Acts 23 New American Standard Bible

◄ Acts 23 ►

New American Standard Bible

Paul before the Council

1Now looking intently at the [a]Council, Paul said, “[b]Brothers, I have [c]lived my life with an entirely good conscience before God up to this day.” 2But the high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth. 3Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law, order me to be struck?” 4But those present said, “Are you insulting God’s high priest?” 5And Paul said, “I was not aware, brothers, that he is high priest; for it is written: ‘YOU SHALL NOT SPEAK EVIL OF A RULER OF YOUR PEOPLE.’”

6But Paul, perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, began crying out in the [d]Council, “[e]Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!” 7When he said this, a dissension occurred between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9And a great uproar occurred; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and started arguing heatedly, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10And when a great dissension occurred, the commander was afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, and he ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.

11But 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.”

A Conspiracy to Kill Paul

12When it was day, the Jews formed a [f]conspiracy and put themselves under an [g]oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. 13There were more than forty who formed this plot. 14They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have put ourselves under an [h]oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15Now therefore, you [i]and the [j]Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly; and as for us, we are ready to kill him before he comes near the place.”

16But the son of Paul’s sister heard about their ambush, [k]and he came and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17Paul called one of the centurions to himself and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to report to him.” 18So he took him and led him to the commander and *said, “Paul the prisoner called me over to him and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.” 19The commander took him by the hand, and stepping aside, began to inquire of him privately, “What is it that you have to report to me?” 20And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to the [l]Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him. 21So do not [m]listen to them, for more than forty [n]of them are in hiding to ambush him, and these men have put themselves under an oath not to eat or drink until they kill him; and now they are ready and waiting for assurance from you.” 22Then the commander let the young man go, instructing him, “Tell no one that you have notified me of these things.”

Paul Moved to Caesarea

23And he called to him two of the centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready by [o]the third hour of the night to proceed to Caesarea, [p]with seventy horsemen and two hundred [q]spearmen.” 24They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to Felix the governor. 25And he wrote a letter [r]with the following content:

“Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.

When this man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, after learning that he was a Roman. 28

And wanting to ascertain the basis for the charges they were bringing against him, I brought him down to their [s]Council; 29

and I found that he was being accused regarding questions in their Law, but [t]was not charged with anything deserving death or [u]imprisonment.

When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing his accusers to [v]bring charges against him before you.”

31So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32But on the next day they let the horsemen go on with him, and they returned to the barracks. 33When these horsemen had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34Now when he had read it, he also asked from what province Paul was, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive as well,” giving orders for [w]Paul to be kept in Herod’s [x]Praetorium.

[a] 1 Or Sanhedrin
[b] 1 Lit Men, brothers
[c] 1 Or conducted myself as a citizen
[d] 6 Or Sanhedrin
[e] 6 Lit Men, brothers
[f] 12 Or mob
[g] 12 I.e., an oath with a self-imposed curse
[h] 14 See note 2 v 12
[i] 15 Lit with
[j] 15 Or Sanhedrin
[k] 16 Or having been present with them, and he also entered
[l] 20 Or Sanhedrin
[m] 21 Lit be persuaded by them
[n] 21 Lit men of them
[o] 23 I.e., 9 p.m.
[p] 23 Lit and
[q] 23 Or slingers; or bowmen
[r] 25 Or to this effect
[s] 28 Or Sanhedrin
[t] 29 Lit had no charge of
[u] 29 Lit bonds
[v] 30 Lit speak against him
[w] 35 Lit him
[x] 35 I.e., governor’s official residence

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