Acts 23:11

And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

And {G1161} the night {G3571} following {G1966} the Lord {G2962} stood by {G2186} him {G846}, and said {G2036}, Be of good cheer {G2293}, Paul {G3972}: for {G1063} as {G5613} thou hast testified {G1263} of {G4012} me {G1700} in {G1519} Jerusalem {G2419}, so {G3779} must {G1163} thou {G4571} bear witness {G3140} also {G2532} at {G1519} Rome {G4516}.

The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage! For just as you have borne a faithful witness to me in Yerushalayim, so now you must bear witness in Rome.”

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.”

And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

Context of Acts 23:11

The verse Acts 23:11 occurs at a critical juncture in the Apostle Paul's ministry. Having returned to Jerusalem, he was falsely accused by Jewish leaders, arrested, and brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high council. The preceding events in Acts 22:30-23:10 describe Paul's skillful defense and his clever tactic of highlighting the theological division between the Pharisees and Sadducees regarding the resurrection, which caused a great uproar. In the midst of this intense hostility and personal danger, as Roman soldiers had to intervene to protect him, Paul was likely feeling isolated and under immense pressure. It is in this context of distress and uncertainty that the Lord Jesus Himself appears to strengthen and reassure His servant.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Presence and Encouragement: This verse beautifully illustrates God's active involvement in the lives of His faithful servants. When Paul was at his lowest point, facing persecution and potential death, the Lord did not abandon him. The phrase "the Lord stood by him" emphasizes a personal, comforting presence, providing much-needed reassurance. This echoes the promise of Jesus to be with His disciples always.
  • Assurance of God's Plan: The Lord's words, "Be of good cheer, Paul," are not just a general comfort but a direct confirmation of God's overarching plan for Paul's life and ministry. Despite the immediate perils, God had a specific future for him.
  • Confirmation of Witness: The Lord explicitly affirms Paul's past faithfulness: "as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem." This validates Paul's courageous preaching and suffering for the Gospel in the Jewish capital. It also links his past obedience to his future calling.
  • Prophetic Commission to Rome: The core of the message is the divine mandate: "so must thou bear witness also at Rome." This is a definitive confirmation of Paul's long-held desire to preach the Gospel in the heart of the Roman Empire, as expressed in Romans 1:10 and Romans 15:23-24. It reveals that his current trials were not roadblocks but part of the divine path leading him to Rome.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase translated "Be of good cheer" is tharsei (θαρσεῖ), an imperative meaning "take courage," "be bold," or "do not fear." It's the same encouraging word Jesus often used to comfort those in distress or before performing a miracle (e.g., to the paralytic in Matthew 9:2). This highlights the Lord's personal and direct reassurance to Paul. The term "bear witness" (μαρτυρεῖν – *marturein*) emphasizes the act of testifying or giving evidence, which is central to the apostolic mission.

Practical Application

Acts 23:11 offers profound encouragement for believers today.

  • God's Faithfulness in Trials: When we face difficult circumstances, opposition, or feel overwhelmed, this verse reminds us that God is ever-present and faithful. He does not abandon His children in their darkest hours.
  • Confirmation of Purpose: If we are walking in God's will and faithfully serving Him, we can trust that He will guide us through challenges and confirm our path, even if it leads through unexpected trials. Paul's journey to Rome involved imprisonment, plots, and shipwrecks, but it ultimately fulfilled God's purpose.
  • Courage to Witness: Just as Paul was called to testify in Jerusalem and Rome, we are called to bear witness to Christ in our own spheres of influence. This verse instills courage, reminding us that our mission is divinely ordained and empowered. It encourages perseverance in sharing the Gospel, knowing that God is with us and has a plan for our testimony.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 19:21

    ¶ After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

  • Acts 18:9

    Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

  • 2 Timothy 4:17

    Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and [that] all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

  • Jeremiah 15:19

    Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, [and] thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.

  • Jeremiah 15:21

    And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.

  • Matthew 14:27

    But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

  • Philippians 1:13

    So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other [places];

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