Thematic Bible
Acts 23:1 (show verse)
Paul beheld the council and said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day."
Acts 23:2 (show verse)
The high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by, to smite him on the mouth.
Acts 23:3 (show verse)
Then said Paul to him, "God shall smite thee, thou painted wall. Sittest thou and judgest me after the law: and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?"
Acts 23:4 (show verse)
And they that stood by said, "Revilest thou God's high priest?"
Acts 23:5 (show verse)
Then said Paul, "I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest. For it is written, 'Thou shalt not curse the ruler of thy people.'"
Acts 23:6 (show verse)
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 hope, and of resurrection from death I am judged."
Acts 23:7 (show verse)
And when he had so said, there arose a debate between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the multitude was divided.
Acts 23:8 (show verse)
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit. But the Pharisees grant both.
Acts 23:9 (show verse)
And there arose a great cry, and the scribes which were of the Pharisees' part arose and strove, saying, "We find none evil in this man. Though a spirit, or an angel hath appeared to him, let us not strive against God."
Acts 23:10 (show verse)
And when there arose great debate, the captain fearing lest Paul should have been plucked asunder of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
Acts 23:11 (show verse)
The night following God stood by him, and said, "Be of good cheer Paul: For as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness at Rome."
Acts 23:12 (show verse)
When day was come, certain of the Jews gathered themselves together, and made a vow saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
Acts 23:13 (show verse)
They were about forty which had made this conspiration.
Acts 23:14 (show verse)
And they came to the chief priest and elders, and said, "We have bound ourselves with a vow, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.
Acts 23:15 (show verse)
Now therefore give ye knowledge to the upper captain, and to the council that he bring him forth unto us tomorrow, as though we would know some thing more perfectly of him. But we, or ever he come near, are ready in the mean season to kill him."
Acts 23:16 (show verse)
When Paul's sister's son heard of their laying await, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
Acts 23:17 (show verse)
And Paul called one of the under captains unto him, and said, "Bring this young man unto the high captain: for he hath a certain thing to show him."
Acts 23:18 (show verse)
And he took him, and led him to the high captain, and said, "Paul the prisoner called me unto him and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, which hath a certain matter to show thee."
Acts 23:19 (show verse)
The high captain took him by the hand, and went apart with him out of the way, and asked him, "What hast thou to say unto me?"
Acts 23:20 (show verse)
And he said, "The Jews are determined to desire thee that thou wouldest bring forth Paul tomorrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
Acts 23:21 (show verse)
But follow not their minds: for there lie in wait for him of them, more than forty men, which have bound themselves with a vow, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now are they ready, and look for thy promise."
Acts 23:22 (show verse)
The upper captain let the young man depart and charged him, "See thou tell it out to no man that thou hast showed these things to me."
Acts 23:23 (show verse)
And he called unto him two under captains, saying, "Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten. And spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night.
Acts 23:24 (show verse)
And deliver them beasts that they may put Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the high deputy;
Acts 23:25 (show verse)
and wrote a letter in this manner,
Acts 23:26 (show verse)
"Claudius Lysias unto the most mighty ruler Felix sendeth greetings.
Acts 23:27 (show verse)
This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: Then came I with soldiers, and rescued him, and perceived that he was a Roman.
Acts 23:28 (show verse)
And when I would have known the cause, wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council.
Acts 23:29 (show verse)
There perceived I that he was accused of questions of their law: but was not guilty of any thing worthy of death, or of bonds.
Acts 23:30 (show verse)
Afterward, when it was showed me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent him straightway to thee: and gave commandment to his accusers, if they had ought against him, to tell it unto thee. Farewell."
Acts 23:31 (show verse)
Then the soldiers as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
Acts 23:32 (show verse)
On the morrow they left horsemen to go with him, and returned unto the castle.
Acts 23:33 (show verse)
Which when they came to Caesarea, they delivered the epistle to the deputy, and presented Paul before him.
Acts 23:34 (show verse)
When the deputy had read the letter, he asked of what country he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia,
Acts 23:35 (show verse)
"I will hear thee," said he, "when thine accusers are come also." And commanded him to be kept in Herod's palace.