CRITICAL REMARKS
Acts 23:12. The Jews (rather than certain of the Jews) who banded themselves together under a curse to kill Paul were not the members of the Sanhedrim, who had forgotten their opinions in the council (Acts 23:6-9), and were again united as one man against the apostle (Holtzmann), but the Jewish populace, or at least forty of them (Acts 23:13), who came to the chief priests and the elders (Acts 23:14)—i.e., to the Sadducean members of the council (De Wette, Meyer), who were hostile to Paul—with the information that they had bound themselves under a great curse to take him off. Josephus (Ant., XV. viii. 3, 4) mentions a similar conspiracy of ten Jews, who bound themselves by a solemn oath to assassinate Herod the Great, and relates (Ant., XII. vi. 2) the story of Matthias, the founder of the Maccabean dynasty, who slew an apostate Jew who offered sacrifice at Modin.
Acts 23:15. Ye with the council signify.—i.e., with the consent of the council or Sanhedrim. As though ye would inquire something more perfectly.—Better, as intending to investigate wore accurately (than on the former trial) the things concerning him—i.e., the charges against him. The words on the morrow are omitted by the best MSS.
Acts 23:16. Whether Paul’s sister’s son resided in Jerusalem, or had accompanied him thither, cannot be determined. Against the former supposition stands the fact that Paul lodged with Mnason (Acts 21:16). Plumptre suggests he may have been one of Paul’s Roman kinsmen (Romans 16:7; Romans 16:11) who had come to Jerusalem to attend the feast, and had heard the plot talked of in the caravanserai where he and the other pilgrims lodged. Alford thinks he may have been a young man domiciled in Jerusalem, as Paul himself had formerly been, for the purpose of attending school.
Acts 23:17. Bring this young man unto the chief captain.—Though Paul had a promise of Divine protection, he did not neglect the use of ordinary means.
Acts 23:18. The words Paul the prisoner show that the apostle was still chained to a soldier.
Acts 23:21. A, or the—i.e., the expected promise rather than “order” (Rosenmüller) or “message” (Grotins).
HOMILETICAL ANALYSIS.—Acts 23:12-22
The Conspiracy of the (more than) Forty; or, Paul’s Life Endangered
I. The plotters.—
1. Their persons. Jews; not members of the council, but zealots among the outside crowd who had been disappointed at the seeming failure of proceedings against Paul.
2. Their number. Over forty. Nothing symbolic in the number, which might have been any other. The conspirators having been so many were a formidable band as to strength, but a weak conclave as to secrecy. When two have possession of a secret it becomes liable to escape into publicity; how much more when it is shared in by nearly half a hundred?
3. Their aim. To kill Paul—which probably they considered could not be compassed in any other way than by secret assassination, since the Sanhedrim had lost the power of inflicting capital punishment, and to all appearance Rome had thrown her shield over the apostle’s person.
4. Their oath. Not to eat or drink anything until they had accomplished their purpose. To this course they had bound themselves by a solemn imprecation before God. A rash experiment it might have turned out for them had not a loophole been provided for escaping from their vow, in case it should prove unsuccessful or impossible to be fulfilled. But, according to the Talmud, one who had taken on himself a rash vow might be released from it on application to the wise men of the time. “He that hath a vow not to eat,” said the Jewish doctors, “woe to him if he eat, and woe to him if he eat not; if he eat he sinneth against his vow; if he eat not, he sinneth against his life. What must one do in such a case? Let him approach the wise ones, and they will release him from his vow, as it is written, ‘The tongue of the wise is health’ (Proverbs 12:18).” (From the Talmud; quoted by Lightfoot, Horæ Hebraicœ et Talmudicœ).
II. The plot.—
1. Its disclosure to the chief priests and the elders. These were manifestly the Sadducean members of the Sanhedrim, who were hostile to Paul. The plan discovered to these, was
(1) cleverly contrived by the would-be assassins. It possessed at least one mark of sagacity—it was simple and not difficult to understand. The chief priests and elders should call a second meeting of the council, propose to amicably forget their yesterday’s bickerings, lay aside their mutual jealousies and recriminations, unite against their common foe and request the military tribune to fetch down his prisoner a second time into their council chamber, when they would promise with due care and becoming seriousness to make an accurate investigation into the charges which had been preferred against him. If they did this, the military tribune would hardly refuse their request; and then they, the confederates, the “Invincibles” of Jerusalem, would be in readiness, as the apostle was being conducted back to their chamber, most likely under a small escort, to fall upon him by the way and despatch him with their knives. It appears to have been told out, as well as contrived, in cold blood. The conspirators seemingly were not troubled with qualms of conscience, or secret fears, but talked about their infernal project like a matter of common business. The plan, moreover, appears to have been
(2) complacently listened to by those “holy scoundrels” into whose ears it was poured. Not one of all these venerable priests and elders expressed themselves as shocked at the proposal. Had they but “shook their heads” and “made a pause” when those villains told their tale, or “turned an eye of doubt” upon their faces, “deep shame had struck “them “dumb,” wrought in them fears, and caused them to break off their purposed deed of blood. But no! the dark communication whispered into their ears made secret joy within their guilty bosoms. When, having assented to the project, they laid it before the full council, it was
(3) silently accepted by all, probably also by the Pharisees, who may have felt that they had gone too far in throwing their shield over a prisoner so hateful as Paul. “The miserable rulers, who scruple neither to smile nor slay contrary to the law, accept this bold proposal just as willingly as they embraced Judas’s offer against Jesus” (Stier).
2. Its detection by Paul’s nephew. How he came to be in Jerusalem, and how he obtained a knowledge of the conspiracy against his uncle, are points that have not been reported by Luke. But he may have lived in Jerusalem with his mother, Paul’s sister, or been a student at some Rabbinical school in the city, as Paul himself had formerly been, or arrived in the Metropolis from Rome as a feast pilgrim; while it is scarcely necessary to inquire how a secret got out which was first shared in by forty unprincipled ruffians like the conspirators, and then told to a circle of bloodthirsty hypocrites like the Sanhedrists (see “Critical Remarks”). Anyhow, the diabolical project having come to his ears, he carried it to his uncle (to whom he appears to have found easy access), who, calling to him one of the centurions, requested that the youth might be conducted to the chief captain, for whom he had a communication of importance. This done, the chief captain having taken him aside, listened to the story—which possibly did not startle him, knowing, as he must have done, the characters of both the Sanhedrists and of the lawless zealots, with which the city at the time was full, but which he cautioned the young man to keep to himself, along with the fact that he had discovered it to him the chief captain.
3. Its defeat by the chief captain. With a promptitude which showed he regarded the young man’s story as antecedently probable, and intrinsically credible, and the situation as highly critical both for his prisoner, who might lose his life, and for himself who might be punished for neglect of duty in allowing a prisoner under his charge to be assassinated, he issued instant orders for the preparation of an escort of two hundred heavy armed soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen (see “Critical Remarks”), to start at the third hour of the night—i.e., about 9 p.m., to convey Paul to Cæsarea, which order was executed and by which Paul was rescued.
Learn—
1. The depths of Satan which exist in the hearts of men—not always excepting those who profess to be religious (Revelation 2:24).
2. The ease with which God can bring secret things to light, and disappoint the devices of the crafty.
3. The safety of those whom Christ shields.
4. The duty of those whom God has promised to protect not to neglect the use of ordinary means.
5. The great service—to God, Christ and men—which may be rendered by a youth.
HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Acts 23:11-12. The Two Covenants against Paul and For Him.
I. The murderous covenant of Paul’s enemies.—Powerful.
1. By their number—forty against one.
2. By their design—sworn to kill him.
3. By their craft and dissimulation.
II. The gracious covenant of Paul’s Lord.—More powerful.
1. He discloses the designs of the conspirators.
2. Against powerful enemies He stirs up yet more powerful protectors.
3. He brings Paul uninjured out of the den of murderers.—Gerok.
Acts 23:12-23. The Foes and the Friends of Paul.
I. The foes stirred up by Satan.—
1. The forty, and more, conspirators sworn to kill Paul.
2. The chief priests and elders aiders and abetters of their murderous scheme.
3. The high priest and the Sanhedrim who gave it their co-operation.
II. The friends raised up by God.—
1. Paul’s sister’s son, who happened to hear of the plot.
2. The chief captain, who took measures for Paul’s transportation to Cæsarea.
3. The soldiers—footmen, horsemen, and spearmen—who escorted him on the way.
The Hand of Providence, as seen in the circumstances that led to the defeat of the conspiracy and the rescue of Paul.
I. The number of the conspirators.—This made its secrecy practically impossible.
II. The discovery of the plot almost immediately after it was made.—This gave time for counterplans.
III. The presence in Jerusalem of Paul’s sister’s son.—Had he not got to hear of the conspiracy, access might not have been so easily found to the apostle’s presence.
IV. The kindness of the chief captain.—Otherwise he might either not have listened to or not believed in the young man’s story.
V. The credence given to the tale.—This led the military tribune to take instant measures for the apostle’s safety, probably before the Sanhedrim had approached him with a request for the re-hearing of Paul’s case.
VI. The strength of the escort.—This rendered it certain that no surprise attack upon the road would succeed in doing hurt to the apostle.
How the Lord Laughed at Paul’s Enemies.—By delivering Paul—
I. From the heart of a powerful, determined, and promising conspiracy.
II. At the moment when his destruction seemed imminent and inevitable.
III. By means of a boy, whose promptitude of action did more for Paul than all the plotting of the zealots and Sanhedrists did against him.
IV. With the aid of the instrument they hoped to employ for his destruction.—viz., the chief captain.
Acts 23:12-24. A Defeated Plot.
I. The formation of the plot.—The depths of Satan.
1. The conspirators.
(1) The Jews, or the Jewish party, in particular forty of them, hot-headed zealots, “the Orangemen of Judaism.”
(2) The chief priests and the elders, the leaders of the party who were supposed to have influence with the Sanhedrim.
(3) The council, or Sanhedrim, who, without question, acquiesced in the diabolical project.
2. The conspiracy.
(1) Its object: to kill Paul. So ten zealots conspired to assassinate Herod the Great because he had built a theatre and held gladiatorial shows in the Holy City.
(2) Its motive. Partly chagrin at being defeated in the council on the previous day, but chiefly hatred of Paul as an apostate. So Matthias slew a Jew who had offered sacrifice at Modin (See “Critical Remarks”).
(3) Its bond. An oath neither to eat nor drink until their project should be realised.
(4) Its plan. To persuade the captain to fetch down Paul to the council, so that he might be stabbed on the road.
II. The discovery of the plot.—The folly of sin. Clever people frequently outwit themselves.
1. The conspirators were too many. Moral: when you want a secret to be kept, tell it to no one.
2. The plan was too good. The conspirators were so captivated with the ingenuity of their scheme that they could not refrain from talking about it.
3. The result was too sure. So certain were the plotters of success that they omitted the most ordinary precautions for safety. They paid no attention to who was listening while they were talking; and so it came to pass that Paul’s nephew came to hear of it.
III. The defeat of the plot—the counsel of the Most High.—
1. The young man conveyed the information to his uncle. A proper and courageous thing to do. Indicated presence of mind and promptitude of action.
2. Paul requested a centurion to take the lad to the captain. A mark of the influence which Paul had acquired, even over his keepers. Superiority of character will shine forth, even in a prison.
3. The captain heard the story, and charged the lad to hold his tongue. Remark upon the captain’s courtesy and prudence. Even heathens may exhibit some virtues.
4. Lysias arranges for Paul’s transmission to Cæsarea. Thus defeating the devices of the apostle’s foes.
Acts 23:18. Paul the Prisoner.
I. In the mouth of the centurion a colourless designation of condition.
II. In the lips of his enemies an angry speech of degradation.
III. In the language of Paul a boasted title of honour.— Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:8. “Paul the prisoner; but therein happier than any potentate with all his chains of gold. Said Ignatius, ‘My chain is my honour, my links pearls.’ One hour changed Joseph’s fetters into gold chains, his stocks into a chariot, his gaol into a palace, Potiphar’s captive into his master’s lord, the noise of his gyves into abrech. So, and much more than so, will it be with all Christ’s prisoners at His coming.… This made Chrysostom say that he had rather be Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, than Paul rapt up into the third heaven” (Trapp).
This Young Man; or, What a Youth may Be and Do.—Discovered in the characteristics and conduct of Paul’s sister’s son.
I. Characteristics.—Five noble qualities in any, but specially in a youth.
1. Intelligence. Paul’s nephew walked not through the world or the city of Jerusalem sleeping or dreaming, but kept his eyes and ears open, and picked up the plot which had been formed against his uncle.
2. Affection. On what footing religiously he stood with his uncle cannot be told. Perhaps, like his uncle, he was a Christian disciple, though just as likely he was not. Yet in the sudden peril which confronted his mother’s brother, he forgot not his blood relationship, and felt imperilled to make a bold stroke for his rescue.
3. Promptitude. Much depended on the swiftness of his action. Had he delayed in making known his discovery, his uncle’s life might have been lost. But the instant he became acquainted with the gruesome plot he took measures for its frustration.
4. Courage. Had he been timid he would have shrunk from the difficulties that opposed his forward movement. But animated by a holy affection he brought to the execution of his purpose a lofty and undaunted fortitude. First, he found or forced his way into the castle to see his uncle, and next he boldly proceeded to the governor’s presence; and finally he told out his story, seemingly without pausing to inquire whether it would be believed.
5. Discretion. Counselled to keep his secret to himself and to reveal to no one the communication he had—made to the governor, he did so, and thus both escaped the danger to which his own life would have been exposed, had it got abroad that he had foiled the plans of the conspirators, and enabled the governor to carry out his scheme for the safety of Paul.
II. Conduct.—
1. He frustrated a wicked plot. Rendered futile and vain the murderous designs which had been formed against Paul. By being shrewd and wide-awake, prompt and decisive, loving and considerate, courageous and fearless, prudent and cautious, he defeated forty villains who had plotted together, and bound themselves under a curse, to commit a dark deed of blood, and delivered the Sanhedrim from being partakers of the awful crime.
2. He saved a noble life. The noblest life that that day existed in Jerusalem; the life of the greatest man that bad arisen within the Christian Church; the life of one who under God had proved himself one of the grandest benefactors of his nation and of the world.
3. He furthered a Divine purpose. How little men know when they serve as instruments in God’s hands. It was in the Divine purpose and plan that Paul should preach at Rome, and consequently that he should escape from this peril. Yet neither of these facts were known to the youth, who simply carried out his own thoughts, and in so doing advanced the Divine design.
4. He secured for the Church and the world a rich legacy of religious literature. Had Paul’s life been taken as the result of that conspiracy, both the Church and the world would have been poorer to-day by the lack of those immortal letters which were written from Cæsarea and from Rome.
Learn—
1. That young men may be used by God for the loftiest purposes; and
2. That in order to be so used they should cultivate for themselves the noblest qualities of mind and heart.