Acts 23:13

¹²When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.¹³More than forty of them were involved in this plot.¹⁴They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.

Summary

In Acts 23:13, a group of more than forty Jews conspired together to kill Paul. This plot reveals the intense opposition and hostility that Paul faced for preaching the Gospel. It also demonstrates the lengths to which some were willing to go to silence the message of Jesus Christ. Despite the danger and threats against him, Paul's unwavering faith and commitment to sharing the Good News serve as a powerful example of courage and dedication in the face of persecution.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. Who met together, formed this resolution, entered into this scheme, and bound themselves with this oath; the word rendered "conspiracy", signifies an agreement by oath; such a number of them banded together, that they might have strength sufficient to take Paul out of the hands of the soldiers, as he was conducted by them from the castle to the temple. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. Who met together, formed this resolution, entered into this scheme, and bound themselves with this oath; the word rendered "conspiracy", signifies an agreement by oath; such a number of them banded together, that they might have strength sufficient to take Paul out of the hands of the soldiers, as he was conducted by them from the castle to the temple. Acts 23:14 act 23:14 act 23:14 act 23:14And they came to the chief priests, and elders,.... Who were members of the sanhedrim, to acquaint them with their designs: and said, we have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul: these chief priests and elders, had they acted according to the character they bore, on such an information, would have taken up those men, and punished them, at least would have dissuaded them from so vile an action; but they knew the men to whom they applied, and very likely they were all of them of the sect of the Sadducees, whom Paul had so much offended the day before; and therefore were pleased with what they had done, approved of their scheme, and readily fell in with the following proposal.