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Acts 23:12

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¶ And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

And {G1161} when it was {G1096} day {G2250}, certain {G5100} of the Jews {G2453} banded together {G4160}{G4963}, and bound {G332} themselves {G1438} under a curse {G332}, saying {G3004} that they would {G5315} neither {G3383} eat {G5315} nor {G3383} drink {G4095} till {G2193}{G3739} they had killed {G615} Paul {G3972}.

The next day, some of the Judeans formed a conspiracy. They took an oath, saying they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Sha’ul;

When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

Commentary

Acts 23:12 describes a dangerous escalation in the opposition against the Apostle Paul. Following his dramatic appearance before the Sanhedrin, a group of zealous Jews formed a deadly conspiracy, vowing not to eat or drink until they had assassinated him.

Context

This verse immediately follows Paul's tumultuous trial before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, where a sharp division between the Pharisees and Sadducees led to a riot, and Paul had to be rescued by Roman soldiers. The previous night, the Lord Himself had stood by Paul, encouraging him and declaring that he must also bear witness in Rome (Acts 23:11). Unbeknownst to these conspirators, their plot was already destined to fail due to God's divine plan for Paul's ministry.

Key Themes

  • Extreme Opposition and Fanaticism: The verse vividly portrays the intense hatred and fanaticism directed at Paul. This group was so committed to their goal that they were willing to undergo extreme self-denial, demonstrating the depth of their religious zeal and conviction that Paul was a threat to their traditions.
  • Persecution of God's Servants: Paul's life was constantly under threat as he faithfully preached the Gospel. This incident is just one example of the severe persecution faced by early Christians, echoing Jesus' warnings to His disciples (John 15:20).
  • Divine Providence and Protection: Although the plot was deadly serious, it ultimately failed. This highlights God's sovereign hand in protecting His servants and ensuring His purposes are fulfilled, even amidst grave dangers. The subsequent verses reveal how this plot was uncovered and thwarted (Acts 23:16-17).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "bound themselves under a curse" (Greek: anathematizō) signifies a solemn, binding oath, often accompanied by imprecations or a vow to suffer severe consequences (even death) if the oath was broken. It was a common, though extreme, way to ensure commitment to a pledge in ancient Jewish society. Such a vow was considered religiously binding, making their intent to kill Paul not just a criminal act but also a religiously sanctioned mission in their eyes.

Practical Application

This passage reminds believers that following Christ can bring intense opposition, sometimes even from those who are religiously devout but misguided. It encourages us not to be surprised by or deterred by hostility, but to trust in God's ultimate protection and sovereign plan for our lives and ministries. Just as God preserved Paul for his mission, He continues to watch over and empower His people to fulfill their callings, even when facing significant threats or adversity. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of misguided zeal and hatred, which can lead to extreme and ungodly actions.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 23:30 (16 votes)

    And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what [they had] against him. Farewell.

  • Isaiah 8:9 (15 votes)

    ¶ Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.

  • Isaiah 8:10 (15 votes)

    Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God [is] with us.

  • Acts 23:21 (13 votes)

    But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.

  • Acts 23:14 (11 votes)

    And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.

  • Psalms 2:1 (9 votes)

    ¶ Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

  • Psalms 2:3 (9 votes)

    Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.