Acts Chapter 23

Acts 23

PAUL's second defence: Justification under Moses law is impossible

1 Moreover, Paul looked intently at the joint Council, and said, fellow men and brethren, I have behaved as a citizen, in all good moral-consciousness of God, as far as this day.

2 howbeit; Ananiah, the high-priest orders, those standing beside him, to smite his mouth.

3 At this time, Paul said to him: oh God! So, you are about to smite a wall covered with dust. Even you, who are to judge/try me according to the law, are sitting down violating the law. Why will you give order to smite me?

4 however, those standing by, say, why are you insulting the High-priest of God?

5 so, Paul make his thought known: I am not aware brethren, that he is the High-Priest; because, it is written that, you shall speak no evil of the Rulers of people (Ex 22:28)

PAUL, a smart and experienced lawyer, toll a path of the weakness of the law-custodians.

6 Moreover, Paul absolutely knows, that one section is of Sadducees, and another of Pharisees, so, he screams within the joint-council, fellow men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, and a son of a Pharisee; I am being sued/tried concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead.

7 having preached this way, there happens to be a dissension, and the same multitude of Sadducees and Pharisees splitted, 

8 for, the Sadducees says, there is neither angel, nor spirit, so, no resurrection, but the Pharisees indeed profess both.

9 so, there happened to be a great tumult, even some scribes of the Pharisees section, stand up, fighting, saying, nothing evil is found in this man, what of, if a spirit or an angel has preached to him? + we will never be a God-fighter+ (Act 5:39)

10 Moreover, there happens to be much controversy, and the chiliArch was afraid of not pulling Paul apart by them, so, he ordered army to descend, and catch him away (harparzo) from their midst and bring him to the barracks.

The third Account of the visit of The Lord Jesus to Paul on the challenges of the thorns in the flesh

11 however, the following night, the Lord stands by him, and says, have courage, as you testify fully about Me in Jerusalem, you Must even testify in Rome in this way.

A plot to kill Paul exposed 

12 Moreover, it happens to be daytime, there is a twisting together by the Jews who do things to excommunicate themselves, saying, they will neither eat, nor drink, until they kill Paul.

13 however, there are more than forty, making this conspiracy,

14 some of who come near the high-priest and Presbyterians, saying, we have put a ban of excommunication (anathema) on ourselves, not eat anything, which will be until they kill Paul.

15 therefore now, you, together with the Presbyterians should plainly inform the ChiliArch to bring him down to you anyhow, as though you intend to accurately know things concerning him: so, we will be in front and be ready to kill him as he draws near. 

16 however, a son of Paul's sister heard of the ambush plan, and came around and entered into the barracks, and reported to Paul.

17 so, Paul summoned one of the centurions, and make known his thought: take this young man to the ChiliArch, for, he has something to report to him.

18 then, having accepted him, he was indeed led to the ChiliArch who make his thought known: Paul, the prisoner, summons me, and request to bring this young-man to you, he has something to preach to you.

19 So, the ChilliArch lay hold of his hand, and withdraw privately on his own. Asking, what is it you have to report to me?

20 Moreover, he says, that the Jews have agreed to ask you, to bring Paul down unto the joint council anyhow tomorrow, like they intend to accurately search for something concerning him,

21 therefore, you should not be convinced by them, for more than forty men of them have laid ambush for him, some of who put themselves aside on oath, neither to eat nor drink, which will be until they kill him; and now they are ready, to admit a promise from you.

22 therefore, the chiliArch dismiss the young man, and indeed commanded that this thing disclosed to me should be divulged to no-one.

The ChilliArch sent Paul to Governor Felix with a letter 

23 and he says to certain person to summon two centurions, to prepare two hundreds soldiers anyhow and go as fas as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen/calvary corps and two hundreds guards-men, away from the third hour of the night (9pm).

24 and an animal, standing by, at least for Paul to mount upon, to rescue him towards Governor Felix (happy),

25 having written a letter, that have this pattern,

26 (from ) Lysias Claudius to the Most excellent/Strongest Governor Felix, Cheer.

27 This man, was captured by the Jews, and about to be killed by them. And I stood up together with the soldiers to deliver him, having leant that he is a Roman.

28 and willing to discern the cause because of which they accuse him, I brought him down to their Joint council;

29 whom I found accused concerning a debate on their law; and not having any offence worthy of death or chains. 

30 however, it was disclosed to me, there is a plot unto the man, so, at once, I dispatch him to you, and instruct the complainants to speak to you upon him...

31 Therefore, with respect to him, the soldiers have indeed been given order, to take over Paul and be led away by night through Antipatris (in Palestine).

32 However, to have let the horsemen go away with him, they will return to the barracks upon the next morning. 

33 some of who entered into Caesarea, and hand over the letter to the Governor (hegemoni) and present Paul to him.

34 so, having read it, he demanded from what kind of province is he from, and as asked; he is from Cilicia.

35 and he make his thoughts known: I will patiently listen to you, whenever your accusers arrive. And he commands to preserve him in Herod Praetorium.