Tyndale Open Study NotesActs 23

When speaking to the Jewish high council (the Sanhedrin), Paul said he had lived with a clear conscience before God. He had not broken God’s law or done what they accused him of doing.

• Ananias was the Jewish high priest from AD 47 to 58.

• strike him: Ananias had the apostle struck because he thought Paul was lying and wanted to scare him.

you whitewashed wall: Compare Ezekiel 13:10–17; Matthew 23:27.

• It is unclear why Paul did not recognize the high priest.

• Paul responded by quoting Exodus 22:28, showing respect for the high priest's position.

Paul focused on the main issue in his trial: the hope of the resurrection (the belief that the dead will be raised to life). His preaching came from this hope and from the fact that Jesus had risen from the dead.

However, his message was not accepted by either group of Jews because of what it meant. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection, but they could not accept that Gentiles could be included among God’s people without circumcision and without keeping the law of Moses (see 15:5). Yet this is exactly what the resurrection of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit had made possible (see Acts 2:39; 10:34–48).

The Sadducees, on the other hand, did not believe in the resurrection at all. Because of this, they strongly opposed any teaching about the resurrection (see 4:1–2).

Paul's statement divided the Sanhedrin (23:6). The Pharisees supported Paul against the Sadducees. The disagreement was so intense that the commander rescued Paul and took him back to the fortress of Antonia.

At this important moment, Jesus encouraged Paul to continue as his faithful witness by assuring him that he would go to Rome (see 19:21).

The plan to kill Paul was desperate. More than 40 men took an oath (a strong promise) not to eat or drink until they had killed him (compare 1 Samuel 14:24–46; Matthew 14:6–11; see also Deuteronomy 23:21–23; Matthew 5:33–37; James 5:12).

Paul’s nephew stopped the plan to kill him by telling a Roman officer.

A large group riding horses safely brought Paul to the Roman governor Felix in Caesarea, the Roman headquarters for Judea. Paul would have more protection there than in Jerusalem. The soldiers carried out the mission that night with great care and secrecy (23:31).

Antonius Felix was the governor of Judea from about AD 52 to 59. He was in charge of both military and civil matters. Felix had a bad reputation and was eventually called back to Rome by Emperor Nero (see 24:24–27).

• The letter from Claudius Lysias to Governor Felix follows the common form of a Hellenistic letter (a standard Greek-style letter used in that time). It names the writer and the recipient, gives a greeting, and explains the main issue. However, it does not include a closing farewell (see study note on 15:29).

  The letter also summarizes the events leading up to it and explains the actions taken. It shows that the commander believed he had followed proper Roman legal procedures.

• His Excellency: This title was often used for people with high social, political, or economic status (Luke 1:3).

Antipatris was a city rebuilt by Herod the Great in 9 BC on the Plain of Sharon. It served as a strategic military control point between Jerusalem and Caesarea.

• The governor followed the correct steps and waited for Paul's accusers to arrive before having an official legal hearing.

• Herod's Praetorium: Herod’s headquarters was the palace built by Herod the Great in Caesarea. Later, this palace became the residence (official home) of the Roman governors of Judea.