Acts 23:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

NIV: The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

NASB: When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and put themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

CSB: When it was morning, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

NLT: The next morning a group of Jews got together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

When the New Testament uses the phrase "the Jews," it typically means Jewish spiritual leaders, like the scribes. It's unclear who exactly is meant in this passage, although it may be the Jews from around Ephesus who accused Paul in the temple (Acts 21:27–29). Zealous Jews from this same region were responsible for Stephen's death (Acts 6:9). Despite living in modern-day Turkey, they are passionate for Judaism and consider Christianity heresy.

After their accusation and attack on Paul, the Roman tribune intervened (Acts 21:30–34) and eventually took Paul to the Sanhedrin for a formal investigation. The meeting was eventful but unproductive as Paul insulted the high priest and caused a fight (Acts 23:1–11). The forty Jews find the Sanhedrin willing partners in their plot; they even try to implicate the tribune by asking him to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin so they can ambush him along the way (Acts 23:13–15).

Throughout his ministry, Paul develops a relatively good relationship with Roman military members. In large part, this is likely due to his citizenship. The tribune has already rescued Paul from a murderous mob at the temple and the Sanhedrin who tried to tear Paul apart. A centurion prevented Paul from being scourged and another will stop soldiers who want to kill Paul during a storm (Acts 22:25–26; 27:42–43). When Paul finally gets to Rome, he will be chained to a series of soldiers who will bring his message about Jesus to Caesar's personal guard (Philippians 4:22). Now, thanks to Paul's nephew who hears about the conspiracy, the tribune will rescue Paul again by sending him to the governor in Caesarea Maritima. Paul will stay there under house arrest for two years before he can make his way to Rome (Acts 23:23–24; 24:27; 28:16).

Oaths are common in the Old Testament and typically take the form of "May God do to me and more also if I don't…" (Ruth 1:17; 1 Samuel 3:17; 14:44; 1 Kings 19:2). Fulfilling a vow was a matter of honor, but there were circumstances in which a vow could be excused. The Mishnah Nedarim 3 says, "Four types of vows the Sages have invalidated: Vows of incentive, vows of exaggeration, vows in error, and vows [broken] under pressure… Vows [broken] under pressure: if one subjected his neighbor to a vow to eat with him, and then he or his son fell sick, or a river prevented him [from coming] such is a vow [broken] under pressure." So, if the vow is unfillable because of circumstances beyond the vower's control, like the tribune sending Paul away, the vow can be broken.

Acts 23 continues the tribune's attempt to discover why a mob of Jews suddenly turned violent and attacked Paul (Acts 21:27–33). He takes Paul to the Sanhedrin to see if they understand what his crime is. Paul barely begins his story when he is slapped for impudence. He disrespects the high priest and starts a fight between the Pharisees and Sadducees. The next day, a group of forty Jews invite the Sanhedrin to help them murder Paul. Paul's nephew reports the plot to the tribune who gives up and sends Paul to the governor. The governor awaits Paul's accusers for trial.

Jews from near Ephesus accused Paul of bringing a Gentile into the temple and incited a crowd to attack him. The tribune saved Paul but couldn't uncover the reason for the violence; most of the mob didn't know, and Paul was a Roman citizen, so the tribune couldn't beat the truth out of him (Acts 21—22). When the Sanhedrin would rather murder Paul than talk to him, the tribune sends Paul to the governor. The governor holds Paul without charges for so long he invokes his right to a trial before Caesar. The governor agrees, and Paul finally gets to Rome (Acts 24—28).

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.