Acts 23:20

20 He replied, "The Jewish leaders have conspired to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow. They will pretend that they want to investigate his case more closely.

Acts 23:20 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 23:20

And he said, the Jews have agreed to desire thee
By the Jews are meant, the Jewish sanhedrim, for the young man had not only intelligence of the conspiracy, and lying in wait of the forty men or more; but also of the agreement which the sanhedrim at the motion of these men were come into, to make the following request to the chief captain; which seems to confirm the above conjecture, that this young man might be a student under the president of the council, or one of the doctors, whereby he came at the knowledge of these things:

that thou wouldst bring down Paul tomorrow into the council
(See Gill on Acts 23:15).

Acts 23:20 In-Context

18 He took him to the commander and said, "The prisoner Paul asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you."

19 The commander took him by the hand and withdrew to a place where they could speak privately. He asked, "What do you have to report to me?

20 He replied, "The Jewish leaders have conspired to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow. They will pretend that they want to investigate his case more closely.

21 Don't fall for it! More than forty of them are waiting to ambush him. They have solemnly promised not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, awaiting your consent.

22 The commander dismissed the young man, ordering him, "Don't tell anyone that you brought this to my attention."