Thematic Bible

Themes in Acts 23

NET

Themes in Acts 23

Acts 23:1 (show verse)

Paul looked directly at the council and said, "Brothers, I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God 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)

At that the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul 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 there judging me according to the law, and in violation of the law you 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)

Those standing near him said, "Do you dare insult 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)

Paul replied, "I did not realize, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, 'You must not speak evil about 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

Then when Paul noticed that part of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, he shouted out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the 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 argument began between the Pharisees and the 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 there is no resurrection, or angel, or 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)

There was a great commotion, and some experts in the law from the party of the Pharisees stood up and protested strongly, "We find nothing wrong with this man. What if 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)

When the argument became so great the commanding officer feared that they would tear Paul to pieces, he ordered the detachment to go down, 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)

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Have courage, for just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in 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)

When morning came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink anything 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 of them who formed this conspiracy.

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 the elders and said, "We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to partake of anything 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 and the council request the commanding officer to bring him down to you, as if you were going to determine his case by conducting a more thorough inquiry. We are ready to kill him before he comes near this 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 when the son of Paul's sister heard about the ambush, 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 and said, "Take this young man to the commanding officer, 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 the centurion took him and brought him to the commanding officer and said, "The prisoner Paul called 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 commanding officer took him by the hand, withdrew privately, and asked, "What is it that you want 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)

He replied, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as if they were going to inquire 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 let them persuade you to do this, because more than forty of them are lying in ambush for him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink anything until they have killed him, and now they are ready, waiting for you to agree to their request."

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)

Then the commanding officer sent the young man away, directing him, "Tell no one that you have reported these things to me."

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 he summoned two of the centurions and said, "Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea along with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen by nine o'clock tonight,

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)

and provide mounts for Paul to ride so that he may be brought 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)

He wrote a letter that went like this:

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 His Excellency Governor Felix, greetings.

Acts 23:27 (show verse)

This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him, when I came up with the detachment and rescued him, because I had learned that he was a Roman citizen.

Acts 23:28 (show verse)

Since I wanted to know what charge they were accusing him of, I brought him down to their council.

Acts 23:29 (show verse)

I found he was accused with reference to controversial questions about their law, but no charge against him deserved death or imprisonment.

Acts 23:30 (show verse)

When I was informed there would be a plot against this man, I sent him to you at once, also ordering his accusers to state their charges against him before you.

Acts 23:31 (show verse)

So the soldiers, in accordance 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)

The next day they let the horsemen go on with him, and 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 the horsemen came 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 the governor had read the letter, he asked what province he was from. 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 when your accusers arrive too." Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod's palace.

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