Acts 23:6

Acts 23:6 (NKJV)

6 But when Paul perceived that 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; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”

Paul says: I am a Pharisee. Present Tense. I thought he was a Christian. Why does he say that?

Because the beliefs of the Pharisees did not go contrary as to what Paul knows as a Christian. Pharisees believe in a resurrection from the dead. Pharisees believe in angels and spirits. Paul believed all those things. And he tells those present I am being judged because I believe this way.

Acts 23:7 (NKJV)

7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.

Paul is using a strategy of divide and conquer. Paul is saying that I side with the Pharisees.

Acts 23:8 (NKJV)

8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.

The Sadducees did not believe in any of those things. They went by the first five Books of the Bible. They felt the other books might be good advice but that was not God’s Word. And you could not elevate them to the level of the first five books. And they said that since you cannot find anything in the first five books that speaks of the resurrection and afterlife that it did not exist.

In the Bible it is not a far strength to see a Pharisee come to know Christ. Paul did. Nicodemus did. Joseph of Arimathea came to know Christ.

But in the Bible not a single Sadducee is shown coming to now Christ. And I believe it is because they would have to abandon their whole theology.

Acts 23:9 (NKJV)

9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”

It became a very heated discussion. The Pharisees saying that they found nothing wrong with him. And of course, the Sadducees can find a lot wrong with Paul.

Acts 23:10 (NKJV)

10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.

The commander now knowing Paul is a Roman citizen can not let anything happen to him. So he ordered them to get Paul and bring him back into the barracks.

Acts 23:11 NKJV

But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

This was not a dream or vision or a trance. I Believe Jesus comes and stands right beside Paul.

Be of good cheer meaning is to take Courage.

Matthew 14:25–27 (NKJV)

25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Take courage Paul because no one can kill you because I am sending you to Rome to testify for me.

Acts 23:12 (NKJV)

12 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.

What I see is that we have a right on time God. At the crack this group of men banded together to kill Paul.

But God came to Paul the night before and you you are going to Rome.

Now who do you think is going to win this confrontation- God or these men.

Acts 23:13–15 (NKJV)

13 Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy. 14 They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

Now this plot is not going to work from the start. Do you really wanted 40 people involved? Because the more people involved the better chance that someone will spill the plot.

So the plot is that you request the commander to bring him down from Antonio’s fortress and between there we will kill him.

A side note what is going to happen to these men who made the vow. According to the Talmud if you make a vow and it is a question or whether you eat or whether you live. Live is more important so you can go to the priest and he will resolve you of your vow.

Acts 23:16 (NKJV)

16 So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.

The first mention of Paul having family in Jerusalem. He has a sister who has a son and that would be Paul’s nephew. The nephew went into the barracks and told Paul of the plot.

Acts 23:17–18 NKJV

Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.” So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you.”

Young man- means that he is probably a teenager

Acts 23:19–22 (NKJV)

19 Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

20 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. 21 But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you.”

22 So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”

We are not told how Paul’s nephew finds out but there are 40 guys trying to keep a secret.

The commander sends the young man on his way with the instructions not to tell any one.

Acts 23:23–24 NKJV

And he called for two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night; and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”

He calls two centurions and tell them to prepare 200 soldiers,200 spearmen and 70 horsemen. 470 total to leave at 9:00 p.m. to bring Paul to Felix, the Governor. It is a trip of about 35 miles to Caesarea.

Acts 23:25–35 (NKJV)

25 He wrote a letter in the following manner:

26 Claudius Lysias,

To the most excellent governor Felix:

Greetings.

27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. 28 And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council. 29 I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains. 30 And when it was told me that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him immediately to you, and also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him.

Farewell.

31 Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the barracks. 33 When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34 And when the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will hear you when your accusers also have come.” And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium.