Paul s Second Defense. Acts 23:1-35

1 Paul s Second Defense Acts 23:1-35

2 Paul s Second Defense Text: Acts 23:1-35, 1. And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. 2. And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. 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? 4. And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God s high priest? 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. 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. 7. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. 8. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. 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. 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.

3 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. 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. 13. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. 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. 15. Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you tomorrow as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. 16. And when Paul s sister s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. 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. 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. 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? 20. And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul tomorrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly. 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. 22. So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast showed these things to me.

4 23. And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; 24. And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. 25. And he wrote a letter after this manner: 26. Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. 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. 28. And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: 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. 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. 31. Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32. On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: 33. Who, when they came to Cesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. 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; 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. Commentary: Acts 23:1, 2, And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until

5 this day. And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. I. This is the second of five defenses made by Paul between chapters 21-28, the end of the book of Acts. A. This present defense was made before the Jewish council, sandedrin as arranged by the chief captain. B. Paul looked stedfastly on the council undaunted, with courage and confidence without any sign of timidity. II. Paul said to his Jewish brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day. I have fulfilled my duty to God in good conscience. NIV 1. 1 Corinthians 4:4, For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 2. 2 Timothy 1:3, I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; 3. John 16:2, They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. III. The high priest, Ananias, because of this statement commanded those who stood by him to smite Paul on the mouth. A. Ananias was among the worst to ever hold the office of high priest. B. Ananias may then have been high priest or a former high priest who retained the honorary title of high priest.

6 C. Josephus named a Jonathan as being high priest during the governorship of Felix which includes the time of the present events. D. Ananias became high priest in A.D. 47 and held the office for eleven or twelve years. Acts 23:3, 4, 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? And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God s high priest? I. Paul did not recognize Ananias as the high priest and fired back at him after having been slapped: A. God will smite thee, thou whitewashed, whited wall; that is, hypocrite. 1. Ananias was killed by his own people at the beginning of the Jewish wars circa 66 A.D. 2. Matthew 23:27, Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men s bones, and of all uncleanness. 3. Jews whitewashed tombs so they would not inadvertently touch a tomb and become accidentally ceremonially unclean. B. You claim to be sitting there to judge me according to the law and then command me to be smitten contrary to the law of Moses!

7 1. Your actions kept me from recognizing you as high priest, Paul may have ironically been saying. 2. Paul again called this pompous priest a hypocrite! 3. It was unlawful to smite an uncondemned man. 4. John 18:22, And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? II. Some of those standing by criticized Paul by asking, Revilest thou God s high priest? A. Was the high priest above criticism, immune from being held responsible? B. Paul may not have recognized the high priest because: 1. this was not a formal meeting of the Sanhedrin. 2. the councilors may not have been seated in usual order. 3. they not have been dressed in their official robes. C. It was unlawful to revile a duly appointed religious authority such as a high priest. 1. Paul s enemies upheld some parts of the law more than others. 2. Which parts were observed and which parts were ignored depended on their disposition at the time.

8 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. I. Paul then stated he did not know the one who ordered him slapped was the high priest. II. Paul also said he knew the law had forbidden speaking evil of rulers of the people. A. Exodus 22:28, Thou shalt not revile thy God, nor curse the ruler of thy people. B. The office of high priest was to be respected even though the individuals holding that office were wicked or inept. III. Paul clearly saw there was no justice for him from the Jewish council! 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. I. When Paul saw a part of the audience were Pharisees and another part Sadducees, he cried out: II. I am a Pharisee, a son of a Pharisee: touching the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. A. Philippians 3:5, Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

9 B. Acts 22:3-5, I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. III. Paul set parts of his audience against others in his audience over the resurrection of the dead. A. The entire process revolved around Christ s resurrection from the dead! B. Paul masterfully turned his enemies against each other. C. Ordinarily the Sanhedrin consisted of a majority of Sadducees and a minority of Pharisees. Acts 23:7-9, And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. 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. I. There arose a division, dissension between Pharisees and Sadducees. A. Sadducees believed there is no resurrection, angel nor spirit. 1. Sadducees were staunch believers in the Pentateuch which affirmed the existence of angels. 2. Genesis 28:10-15, et. al. B. Pharisees believed in all these things.

10 1. John 5:28, 29, Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 2. John 11:24, Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 3. Daniel 12:2, And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 4. Matthew 22:30, For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. II. Some Pharisaical scribes spoke and made the point that an angel or spirit may very well have spoken to Paul. A. The Pharisees found no fault in Paul; that is, voted to acquit Paul. III. Paul asserted he was on trial because he believed in and hoped for the resurrection of the dead. A. It was all about the resurrection of Christ from the dead. 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. I. When there arose a great dissension, the meeting turned into chaos,

11 A. This was the third riot involving Paul in two days. B. The chief captain even now was unable to understand the cause for all this commotion. C. What kind of people were these Jews? the pagan Roman chief captain must have wondered. II. The chief captain commanded the soldiers to go down, take Paul by force and to bring him into the castle. A. This was the third time the chief captains had saved Paul s life in two days. III. The chief captain took this action because he feared Paul would be torn in pieces by the multitude. 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. I. The next night the Lord stood by Paul and told him, A. The Lord did not criticize Paul at all for going to Jerusalem. B. The Lord here comforted Paul. C. Paul surely needed comforting after two days of persecution in Jerusalem. II. Be of good cheer (take courage): as you have testified of me in Jerusalem, you will testify of me in Rome. A. Paul now knew he would not die presently in Jerusalem.

12 B. Paul now knew he would live to preach in Rome. C. His steadfast faithfulness and dedication were being rewarded. Acts 23:12-15, 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. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. 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. Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you tomorrow as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. I. The following day more than forty Jews put themselves under a curse: A. swearing not to eat or drink before they had killed Paul. This indicates their resolve to kill Paul. B. Jezebel. 1 Kings 19:2, Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time. II. These assassins reported what they had planned to do to the chief priests and elders. A. They must have known their plan would be favorably received by these wicked religionists. B. The forty assassins in secret agreement with the sandedrin would have posed a formidable danger. These terrorists planned a sneaky surprise attack.

13 III. The assassins asked the chief priests and elders to participate with them in this conspiracy to kill Paul. A. They asked the Jewish rulers to request that the chief captain bring Paul back before them under pretense that they wished to judge him more accurately. B. The assassins planned to kill Paul while he was being moved. C. This was similar to the attitude of the chief priests and elders thirty years before in regard to Jesus. IV. This conspiracy may well have succeeded had God not providentially intervened. 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. I. Paul s nephew, his sister s son, heard of the plot, entered the castle barracks, Fortress of Antonio and told Paul. A. We know little about Paul s family. B. Paul s sister s son must have been very young. 1. The chief captain took him by the hand as would be the case with a younger person, some think as young as twenty. 2. Why Paul s sister and nephew were in Jerusalem the Bible does not tell us. a. To say the least, their presence was providential!

14 Acts 23:17-19, 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. 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. 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? I. Paul called the centurian and asked him to take his nephew to the chief captain. A. Paul did not entrust the message to the centurian. B. He wanted to get the message to the ranking officer who had authority to take appropriate action. C. These centurians were customarily provided Roman citizens in situations like Paul s. II. This was because this young man had important information that affected Paul s case. III. The centurion faithfully did as he was asked by Paul. A. The chief captain took Paul s nephew aside privately and asked him what he had to tell him. B. The chief captain was a very good officer. C. He kept this information secret so that Paul s enemies would not learn of his knowledge of the situation and of his developing response plans.

15 Acts 23:20, 21, And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul tomorrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly. 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. I. Paul s nephew informed the chief captain of the plans by the Jews to kill Paul. A. Paul s nephew was certainly old enough to understand and precisely relate to this authority figure the exact situation. B. Paul s nephew advised the chief captain, Do not thou therefore yield unto them. Don t give in to them. C. Paul s nephew suggested the Jews would ask the chiliarch to bring Paul before them once again so that they might determine what wrongs Paul had done. Acts 23:22, So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast showed these things to me. I. The chief captain, tribune, chiliarch then released Paul s nephew. II. Paul s nephew was ordered to tell no one about his relating to the chief captain the information about the Jewish plot. Acts 23:23, 24, And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.

16 I. The chief captain massed a force of 470 men ready to leave for Caesaria at the third hour of that night for the purpose of delivering Paul safe to Governor Felix. A. Claudius Lysias did not want a Roman citizen in his custody killed! B. Because the Jews were seeking Paul s death, he would have eventually been transferred to Caesarea anyway C. This would leave 500 soldiers in Jerusalem to keep the peace and many of those deployed returned speedily to Jerusalem. II. Felix Marcus Antonius was governor, procurator of Judaea, a successor of Pontius Pilate. A. An interruption occurred in the governors of Judaea when Herod Antipas was on the throne. B. After Herod s death the Judaean governors were again appointed by Rome. C. Felix was governor from about 52 A.D. to 59 A.D. D. The arrest of Paul can be dated to 57 A.D. E. Romans was written in circa 55 A.D. approximately two years before his arrest. F. Felix was a wicked man who held Paul when he should have released him. He wanted a bribe from Paul. Felix also had Jonathan, a high priest, killed by Assassins.

17 Acts 23:25, 26, And he wrote a letter after this manner: Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. I. The chief captain, Claudius Lysias, wrote a letter to Felix delineating the recent events relating to Paul. II. The terms, To His Excellency, Governor Felix, expresses respect for the office and occupant in customary terms. A. Claudius Lysias would have gone far out of his way to show proper regard for the Roman Governor under whom he served. Acts 23:27-30, 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. And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: 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. 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. I. This man was seized by the Jews. II. The Jews were about to kill Paul. III. I and my soldiers rescued him. IV. I had learned he was a Roman. V. I wanted to know why the Jews were accusing him. VI. I brought him to their council.

18 VII. I found he was accused of violations of Jewish law. VIII. He had done nothing worthy of death or of bonds. IX. When it was shown to me that a plot was made against this man, X. I sent him forthwith to you. XI. I told his accusers to bring any charges they had against him to your court. Note: Paul was sent to Felix as a rescued Roman citizen, not as a criminal. An honest judge would have immediately released Paul. Not so with Felix. Acts 23:31-33, Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: Who, when they came to Cesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. I. The soldiers did as they had been commanded. A. They brought him by night to Antipatris. 1. Antipatris is 26 miles south of Caesaria. 2. It was built by Herod the Great in honor of his father, Antipater. 3. Antipatris is 38-42 miles from Jerusalem. B. The next day the soldiers returned to Jerusalem. 1. This was a forced march.

19 2. The situation was urgent. C. The horsemen continued to escort Paul to Caesaria. D. They delivered Paul and the letter from Claudius Lysias to Felix, a freedman, former slave, who had risen to power through the political influence of his brother, Pallas, who served in the court of Claudius, emporer of Rome. II. Philip, the evangelist, must have been surprised to see Paul back so soon and under these circumstances. Acts 23:34, 35, And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod s judgment hall. I. When Felix had read the letter from Claudius Lysias and had determined Paul was from his jurisdiction, he agreed to hear the case when Paul s accusers had arrived to make their charges. II. Paul was kept in Herod s palace while he awaited trial. 1. Evidently Paul was honorably treated and given the best lodging. 2. Paul was detained in Herod s palace in Caesaria for two years.

20 Questions Acts 23:1-35 1. Is a clear conscience proof that a person is doing right? Explain your answer. 2. When did God smite the High Priest? 3. Were the high priests above the law, above being held responsible for their actions? If not, who is above the law? 4. What action by Paul shows he was a superb speaker who was highly gifted in working a crowd? 5. How can it be said that Paul was being persecuted for his hope of the resurrection of the dead?

21 6. Paul was a Pharisee Christian. Is there a problem with a person being a Baptist Christian, a Methodist Christian, a Presbyterian Christian, et. al.? 7. What did the chief captain do to help Paul and why did he do this? 8. What did Jesus say to Paul the following night? 9. The Holy Spirit had told Paul of the troubles he would face at Jerusalem. Did Paul do wrong to go to Jerusalem on this occasion? 10. Who concocted a conspiracy against Paul and what was their plan? _

22 11. How was Paul s death averted? 12. Verse 15 suggests the Jews were to ask the chief captain to bring Paul before them again that they might judge him. Verse 20 suggests the Jews were gong to ask the chief captain to bring Paul back before then so that he would know what wrongs Paul had committed. Reconcile these statements. 13. Why did the chief captain order Paul s nephew to tell no one about the Jewish plot? 14. The called and commanded, Make ready to go as far as. Also make ready horsemen and spearmen. Beasts were provided on which would ride. Be ready to leave at p.m. Bring Paul safe to. 15. Who was Felix?

23 16. What was the name of the chief captain? 17. Describe the chief captain s character. 18. What eleven points did Claudius Lysias make in his letter to Felix? 19. Claudius Lysias put his own spin on one of these points. Which one was it and how did Claudius Lysias not state this point accurately? _ 20. When had read the letter from and had determined that Paul was of his agreed to hear the when Paul s Jewish accusers had come to to levy their charges.