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Acts 23:1-10

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

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.

Acts 23:1-10 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 23:1

Theological / Devotional

Earnestly beholding. Gr. atenizō, “to fix one’s eyes upon,” “to look steadfastly at,” “to behold earnestly” (see Acts 1:10; 7:55; Luke 4:20; 22:56; see on Acts 13:9). Luke often uses the word to describe the expression on the face of one about to speak earnestly. It is used appropriately of Paul’s expression as the apostle gazes intently upon the highest Jewish assembly for the first time in a quarter of a century. There had no doubt been many changes in personnel during the years, but some faces Paul may have recognized (see ch. 23:5; see on ch. 23:5).

Men and brethren. See on ch. 1:16.

In all good conscience. This would be a very inclusive claim for any man to make. For Paul to make such a claim after years of disputing with Judaizers and their victims makes evident his own convictions with respect to his course of action. His conduct had been altogether in keeping with the will of God and with the law and the prophets (see chs. 24:14; 28:17). If Paul was right, his accusers were obviously wrong. Paul often refers to the conscience (Acts 24:16; Rom. 2:15; 13:5; 1 Cor. 10:25; 1 Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:3).

By SdaBc