Jews Plot To Kill Paul; Acts 23:12 – 22 Part 1

Church History: Date: A.D.57 – 59

12The next morning the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13More than forty men were involved in this plot. 14They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. 15Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here." 16But when the son of Paul's sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. 17Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him." 18So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, "Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you." 19The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, "What is it you want to tell me?" 20He said: "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him. 21Don't give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request." 22The commander dismissed the young man and cautioned him, "Don't tell anyone that you have reported this to me."

This is the story of a plot against the life of Paul; how it was laid, how it was discovered, and how it was defeated. They found they could gain nothing by popular turmoil, or by legal process, and therefore have decided on a barbarous method of assassination; they will come upon him suddenly, and stab him, if they can lure him within their reach. So restless is their malice against this good man that, when one design fails, they will turn another stone.

Those who formed this conspiracy were certain Jews that hated him because he was the apostle of the Gentiles. There were more than forty members of this group that plotted against him. These men banded together in a league, perhaps they called it a holy league; they came together, to stand by one another, to aid and assist in the murder of Paul. It was strange that so many could come together so quickly, and in Jerusalem too. What a monstrous opinion these men must have formed of Paul, before they could be capable of forming such a monstrous plot against him; they were made to believe that he was the worst of men, an enemy to God and religion, and the curse and plague of his generation; when really his character was the reverse of all this! What laws of truth and justice so sacred, so strong which malice and bigotry will not break through!