Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. New Living Translation The next morning a group of Jews got together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. English Standard Version When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Berean Standard Bible When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. Berean Literal Bible And day having come, the Jews, having made a conspiracy, put themselves under an oath, declaring neither to eat nor to drink until they should kill Paul. King James Bible 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. New King James Version And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. New American Standard Bible When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and put themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. NASB 1995 When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. NASB 1977 And when it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. Legacy Standard Bible Now when it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. Amplified Bible Now when day came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath (curse), saying that they would not eat or drink until they had killed Paul. Berean Annotated Bible When daylight came, the Jews (people of praise) formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul (humble). Christian Standard Bible When it was morning, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. Holman Christian Standard Bible When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under a curse: neither to eat nor to drink until they had killed Paul. American Standard Version And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. English Revised Version And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. GOD'S WORD® Translation In the morning the Jews formed a conspiracy. They asked God to curse them if they ate or drank anything before they had killed Paul. Good News Translation The next morning some Jews met together and made a plan. They took a vow that they would not eat or drink anything until they had killed Paul. International Standard Version In the morning, the Jewish leaders formed a conspiracy and took an oath not to eat or drink anything before they had killed Paul. NET Bible When morning came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink anything until they had killed Paul. New Heart English Bible When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Weymouth New Testament Now, when daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and solemnly swore not to eat or drink till they had killed Paul. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen daylight came, some of the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. World English Bible When it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd day having come, certain of the Jews having made a concourse, cursed themselves, saying neither to eat nor to drink until they may kill Paul; Berean Literal Bible And day having come, the Jews, having made a conspiracy, put themselves under an oath, declaring neither to eat nor to drink until they should kill Paul. Young's Literal Translation And day having come, certain of the Jews having made a concourse, did anathematize themselves, saying neither to eat nor to drink till they may kill Paul; Smith's Literal Translation And it being day, certain of the Jews having made a condition, anathematized themselves, saying, neither to eat or drink till they kill Paul. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when day was come, some of the Jews gathered together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying, that they would neither eat, nor drink, till they killed Paul. Catholic Public Domain Version And when daylight arrived, some of the Jews gathered together and bound themselves with an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. New American Bible When day came, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. New Revised Standard Version In the morning the Jews joined in a conspiracy and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when it was morning, certain of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under oath, that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And when it was dawn, some of the Jews gathered together and put a curse upon themselves that they would neither eat nor drink until they would kill Paulus. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd when it was day, the Jews combined together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying, that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Godbey New Testament And it being day, the Jews having formed a conspiracy, obligated themselves by an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they might kill Paul. Haweis New Testament Then as soon as it was day, some of the Jews forming a conspiracy, bound themselves under the direst imprecation, declaring that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Mace New Testament when it was day, some Jews, that had form'd a conspiracy, engag'd themselves by an oath, not to eat, or drink, till they had kill'd Paul. Weymouth New Testament Now, when daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and solemnly swore not to eat or drink till they had killed Paul. Worrell New Testament And, when it was day, the Jews, making a conspiracy, bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink, till they had killed Paul. Worsley New Testament And when it was day, some of the Jews, having formed a conspiracy, bound themselves with a curse, saying, that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Plot to Kill Paul11The 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.” 12 When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13More than forty of them were involved in this plot.… Cross References When daylight came, Matthew 27:1 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death. Mark 15:1 Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin devised a plan. They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate. Luke 22:66 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said, the Jews formed a conspiracy Mark 3:6 At this, the Pharisees went out and began plotting with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. Matthew 26:4 and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him. John 11:53 So from that day on they plotted to kill Him. and bound themselves with an oath 1 Samuel 14:24 Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food. Nehemiah 10:29 hereby join with their noble brothers and commit themselves with a sworn oath to follow the Law of God given through His servant Moses and to obey carefully all the commandments, ordinances, and statutes of the LORD our Lord. Genesis 24:3 and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling, not to eat or drink Ezra 10:6 Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and walked to the chamber of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. And while he stayed there, he ate no food and drank no water, because he was mourning over the unfaithfulness of the exiles. Acts 9:9 For three days he was without sight, and he did not eat or drink anything. Esther 4:16 “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!” until they had killed Paul Mark 14:1 Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him. Luke 22:2 and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they feared the people. 1 Samuel 19:1 Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David, Acts 9:23-24 After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, / but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him. Treasury of Scripture 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. certain. Acts 23:21,30 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… Acts 25:3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. Psalm 2:1-3 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? … bound. 1 Kings 19:2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. 2 Kings 6:31 Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day. Matthew 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. under a curse. Leviticus 27:29 None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed; but shall surely be put to death. Joshua 6:26 And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it. Joshua 7:1,15 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel… that. Acts 25:2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, 1 Samuel 14:24,27,28,40-44 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food… Psalm 31:13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life. Jump to Previous Banded Bound Conspiracy Curse Daylight Death Drink Eat Food Formed Jews Killed Oath Paul Plot Solemnly Swore Themselves TogetherJump to Next Banded Bound Conspiracy Curse Daylight Death Drink Eat Food Formed Jews Killed Oath Paul Plot Solemnly Swore Themselves TogetherActs 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. When daylight came This phrase indicates the time of day when the events occurred, suggesting a sense of urgency and determination among the conspirators. In biblical times, daylight was often associated with action and the beginning of daily activities. The use of "daylight" here contrasts with the darkness of the plot being formed, highlighting the moral and spiritual darkness of the conspirators' intentions. the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul Persons / Places / Events 1. The JewsA group of Jewish individuals who were opposed to Paul's teachings and mission. They were zealous for the law and saw Paul as a threat to their religious traditions. 2. Paul The Apostle who was a former Pharisee and a fervent missionary for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was often persecuted for his teachings about Jesus being the Messiah. 3. Conspiracy A secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful. In this context, it was a plot to kill Paul. 4. Oath A solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future action or behavior. The conspirators took an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 5. Daylight The time when the plot was formed, indicating the urgency and seriousness of the conspirators' intentions. Teaching Points The Reality of PersecutionBelievers should be aware that following Christ can lead to opposition and persecution. Paul's experience is a reminder that the Gospel often challenges established norms and beliefs. The Power of Commitment The conspirators' oath shows the power of commitment, albeit for a wrongful cause. Christians are called to be equally committed to righteous causes, dedicating themselves fully to God's work. Trust in God's Sovereignty Despite human plots and conspiracies, God's plan prevails. Paul’s life was in God's hands, and He orchestrated events for His purposes. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty over their lives. Responding to Opposition Paul’s response to opposition was not retaliation but continued faithfulness to his mission. Christians are encouraged to respond to opposition with grace and perseverance. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 23:12?2. What motivated the Jews to form a conspiracy against Paul in Acts 23:12? 3. How does Acts 23:12 demonstrate the seriousness of opposition to the Gospel? 4. Compare Acts 23:12 with Psalm 37:12-13. How does God respond to plots? 5. How can we remain faithful when facing opposition like Paul in Acts 23:12? 6. What steps can we take to trust God's protection in hostile situations? 7. Why did the Jews conspire to kill Paul in Acts 23:12? 8. How does Acts 23:12 reflect the hostility Paul faced for preaching the Gospel? 9. What does Acts 23:12 reveal about the religious tensions of the time? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 23? 11. Acts 23:12–15 – Is there concrete historical or archaeological evidence supporting the existence of this conspiracy of more than forty men to kill Paul? 12. What is the Illuminati conspiracy theory? 13. What led to Paul's imprisonment? 14. What did Paul do between his third and fourth journeys? What Does Acts 23:12 Mean When daylight came• Luke sets the scene at first light—just after the risen Lord had encouraged Paul the previous night (Acts 23:11). • Evil often prefers darkness (John 3:20), yet at dawn these men rush into the open, illustrating how sin can masquerade as righteousness when cloaked in religious zeal (Isaiah 5:20). • God, however, is already ahead of them; His providence never sleeps (Psalm 121:4). the Jews formed a conspiracy • This was a coordinated plot by a group of Paul’s own countrymen, echoing earlier attempts on his life in Damascus (Acts 9:23) and Jerusalem (Acts 21:31). • Their hostility fulfills Jesus’ warning that His followers would face persecution from religious authorities who think they are serving God (John 16:2). • Such conspiracies repeat the pattern seen against Jesus Himself (John 11:53), underscoring that the servant is not above his Master (Matthew 10:24). and bound themselves with an oath • The wording shows a solemn vow—a self-imposed curse if they failed (cf. Acts 23:14). • Scripture records similar binding vows, both rash and righteous: Saul’s foolish oath over the troops (1 Samuel 14:24) and Paul’s earlier vow in Cenchrea (Acts 18:18). • Here the oath highlights misguided devotion: religious passion divorced from truth becomes deadly (Romans 10:2). not to eat or drink • A total fast signals the intensity of their resolve, like Esther’s three-day fast before confronting the king (Esther 4:16) or the Ninevites’ repentance (Jonah 3:7). • Yet fasting meant for violence twists a spiritual discipline into sin (Isaiah 58:4). • Their hunger could never match Paul’s own willingness to “be poured out” for the gospel (Philippians 2:17). until they had killed Paul • The aim was murder, plain and simple—opposition to the gospel taken to its logical end (Acts 25:3). • God had just promised Paul, “You must testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11), so this threat, however fierce, could not prevail (Proverbs 21:30). • The contrast is stark: they plotted Paul’s death, while Paul longed for their salvation (Romans 9:2-3). summary Acts 23:12 spotlights the fierce, organized hostility that the gospel can provoke, yet it also magnifies God’s faithful protection. A daylight conspiracy, a binding oath, an absolute fast—none could overturn the divine promise spoken the night before. The verse reminds us that no scheme of man can thwart the Lord’s purpose for His servants. (12) Certain of the Jews banded together . . .--The casuistry of the more fanatic Jews led them to the conclusion that a blasphemer or apostate was an outlaw, and that, in the absence of any judicial condemnation, private persons might take on themselves the execution of the divine sentence. So, they may have argued, Mattathias, the founder of the Maccabean dynasty, had slain the apostate Jew who offered sacrifice at the altar at Modin (1 Maccabees 2:24); so ten Zealots of Jerusalem had conspired to assassinate Herod the Great because he had built an amphi-theatre and held gladiatorial games in the Holy City (Jos. Ant. xii. 6, ? 2; xv. 8, ? 3). It is melancholy but instructive to remember how often the casuistry of Christian theologians has run in the same groove. In this respect the Jesuit teaching, absolving subjects from their allegiance to heretic rulers, and the practical issue of that teaching in the history of the Gunpowder Plot, and of the murders perpetrated by Clement and Ravaillac, present only too painful a parallel. Those who now thus acted were probably of the number of the Zealots, or Sicarii.Under a curse.--Literally, they placed themselves under an anathema. This was the Jewish kherem, and the person or thing on which it fell was regarded as devoted to the wrath of God. (Comp. Notes on 1Corinthians 16:22; Galatians 1:8-9.) So also in the Old Testament we find that Jericho and all that it contained was a kherem, or accursed thing, devoted to destruction (Joshua 7:1). Verse 12. - The Jews for certain of the Jews, A.V. and T.R. Banded together (ποιήσαντες συστροφὴν). This word συστροφή is found in the New Testament only here and Acts 19:40, where it is rendered "concourse." The sense of "a conspiracy," which it has here, is common in the LXX. (see Amos 7:10; 2 Kings 15:15, etc.). The verb συστρέφειν in the LXX. has the sense of "to conspire" (2 Samuel 15:31; 2 Kings 10:9; 2 Kings 15:30, συνέστρεψε σύστρεμμα). Bound themselves under a curse (ἀνεθεμάτισαν ἑαυτοὺς). The word ἀνάθεμα (Romans 9:3; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Corinthians 16:22; Galatians 1:8, 9) corresponds to the Hebrew צּצּצּ, the devotion of anything to destruction; and hence "the thing itself so devoted." And the verb ἀναθεματίζεν corresponds to the Hebrew צּצּצּ, to devote to destruction, without the possibility of redemption. Here they made themselves an ἀνάθεμα if they did not kill Paul before partaking of any food. It seems, however, that there was a way of escape if they failed to keep the vow. Lightfoot, on this passage, quotes from the Talmud: "He that hath made a vow not to eat anything, woe to him if he eat, and woe to him if he do not eat. If he eat he sinneth against his vow; if he do not eat he sinneth against his life. What must such a man do in this case? Let him go to the wise men, and they will loose his vow" ('Hebrews and Talmud. Exercit. upon the Acts').Parallel Commentaries ... Greek When daylight came,Γενομένης (Genomenēs) Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Jews Ἰουδαῖοι (Ioudaioi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah. formed ποιήσαντες (poiēsantes) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. a conspiracy συστροφὴν (systrophēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 4963: From sustrepho; a twisting together, i.e. a secret coalition, riotous crowd. and bound themselves with an oath ἀνεθεμάτισαν (anethematisan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 332: To curse, invoke curses, devote to destruction. From anathema; to declare or vow under penalty of execration. not μήτε (mēte) Conjunction Strong's 3383: Nor, neither, not even, neither…nor. From me and te; not too, i.e. neither or nor; also, not even. to eat φαγεῖν (phagein) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 5315: A primary verb; to eat. [or] μήτε (mēte) Conjunction Strong's 3383: Nor, neither, not even, neither…nor. From me and te; not too, i.e. neither or nor; also, not even. drink πιεῖν (piein) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 4095: To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe. until ἕως (heōs) Preposition Strong's 2193: A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until. they had killed ἀποκτείνωσιν (apokteinōsin) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 615: To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy. Paul. Παῦλον (Paulon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle. Links Acts 23:12 NIVActs 23:12 NLT Acts 23:12 ESV Acts 23:12 NASB Acts 23:12 KJV Acts 23:12 BibleApps.com Acts 23:12 Biblia Paralela Acts 23:12 Chinese Bible Acts 23:12 French Bible Acts 23:12 Catholic Bible NT Apostles: Acts 23:12 When it was day some (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
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