Acts 23:11

Acts 23:11

9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, ^a“We find no evil in this man; but ^bif a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, ^clet us not fight against God.”

10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.

The Plot Against Paul

11 But ^athe following night the Lord stood by him and said,¹ “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in ^bJerusalem, so you must also bear witness at ^cRome.”

12 And when it was day, ^asome of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had ^bkilled Paul.

13 Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy.

14 They came to the chief priests and ^aelders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.

15 Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you¹ tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

Commentaries:

Barnes' Notes

<< Acts 23:10

Acts 23:12 >>

The Lord stood by him - Evidently the Lord Jesus. See the notes on Acts 1:24. Compare Acts 22:18. The appearance of the Lord in this case was a proof that he approved the course which Paul had taken before the Sanhedrin.

Be of good cheer - It would not be remarkable if Paul, by these constant persecutions, should be dejected in mind. The issue of the whole matter was as yet doubtful. In these circumstances, it must have been especially consoling to him to hear these words of encouragement from the Lord Jesus, and this assurance that the object of his desires would be granted, and that he would be permitted to bear the same witness of him in Rome. Nothing else can comfort and sustain the soul in trials and persecutions but evidence of the approbation of God, and the promises of his gracious aid.

Bear witness also at Rome - This had been the object of his earnest wish Romans 1:10; Romans 15:23-24, and this promise of the Lord Jesus was fulfilled, Acts 28:30-31. The promise which was here made to Paul was not directly one of deliverance from the present persecution, but it implied that, and made it certain.

**Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Acts 23:11:**

Joel 2:28
Acts 25:3

<< Acts 23:10

Acts 23:12 >>

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