Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
The night following (th epioush nukti). Locative case, on the next (following) night.
The Lord (o kuriov). Jesus. Paul never needed Jesus more than now. On a previous occasion the whole church prayed for Peter's release (Acts 12:5), but Paul clearly had no such grip on the church as that, though he had been kindly welcomed (Acts 21:18). In every crisis Jesus appears to him (cf. Acts 18:9). It looked dark for Paul till Jesus spoke. Once before in Jerusalem Jesus spoke words of cheer (Acts 22:18). Then he was told to leave Jerusalem. Now he is to have "cheer" or "courage" (qarsei). Jesus used this very word to others (Matthew 9:2, Matthew 9:22; Mark 10:49). It is a brave word.
Thou hast testified (diemarturw). First aorist middle indicative second person singular of diamarturomai, strong word (see on Acts 22:18).
Must thou (se dei). That is the needed word and on this Paul leans. His hopes (Acts 19:21) of going to Rome will not be in vain. He can bide Christ's time now. And Jesus has approved his witness in Jerusalem.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Acts 23:11:
Acts 4:1
Acts 16:11
Acts 18:10
Acts 19:21
Acts 23:17
Acts 25:11
Acts 26:16
Acts 27:24
Acts 28:14
Acts 28:15
2 Peter 1:15
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