Acts23

English Standard Version

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¹ at the , , , have lived my before in up .

² the those who to on the .

³ , is going , you ! Are to to the , and contrary to the you to be ?

⁴ who , Would you ?

⁵ , I did , , he the , it is , of a of .

⁶ when the , he the , , a , a . It is with respect to the the of the that am on .

⁷ when had , a between the the , the was .

⁸ the that there , , , the them .

⁹ a , of the of the ’ and , We . a an to ?

¹⁰ when the , the , would be torn to , the to go and away by him the .

¹¹ the and , Take , you have to the facts , .

¹² it , the a and by an to they had .

¹³ .

¹⁴ the and , We have strictly by an to no we have .

¹⁵ , along the , to the down , though you were to case . to comes .

¹⁶ the of of their , so he and .

¹⁷ of the and , the , he to .

¹⁸ he and him the , the and to , as he to to .

¹⁹ by the , him , it you to ?

²⁰ he , The have to the , though they were to .

²¹ be by , are lying in for , have by an to they have . they , .

²² the the , him, no you have these .

²³ he of the and , Get , as the of the .

²⁴ to and bring him the .

²⁵And he a :

²⁶ , to his the , .

²⁷ was the was about to when I them the and , he a .

²⁸ to the they were , I .

²⁹I that was being of , with .

³⁰ when it was to there would a the , I him at , his to what they have .

³¹ the , to , and him .

³² on the they the , the on .

³³When had the to the , they before .

³⁴On reading the , he . when he he was ,

³⁵he , I will a . he to be .

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 23.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Paul's defence before the council of the Jews. (1–5). Paul's defence. He receives a Divine assurance that he shall go to Rome. (6–11). The Jews conspire to kill Paul, Lysias sends him to Cesarea. (12–24). Lysias's letter to Felix. (25–35).

vv1-5

See here the character of an honest man. He sets God before him, and lives as in his sight. He makes conscience of what he says and does, and, according to the best of his knowledge, he keeps from whatever is evil, and cleaves to what is good. He is conscientious in all his words and conduct. Those who thus live before God, may, like Paul, have confidence both toward God and man. Though the answer of Paul contained a just rebuke and prediction, he seems to have been too angry at the treatment he received in uttering them. Great men may be told of their faults, and public complaints may be made in a proper manner; but the law of God requires respect for those in authority.

vv6-11

The Pharisees were correct in the faith of the Jewish church. The Sadducees were no friends to the Scripture or Divine revelation; they denied a future state; they had neither hope of eternal happiness, nor dread of eternal misery. When called in question for his being a Christian, Paul might truly say he was called in question for the hope of the resurrection of the dead. It was justifiable in him, by this profession of his opinion on that disputed point, to draw off the Pharisees from persecuting him, and to lead them to protect him from this unlawful violence. How easily can God defend his own cause! Though the Jews seemed to be perfectly agreed in their conspiracy against religion, yet they were influenced by very different motives. There is no true friendship among the wicked, and in a moment, and with the utmost ease, God can turn their union into open enmity. Divine consolations stood Paul in the most stead; the chief captain rescued him out of the hands of cruel men, but the event he could not tell. Whoever is against us, we need not fear, if the Lord stand by us. It is the will of Christ, that his servants who are faithful, should be always cheerful. He might think he should never see Rome; but God tells him, even in that he should be gratified, since he desired to go there only for the honour of Christ, and to do good.

vv12-24

False religious principles, adopted by carnal men, urge on to such wickedness, as human nature would hardly be supposed capable of. Yet the Lord readily disappoints the best concerted schemes of iniquity. Paul knew that the Divine providence acts by reasonable and prudent means; and that, if he neglected to use the means in his power, he could not expect God's providence to work on his behalf. He who will not help himself according to his means and power, has neither reason nor revelation to assure him that he shall receive help from God. Believing in the Lord, we and ours shall be kept from every evil work, and kept to his kingdom. Heavenly Father, give us by thy Holy Spirit, for Christ's sake, this precious faith.