Acts 23:20

And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

And {G1161} he said {G2036},{G3754} The Jews {G2453} have agreed {G4934} to desire {G2065} thee {G4571} that {G3704} thou wouldest bring down {G2609} Paul {G3972} to morrow {G839} into {G1519} the council {G4892}, as {G5613} though they would {G3195} enquire {G4441} somewhat {G5100} of {G4012} him {G846} more perfectly {G197}.

He said, “The Judeans have agreed to ask you tomorrow to bring Sha’ul down to the Sanhedrin on the pretext that they want to investigate his case more thoroughly.

He answered, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of acquiring more information about him.

And he said, The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul to-morrow unto the council, as though thou wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him.

Acts 23:20 records a critical moment in the Apostle Paul's life, revealing a dangerous plot orchestrated by Jewish leaders against him in Jerusalem.

Context

This verse is part of the dramatic narrative following Paul's arrest in the temple in Jerusalem. After being rescued by Roman soldiers from a mob, Paul had already appeared before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high council, where a division erupted between the Pharisees and Sadducees (Acts 23:6-10). The Roman chiliarch (commander), Claudius Lysias, had brought Paul before them to ascertain the reason for the uproar. Unknown to Lysias, a group of more than forty Jews had formed a deadly conspiracy, vowing neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul (Acts 23:12-15). This verse is spoken by Paul's nephew, who, having overheard the plot, courageously reports it to Lysias, highlighting the deceptive nature of the conspirators' request.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Protection: Despite the intense animosity and human conspiracy against Paul, God's hand is evident in protecting His servant. The timely intervention of Paul's nephew, who likely gained access to this secret information, demonstrates how God uses various means to safeguard His purposes. This echoes the Lord's assurance to Paul to be of good cheer, for he must bear witness in Rome (Acts 23:11).
  • Malice and Deception: The verse explicitly states that the Jews "agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul... as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly." This reveals their cunning and malicious intent, cloaking a murderous ambush under the guise of further legal inquiry. It underscores the deep-seated hatred some Jewish leaders held for Paul and the spread of the Christian Gospel.
  • Paul's Persecution: This incident is another stark example of the relentless persecution Paul faced throughout his ministry. His life was constantly under threat due to his fervent proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "enquire somewhat of him more perfectly" translates the Greek akribesteron pynthanestai (ἀκριβέστερον πυνθάνεσθαι). The word akribesteron means "more accurately" or "more precisely." This linguistic nuance reinforces the deceptive nature of their request. They were not genuinely seeking more precise information or a deeper understanding of Paul's teachings; rather, they were using this pretense to lure him into an ambush. The "council" refers to the Sanhedrin (συνέδριον - synedrion), the supreme judicial and administrative body of the Jews.

Practical Application

Acts 23:20 reminds believers that even in the face of intense opposition and hidden dangers, God is sovereign and actively involved in protecting His people and advancing His kingdom. It encourages vigilance and discernment, as evil often operates under deceptive pretenses. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of courage, as seen in Paul's nephew, who stepped forward to warn authorities. Ultimately, this verse serves as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in preserving His witnesses to fulfill His divine plan, even leading Paul ultimately to bear witness in Rome.

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 23:14

    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.

  • Acts 23:15

    Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

  • Daniel 6:5

    Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find [it] against him concerning the law of his God.

  • Daniel 6:12

    Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask [a petition] of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing [is] true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

  • Psalms 12:2

    They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: [with] flattering lips [and] with a double heart do they speak.

  • Acts 23:1

    ¶ And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men [and] brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

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