Continuing from Acts 22 today let’s not forget what just happened. The Jews beat Paul, a Roman citizen, breaking the law. And the chief captain of the Romans also broke the law and is now fearful of this information getting back to Ceasar. Afterwards Paul is allowed the audience at the bottom of the stairs.
Acts 23 and verse 1 reads.
Acts 23:1] And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
[2] And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
First, what did Paul just say that would make the high priest angry? Nothing. And who made Ananias high priest, the Roman governor did and not God.
Acts 23:3] 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?
The high priest was braking Roman law as well as Gods law. Calling him “a whited wall” is like saying you’re a false teacher.
Acts 23:4] And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?
God did not make him high priest, so Paul is not breaking any laws.
Acts 23:5] 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.
Paul quoted Exodus 22:28, but I like how he mentioned he wished he was not high priest, pointing out that God did not appoint him. But here is where Paul is brilliant. He continues.
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.
We learn here that Paul’s father was also a pharisee. And this is the reason they dragged him out of the temple, and are now trying to kill him. Prophesied in the scriptures that the Messiah would come, and the Christ did come and they crucified him. Putting the blame of killing the Christ on them.
Acts 23:7] And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
[8] For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
The high priest was a Sadducee. But Paul knowing the difference of the two sects, and knowing they were after him for the same reason he went on the road to Damascus.
Acts 23:9] 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.
See how Paul read the room, knowing the pharisees would have to come to his defense. Now we know that the Sadducees are the Kenites, and some of the pharisees may also be, but the divide was too obvious for them to go against Paul. This is how Paul outsmarted the Serpent.
Acts 23:10] 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.
Very religious people there. I can hear their gnashing of teeth from 2,000 years away.
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.
The Lord will never leave you or forsake you. This was a great comfort to Paul, not only was he going to be Ok in Jerusalem, but he was going to testify in Rome also. This is going to come up many times from here to the end of this book.
Acts 23:12] 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.
Not only these 40 men, but now the chief priest and elders are in on this conspiracy. This is how I could call them Kenites. Kenites are offspring of Cain, the first murderer. The Serpent’s seed. Jesus confronted them in John 8.
Acts 23:15] Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would inquire 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.
Paul has a sister and a nephew. Now what happens next makes me wonder why the chief captain doesn’t just arrest everyone involved.
Acts 23:17] 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 inquire 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.
The chief captain has the whole story now, we need to understand that he is just an officer of the Roman army and doesn’t deal with court issues. This is the only reason I can come up with for now that he did not arrest anyone. But, remember he was in deep trouble knowing Paul was a Roman citizen.
Acts 23:22] 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;
Tells them to get together 200 soldiers, 70 calvary men, and 200 spearmen. That’s 470 total. And do this at around 9pm.
Acts 23:24] And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
Felix would have to handle this matter.
Acts 23:25] 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.
He could see they were lying and had no charges that would hold up in any court.
Acts 23:30] 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.
This chief captain’s job was to keep peace in this jurisdiction.
Acts 23:31] Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.
A small town between Joppa and Caesarea.
Acts 23:32] 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.
It’s in his province, and he will hear this matter. But first those that are the accusers must first be brought here, I wonder how they will explain beating a Roman citizen without trial. Finally, the trial will begin for Paul. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible