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30 But on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

23 Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, “Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until today.”

The high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?”

Those who stood by said, “Do you malign God’s high priest?”

Paul said, “I didn’t know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”Exodus 22:28 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”

When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the crowd was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these. A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight against God!”

10 When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.

11 The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”

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