Thematic Bible

Themes in Acts 23

ALL

Themes in Acts 23

Acts 23:1 (show verse)

Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, “Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this 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)

The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him 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 sit to try me according to the Law, and 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 the bystanders said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”

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)

And Paul said, “I was not aware, brethren, 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 perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying out in the Council, “Brethren, 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)

As he said this, there occurred a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.

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 resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge 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)

And there occurred a great uproar; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began to argue heatedly, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has 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 a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into 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)

But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”

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)

When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor 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 who formed this plot.

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 came to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing 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)

Now therefore, you and the Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case by a more thorough investigation; and we for our part are ready to slay 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 ambush, and he came and entered 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)

Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Lead this young man to the commander, for he has something to report to 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 me to him and asked me to lead this young man to you since 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 inquire of him privately, “What is it that you have to report to 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 tomorrow to the Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him.

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)

So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you.”

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 go, instructing him, “Tell no one that you have notified me of these things.”

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

Acts 23:23 (show verse)

And he called to him two of the centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready by the third hour of the night to proceed to 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)

They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on 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 he wrote a letter having this form:

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)

“When this man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be slain by them, I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

Acts 23:28 (show verse)

“And wanting to ascertain the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their

Council;

Acts 23:29 (show verse)

and I found him to be accused over questions about their Law, but under no accusation deserving death or imprisonment.

Acts 23:30 (show verse)

“When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing his accusers to bring charges against him before you.”

Acts 23:31 (show verse)

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

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)

But 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 had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they 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)

When he had read it, he asked from what province he was, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia,

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 give you a hearing after your accusers arrive also,” giving orders for him to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium.

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