Acts 23:1 ¶ And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
Acts 23:2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
Acts 23:3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
Acts 23:4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?
Acts 23:5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
This chapter opens in direct context from the previous chapter. Paul had been brought before the Jewish authorities and was now ready to address them in the presence of the Roman commander.
In his opening statement Paul declared that he had lived in good conscience before God until this very day. Ananias, the high priest, immediately ordered those that stood near Paul to hit him on the mouth for that statement. (Note: The NIV Commentary states that Ananias served as high priest from 48-58 or 59 AD.)
Paul immediately denounced this action in light of the law that these religious leaders declared to so revere. I liked the CJB translation: “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Will you sit there judging me according to the Torah, yet in violation of the Torah order me to be struck?”
Those standing by him then accused Paul of insulting the high priest. Paul then apologized by declaring that he was not aware that he was addressing the high priest; he knew that the law forbade one speaking badly of the ruler of your people. This basically acknowledged that though he didn’t have to respect the man, he would have respected the office in light of the law.
Interesting note from Wiersbe: “‘Conscience’ is one of Paul’s favorite words, used twice in this book (v. 1; 24:16) and twenty-one times in his letters. The word means ‘to know with, to know together.’ Conscience is the inner judge or witness that approves when we do right and disapproves when we do wrong (Rom. 2:15). Conscience does not set the standard; it only applies the standard. Conscience may be compared to a window that lets in the light. God’s law is the light, and the cleaner the window is, the more the light shines in. As the window gets dirty, the light gets dimmer, and finally the light becomes darkness.”
Historical note from Wiersbe: “When the the Jews revolted against Rome in A.D. 66, Ananias had to flee for his life because of his known sympathies with Rome. The Jewish guerrillas found him hiding in an aqueduct at Herod’s palace, and they killed him. It was an ignominious death for a despicable man.”
Acts 23:6 ¶ But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
Acts 23:7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
Acts 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
As a former Pharisee, Paul was aware that the council consisted of both Sadducees and Pharisees; so he shouted out that he was a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, and it was because of the hope and resurrection of the dead that he was being accused. This is a reference to Paul having seen and heard from the resurrected Jesus as indicated by the context of the following verses.
This statement immediately provoked an argument between the two factions. The Sadducees did not believe in resurrection after death or in the existence of angels or spirits; however, the Pharisees believed in both.
Acts 23:9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
The dispute between the two factions resulted in some of the scribes identified as Pharisees taking up for Paul. They declared that they found no fault in him, and it was not for them to decide if a spirit or angel had spoken to him. If so, they should not fight against God.
Acts 23:10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
The situation became so violent that the commander ordered his soldiers to take control of Paul by force and bring him inside the barracks to ensure his safety.
Acts 23:11 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.
That night the LORD stood beside Paul and encouraged him. He told Paul that just as he had testified about Jesus in Jerusalem, he would just as surely testify of Him in Rome.
Personally, I believe that the LORD’s communications with Paul during this whole process affirm Paul’s choice in determining to go to Jerusalem. It was God’s will for Paul to testify of His Son both in Jerusalem and in Rome in a very high profile way. In fact, it was God’s guarantee that Paul would live to testify in Rome.
I liked Guzik’s comment on this verse: “Paul had been miraculously delivered from jail cells before; but this time, the Lord met him right in the jail cell. We often demand that Jesus deliver us out of our circumstances, when He wants to meet us right in them. We sometimes think we are surrendering to Jesus when we are really only demanding an escape. God wants to meet us in whatever we face at the moment.”
Acts 23:12 ¶ 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.
Acts 23:13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
Acts 23:14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.
Acts 23:15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.
The next day more than forty of the men who opposed Paul gathered together and bound themselves under a curse swearing to eat or drink nothing until they had killed Paul. These men came to the chief priests and elders and told them of their plan. They wanted the religious leaders to convene the council, the Sanhedrin, and seek permission to interrogate Paul for more specific information to give them the opportunity they needed to attack him.
Acts 23:16 And when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
Acts 23:17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
Acts 23:18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.
Acts 23:19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?
Acts 23:20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
Acts 23:21 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 23:22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.
This time God came to Paul’s aid in the person of his nephew. He had heard of the plot and came to the barracks to tell Paul. Paul called over one of the centurions and asked him to take the young man to see the commander because he had something important to tell him. I am sure that Paul was being treated with the respect due a Roman citizen presumed innocent until proven guilty of a crime. The centurion took Paul’s nephew to see the commander who then took him aside to find out what he had to say. The young man told the commander of the conspiracy to kill Paul and warned him that more than forty men were involved. They only needed his cooperation to carry out their plan. The commander then sent the young man away with instructions not to tell anybody what he had revealed to him.
Acts 23:23 And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
Acts 23:24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
The commander called two of his centurions and told them to get their men (200 soldiers) ready to go to Caesarea. They were to also arrange for 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen to accompany them; they would leave at 9:00 p.m. They were also to prepare fresh horses for Paul to ensure that he was delivered safely into the custody of Felix, the governor of the province of Judea. According to the NIV Commentary, this would have been almost half the garrison at Antonia Fortress. The commander obviously did not want to take the chance of having a Roman citizen who was in his custody murdered.
Acts 23:25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:
Acts 23:26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
Acts 23:27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
Acts 23:28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:
Acts 23:29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
Acts 23:30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.
Commander Claudius Lysias then wrote a letter to be delivered to Felix. He informed the governor that Paul had been taken prisoner by the Jews and would have been killed if he and his army had not rescued him. He also told the governor that he had found out that Paul was a Roman citizen. He reported that he had tried to determine the specifics of the charges against Paul by allowing him to be interrogated by the Sanhedrin. From that experience, he had determined that their charges were in connection to their religious law, and that Paul had done nothing to deserve death or imprisonment. He then told the governor that he had been informed of a plot to kill Paul even though he was in custody, so he was sending him under heavy guard to Felix. He also told Felix that he had informed Paul’s accusers that they would have to appear before him to make their case.
Acts 23:31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.
Acts 23:32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
Acts 23:33 Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
The soldiers did everything they had been ordered to do and took Paul safely to Antipatris. At that point the 70 horsemen continued on with Paul to Caesarea, and the rest returned to Jerusalem. Upon arriving in Caesarea, they delivered both Paul and the letter to the governor.
Acts 23:34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;
Acts 23:35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s judgment hall.
After the governor had read the letter, he asked Paul where he was from, and Paul told him that he was from Cilicia. Felix informed Paul that he would hear his testimony when his accusers presented themselves. He then ordered that Paul be kept in Herod’s judgment hall.
Acts 24:1 ¶ And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
Acts 24:2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
Acts 24:3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
Acts 24:4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
Luke continues the narrative, noting that after five days Ananias the high priest along with others of the Jewish leadership came to Caesarea to press their charges against Paul. They brought a lawyer named Tertullus to represent them before the governor.
When called upon to speak, Tertullus began his address by appealing to the governor’s ego. He thanked the governor for the great peace and many benefits his people enjoyed due to his governance. He then noted that in consideration of the governor’s time he would now summarize the charges against Paul.
Note: The NIV Dictionary quotes Tacitus as describing Felix as a man that “revelled in cruelty and lust, and wielded the power of a king with the mind of a slave.” His wife Drusilla was the youngest daughter of Agrippa I.
Acts 24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
Acts 24:6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
Acts 24:7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
Acts 24:8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
Acts 24:9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
Tertullus declared Paul to be a real pest, one that continually stirred up trouble among the Jewish people, not only in Jerusalem but around the world. He was actually the ringleader of a religious sect known as the Nazarenes. The religious authorities had originally arrested Paul for attempting to desecrate the temple. They would have judge Paul according to Jewish law, but Commander Lysias and his troops intervened and took custody of him. He then issued a directive for those who wanted to press charges against Paul to present themselves before you. Tertullus assured the governor that the testimony of Lysias would attest to the truth of these charges.
The religious leaders then affirmed that they agreed with all that the lawyer had said.
Acts 24:10 ¶ Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
Acts 24:11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
Acts 24:12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
Acts 24:13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
Governor Felix then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul acknowledged that Felix had been a just judge in the nation of Israel for many years, and he was quite ready to defend himself before him.
Paul noted that it had been but twelve days since he first went up to Jerusalem to worship. When he was accosted in the temple, he was not arguing with anyone or causing any kid of trouble with anyone anywhere in the city. He declared that his accusers could offer no proof for the charges being made against him.
Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
Acts 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Acts 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
Paul then admitted that he was a follower of “the way” (the sect of the Nazarenes) and worshipped the God of Israel in accordance with all that was written in the law and prophets. Paul declared that he believed the same thing as many of his accusers. He believed that there was a life after death, resurrection for both the just and the unjust. It is that very belief that motivates him to live so as to always have a clean conscience before both God and man. He expected to face God’s judgment.
Paul is making a very important point that most of us, even believers, don’t reflect that we believe by how we live, by the things that we give priority in our lives, by the choices we make day in, day out. We will one day stand before God.
Acts 24:17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
Acts 24:18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
Acts 24:19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
Acts 24:20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
Acts 24:21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
Paul reveals to the governor that he had been away for many years and only came back to Jerusalem to bring financial support to help the poor. He noted that he had gone to the temple for ceremonial purification; he was not with a crowd or causing any type of disturbance. It was, in fact, some Jews from Asia who made false charges against him, and they were the ones that should be presenting proof of such charges before you. Otherwise, it was up to those present to give proof that he was guilty of evil doing. The only thing I am guilty of, Paul declared, is that I declared my belief in the resurrection of the dead (a reference to his testimony of having seen and heard from the resurrected LORD Jesus).
Acts 24:22 ¶ And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
Acts 24:23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
It seems that Felix was quite familiar with the teachings of “the way,” and decided to defer judgment until he could speak with Commander Lysias. He then commanded a centurion to keep Paul in custody, but allow him reasonable freedom of movement and the privilege of visiting with any friends or acquaintances that wanted to visit him or serve him in any way. I think we would compare this to being under house arrest today.
Acts 24:24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
Acts 24:26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
After a few days, Felix came with his wife Drusilla, a Jewess, and asked for Paul to come and talk to him concerning his faith in the Messiah. Paul talked with them about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come before God. At some point, probably when Paul got to the part of coming judgment, Paul’s testimony provoked Felix to fear, and the governor sent him away. He told Paul that he would send for him again when time permitted.
Luke also notes that Felix was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe to release him and sent for him often in light of that hope.
Acts 24:27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
After two years, Procius Festus succeeded Felix as governor. Although he could have released Paul at that time, Felix left him in custody as a favor to the Jews.
JFB makes an interesting observation: “That Luke wrote his Gospel during this period, under the apostle’s superintendence, is the not unlikely conjecture of able critics.”