Acts 23:13

13 And more than forty of them took this oath.

Acts 23:13 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 23:13

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 23:13 In-Context

11 And the night after, the Lord came to his side and said, Be of good heart, for as you have been witnessing for me in Jerusalem, so will you be my witness in Rome.

12 And when it was day, the Jews came together and put themselves under an oath that they would take no food or drink till they had put Paul to death.

13 And more than forty of them took this oath.

14 And they came to the chief priests and the rulers and said, We have taken a great oath to take no food till we have put Paul to deat

15 So now, will you and the Sanhedrin make a request to the military authorities to have him sent down to you, as if you were desiring to go into the business in greater detail; and we, before ever he gets to you, will be waiting to put him to death.