Acts 23
1
And looking intently at the council, Paul said, "Brothers, x I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day."
2
And the high priest y Ananias commanded those who stood by him z to strike him on the mouth.
3
Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you a whitewashed b wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet c contrary to the law you c order me to be struck?"
4
Those who stood by said, "Would you revile d God's high priest?"
5
And Paul said, e "I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, f 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"
6
Now when Paul perceived that one part were g Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, h I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is i with respect to the j hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial."
7
And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
8
For the Sadducees k say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.
9
Then a great clamor arose, and some of l the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, m "We find nothing wrong in this man. What n if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?"
10
And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into o the barracks.
11
p The following night q the Lord stood by him and said, r "Take courage, for s as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must t testify also in Rome."
12
When it was day, u the Jews made a plot and v bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13
There were more than forty who made this conspiracy.
14
They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.
15
Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near."
16
Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered w the barracks and told Paul.
17
Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him."
18
So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, "Paul x the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you."
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The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?"
20
And he said, y "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him.
21
But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who z have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent."
22
So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, "Tell no one that you have informed me of these things."
23
Then he called two of the centurions and said, "Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.
24
Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to a Felix b the governor."
25
And he wrote a letter to this effect:
26
"Claudius Lysias, to c his Excellency the governor Felix, d greetings.
27
e This man was seized by the Jews and f was about to be killed by them f when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, g having learned that he was a Roman citizen.
28
And h desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council.
29
I found that he was being accused i about questions of their law, but j charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment.
30
k And when it was disclosed to me l that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, m ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him."
31
So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32
And on the next day they returned to n the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him.
33
When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him.
34
On reading the letter, he asked what o province he was from. And when he learned p that he was from Cilicia,
35
he said, "I will give you a hearing q when your accusers arrive." And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's r praetorium.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 1:12
For our boast is this, the testimony of our con...
2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, ...
Acts 24:16
So I always take pains to have a clear conscien...
Job 27:5 - 6
Far be it from me to say that you are right; ti...
1 Corinthians 4:4
For I am not aware of anything against myself, ...
2 Corinthians 4:2
But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ...
2 Corinthians 5:11
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we per...
Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a cle...
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Cross References
Acts 24:1
And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.
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Cross References
1 Kings 22:24
Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, "How did the Spirit of the Lord go from me to speak to you?
Lamentations 3:30
Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes, and let him be filled with insults.
Micah 5:1
Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek.
2 Corinthians 11:20
For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face.
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Cross References
Matthew 23:27
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.
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Cross References
Isaiah 30:13
Therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach in a high wall, bulging out, and about to collapse, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant.
Ezekiel 13:10 - 14
Precisely because they have misled my people, saying, 'Peace,' when there is no peace, and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets smear it with whitewash.
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 25:1 - 2
If there is a dispute between men and they come into court and the judges decide between them, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty.
John 7:51
"Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?"
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 25:1 - 2
If there is a dispute between men and they come into court and the judges decide between them, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty.
John 7:51
"Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?"
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Cross References
1 Samuel 2:28
Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel.
Psalms 106:16
When men in the camp were jealous of Moses and Aaron, the holy one of the Lord.
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Cross References
Acts 24:1
And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.
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Cross References
Exodus 22:28
You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
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Cross References
Exodus 22:28
You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
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Cross References
Matthew 22:23
The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question.
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Cross References
Acts 26:5
They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.
Philippians 3:5
Circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee.
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Cross References
Acts 24:15
Having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
Acts 24:21
Other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: 'It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.'
Acts 26:6 - 8
And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers.
Acts 28:20
For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.
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Cross References
Acts 2:26 - 27
Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.
Colossians 1:5
Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel.
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Cross References
Luke 20:27
There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:12
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
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Cross References
Acts 4:5
On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem.
Mark 2:16
And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?
Luke 5:30
And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?
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Cross References
Acts 23:29
I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment.
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Cross References
Acts 22:7
And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?
Acts 22:17 - 18
When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance
John 12:29
The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him.
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Cross References
Acts 23:16
Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.
Acts 23:32
And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him.
Acts 21:34
Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.
Acts 22:24
The tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this.
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Cross References
Acts 18:9
And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent.
Acts 27:23
For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship.
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Cross References
1 Samuel 3:10
And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant hears.
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Cross References
2 Timothy 4:17
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth.
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Cross References
Acts 19:21
Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
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Cross References
Acts 22:15
For you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.
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Cross References
Acts 23:30
And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.
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Cross References
Acts 23:14
They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.
Acts 23:21
But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.
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Cross References
Acts 23:10
And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.
Acts 23:32
And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him.
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Cross References
Ephesians 3:1
For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles -
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Cross References
Acts 23:14 - 15
They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.
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Cross References
Acts 23:12
When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
Acts 23:14
They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.
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Cross References
Acts 23:26
Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings.
Acts 24:2
And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: "Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation.
Acts 25:14
And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a man left prisoner by Felix.
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Cross References
Acts 23:33
When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him.
Acts 24:1
And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.
Acts 24:10
And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.
Acts 26:30
Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them.
Luke 20:20
So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.
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Cross References
Acts 24:1
And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.
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Cross References
Acts 15:23
With the following letter: "The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings.
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Cross References
Acts 21:27
When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him.
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Cross References
Acts 21:32 - 33
He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
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Cross References
Acts 21:32 - 33
He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
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Cross References
Acts 22:25 - 29
But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?
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Cross References
Acts 22:30
But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.
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Cross References
Acts 18:15
But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.
Acts 25:19
Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.
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Cross References
Acts 25:25
But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him.
Acts 26:31
And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, "This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.
Acts 28:18
When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.
Acts 23:9
Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, "We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?
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Cross References
Acts 23:20
And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him.
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Cross References
Acts 23:12
When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
Acts 9:24
But their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him.
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Cross References
Acts 23:35
He said, "I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive." And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's praetorium.
Acts 24:19
They ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me.
Acts 25:16
I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.
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Cross References
Acts 23:10
And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.
Acts 23:16
Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.
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Cross References
Acts 25:1
Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.
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Cross References
Acts 21:39
Paul replied, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.
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Cross References
Acts 23:30
And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.
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Cross References
Matthew 27:27
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.