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Acts 23

35 verses

TL;DR

Paul defends himself in the council, faces a plot to kill him, and is escorted to Felix’s court for safety.

Summary

In the first part, Paul addresses the council and publicly declares his Pharisaic background, sparking a dispute between Pharisees and Sadducees over the resurrection. The second section describes a Jewish conspiracy to murder Paul, prompting the chief captain to order him removed from the crowd and escorted to safety. A letter is drafted to Felix the governor, detailing the accusations and the threat against Paul, and soldiers are instructed to transport him to Caesarea. The third part covers the arrival of the letter at Felix’s court, his decision to keep Paul under secure custody, and the plan to have him heard by the court of Herod. Throughout, themes of religious conflict, persecution, and divine protection are evident.

Outline
  1. Paul’s address and sectarian dispute in the council.
  2. Jewish conspiracy to kill Paul and the chief captain’s intervention.
  3. Transfer to Felix via a protective letter and military escort.
Themes
Sectarian conflict between Pharisees and Sadducees.Persecution of early Christians.Divine protection amid human hostility.
Keywords
councilPhariseesSadduceesresurrectionFelixcaptainletterpersecutionprotection
People
PaulAnaniashigh priestchief captainFelixClaudius LysiascenturionssoldiersPaul’s sister’s son
Places
JerusalemAntipatrisCaesarea
Things
letter to Felixbeasts (horses)councilaccusationsoath of the conspirators
Key Verses
  • Acts 23:1-7: Paul’s public defense and the sectarian clash that sets the chapter in motion.
  • Acts 23:10-20: Reveals the violent plot against Paul and the chief captain’s protective action.
  • Acts 23:23-35: Shows the diplomatic letter to Felix and the strategic relocation of Paul.
Questions
  • Why did Paul choose to identify as a Pharisee during the council debate?
  • What motivated the chief captain to risk moving Paul out of the council?
  • How did the letter to Felix help safeguard Paul from Jewish hostility?
Sentiment

mixed
The passage contains both tension and a sense of divine assurance.