Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” New Living Translation That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.” English Standard Version The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” Berean Standard Bible The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.” Berean Literal Bible But the following night the Lord, having stood by him, said, “Take courage, for as you have fully testified about Me at Jerusalem, so also it is necessary for you to testify at Rome.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” New American Standard Bible But on the following night, the Lord stood near him and said, “Be courageous! For as you have testified to the truth about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome also.” NASB 1995 But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.” NASB 1977 But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.” Legacy Standard Bible But on that very night, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly borne witness to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must bear witness at Rome also.” Amplified Bible On the following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Be brave; for as you have solemnly and faithfully witnessed about Me at Jerusalem, so you must also testify at Rome.” Berean Annotated Bible The following night the Lord {Kyrios} stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem (city of peace), so also you must testify in Rome. Christian Standard Bible The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Have courage! For as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so it is necessary for you to testify in Rome.” Holman Christian Standard Bible The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Have courage! For as you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” American Standard Version And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. Contemporary English Version That night the Lord stood beside Paul and said, "Don't worry! Just as you have told others about me in Jerusalem, you must also tell about me in Rome." English Revised Version And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. GOD'S WORD® Translation The Lord stood near Paul the next night and said to him, "Don't lose your courage! You've told the truth about me in Jerusalem. Now you must tell the truth about me in Rome." Good News Translation That night the Lord stood by Paul and said, "Don't be afraid! You have given your witness for me here in Jerusalem, and you must also do the same in Rome." International Standard Version That night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Have courage! For just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, you must testify in Rome, too." NET Bible The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Have courage, for just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." New Heart English Bible The following night, the Lord stood by him, and said, "Cheer up, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome." Webster's Bible Translation And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified concerning me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear testimony also at Rome. Weymouth New Testament The following night the Lord came and stood at Paul's side, and said, "Be of good courage, for as you have borne faithful witness about me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage, Paul! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.” World English Bible 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.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd on the following night, the LORD having stood by him, said, “Take courage, Paul, for as you fully testified [to] the things concerning Me at Jerusalem, so you must also testify at Rome.” Berean Literal Bible But the following night the Lord, having stood by him, said, “Take courage, for as you have fully testified about Me at Jerusalem, so also it is necessary for you to testify at Rome.” Young's Literal Translation And on the following night, the Lord having stood by him, said, 'Take courage, Paul, for as thou didst fully testify the things concerning me at Jerusalem, so it behoveth thee also at Rome to testify.' Smith's Literal Translation And the following night the Lord, having stood by him, said, Take courage, Paul: for as thou hast testified the things concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou also testify at Rome. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the night following the Lord standing by him, said: Be constant; for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. Catholic Public Domain Version Then, on the following night, the Lord stood near him and said: “Be constant. For just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so also it is necessary for you to testify at Rome.” New American Bible The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.” New Revised Standard Version 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.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleDuring the night, our LORD appeared to Paul and said, Be strong, for as you have testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so also you are to testify at Rome. Aramaic Bible in Plain English When it was night, our Lord appeared to Paulus and said to him, “Be strong, because as you testified of me in Jerusalem, thus you are going also to testify in Rome.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd on the following night, the Lord stood by him, and said: Take courage; for as you have testified of me in Jerusalem, so must you testify also in Rome. Godbey New Testament And on the following night, the Lord standing over him, said, Haweis New Testament And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good courage, Paul: for as thou hast borne testimony of the things concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear a testimony at Rome also. Mace New Testament The night following, the Lord appear'd to him, and said, Paul, take courage; for the same remonstrances that you have made concerning me at Jerusalem, you must likewise make at Rome. Weymouth New Testament The following night the Lord came and stood at Paul's side, and said, "Be of good courage, for as you have borne faithful witness about me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome." Worrell New Testament And, on the following night, the Lord, standing by him, said, Worsley New Testament And the following night, the Lord standing by him said, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Paul Before the Sanhedrin…10The dispute grew so violent that the commander was afraid they would tear Paul to pieces. He ordered the soldiers to go down and remove him by force and bring him into the barracks. 11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.” 12When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.… Cross References The following night Acts 16:9-10 During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” / As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Genesis 46:2 And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob. Daniel 2:19 During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and he blessed the God of heaven the Lord stood near Paul 2 Timothy 4:17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion. Acts 27:23-24 For just last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me / and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And look, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.’ Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. and said, “Take courage! Acts 27:22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because you will not experience any loss of life, but only of the ship. Matthew 14:27 But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, Acts 9:28-29 So Saul stayed with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. / He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Luke 24:48 You are witnesses of these things. so also you must testify in Rome.” Acts 19:21 After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.” Acts 28:23-24 So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. / Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe. Romans 1:15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. Acts 18:9-10 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. / For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.” Treasury of Scripture And 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 also at Rome. the Lord. Acts 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Acts 18:9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: Acts 27:23,24 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, … Be. Acts 27:22,25 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship… Matthew 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. Matthew 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. for. Acts 19:21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. Acts 20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Acts 22:18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. must. Acts 28:30,31 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, … Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: John 11:8-10 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? … Jump to Previous Bear Behoveth Borne Cause Cheer Courage Faithful Following Fully Good Heart Immediately Jerusalem Night Paul Paul's Rome Rome Side Solemnly Stood Testified Testify Testimony Witness Witnessed WitnessingJump to Next Bear Behoveth Borne Cause Cheer Courage Faithful Following Fully Good Heart Immediately Jerusalem Night Paul Paul's Rome Rome Side Solemnly Stood Testified Testify Testimony Witness Witnessed WitnessingActs 23 1. As Paul pleads his cause,2. Ananias commands them to strike him. 7. Dissension among his accusers. 11. God encourages him. 14. The Jews' vow to kill Paul, 20. is declared unto the chief captain. 27. He sends him to Felix the governor. The following night This phrase indicates a specific time frame, suggesting that the events occurred shortly after Paul's trial before the Sanhedrin. It highlights the immediacy of divine intervention in Paul's life during a period of uncertainty and danger. the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.” Persons / Places / Events 1. PaulThe apostle who is the central figure in this passage. He is in Jerusalem, having been arrested and facing opposition from Jewish leaders. 2. The Lord Refers to Jesus Christ, who appears to Paul in a vision to encourage him. 3. Jerusalem The city where Paul is currently located, having faced trials and opposition for his testimony about Jesus. 4. Rome The destination where Paul is assured he will go to testify about Jesus, indicating the spread of the Gospel to the heart of the Roman Empire. 5. The Vision A divine encounter where Jesus reassures Paul of his mission and future journey to Rome. Teaching Points Divine EncouragementJesus provides personal encouragement to His followers in times of trial. Just as He stood by Paul, He stands by us in our challenges. Faithfulness in Testimony Paul’s commitment to testify about Jesus, despite opposition, serves as a model for believers to remain faithful in sharing the Gospel. God’s Sovereign Plan God’s assurance to Paul about going to Rome highlights His sovereign control over our lives and missions. We can trust His plans even when circumstances seem uncertain. Courage in Adversity The command to "Take courage" is a reminder that God equips us with the strength needed to face adversity and fulfill our calling. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 23:11?2. How does Acts 23:11 encourage us to trust God's plan during trials? 3. What does God's promise to Paul in Acts 23:11 reveal about His faithfulness? 4. How can Acts 23:11 inspire us to be courageous in sharing the Gospel? 5. In what ways does Acts 23:11 connect to God's promises in Joshua 1:9? 6. How can we apply the assurance of Acts 23:11 in our daily lives? 7. How does Acts 23:11 demonstrate God's sovereignty in Paul's mission to Rome? 8. Why did Jesus personally appear to Paul in Acts 23:11? 9. What does Acts 23:11 reveal about divine encouragement during trials? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 23? 11. Acts 23:11 – How do we verify that Jesus actually appeared to Paul, rather than this being a subjective claim with no external corroboration? 12. What events occurred during Paul's time in Corinth and Ephesus? 13. What did Jesus mean by 'Be of good cheer'? 14. What did Jesus mean by "Be of good cheer"? What Does Acts 23:11 Mean The following nightThe events of Acts 23 have been a whirlwind: arrest, interrogation, and a violent quarrel between Pharisees and Sadducees (Acts 23:1-10). In the quiet hours that follow, God meets Paul. This timing reminds us that the Lord often comes at our lowest ebb, right after a storm of opposition (1 Kings 19:4-5; Psalm 46:1). Earlier, Paul had similar night-time encouragement in Corinth (Acts 18:9-10), showing a pattern of the Lord stepping in precisely when His servant needs fresh assurance. The Lord stood near Paul Jesus does not merely send a message; He positions Himself beside His apostle. • Presence, not distance: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). • Personal reinforcement: Paul later testifies, “The Lord stood by me and strengthened me” (2 Timothy 4:17). • Continuity with earlier rescues: Think of the fourth figure in the furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:24-25). God’s nearness is a covenant promise carried into every crisis. And said, “Take courage!” The command is both tender and authoritative. • Jesus used the same word with the paralytic (Matthew 9:2), the woman with the flow of blood (Matthew 9:22), and the terrified disciples on the stormy sea (Matthew 14:27). • It echoes Old Testament calls to fearless obedience—“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:9). • Christ roots courage in Himself: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem Paul’s bold defenses before the Sanhedrin and the Roman tribune (Acts 22:1-21; 23:1-6) are recognized and affirmed by the Lord. • Faithfulness in the present sphere validates readiness for the next (Luke 16:10). • Jesus foretold that His followers would testify before rulers (Matthew 10:18), and Paul is living that prophecy. • Despite mixed results—riots, misunderstandings—he has fulfilled Acts 20:24, “to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.” So also you must testify in Rome God moves the mission forward from the holy city to the heart of the empire. • Earlier, the Spirit had placed Rome on Paul’s horizon (Acts 19:21); now the destination becomes a divine must. • The promise guarantees survival through coming plots (Acts 23:12-24) and storms (Acts 27), because Rome is non-negotiable. • The book of Acts will close with Paul “boldly and freely” preaching in Rome (Acts 28:30-31), fulfilling his desire voiced in Romans 1:15. • The gospel’s advance from Jerusalem to Rome mirrors Jesus’ outline in Acts 1:8—from local to global witness. summary Acts 23:11 is a personal visitation that turns a perilous night into a pivot point for the gospel. Jesus draws near, commands courage, affirms past faithfulness, and unveils the next assignment. For every believer facing opposition, the verse underscores that Christ’s presence sustains, His word emboldens, and His plan cannot be thwarted until the testimony He intends is fully delivered. (11) Be of good cheer, Paul.--The day had been one of strange excitement, and most have roused many anxieties. Personal fear as to suffering or death he was, more than most men, free from; but was his work to be cut short? Was he to fall a victim to the malice of the Jews? Was the desire, which he had cherished for many years, to preach the gospel in the great capital of the empire (Romans 1:13; Romans 15:23) to be frustrated? These questions pressed upon him in the wakeful night that followed the exhausting day; and, with a nature like St. Paul's, such anxieties could not but find expression in his prayers. To those prayers the "vision and apocalypse of the Lord" of which we now read was manifestly the answer. To him, tossed on these waves and billows of the soul, as once before to the Twelve tossing on the troubled waters of the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:27), there came the words, full of comfort and of hope, "Be of good cheer." There might be delay and suffering, and a long trial of patience, but the end was certain; he was to reach the goal of Rome.Verse 11. - The R.T. omits Paul, in the T.R. and A.V.; concerning for of, A.V.; at for in, A.V. The Lord stood by him. The jaded, harassed, and overwrought spirit needed some unusual support. The Lord whom Paul loved, and for whom he was suffering so much, knew it, and in his tender care for his servant stood by him and spake a word of gracious encouragement to him. Paul felt that he was not forgotten or forsaken. There was more work for him to do, in spite of all the hatred of his countrymen. The capital of heathendom must hear his testimony as well the metropolis of the circumcision.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek TheΤῇ (Tē) Article - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. following ἐπιούσῃ (epiousē) Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 1966: The next day. Feminine singular participle of a comparative of epi and heimi; supervening, i.e. the ensuing day or night. night νυκτὶ (nykti) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 3571: The night, night-time. A primary word; 'night'. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Lord Κύριος (Kyrios) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. stood by ἐπιστὰς (epistas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2186: To stand by, be urgent, befall one (as of evil), be at hand, impend. From epi and histemi; to stand upon, i.e. Be present. [Paul] αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. [and] said, εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. “Take courage! Θάρσει (Tharsei) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 2293: To be of good courage, good cheer, be bold. From tharsos; to have courage. As ὡς (hōs) Adverb Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. you have testified διεμαρτύρω (diemartyrō) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 1263: To give solemn evidence, testify (declare) solemnly. From dia and martureo; to attest or protest earnestly, or hortatively. about περὶ (peri) Preposition Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time. Me ἐμοῦ (emou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. in εἰς (eis) Preposition Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. Jerusalem, Ἰερουσαλὴμ (Ierousalēm) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 2419: Of Hebrew origin; Hierusalem, the capitol of Palestine. so οὕτω (houtō) Adverb Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows). also καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. you σε (se) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. must δεῖ (dei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1163: Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary. testify μαρτυρῆσαι (martyrēsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 3140: To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify. in εἰς (eis) Preposition Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. Rome.” Ῥώμην (Rhōmēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 4516: From the base of rhonnumi; strength; Roma, the capital of Italy. Links Acts 23:11 NIVActs 23:11 NLT Acts 23:11 ESV Acts 23:11 NASB Acts 23:11 KJV Acts 23:11 BibleApps.com Acts 23:11 Biblia Paralela Acts 23:11 Chinese Bible Acts 23:11 French Bible Acts 23:11 Catholic Bible NT Apostles: Acts 23:11 The following night the Lord stood (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
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