Acts 23:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him.

NIV: He said: "Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him.

NASB: And he said, 'The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to the Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him.

CSB: "The Jews," he said, "have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as though they are going to hold a somewhat more careful inquiry about him.

NLT: Paul’s nephew told him, 'Some Jews are going to ask you to bring Paul before the high council tomorrow, pretending they want to get some more information.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him.

Paul is in the barracks of the Roman army in Jerusalem. While visiting the temple, Jews from modern-day Turkey wrongfully accused him of a crime against both the Mosaic and Roman laws. The Roman tribune took Paul into custody to keep him safe long enough to figure out what is going on (Acts 21:27–33).

Lysias, the tribune, is on his third day of investigating. During the first, he discovered the mob attacking Paul didn't know why they were doing so (Acts 21:33–34). The tribune let Paul speak to the crowd, but learned nothing from it (Acts 21:37—22:22). Back at the barracks, the tribune planned to beat the information out of Paul—until he found out Paul was a Roman citizen (Acts 22:24–29). The next day, the tribune took Paul to the Sanhedrin, the ruling Jewish council, to ask their perspective. All the tribune learned was that Paul can manipulate national religious leaders into a physical altercation (Acts 23:1–10).

The third day, Paul's nephew learns that the Sanhedrin is planning to pretend to bring Paul back so they can make a proper investigation. Normally, the tribune would be relieved; he needs to figure out if he should charge Paul with a crime. But Paul's nephew knows the invitation is a ruse. Forty zealous Jews plan on killing Paul on his way to the meeting (Acts 23:12–16). The young man warns the tribune. As law enforcement, the tribune has to protect Paul anyway, but since Paul is a Roman citizen he is doubly responsible for Paul's safety.

The tribune acts quickly. He swears the boy to secrecy and makes plans to "rescue" Paul by sending him to Caesarea Maritima, to the governor (Acts 23:22–24). He then conveniently forgets to attend the trial (Acts 24:22). Paul stays under house-arrest for two years before finally sailing to Rome (Acts 24:27).

Acts 23:12–22 shows Paul just how unwelcoming Jerusalem can be. False accusations and old religious-political differences have conspired to keep him incarcerated in the Roman barracks. Forty men gain the approval of the Sanhedrin to murder Paul. But Paul's nephew hears of their plan and tells the Roman tribune. The tribune swears him to secrecy as he makes plans for Paul to go to the governor: a man with higher legal authority and a larger army.

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.