Acts 23

1 Paul in the Councill beginning his defence, is smitten by command of the High Priest, 3 for which he severely reproves him, not knowing that he was the High Priest, 6 and seeing one part of the Councill were Sadduces, he declared that he was a Pharisee, and was judged for the resurrection from the dead, 7 about which the Pharisees and Sadduces fall into contention, and he is declared innocent by the Pharisees. 11 Is spoken to and comforted by the Lord, 12 Forty men binde themselves with a curse that they will neither eat nor drink, until they have killed him, 16 which Paul hath notice of by his sisters son, and makes known to the Commander, 23 who sends him by night being conducted by souldiers, to Caserea, unto Felix the Governour, with a letter wherein the cause is related. 34. Felix having read the letter, causeth Paul to be kept in Herods judgement-house:

1. And Paul holding his eyes on the Councill said, men, brethren, I have walked with all good conscience [Namely, not only in the Christian Religion but also in the Jewish, for he then had served God uprightly, i.e. without hypocrisie, according to the knowledge which he had, although he had afterward out of ignorance persecuted persecuted the Christians. See further, 2 Tim. 1. 3.] before God [or served God. The Greek word properly signifies to carry ones self in a City as a good Magistrate or as a good Citizen. See also Philippians 1:27.and chap 3. 20.] untill this day.

2. But the High Priest Ananias commanded those that stood by him, that they should smite him on the mouth.

3. Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee thou whired wall; [That is, thou hypocrite, who indeed hast a Priestly garment, but a cruel and unrighteous heart. See Matthew 23:27, 28. And these words of Paul must not be taken for reviling words, Matthew 5:22. 39.or words of revenge or of recompencing evil with evil, but for a serious reproving of this man, and for a bold denunciation of Gods judgement upon him. See the like, 2 Tim. 4.ver. 14.] Sittest thou also to judge me according to the Law, and commandest thou contrary to the Law [Gr.transgressing the Law] that I shall be smitten?

4. And they that stood there by, said, Revilest thou Gods High Priest?

5. And Paul said I knew not [Seeing at that time the High Priests often changed, yea even every year, John 11.ver. 49.and Paul now for a long time had not conversed much at Jerusalem, it is no wonder that he knew not the High Priest by face; the rather also because the High Priest himself was not present in all Assemblies, and here all things went confusedly, as appears from the whole transaction. See Joseph. Antiq.lib. 20.cap. 6. 7. 8.] brethren that it was the High Priest: For it is written, the Ruler of thy people thou shalt not curse. [Gr.speak evil to, or speak evil of him, revile him. For howsoever Paul had spoken nothing but what was just, nevertheless because to the standers by, it had a shew of reviling, therefore he meaneth that he should have avoided this also, had he known the High Priest.]

6. And Paul knowing that the one part was of the Sadduces, and the other of the Pharisees, [Of these two sects, see Matthew 3:7.and 22.ver. 23. Joseph. Antiq.lib. 18.cap.2.and de bello Jud.lib.2.cap.7.] cryed out in the Councill, Men, brethren, I am a Pharisee. [namely, having been in my life, and yet standing standing with them in the opinion concerning the resurrection of the dead, and some others points. He speaketh the truth here howsoever he conceals a part of the same, thereby to confound the enemies of Gods Church] the son of a Pharisee: I am judged [that is, brought before justice] about the hope and resurrection of the dead. [this may be understood, either of the hope of the resurrection, or else of the hope of salvation, and of the resurrection, seeing the Sadduces, denied both, forasmuch as they denied the immortality of the soul.]

7. And when he had spoken this, there arose discord [Or uproar] betwixt the Pharisees and the Sadduces, and the multitude [namely, of those that were there assembled] was divided. [Gr.rent.]

8. For the Sadduces say that there is no resurrection, nor Angel, nor Spirit: That is, immortality of soules: or spirituall being that is immortall] but thePharisees confess both. [namely, the resurrection of the bodies, and the immortality of Spirits, i.e. of the Angels and soules.]

9. And there happened a great cry: and the Scribes of the Pharisees side [Gr.part] rose up, an strove, saying, we finde no evill in this man: and if a Spirit have spoken to him, or an Angel, let us not strive against God.

10. And when there was risen great dissention [Or uproar] the Commander fearing that Paul might be torn in pieces by them, commanded that the souldiers should come down, and pluck him away out of the midst of them, and bring him into the Camp.

11. And the night following, the Lord stood by him [Namely, in a vision, or in a dream, or in an extasie, 2 Cor. 12. 1.] and said, be of good cheer Paul. For like as thou hast testified of me at Jerusalem, [Or of those things which concern me] so must thou also testifie at Rome.

12. And it was become day, some of the Jews made a conspiracy, and cursed themselves, [Gr.anethematisan, i.e. swore that they would be an anathema or curse before God, if they ate or drank before they had killed Paul. See ver. 21. Matthew 26:74. Romans 9:3. Gal.1.8.] saying tha they would neither eat nor drink, until they should have killed Paul.

13. And they were more then forty who had made this oath together.

14. Who went unto the Chief Priests and Elders and said, we have with cursing cursed our selves that we will eat nothing, until we shall have killed Paul.

15. Now ye therefore let the Governour know [Namely Lysias, whereof see the annotation Acts 22:24.] with the Councill, [or with the approbation of the Councill: for Paul was then only in the power of the Governour, and not of the Councill] that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as if ye would take further knowledge [or more perfect, more distinct, narrower, sharper] of his matters: and we are ready to make him away, before he comes to (you.)

16. And when Pauls sisters son had heard of this lying in wait, he came thither and went into the camp, and told it to Paul.

17. and Paul called unto him one of the Centurions, and said, Bring this young man to the Governour. For he hath something to tell him.

18. He therefore took him, and brought (him) to the Governour, and said Paul the prisoner called unto him, and desired that I should bring this young man unto thee, who hath somewhat to say unto thee.

19. Now the Governour took him by the hand, and being gone aside he asked, what is it that thou hast to tell me?

20. And he said, the Jews [That is, the Councill of the Jews, with some other] hast agreed to desire of thee that thou shouldest to morrow bring down Paul into the Councill, as if they would enquire somewhat of him more narrowly.

21. But belive them not; [Or, be not perswaded by them. That is, grant not that unto them] For more them] For more then forty men of them ly in waite for him, who have bound themselves with a curse [Gr.have cursed] neither to eat nor drink, until they shall have made him away: and they are now ready expecting the promise [namely that thou wilt bring him down into their Councill] from thee.

22. Then the Commander let the young man go, commanding (him) tell it to n man that thou hast revealed this to me.

23. And having called unto him two of the Centurions, he said , Make ready two hundred souldiers, that they may goe to Cesarea, [Namely, in Palestine, situate on the Midland sea, where the Governour held his ordinary residence and Tribunal, as the strongest and convenientest City in that land, Tacit. Histor.lib.2.] and seventy horsemen, and two hundred Archers [Gr.dexiolavous: which properly signifies them that take with the right hand. Namely, the javelings to cast or shoote them upon the enemies] against [Gr.from. Namely, Sunset, against the second watch, that so that night they might bring him out of danger] the third hour of the night.

24. And provide the (saddle) beasts, that they may set Paul thereon, and bring him safe unto the Governour Felix. [This Felix was the brother of one Pallas, who was first a slave afterward set free by the Emperor Claudius, who with another that was set free named Narcissus, sufficiently ruled the Roman Empire under this Emperor. So that this Pallas had made his brother Felix Governour over Judea in the Emperors name. See Sueton.in Claudio cap.28.and Joseph. Antiq.lib. 20.cap.5.6.Tacitus Annal.lib.12.]

25. And he wrote a letter having these contents.

26. Claudius Lysias to the most mighty [See Luke 1:3. Acts 24:3.and 26. 25.] Governour Felix, greeting.

27. Whereas this man was taken of the Jews, and should have been made away by them, I came upon them with the Souldiers, and took him from (them) being inform that he is a Romane.

28. And being willing to know the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him down into their Council.

29. Whom I found to be accused about questions of their Law, [So he speaketh as a Heathen, as if it were not worth the pain, to make any adoe, about the differences of the Jewish Religion. But God made use of this his opinion to deliver Paul out of the unjust hands of the Jews} but no accusation to be against him, which is worthy of death, or of bands.

30. And when it was given me to understand, that an ambush should be (laid) by the Jews against this man, I sent (him) straightway to thee: commanding also the accusers to say before thee, that which they had against him. Farewell.

31. The souldiers therefore as was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. [A City lying on the Midland Sea between Joppa and Cesarea, about sixteen miles from Jerusalem, and eight from Cesarea, which was built up and fortified by Herod the great, and after his Father called Antipatris. Joseph. Antiq.lib. 16 cap. 9.]

32. And the next day leaving the horsemen to go with him, thye returned to the Camp.

33. Who when they were come to Cesarea, and had delivered over the letter to the Governour, they set Paul also before him.

34. And the Governour having read (the letter) asked of what province he was, and understanding that he was from Cilicia,

35. He said I will hear thee, [Or hear thee at the full, as the Greek word imports] when thy accusers shall be come. And he commanded that he should be kept in Herods [it was so called, because Herod the great had built the same there, when he fortified this City, before called the Tower of Strato; and called it Cesarea after the name of Augustus Caesar] judgement-house. [Gr. Praitorio from the Latine word Pretrium, which signifies a Palace of the supream Commander, whether Prince, Governour or General: as is to be seen, Matthew 27:27. Mark 15:16. Philippians 1:13.wherein also there was a special place to do Justice.]