Bible Chapter Summary
Acts 23 Summary
Paul Divides the Council and Escapes Assassination
Paul stands before the council claiming to have lived with a clear conscience, and the high priest Ananias orders him struck on the mouth. Paul rebukes him, calling him a whitewashed wall, then claims not to have known he was the high priest. Perceiving the council contains both Sadducees and Pharisees, Paul declares himself a Pharisee judged for the hope of resurrection, causing dissension between the two sects. The Pharisaic scribes defend Paul, saying they find no evil in him, while disorder erupts and the chief captain removes him to the castle. That night, the Lord tells Paul he will testify at Rome as he has at Jerusalem. A conspiracy of over forty Jews bind themselves under oath to kill Paul, planning to ambush him when the chief priests summon him before the council. Paul's nephew discovers the plot and warns the chief captain, who immediately dispatches over two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to escort Paul safely to Caesarea to Governor Felix.
Key themes
Key verses
Acts 23:6
“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.”
Acts 23:11
“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.”
Acts 23:12-15
“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. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. 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. Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.”
Acts 23:23-24
“And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cæsarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.”
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