敢辱罵上帝的大祭司?」 保羅說:「弟兄們,我不知道他是大祭司。我知道聖經上說,『不可咒詛百姓的官長。』」

保羅發現他們一些是法利賽人,一些是撒都該人,就在公會中高聲說:「弟兄們,我是法利賽人,也是法利賽人的子孫。我因為盼望死人復活,才在這裡受審!」 這句話立刻引起法利賽人和撒都該人之間的爭論,公會分成了兩派。 因為撒都該人認為沒有復活,也沒有天使和靈,而法利賽人認為這些都有。

眾人大聲喧嚷,有幾個法利賽派的律法教師站起來爭辯說:「我們找不出這人有什麼錯處,也許真的有靈或天使跟他說過話。」 10 爭論越來越激烈,千夫長怕保羅會被他們扯碎了,就派人把他從人群中救出來,帶回軍營。

11 當天晚上,主站在保羅身旁對他說:「要勇敢!正如你在耶路撒冷為我作了見證,你也必須在羅馬為我做見證。」

陰謀殺害保羅

12 天亮後,猶太人設下陰謀,並起誓說:「不殺保羅,誓不吃喝!」 13 有四十多人參與了這個陰謀。 14 他們去見祭司長和長老,說:「我們已經發了誓,不殺保羅不吃飯。 15 請你們和公會出面通知千夫長,請他把保羅押到你們這裡來,就說要進一步審訊他。我們準備在他到達之前殺掉他!」

16 保羅的外甥聽到這一陰謀,就去軍營通知保羅。 17 保羅請來一位百夫長,說:「請趕快帶這青年去見千夫長,他有要事稟告!」 18 百夫長領那青年去見千夫長,說:「那囚犯保羅叫我帶這青年來,說有要事稟告。」

19 千夫長就拉著那青年的手走到一旁,私下問他:「你有什麼事要告訴我?」 20 他說:「那些猶太人約好了,要請求你明天帶保羅到公會受審,假裝要詳細審問他的事。 21 你不要答應他們,因為他們有四十多個人會埋伏在半路,並且還起誓說,『不殺保羅就不吃不喝』。他們現在已經準備就緒,就等你答應了。」

22 千夫長聽後,就叫他回去,並叮囑道:「你向我稟告的事,不要告訴別人。」

保羅被押往凱撒利亞

23 於是,千夫長召來兩名百夫長,吩咐道:「預備二百名步兵、七十名騎兵、二百名長槍手,今晚九時出發去凱撒利亞。 24 要給保羅預備坐騎,護送他安全抵達腓利斯總督那裡。」

25 千夫長寫了公文給腓利斯總督,內容如下: 26 「克勞狄·呂西亞敬問腓利斯總督大人安。 27 這人被猶太人抓住,險些被他們殺害。我得知他是羅馬公民,便帶兵去救了他。 28 為了弄清楚他們控告他的緣由,我押他到猶太人的公會受審, 29 發現他被控告與他們的律法有關,他並沒有犯該被監禁或處死的罪。 30 我得知有人準備暗殺他,便立即護送他到你那裡,並通知他的控告者去你那裡告他。」

31 軍兵奉命行事,連夜護送保羅到安提帕底。 32 第二天,由騎兵繼續護送,其餘軍兵返回軍營。 33 他們到了凱撒利亞,將公文呈交總督,把保羅交給他。 34 總督看過公文,便問保羅是哪省的人,得知保羅是基利迦人,就說: 35 「等告你的人來了,我會審理你的案子。」於是下令把保羅關在希律的王府裡。

Footnotes

  1. 23·3 偽君子」希臘文是「粉飾的牆」。

23 Entonces Pablo, mirando fijamente al concilio[a](A), dijo: Hermanos[b](B), hasta este día yo he vivido delante de Dios con una conciencia perfectamente limpia[c](C). Y el sumo sacerdote Ananías(D) ordenó a los que estaban junto a él, que lo golpearan(E) en la boca. Entonces Pablo le dijo: ¡Dios te golpeará a ti, pared blanqueada(F)! ¿Te sientas tú para juzgarme conforme a la ley, y violas la ley ordenando que me golpeen(G)? Los que estaban allí observando, dijeron: ¿Al sumo sacerdote de Dios injurias? Y Pablo dijo: No sabía, hermanos, que él era el sumo sacerdote; porque escrito está: No hablaras mal de una de las autoridades de tu pueblo(H). Entonces Pablo, dándose cuenta de que una parte eran saduceos y otra fariseos(I), alzó la voz en el concilio(J): Hermanos[d](K), yo soy fariseo(L), hijo de fariseos; se me juzga a causa de la esperanza de[e] la resurrección de los muertos(M). Cuando dijo esto, se produjo un altercado entre los fariseos y los saduceos, y la asamblea se dividió. Porque los saduceos dicen que no hay resurrección(N), ni ángel, ni espíritu, mas los fariseos creen todo esto. Se produjo entonces un gran alboroto; y levantándose algunos de los escribas del grupo de los fariseos(O), discutían acaloradamente, diciendo: No encontramos nada malo en este hombre(P); pero ¿y si un espíritu o un ángel le ha hablado(Q)? 10 Y al surgir un gran altercado, el comandante[f] tuvo temor de que Pablo fuera despedazado por ellos, y ordenó que las tropas descendieran, lo sacaran de entre ellos a la fuerza y lo llevaran al cuartel(R).

11 A la noche siguiente se le apareció el Señor y le dijo(S): Ten ánimo(T), porque como has testificado fielmente(U) de mi causa en Jerusalén(V), así has de testificar también en Roma.

Conspiración de los judíos contra Pablo

12 Cuando se hizo de día, los judíos tramaron una conspiración[g](W) y se comprometieron bajo juramento[h], diciendo que no comerían ni beberían hasta que hubieran matado a Pablo(X). 13 Y los que tramaron esta conjura eran más de cuarenta, 14 los cuales fueron a los principales sacerdotes y a los ancianos y dijeron: Nos hemos comprometido bajo solemne juramento[i] a no probar nada hasta que hayamos matado a Pablo(Y). 15 Ahora pues, vosotros y[j] el concilio(Z), avisad al comandante para que lo haga comparecer[k] ante vosotros, como si quisierais hacer una investigación más minuciosa para resolver su caso; nosotros por nuestra parte estamos listos para matarlo antes de que llegue. 16 Pero el hijo de la hermana de Pablo se enteró de la emboscada, y fue y entró[l] al cuartel(AA), y dio aviso a Pablo. 17 Y Pablo, llamando a uno de los centuriones, dijo: Lleva a este joven al comandante, porque tiene algo que informarle. 18 El entonces, tomándolo consigo, lo condujo al comandante, y le dijo*: Pablo, el preso(AB), me llamó y me pidió que te trajera a este joven, pues tiene algo que decirte. 19 Y el comandante, tomándolo de la mano, y llevándolo aparte, le preguntó: ¿Qué es lo que me tienes que informar? 20 Y él respondió: Los judíos se han puesto de acuerdo en pedirte que mañana lleves a Pablo al concilio(AC) con el pretexto de hacer una indagación más a fondo sobre él(AD). 21 Pero no les prestes atención[m], porque más de cuarenta hombres de ellos, que se han comprometido bajo juramento[n] a no comer ni beber hasta que lo hayan matado(AE), esperan emboscados(AF); ya están listos esperando promesa de parte tuya[o]. 22 Entonces el comandante dejó ir al joven, encomendándole: No digas a nadie que me has informado de estas cosas. 23 Y llamando a dos de los centuriones, dijo: Preparad doscientos soldados para la hora tercera de la noche[p], con[q] setenta jinetes y doscientos lanceros[r], para que vayan a Cesarea(AG). 24 Debían preparar también cabalgaduras para Pablo, y llevarlo a salvo al gobernador Félix(AH).

Carta de Claudio Lisias a Félix

25 Y el comandante escribió una carta en estos términos:

26 Claudio Lisias, al excelentísimo(AI) gobernador Félix: Salud(AJ).

27 Cuando este hombre fue arrestado por los judíos, y estaba a punto de ser muerto por ellos, al saber que era romano(AK), fui con las tropas y lo rescaté(AL). 28 Y queriendo cerciorarme de la causa por la cual lo acusaban, lo llevé a su concilio(AM) 29 y hallé que lo acusaban sobre cuestiones de su ley(AN), pero no de ningún[s] cargo que mereciera muerte o prisión[t](AO).

30 Cuando se me informó de que había una conjura(AP) en contra del hombre, te lo envié enseguida, instruyendo también a sus acusadores(AQ) que presenten los cargos[u] contra él delante de ti[v].

31 Así que los soldados, de acuerdo con las órdenes que tenían, tomaron a Pablo y lo llevaron de noche a Antípatris. 32 Y al día siguiente regresaron al cuartel(AR) dejando que los de a caballo(AS) siguieran con él, 33 los cuales, después de llegar a Cesarea(AT) y de entregar la carta al gobernador(AU), le presentaron también a Pablo. 34 Cuando el gobernador la leyó, preguntó de qué provincia(AV) era; y al enterarse de que era de Cilicia(AW), 35 dijo: Te oiré cuando estén presentes también tus acusadores(AX). Y mandó que lo guardaran(AY) en el Pretorio[w] de Herodes.

Footnotes

  1. Hechos 23:1 O, Sanedrín, y así en el resto del cap.
  2. Hechos 23:1 Lit., Varones hermanos
  3. Hechos 23:1 O, me he conducido como un buen ciudadano
  4. Hechos 23:6 Lit., Varones hermanos
  5. Hechos 23:6 Lit., y
  6. Hechos 23:10 Gr., quiliarca; i.e., oficial militar romano al mando de mil soldados, y así en el resto del cap.
  7. Hechos 23:12 O, formaron un tumulto
  8. Hechos 23:12 O, maldición
  9. Hechos 23:14 O, maldición
  10. Hechos 23:15 Lit., con
  11. Hechos 23:15 Lit., bajar
  12. Hechos 23:16 O, habiendo estado presente con ellos, y entró
  13. Hechos 23:21 Lit., no te dejes persuadir por ellos
  14. Hechos 23:21 O, maldición
  15. Hechos 23:21 I.e., de mandar a Pablo
  16. Hechos 23:23 I.e., las nueve de la noche
  17. Hechos 23:23 Lit., y
  18. Hechos 23:23 O, arqueros, u, honderos
  19. Hechos 23:29 Lit., no teniendo
  20. Hechos 23:29 Lit., cadenas
  21. Hechos 23:30 Lit., que hablen
  22. Hechos 23:30 Algunos mss. agregan: Que lo pases bien
  23. Hechos 23:35 I.e., la residencia oficial del gobernador

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.” At this the high priest Ananias(D) ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.(E) 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)

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

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)

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) When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection,(M) and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)

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.

23 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

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?

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

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.

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.

And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

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.

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.

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.

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.

13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.

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.

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.

16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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 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;

24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.

25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:

26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.

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.

28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:

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.

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.

31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.

32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:

33 Who, when they came to Caesarea and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

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;

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.