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Paul before the Council

30 Since he wanted to find out what Paul[a] was being accused of by the Jews, the next day he released him and ordered the chief priests and the entire council to meet. He brought Paul down and had him stand before them.(A)

23 While Paul was looking intently at the council he said, “Brothers,[b] up to this day I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God.”(B) Then the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near him to strike him on the mouth.(C) At this Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting there to judge me according to the law, and yet in violation of the law you order me to be struck?”(D) Those standing nearby said, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?” And Paul said, “I did not realize, brothers, that he was high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a leader of your people.’ ”(E)

When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, “Brothers,[c] I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection[d] of the dead.”(F) When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection or angel or spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.)(G) Then a great clamor arose, and certain scribes of the Pharisees’ group stood up and contended, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”(H) 10 When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks.(I)

11 That night the Lord stood near him and said, “Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.”(J)

Footnotes

  1. 22.30 Gk he
  2. 23.1 Gk Men, brothers
  3. 23.6 Gk Men, brothers
  4. 23.6 Gk concerning hope and resurrection

30 Now on the next day, (A)wanting to know for certain why Paul had been accused by the Jews, he (B)released him and ordered the chief priests and all (C)the [a]Council to assemble, and he brought Paul down and placed him before them.

Paul before the Council

23 Now looking intently at (D)the [b]Council, Paul said, “[c](E)Brothers, (F)I have [d]lived my life with an entirely good conscience before God up to this day.” But the high priest (G)Ananias commanded those standing beside him (H)to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, (I)you whitewashed wall! Do you (J)sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law, order me to be struck?” But those present said, “Are you insulting God’s high priest?” And Paul said, “I was not aware, brothers, that he is high priest; for it is written: ‘(K)You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

But Paul, perceiving that one group were (L)Sadducees and the other Pharisees, began crying out in (M)the [e]Council, “[f](N)Brothers, (O)I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for (P)the hope and resurrection of the dead!” When he said this, a dissension occurred between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For (Q)the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. And a great uproar occurred; and some of (R)the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and started arguing heatedly, saying, “(S)We find nothing wrong with this man; (T)suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 And when a great dissension occurred, the commander was afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, and he ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into (U)the barracks.

11 But on (V)the following night, the Lord stood near him and said, (W)Be courageous! For (X)as you have (Y)testified to the truth about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome also.”

Footnotes

  1. Acts 22:30 Or Sanhedrin
  2. Acts 23:1 Or Sanhedrin
  3. Acts 23:1 Lit Men, brothers
  4. Acts 23:1 Or conducted myself as a citizen
  5. Acts 23:6 Or Sanhedrin
  6. Acts 23:6 Lit Men, brothers