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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE:
UNDER DEATH THREAT AND GUARD TO CAESAREA

[“Conspiracy and Plot”]
Key word: Custody

Acts 23:1-5 – Before Sanhedrin Paul Cites the Law

AC23:1 Now Paul looked intently at the Sanhedrin and then said: “Men, brothers, I have lived with a perfectly clear conscience 999 in the sight of The God until this moment.”

999	Conscience: Compare notes on 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2 Timothy 1:3; Hebrews 13:18; 1 Peter 3:16.

AC23:2 Then the high priest Ananias 1000 commanded those who stood by Paul to slap him in the face.

1000	Ananias: The son of Nedebaios became priest about 47 AD, was arrested, removed from his office and taken to Rome. He was reinstated 51/52 and assassinated in the year 66 at the beginning of the Great Oppression, or Jewish Wars. [Josephus]

AC23:3 However, Paul responded to him: “The God is about to strike you, you white-washed wall! For you sit in judgment of me according to the Law, and yet you command me to be struck in violation of the Law!” AC23:4 But those standing by Paul said: “Would you revile God’s chief priest?” AC23:5 Paul answered: “Brothers, I was not aware he was the high priest, 1001 for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of the ruler of you people.’” 1002 [Exodus 22:27]

1001	I was not aware he was the high priest: Possibly because of a recent reinstatement by Rome.

1002	You shall not speak evil of the ruler of you people: Paul quotes Exodus 22:27 from the Hebrew Text. The 3rd Century Jewish Greek version calls the priests or rulers “gods.” [THEOUS]

Acts 23:6-10 – Dissension over Resurrection Hope

AC23:6 Now when Paul realized there were two factions among them – some Sadducees and some Pharisees – he shouted to the Sanhedrin: “Men, brothers, I am a Pharisee – the son of a Pharisee! And it is regarding the hope of the resurrection that I am being judged!” AC23:7 After Paul had said this there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees and so the whole assembly was divided. AC23:8 (For the Sadducees 1003 claim there is no such thing as a resurrection, nor an angel, or a demon, 1004 while the Pharisees affirm these.)

1003	Sadducees: Compare notes on Matthew 22:23. [Mark 12:18; Luke 20:27]

1004	Demon: Or, spirit, pneuma.

AC23:9 As a result, there arose a great uproar and the scribes who were Pharisees stood up and began to protest violently: “We find nothing wrong with this person! However, if a demon 1005 or an angel 1006 spoke to him…”

1005	Demon: Or, spirit, pneuma.

1006	Angel: This is interesting since Paul has said it was Jesus the Nazarene who spoke to him. The Pharisees have concluded this was an angel, consistent with the great Jewish philosopher Philo of Judea.

AC23:10 But these words started a heated dispute so that the military tribune was afraid they would tear Paul to pieces. So he commanded the soldiers to go down and take Paul by force from their midst, and return him to the soldiers’ barracks.

Acts 23:11-15 – Jews Swear to Kill Paul

AC23:11 Now that night the Master stood by Paul and said: “Courage, Paul! For you have testified of me in Jerusalem, so now you must testify also at Rome.” AC23:12 In the morning certain Jews banded together and bound themselves with an oath, saying they would not eat or drink until they had killed Paul. AC23:13 There were more than forty involved in this plot. AC23:14 So they approached the chief priests and elders, and said: “We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath not to eat until we have killed Paul! AC23:15 Therefore, now you and the Sanhedrin tell the military tribune to bring Paul down before you tomorrow so you could ask more questions to fully examine the case. And whenever he gets near we are prepared to kill him.”

Acts 23:16-22 – A Nephew Reveals Plot

AC23:16 However, the son of Paul’s sister 1007 heard of this plot and he went and entered the soldiers’ barracks and then told Paul.

1007	The son of Paul’s sister: Paul has explained earlier that he was raised in Jerusalem so he still had family there.

AC23:17 Then Paul requested one of the centurions and said: “Take this young lad to the military tribune, because he has something important to tell him.” AC23:18 So he took him and brought him before the military tribune and said: “The prisoner Paul summoned me and asked me to bring this young lad to you.” AC23:19 Then the military tribune took him by the hand and privately step aside, asking him: “What is it you have to tell me?” AC23:20 So, [Paul’s nephew] said: “The Jews have agreed to ask you if you would bring Paul down tomorrow before the Sanhedrin, as if they had more questions to complete the case. AC23:21 But you should not agree with them because there are more than forty men waiting in ambush. They have bound themselves with a solemn oath to neither eat nor drink until they have killed Paul. Right now they are prepared, waiting for your consent.” AC23:22 So, the military tribune released the young lad and charged him: “Do not tell anyone that you have told me this!”

Acts 23:23-25 – To Caesarea under Guard

AC23:23 Then the military tribune summoned two centurions, saying: “Get ready two hundred troops and seventy horsemen with two hundred spearmen to leave for Caesarea at nine tonight. AC23:24 Also provide horses for Paul and then take him safely to governor Felix.” 1008

1008	Felix: Antonius Felix, a freeman, brother of Pallas. He was procurator of Judaea from about 52-60 AD, confirming the general period of Luke’s history.

AC23:25 Then he wrote a letter as follows:

Acts 23:26-30 – Tribune’s Letter to Governor

AC23:26 “Claudius Lysias sends his greetings to his Excellency Governor Felix: AC23:27 This man was seized by the Jews and would have killed him when I arrived with troops and rescued him, because I learned he was a Roman citizen. AC23:28 Wishing to know exactly the grounds of the charges against him, I brought him before their Sanhedrin. AC23:29 Then I discovered he was accused regarding questions pertaining to their [Jewish] Law, 1009 but no charge was put against him worthy of either death or prison.

1009	Law: The Western Text adds, “… and a man called Jesus.”

AC23:30 When it was disclosed to me how the Jews had plotted against him, immediately I sent him off to you. I also gave orders to those accusing him to present their charges before you.”

Acts 23:31-35 – Awaiting Trial in Caesarea

AC23:31 Then as commanded the soldiers took Paul by night and brought him down to Antipatris. 1010

1010	Antipatris: 30 miles from Jerusalem on the crossroads of the Roman military route.

AC23:32 On the next day the foot soldiers returned to their barracks while the horsemen continued with Paul. AC23:33 When they arrived in Caesarea 1011 they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him.

1011	Caesarea: 25 more miles to the coast and the government residences and official buildings.

AC23:34 When the governor had read the letter he asked to which province Paul belonged. Learning Paul was from Cilicia [he said]: AC23:35 “I will hear what you have to say when your accusers have also arrived.” And he commanded Paul to be held in custody in Herod’s Praetorium.

Review Questions on Chapter Twenty-three