Acts 23:12-22

A Conspiracy to Kill Paul

12 When it was day, ¹the Jews formed a conspiracy and ²bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

13 There were more than forty who formed this plot.

14 They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, "We have ³bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul

15 "Now therefore, you and ⁴the Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case * by a more thorough investigation; and we for our part are ready to slay him before he comes near the place."

16 But the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, and he came and entered ⁵the barracks and told Paul.

17 Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, "Lead this young man to the commander, for he has something to report to him."

18 So he took him and led him to the commander and said, "Paul ⁶the prisoner called me to him and asked me to lead this young man to you since he has something to tell you."

19 The commander took him by the hand and stepping aside, began to inquire of him privately *, "What is it that you have to report to me?

20 And he said, "⁷The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to ⁸the Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him.

21 "So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are ⁹lying in wait for him who have ¹⁰bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you.

22 So the commander let the young man go, instructing him, "Tell no one that you have notified me of these things."

Cross References

• 1. Acts 9:23; Acts 23:30; 1 Thessalonians 2:16
• 2. Acts 23:14, 21
• 3. Acts 23:12, 21
• 4. Acts 22:30; Acts 23:1, 6, 20, 28
• 5. Acts 21:34; Acts 23:10, 32
• 6. Ephesians 3:1
• 7. Acts 23:14
• 8. Acts 22:30; Acts 23:1, 6, 15, 28
• 9. Acts 23:12, 14
• 10. Luke 11:54

Footnotes

• [a] Or "mob"
• [b] Lit "with"
• [c] Or "Sanhedrin"
• [d] V 10, note 1
• [e] Or "having been present" with them, "and he entered"
• [f] V 10, note 1
• [g] V 10, note 1
• [h] V 10, note 1
• [i] Or "Sanhedrin"
• [j] Lit "be persuaded by them"
• [k] V 10, note 1