Acts 23:12-24

12Now 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.

13There were more than forty [men] who formed this plot [and swore this oath].

14They 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.

15So 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].”

16But the son of Paul’s sister heard of their [planned] ambush, and he went to the barracks and told Paul.

17Then Paul, calling in one of the centurions, said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.”

18So 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.”

19The commander took him by the hand and stepping aside, began to ask him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

20And 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.

21But 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.”

22So the commander let the young man leave, instructing him, “Do not tell anyone that you have given me this information.”

23Then 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;

24also provide mounts for Paul to ride, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”