Acts 23:12 - 24:27

Teacher : Rusty Kennedy
Series: Acts

Rusty's Notes

• We left last week with Paul in the hands of the Roman soldiers and in their barracks.
• He had been captured (actually rescued) by the Romans because the Jews were trying to kill him.
• They had not actual evidence against Paul.
• Paul stood before the Sanhedrin and presented the Gospel to them one more time… and they still wanted to kill him.
• Paul’s life had been in danger from the very beginning of his ministry, when he witnessed for Christ in Damascus (Acts 9:22–25).
• During his first visit to Jerusalem after his conversion, the Hellenistic Jews tried to kill him (Acts 9:29).
• The Jews drove him out of Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:50–51) and threatened to stone him in Iconium (Acts 14:5).
• Paul was stoned in Lystra (Acts 14:19–20); and in Corinth, the Jews tried to get him arrested (Acts 18:12–17).
• In Ephesus, the Jews had a plot to kill him (Acts 20:19), and they even planned to kill him at sea (Acts 20:3).
• Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 2:14–16 take on special meaning when you consider all that Paul suffered at the hands of his own countrymen.[1]
• The man literally spent his ministry years teaching the Gospel of Jesus and escaping for his life.
• Once again, we find him in the same predicament.

 
THE PLOT AGAINST PAUL
ACTS 23
12 When it was morning, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who had formed this plot. 14 These men went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a solemn curse that we won’t eat anything until we have killed Paul.

• At Paul’s conversion, the Lord had told him that he would suffer, but He had also promised that He would deliver him from his enemies (Acts 9:15–16; 26:16–17).
• Paul held on to that promise all of his life, and God was faithful.[2]

15 So now you, along with the Sanhedrin, make a request to the commander that he bring him down to you as if you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly. But, before he gets near, we are ready to kill him.”
16 But the son of Paul’s sister, hearing about their ambush, came and entered the barracks and reported it to Paul.

• This is the only mention of Paul’s sister and nephew in the Scripture.
• We know from verse 6 that Paul said he is the son of Pharisees so his Dad was a Pharisee.
• Therefore, his sister was deeply connected in the shenanigans of the Pharisees.

17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander (Claudius Lysias), because he has something to report to him.”
18 So he took him, brought him to the commander, and said, “The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, because he has something to tell you.”
19 The commander took him by the hand, led him aside, and inquired privately, “What is it you have to report to me?”
20 “The Jews,” he said, “have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as though they are going to hold a somewhat more careful inquiry about him. 21 Don’t let them persuade you, because there are more than forty of them lying in ambush—men who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, waiting for your consent.”
22 So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, “Don’t tell anyone that you have informed me about this.”

• Throughout the Book of Acts, Dr. Luke speaks favorably of the Roman military officers, beginning with Cornelius in Acts 10 and ending with Julius (Acts 27:1, 3, 43).
• There is no record in Acts of official Roman persecution against the church; the opposition was instigated by the unbelieving Jews.
• While the Empire had its share of corrupt political opportunists, for the most part, the military leaders were men of quality who respected the Roman law.[3]

 
TO CAESAREA BY NIGHT

• Claudius’ plan was simple and wise.
• He knew that he had to get Paul out of Jerusalem or there would be one murderous plot after another, and one of them just might succeed.
• He also knew that he had better determine the charges against Paul or he might be accused of illegally holding a Roman citizen.
• He could solve both problems by sending Paul to Caesarea and putting him under the authority of Felix, the Roman governor.[4]

23 He summoned two of his centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready with seventy cavalry and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. 24 Also provide mounts to ride so that Paul may be brought safely to Felix the governor.”

• If Paul had been a private citizen, attempting to travel from Jerusalem to Caesarea (about sixty-five miles), he would have been an easy target for the conspirators.
• But God arranged for 470 Roman soldiers to protect him, almost half of the men in the temple garrison!
• Once again in his career, Paul was smuggled out of a city under cover of night (Acts 9:25; 17:10).[5]
• Paul spent only 7 days in Jerusalem.

25 He wrote the following letter:
26 Claudius Lysias,
To the most excellent governor Felix:
Greetings.
27 When this man had been seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, I arrived with my troops and rescued him because I learned that he is a Roman citizen. 28 Wanting to know the charge they were accusing him of, I brought him down before their Sanhedrin. 29 I found out that the accusations were concerning questions of their law, and that there was no charge that merited death or imprisonment. 30 When I was informed that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you right away. I also ordered his accusers to state their case against him in your presence.

• 7 “I”’s in this short letter.
• Verse 29 – Official statement that Romans didn’t consider being a “Christian” a crime.

31 So the soldiers took Paul during the night and brought him to Antipatris (auntee-paw-trees) as they were ordered.

• 37 miles through the night

32 The next day, they returned to the barracks, allowing the cavalry to go on with him.

• The 200 soldiers returned to the barracks.
• Another 27 miles with the cavalry since the dangerous part of the trip was over.

33 When these men entered Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.

• Antonius Felix was governor (procurator) of Judea.
• He was married to Drusilla, a Jewess who was daughter of Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1) and who left her husband to become Felix’s third wife.
• She was sister of Herod Agrippa II (Acts 25:13ff).
• The Roman historian Tacitus said that Felix “exercised the power of a king in the spirit of a slave.”
• Felix was called “a vulgar ruffian” and lived up to the name.[6]

34 After he read it, he asked what province he was from. When he learned he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing whenever your accusers also get here.” He ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.

• Herod’s Palace video

 
THE ACCUSATION AGAINST PAUL
24 Five days later Ananias the high priest came down (you always come “down” from Jerusalem) with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus (tear-tull-us). These men presented their case against Paul to the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said, “We enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation because of your foresight. 3 We acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with utmost gratitude.

• You always begin with flattery in hopes of winning the judge over.
• But why did it take so many men to safely bring Paul to Caesarea?
• The lawyer’s flattery was worth about as much as his accusations.

4 But, so that I will not burden you any further, I request that you would be kind enough to give us a brief hearing. 5 For we have found this man to be a plague, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the Roman world,

• Accusation #1 – The Jews wanted to keep their traditions but Paul was saying they were unnecessary.

and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

• Accusation #2 – He was disturbing Roman peace.

6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, and so we apprehended him.

• Accusation #3 – By bringing a gentile into the inner court of the temple.

By examining him yourself you will be able to discern the truth about these charges we are bringing against him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were true.

• When you compare Luke’s account of Paul’s arrest (Acts 21:27–40) with the captain’s account (Acts 23:25–30) and the lawyer’s account (Acts 24:6–8), you can well understand why judges and juries can get confused.[7]
• Felix was going to believe Claudius’ letter before he believed anyone else.

 
PAUL’S DEFENSE BEFORE FELIX
10 When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defense in what concerns me.

• Acknowledges Felix service but does not butter him up.

11 You can verify for yourself that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.

• 7 days in Jerusalem and 5 days in Caesarea waiting for Ananias.
• Day 1—Paul arrived in Jerusalem (21:17)
• Day 2—Met with James and the elders (21:18)
• Day 3—In the temple with the Nazarites (21:26)
• Day 4—In the temple
• Day 5—In the temple
• Day 6—Arrested in the temple (21:27)
• Day 7—Met with the Jewish council (23:1–10)
• Day 8—Threatened; taken to Caesarea (23:12, 23)
• Day 9—Arrived in Caesarea (23:33)
• Day 10—Waited (Felix sent for the Jewish leaders)
• Day 11—Waited for the Jewish leaders to arrive
• Day 12—Waited—they arrived—hearing scheduled
• Day 13—The hearing conducted

12 They didn’t find me arguing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city.

• Paul had previously made a promise with the Jewish elders that he would focus on the Gentiles and leave the Jews in Jerusalem alone.

13 Neither can they prove the charges they are now making against me. 14 But I admit this to you: I worship the God of my ancestors according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing everything that is in accordance with the law and written in the prophets.

• Everything Paul was teaching was perfectly in line with the Old Testament Scripture.
• And Jesus has come as the expected Messiah.

15 I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men. 17 After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my people.

• The Jerusalem offering gathered by the Gentiles.

18 While I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar.

• Temple records show that Paul paid for himself and 4 others to be ritually purified.

19 It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. 20 Or let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21 other than this one statement I shouted while standing among them, ‘Today I am on trial before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.’”

• Is the resurrection issue what they are arresting Paul for?
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THE VERDICT POSTPONED
22 Since Felix was well informed about the Way, he adjourned the hearing, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.”

• Which he never did.

23 He ordered that the centurion keep Paul under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from meeting his needs.

• Agibus and others loved in this area.

24 Several days later, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. 25 Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I have an opportunity I’ll call for you.” 26 At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would offer him money. So he sent for him quite often and conversed with him.

• Paul discipled Felix and his wife.

27 After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.[8]

• Paul spent 2 years in prison in Caesarea.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 496). Victor Books.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 496). Victor Books.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 496). Victor Books.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 496). Victor Books.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 496). Victor Books.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 497). Victor Books.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 499). Victor Books.
[8] Christian Standard Bible (Ac 23:12–24:27). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.