Acts 23:28

KJV

And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when {G1014} I would {G1014} have known {G1097} the cause {G156} wherefore {G1223}{G3739} they accused {G1458} him {G846}, I brought {G2609} him {G846} forth {G2609} into {G1519} their {G846} council {G4892}:

Complete Jewish Bible

I wanted to understand exactly what they were charging him with; so I brought him down to their “Sanhedrin.”

Berean Standard Bible

and since I wanted to understand their charges against him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin.

American Standard Version

And desiring to know the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him down unto their council:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 23:28 recounts the Roman tribune Claudius Lysias's explanation to Governor Felix regarding his handling of the Apostle Paul. Lysias states that, in his attempt to ascertain the specific charges against Paul, he brought him before the Jewish council (the Sanhedrin), having found no clear criminal accusation under Roman law himself. This action was a procedural step by the Roman commander to understand the nature of the Jewish leaders' vehement opposition to Paul.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of Claudius Lysias's letter to Governor Felix, recorded in [Acts 23:26-30](/acts/23-26-30 "Acts 23:26-30 - Lysias's Letter to Felix"). It follows Paul's dramatic rescue by Lysias from a mob in the Temple courts ([Acts 21:30-36](/acts/21-30-36 "Acts 21:30-36 - Paul Rescued from the Mob")), and Paul's subsequent declaration of Roman citizenship, which prevented him from being scourged ([Acts 22:25-29](/acts/22-25-29 "Acts 22:25-29 - Paul's Roman Citizenship")). Unable to discern a Roman crime, Lysias convened the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court, hoping they would articulate the charges against Paul. The preceding narrative in [Acts 23:1-10](/acts/23-1-10 "Acts 23:1-10 - Paul Before the Sanhedrin") details this chaotic council meeting, which ultimately failed to produce a clear accusation and necessitated Paul's second rescue by the Roman guard.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Roman Empire, while allowing local customs and religious practices, maintained strict legal principles, especially concerning Roman citizens. Due process required a clear accusation and an opportunity for defense. Lysias, a Roman tribune, was unfamiliar with the intricacies of Jewish religious law and the theological disputes that fueled the accusations against Paul. The Sanhedrin, or "council" (Greek: *synedrion*), was the supreme Jewish judicial and legislative body in Jerusalem, composed of 71 members including the high priest, chief priests, elders, and scribes. By bringing Paul before them, Lysias was attempting to use the established Jewish legal forum to clarify what he perceived as an internal Jewish religious dispute, hoping to identify a concrete charge that would be recognizable under Roman law. This highlights the tension between Roman civil law and Jewish religious law in first-century Judea.
* **Key Themes:** Lysias's actions underscore the theme of **Roman Due Process**, as he diligently sought a legitimate charge against Paul before imposing punishment, reflecting Roman legal principles. Despite the chaos and religious fervor surrounding Paul, the Roman authorities consistently found him innocent of any capital crime, emphasizing **Paul's Legal Innocence** from a Roman perspective, a recurring motif throughout his trials before Felix and Festus ([Acts 24:5-9](/acts/24-5-9 "Acts 24:5-9 - Accusations Before Felix"); [Acts 25:18-20](/acts/25-18-20 "Acts 25:18-20 - Festus's Assessment of Charges")). Furthermore, this entire sequence of events, including Lysias's intervention and decision to send Paul to Caesarea, illustrates **Divine Providence**, as God sovereignly orchestrated circumstances to protect Paul and advance him toward his ultimate destination of Rome, fulfilling the Lord's promise to Paul in [Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "The Lord's Encouragement to Paul").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **would have known (Greek, _boúlomai_):** This word indicates a strong intention or willingness to understand. Lysias was not merely curious but had a deliberate purpose: to ascertain the truth and the legal basis for the accusations against Paul, as required by Roman law for a citizen.
* **cause (Greek, _aitía_):** This term refers to the specific charge, the legal reason, or the ground for accusation. Lysias was seeking a concrete, legally actionable charge that he could understand and address within the framework of Roman jurisprudence.
* **council (Greek, _synédrion_):** This word specifically denotes the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial body. Lysias brought Paul before this assembly, hoping that in their own established legal forum, the Jewish leaders would articulate their grievances in a way that made sense to a Roman official.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him":** This clause reveals Lysias's primary motivation. As a Roman officer, he was obligated to understand the specific legal "cause" or charge against Paul, a Roman citizen, before proceeding with any punitive action. The accusations from the Jewish crowd were vague and emotionally charged, making it difficult for him to discern a clear criminal offense.
* **"I brought him forth into their council":** This describes Lysias's decisive action. Since the accusations stemmed from Jewish religious matters, he chose to present Paul to the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish judicial body, believing they would be able to articulate the charges according to their own law and customs, thereby providing him with the clarity he sought.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Irony**, as Lysias, a Roman tribune, brings Paul before the Jewish Sanhedrin to clarify accusations that are inherently Jewish religious disputes, yet the Sanhedrin itself fails to provide a coherent "cause," instead descending into internal strife. This highlights the Roman's inability to grasp the theological nuances of Jewish law and the deep divisions within Judaism itself. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as this unsuccessful attempt to find a charge sets the stage for Paul's subsequent trials before Roman governors, where his legal innocence from a Roman perspective will be repeatedly affirmed. The verse also serves as a crucial **Narrative Transition**, moving Paul from the immediate danger of the Jerusalem mob and the Sanhedrin's chaos into the Roman legal system, which ultimately facilitates his journey to Rome, fulfilling God's sovereign plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse underscores God's sovereign hand working through human systems, even those seemingly secular or adversarial, to accomplish His divine purposes. Lysias's commitment to Roman due process, though driven by his professional duty and a desire for clarity, inadvertently served God's plan to protect Paul and advance the gospel. Paul's consistent legal innocence in the eyes of Roman authorities, which begins to be established here, is a recurring theme in Acts, demonstrating that the Christian message was not a threat to the Roman state, but rather the opposition stemmed from religious jealousy and misunderstanding. This divine orchestration ensures that the gospel's progress is not ultimately hindered by human opposition, but rather facilitated by unexpected means.

* [Acts 25:25](/acts/25-25 "Acts 25:25 - Festus Finds No Capital Crime")
* [Acts 26:31](/acts/26-31 "Acts 26:31 - Agrippa and Festus Agree on Paul's Innocence")
* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 23:28 offers profound insights for believers today. It reminds us that God often works through complex and even chaotic circumstances, using secular authorities and legal systems, to achieve His purposes. When facing accusations or misunderstandings, like Paul, we are called to trust in God's overarching plan, knowing that He can use even seemingly adverse situations for His glory and our good. Lysias's diligent search for the "cause" encourages us to seek truth and understanding in our own conflicts, rather than reacting impulsively. It also prompts us to consider how God might be using the structures and authorities around us, even those we perceive as distant from spiritual matters, to protect His people and advance His kingdom. Our role is to remain faithful, knowing that God is always at work, even behind the scenes of legal and political maneuvers.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Lysias's diligent search for the "cause" challenge us to seek understanding and truth in complex situations, rather than making hasty judgments?**
* **In what ways might God be working through the secular or governmental systems in our own lives or communities to accomplish His purposes, even if we don't immediately perceive it?**
* **How does Paul's experience of being unjustly accused, yet ultimately protected by God's providence, encourage us when we face similar opposition for our faith?**

### FAQ
**Why did Lysias bring Paul before the Sanhedrin if he was a Roman citizen?**

Answer: Lysias brought Paul before the Sanhedrin primarily to understand the *nature* of the accusations against him. As a Roman tribune, he was responsible for ensuring due process for a Roman citizen. The mob's accusations were vague and seemed rooted in Jewish religious disputes, which were incomprehensible to a Roman officer. Lysias hoped that the Sanhedrin, as the highest Jewish legal body, could articulate a clear, formal charge that he could then evaluate under Roman law. He was attempting to identify a *Roman* crime, but the charges were inherently Jewish and theological.

**What was the outcome of Paul's appearance before the Sanhedrin?**

Answer: Paul's appearance before the Sanhedrin, detailed in [Acts 23:1-10](/acts/23-1-10 "Acts 23:1-10 - Paul Before the Sanhedrin"), ended in chaos and failed to produce a clear charge. Paul cleverly exploited the theological division within the Sanhedrin by declaring himself a Pharisee on trial for the resurrection of the dead ([Acts 23:6](/acts/23-6 "Acts 23:6 - Paul Divides the Sanhedrin")). This statement ignited a violent dispute between the Pharisees (who believed in resurrection) and the Sadducees (who did not), leading to such an uproar that Lysias had to intervene a second time, rescuing Paul from being torn apart by the warring factions ([Acts 23:10](/acts/23-10 "Acts 23:10 - Paul Rescued from the Sanhedrin")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 23:28, though focusing on a Roman official's legal maneuver, profoundly points to Christ. Lysias's search for the "cause" of Paul's accusation mirrors humanity's deeper need to understand the true "cause" of sin and the solution provided by God. Paul, the innocent defendant, stands as a type of Christ, who also faced unjust accusations and trials before both Jewish and Roman authorities ([Matthew 26:57-68](/matthew/26-57-68 "Matthew 26:57-68 - Jesus Before the Sanhedrin"); [John 18:28-19:16](/john/18-28-19-16 "John 18:28-19:16 - Jesus Before Pilate")). Just as Lysias ultimately found no Roman crime worthy of death in Paul, Pilate similarly declared Jesus innocent, stating, "I find no guilt in this man" ([Luke 23:4](/luke/23-4 "Luke 23:4 - Pilate Finds No Guilt")). Yet, both were delivered to their accusers. Paul's journey through the Roman legal system, despite its injustices, was divinely orchestrated to bring him to Rome, fulfilling Christ's promise that Paul would bear witness there ([Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "The Lord's Encouragement to Paul")). Thus, every step of Paul's trials, including Lysias's actions, serves the ultimate purpose of proclaiming the gospel of Christ, demonstrating that even the machinations of human law and power are ultimately subservient to God's sovereign plan to advance His kingdom and glorify His Son.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 22:30

On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from [his] bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.