Thematic Bible

Themes in Acts 23

AMP

Themes in Acts 23

Acts 23:1 (show verse)

Then Paul, looking intently at the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), said, “Kinsmen, I have lived my life before God with a perfectly good conscience until this very day.”

Conscience » General references to
Conscience » Without spiritual illumination, a false guide
Court » Accused spoke in his own defense
Court » Contempt of
Defense » Of paul
The high priest » Duties of » Presiding in the superior court
Obedience » Instances of » Paul
Paul » Is brought before the sanhedrin; his defense
Priest » The function he served was superior to that of other priests » Judicial
Priest » Miscellaneous facts concerning » Paul brought before

Acts 23:2 (show verse)

[At this] the high priest Ananias ordered those who stood beside him to strike Paul on the mouth.

Ananias » High priest, accuses paul
Ananias » High priest, before whom paul was tried
Court » Accused spoke in his own defense
Court » Contempt of
Defense » Of paul
The high priest » Duties of » Presiding in the superior court
Injustice » Examples of
religious Intolerance » The jewish leaders » In persecuting paul
Paul » Is brought before the sanhedrin; his defense
Priest » The function he served was superior to that of other priests » Judicial
Priest » Miscellaneous facts concerning » Paul brought before
Rulers' » Wicked » Instances of » Ananias, the high priest, commanding to strike paul
Smiting » Of the righteous, general references to
Suffering for righteousness' sake » Of the jews smiting of the righteous » General references to

Acts 23:3 (show verse)

Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you actually sit to judge me according to the Law, and yet in violation of the Law order me to be struck?”

Ananias » High priest, before whom paul was tried
Anger » Instances of » Paul, toward ananias
Court » Accused spoke in his own defense
Court » Contempt of
Defense » Of paul
The high priest » Duties of » Presiding in the superior court
the Law of moses » Divided into » Civil, relating to administration of justice
Paul » Is brought before the sanhedrin; his defense
Priest » The function he served was superior to that of other priests » Judicial
Priest » Miscellaneous facts concerning » Paul brought before
Reproof » Faithfulness in » Paul, of ananias, the high priest
Sin » Defined » Denunciation of
Walls » Illustrative » (whited,) of hypocrites

Acts 23:4 (show verse)

But those who stood near Paul said, “Are you insulting the high priest of God?”

Ananias » High priest, before whom paul was tried
Court » Accused spoke in his own defense
Court » Contempt of
Defense » Of paul
The high priest » Duties of » Presiding in the superior court
The high priest » Was called » God's high priest
Paul » Is brought before the sanhedrin; his defense
Priest » The function he served was superior to that of other priests » Judicial
Priest » Miscellaneous facts concerning » Paul brought before
Reviling and reproaching » Of rulers specially forbidden

Acts 23:5 (show verse)

Paul said, “I was not aware, brothers, that he was high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

Ananias » High priest, before whom paul was tried
Civic duties » To honour rulers
Court » Accused spoke in his own defense
Court » Contempt of
Defense » Of paul
The high priest » Duties of » Presiding in the superior court
The high priest » Was called » Ruler of the people
Magistrates » Their office to be respected
Paul » Is brought before the sanhedrin; his defense
Priest » The function he served was superior to that of other priests » Judicial
Priest » Miscellaneous facts concerning » Paul brought before
Priest » The function he served was superior to that of other priests » Respect due to
Respect » Due to rulers
Reverence » For parents » For rulers
Reviling and reproaching » Of rulers specially forbidden
Rulers' » Of israel » To be reverenced
Social duties » In relation to food in relation to speech » To honour rulers
The Nation » Ps 137; ro 13 miscellaneous topics relating to, government, kings, rulers, etc » To honour rulers

But recognizing that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began affirming loudly in the Council chamber, “Kinsmen, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!”

Court » Accused spoke in his own defense
Defense » Of paul
Diplomacy » Instances of » Paul, in arraying the pharisees and sadducees against each other at his trial
Discretion » Leads to tactfulness
Hope » Objects of » A resurrection
Paul » A zealous pharisee
Pharisees » Paul, a pharisee
Pharisees » Concerning the resurrection
Pharisees » By descent, especially esteemed
Prudence » Exemplified » Paul
Prudence » Instances of » Paul » In turning the jewish sects against each other
The Resurrection » The preaching of, caused » Persecution
Sadducees » The resurrection a cause of dispute between them and the pharisees
jewish Sects » Pharisees
Tact » Paul » In putting the two religious factions of the jews against each other when he was in trouble

Acts 23:7 (show verse)

When he said this, an angry dispute erupted between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the [whole crowded] assembly was divided [into two factions].

Court » Accused spoke in his own defense
Diplomacy » Instances of » Paul, in arraying the pharisees and sadducees against each other at his trial
Sadducees » Reject the doctrine of the resurrection
Sadducees » The resurrection a cause of dispute between them and the pharisees
Strife » Instances of » Pharisees and sadducees, concerning the general resurrection
Strife » Exemplified » Pharisees and sadducees
Tact » Paul » In putting the two religious factions of the jews against each other when he was in trouble

Acts 23:8 (show verse)

For the Sadducees say that there is no [such thing as a] resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees [speak out freely and] acknowledge [their belief in] them all.

Diplomacy » Instances of » Paul, in arraying the pharisees and sadducees against each other at his trial
Infidelity » Doubters » Materialism, instances of
Pharisees » Concerning the resurrection
Pharisees » Believed in the resurrection, &c
The Resurrection » Denied by the sadducees
Sadducees » Reject the doctrine of the resurrection
Sadducees » The resurrection a cause of dispute between them and the pharisees
jewish Sects » Sadducees
Strife » Instances of » Pharisees and sadducees, concerning the general resurrection
Tact » Paul » In putting the two religious factions of the jews against each other when he was in trouble

Acts 23:9 (show verse)

Then a great uproar occurred, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and began to argue heatedly [in Paul’s favor], saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has [really] spoken to him?”

Diplomacy » Instances of » Paul, in arraying the pharisees and sadducees against each other at his trial
God » Fellowship with » Fighting against
Pharisees » Many rulers, lawyers, and scribes were of
Sadducees » The resurrection a cause of dispute between them and the pharisees
Scribes » Modern » Were frequently pharisees
Strife » Causes of » General examples of
Strife » Instances of » Pharisees and sadducees, concerning the general resurrection
Tact » Paul » In putting the two religious factions of the jews against each other when he was in trouble

Acts 23:10 (show verse)

And as the dissension became even greater, the commander, fearing that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, ordered the troops to go down and forcibly take him from them, and bring him to the barracks.

Castle » A tower
Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Diplomacy » Instances of » Paul, in arraying the pharisees and sadducees against each other at his trial
Paul » Is returned to the fortress
Strife » Instances of » Pharisees and sadducees, concerning the general resurrection
Tact » Paul » In putting the two religious factions of the jews against each other when he was in trouble

Acts 23:11 (show verse)

On the following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Be brave; for as you have solemnly and faithfully witnessed about Me at Jerusalem, so you must also testify at Rome.”

Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Dream » Instances of » Relating to his going to rome
Encouragement » General references to
Jesus Christ » History of » Appears to paul (on the road to damascus)
Paul » The man of vision » The vision of work in the capital of the world
Paul » Is encouraged by a vision from God, promising him that he will give testimony in rome

Acts 23:12 (show verse)

Now when day came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath (curse), saying that they would not eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Conspiracy » General examples of
Conspiracy » Instances of » Paul
Hatred » Examples of » The jews
Malice » Instances of » Jews toward paul
Paul » Jewish leaders conspire against his life
Plotting » General examples of
Revenge » Exemplified
Revenge » Exemplified » By the chief priests
Revenge » Revenge, the spirit of, manifested » Jews toward paul
Vows » Instances of » Of the jews, to kill paul

Acts 23:13 (show verse)

There were more than forty [men] who formed this plot [and swore this oath].

Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Conspiracy » Instances of » Paul
Paul » Jewish leaders conspire against his life
Vows » Instances of » Of the jews, to kill paul

Acts 23:14 (show verse)

They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath not to taste anything [neither food nor drink] until we have killed Paul.

Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Conspiracy » Instances of » Paul
Paul » Jewish leaders conspire against his life
Vows » Instances of » Of the jews, to kill paul

Acts 23:15 (show verse)

So now you, along with the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), notify the commander to bring Paul down to you, as if you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly. But we are ready to kill him before he comes near [the place].”

Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Conspiracy » Instances of » Paul
Dissimulation » Examples of
Duplicity » Dissimulation, examples of
Paul » Jewish leaders conspire against his life
Vows » Instances of » Of the jews, to kill paul

Acts 23:16 (show verse)

But the son of Paul’s sister heard of their [planned] ambush, and he went to the barracks and told Paul.

Castle » A tower
Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Friendship » Instances of » Paul and his nephew
Paul » This plan is thwarted by his nephew

Acts 23:17 (show verse)

Then Paul, calling in one of the centurions, said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.”

Armies » March in ranks » Roman army » Centurions
Change of venue » Granted paul
Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Paul » This plan is thwarted by his nephew

Acts 23:18 (show verse)

So he took him and led him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called for me and asked me to bring this young man to you, because he has something to tell you.”

Change of venue » Granted paul
Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Paul » This plan is thwarted by his nephew

Acts 23:19 (show verse)

The commander took him by the hand and stepping aside, began to ask him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

Change of venue » Granted paul
Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Paul » This plan is thwarted by his nephew

Acts 23:20 (show verse)

And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) tomorrow, as if they were going to interrogate him more thoroughly.

Change of venue » Granted paul
Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Paul » This plan is thwarted by his nephew
The Roman empire » Allusions to judicial affairs of » Accused person protected from popular violence

Acts 23:21 (show verse)

But do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him, and they have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. Even now they are ready, just waiting for your promise.”

Change of venue » Granted paul
Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Oaths » Example of rash
Oaths » Instances of rash, &c » The jews who sought to kill paul
Paul » This plan is thwarted by his nephew

Acts 23:22 (show verse)

So the commander let the young man leave, instructing him, “Do not tell anyone that you have given me this information.”

Change of venue » Granted paul
Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Paul » This plan is thwarted by his nephew

Acts 23:23 (show verse)

Then summoning two of the centurions, he said, “Have two hundred soldiers ready by the third hour of the night (9:00 p.m.) to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen;

Armies » March in ranks » Roman army » Centurions
Armies » March in ranks » Escort duty performed by
Armies » Were composed of » Spearmen or heavy troops
Caesarea » The home of » Felix
Caesarea » By roman soldiers to be tried by felix
Change of venue » Granted paul
Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Jerusalem » Roman government transferred from, to caesarea
Night » Divided into hours
Paul » Is escorted to caesarea by a military guard
The Roman empire » Allusions to military affairs of » Different military officers, &c
Soldiers » Perform escort duty
Spears » Those who used, called spearmen

Acts 23:24 (show verse)

also provide mounts for Paul to ride, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”

Armies » March in ranks » Escort duty performed by
Caesarea » The home of » Felix
Caesarea » By roman soldiers to be tried by felix
Change of venue » Granted paul
Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Felix » Paul tried before
Paul » Is escorted to caesarea by a military guard
The Roman empire » Allusions to judicial affairs of » Accused person protected from popular violence
The Roman empire » Allusions to military affairs of » Different military officers, &c

Acts 23:25 (show verse)

And [after instructing the centurions] he wrote a letter to this effect:

Caesarea » By roman soldiers to be tried by felix
Change of venue » Granted paul
Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Felix » Paul tried before
Letters » Claudius lysias to felix
Paul » Is escorted to caesarea by a military guard
The Roman empire » Allusions to judicial affairs of » Accused person protected from popular violence

Acts 23:26 (show verse)

“Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, greetings.

Acts 23:27 (show verse)

This man was seized [as a prisoner] by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, when I came upon him with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen.

Acts 23:28 (show verse)

And wanting to know the exact charge which they were making against him, I brought him down to their Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court);

Acts 23:29 (show verse)

and I discovered that he was accused in regard to questions and issues in their Law, but [he was] under no accusation that would call for the penalty of death or [even] for imprisonment.

Acts 23:30 (show verse)

When I was told that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you immediately, also directing his accusers to bring their charges against him before you.”

Acts 23:31 (show verse)

So the soldiers, in compliance with their orders, took Paul and brought him to Antipatris during the night.

Antipatris » A city » Samaria
Armies » March in ranks » Escort duty performed by
Caesarea » By roman soldiers to be tried by felix
Change of venue » Granted paul
Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Felix » Paul tried before
Paul » Is escorted to caesarea by a military guard
modern Samaria » Cities of, mentioned in scripture » Antipatris
Soldiers » Perform escort duty

Acts 23:32 (show verse)

And the next day, leaving the horsemen to go on with him, they returned to the barracks.

Armies » March in ranks » Escort duty performed by
Caesarea » By roman soldiers to be tried by felix
Castle » A tower
Change of venue » Granted paul
Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Felix » Paul tried before
Paul » Is escorted to caesarea by a military guard
Soldiers » Perform escort duty

Acts 23:33 (show verse)

When these [horsemen] reached Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor, and also presented Paul to him.

Armies » March in ranks » Escort duty performed by
Caesarea » By roman soldiers to be tried by felix
Change of venue » Granted paul
Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Felix » Paul tried before
Paul » Is escorted to caesarea by a military guard
Soldiers » Perform escort duty

Acts 23:34 (show verse)

After reading the letter, he asked which province Paul was from, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia [an imperial province],

Caesarea » By roman soldiers to be tried by felix
Change of venue » Granted paul
Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Felix » Paul tried before
Judge » Kings and other rulers as
The Roman empire » Judea a province of, under a procurator or a governor

Acts 23:35 (show verse)

he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers have arrived,” giving orders that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s Praetorium (the governor’s official residence).

Caesarea » By roman soldiers to be tried by felix
Change of venue » Granted paul
Claudius lysius » Sends paul to felix
Felix » Paul tried before
Herods of the new testament » Successors of the kingdom of herod the great was divided between his sons » Archelaus succeeded to judea and samaria
Judge » Kings and other rulers as
Paul » Is confined in herod's judgment hall in caesarea
Pretorium » Also called praetorium, common hall, judgment hall, and palace
The Roman empire » Allusions to judicial affairs of » Accusers and accused confronted together