Acts 23
New Matthew Bible
Paul comes before the council. Debate arises among the people. The high captain delivers him. God comforts him.
23 Paul beheld the council and said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. 2 Then the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by to strike him on the mouth.
3 Then Paul said to him, God smite you, you painted wall! Do you sit and judge me according to the law, and 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, I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest. For it is written: You shall not curse the ruler of your people.
6 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. It is concerning the hope and resurrection from death that I am on trial.
7 And when he had said this, there arose a quarrel between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and also no angels or spirits. But the Pharisees grant both. 9 And there arose a great cry, and the scribes who were of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, We find no evil in this man. And if a spirit or an angel has appeared to him, let us not strive against God.
10 And when great controversy arose, the captain, fearing lest Paul should be pulled apart by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him from among them, and to bring him into the castle. 11 The night following, the Lord stood by him and said, Be of good cheer, Paul. For as you have testified of me in Jerusalem, so must you bear witness at Rome.
12 When day came, certain of the Jews gathered themselves together and made a vow, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 There were about forty who conspired this together. 14 And they went to the chief priests and elders and said, We have bound ourselves with a vow that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. 15 Now therefore, petition the high captain and the council to bring him forth to us tomorrow, as though we want to better understand something concerning him. But we, before he comes near, are ready meanwhile to kill him.
16 When the son of Paul’s sister heard of their plan to lie in wait, he went and entered into the castle and told Paul. 17 And Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, Bring this young man to the high captain, because he has a certain thing to tell him. 18 And he brought him and said, Paul the prisoner called me to him, and asked me to bring this young man to you, who has a certain matter to tell you of.
19 The high captain took him by the hand and went apart with him privately, and asked him, What have you to say to me? 20 And he said, The Jews have resolved to ask you to bring forth Paul tomorrow into the council, as though they want to make further enquiries of him. 21 But do not go along with them, because there will be more than forty men lying in wait for him, who have bound themselves with a vow that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready and waiting for your word.
22 The high captain let the young man depart, and instructed him, See you tell no one that you have told these things to me. 23 And he called to him two centurions, saying, Make ready 200 soldiers to go to Caesarea, and 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen, at the third hour of the night. 24 And provide horses to put Paul on, and bring him safe to Felix, the governor. 25 And he wrote a letter in this manner:
26 Claudius Lysias to the most noble Governor Felix, sends greetings. 27 This man was taken by the Jews, and was near to being killed by them. Then I came with soldiers and rescued him, and learned that he was a Roman. 28 And when I wished to know the offence for which they accused him, I brought him forth into their council. 29 There I could see that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but was not guilty of anything worthy of death or of bonds. 30 Afterward, when it was reported to me that the Jews were lying in wait for the man, I sent him straightaway to you, and directed his accusers, if they had anything against him, to tell it to you. Farewell.
31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 The next day they left horsemen to go with him and returned to the castle.
33 When the horsemen got to Caesarea, they delivered the epistle to the governor and presented Paul before him. 34 When the governor had read the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said, 35 I will hear you when your accusers have come also.
And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s palace.
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
- Acts 23:23 That is, 9 p.m.
Hechos 23
Reina Valera Revisada
23 Entonces Pablo, mirando fijamente al sanedrín, dijo: Varones hermanos, yo con toda buena conciencia me he comportado delante de Dios hasta el día de hoy.
2 El sumo sacerdote Ananías ordenó entonces a los que estaban junto a él, que le golpeasen en la boca.
3 Entonces Pablo le dijo: ¡Dios te va a golpear a ti, pared blanqueada! ¿Estás tú sentado para juzgarme conforme a la ley, y me mandas golpear quebrantando la ley?
4 Los que estaban presentes dijeron: ¿Al sumo sacerdote de Dios injurias?
5 Pablo dijo: No sabía, hermanos, que era el sumo sacerdote; pues escrito está: No injuriarás al jefe de tu pueblo.
6 Entonces Pablo, dándose cuenta de que una parte eran saduceos, y otra fariseos, alzó la voz en el sanedrín: Varones hermanos, yo soy fariseo, hijo de fariseo; se me juzga por esperar la resurrección de los muertos.
7 Cuando dijo esto, se produjo un altercado entre los fariseos y los saduceos, y la asamblea se dividió.
8 Porque los saduceos dicen que no hay resurrección, ni ángel, ni espíritu; pero los fariseos afirman todas estas cosas.
9 Y hubo un gran vocerío; y levantándose los escribas de la parte de los fariseos, se oponían enérgicamente, diciendo: Ningún mal hallamos en este hombre; ¿qué, si un espíritu le ha hablado, o un ángel? ¡No luchemos contra Dios!
10 Y al ir en aumento el altercado, el tribuno, teniendo temor de que Pablo fuese despedazado por ellos, mandó que bajase la tropa para sacarle de en medio de ellos, y llevarle a la fortaleza.
11 A la noche siguiente se le presentó el Señor y le dijo: Ten ánimo, Pablo, pues como has testificado de mí en Jerusalén, así es necesario que testifiques también en Roma.
Complot contra Pablo
12 Cuando se hizo de día, algunos de los judíos tramaron un complot y se comprometieron bajo juramento solemne, diciendo que no comerían ni beberían hasta que hubiesen dado muerte a Pablo.
13 Eran más de cuarenta los que habían hecho esta conjuración,
14 los cuales fueron a los principales sacerdotes y a los ancianos y dijeron: Nosotros nos hemos comprometido bajo juramento solemne, a no gustar nada hasta que hayamos dado muerte a Pablo.
15 Ahora pues, vosotros, con el sanedrín, requerid al tribuno que le traiga mañana ante vosotros, como que queréis indagar alguna cosa más minuciosamente acerca de él; y nosotros estaremos listos para matarle antes que llegue.
16 Mas el hijo de la hermana de Pablo, oyendo hablar de la emboscada, fue y entró en la fortaleza, y dio aviso a Pablo.
17 Pablo, llamando a uno de los centuriones, dijo: Lleva a este joven ante el tribuno, porque tiene cierto aviso que darle.
18 Él entonces, tomándole, le llevó al tribuno, y dijo: El preso Pablo me llamó y me rogó que trajese ante ti a este joven, que tiene algo que hablarte.
19 El tribuno, tomándole de la mano y llevándole aparte, le preguntó: ¿Qué es lo que tienes que comunicarme?
20 Él le dijo: Los judíos han convenido en rogarte que mañana lleves a Pablo ante el sanedrín, como que van a inquirir alguna cosa más minuciosa acerca de él.
21 Pero tú no les creas; porque más de cuarenta hombres de ellos le acechan, los cuales se han comprometido bajo juramento solemne, a no comer ni beber hasta que le hayan dado muerte; y ahora están listos aguardando el cumplimiento de tu promesa.
22 Entonces el tribuno despidió al joven, mandándole que a nadie informase de que le había dado aviso de esto.
Pablo es enviado a Félix el gobernador
23 Y llamando a dos centuriones, mandó que prepararan para la hora tercera de la noche doscientos soldados, setenta jinetes y doscientos lanceros, para que fuesen hasta Cesarea;
24 y que preparasen también cabalgaduras en las que, montando a Pablo, le llevasen en salvo a Félix el gobernador.
25 Y escribió una carta en estos términos:
26 Claudio Lisias al excelentísimo gobernador Félix: Salud.
27 A este hombre, aprehendido por los judíos, y al que iban ellos a matar, lo libré yo acudiendo con la tropa, al enterarme de que era ciudadano romano.
28 Y queriendo saber la causa por qué le acusaban, le llevé al sanedrín de ellos;
29 y hallé que le acusaban por cuestiones de la ley de ellos, pero que no tenía ningún delito digno de muerte o de prisión.
30 Pero al ser avisado de que los judíos habían preparado una emboscada contra este hombre, al punto le he enviado a ti, intimando también a los acusadores que presenten delante de ti lo que tengan contra él. Pásalo bien.
31 Y los soldados, tomando a Pablo como se les había ordenado, le llevaron de noche a Antípatris.
32 Y al día siguiente, dejando que los jinetes fuesen con él, volvieron a la fortaleza.
33 Cuando aquéllos llegaron a Cesarea, y entregaron la carta al gobernador, presentaron también a Pablo delante de él.
34 Y el gobernador, después de leer la carta, preguntó de qué provincia era; e informado de que era de Cilicia,
35 le dijo: Te atenderé cuando vengan tus acusadores. Y mandó que le custodiasen en el pretorio de Herodes.
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Texto bíblico tomado de La Santa Biblia, Reina Valera Revisada® RVR® Copyright © 2017 por HarperCollins Christian Publishing® Usado con permiso. Reservados todos los derechos en todo el mundo.
