Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Acts 23:21

Next

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.

But {G3767} do {G3982} not {G3361} thou {G4771} yield {G3982} unto them {G846}: for {G1063} there lie in wait for {G1748} him {G846} of {G1537} them {G846} more than {G4119} forty {G5062} men {G435}, which {G3748} have bound {G332} themselves {G1438} with an oath {G332}, that they will {G5315} neither {G3383} eat {G5315} nor {G3383} drink {G4095} till {G2193}{G3739} they have killed {G337} him {G846}: and {G2532} now {G3568} are they {G1526} ready {G2092}, looking for {G4327} a promise {G1860} from {G575} thee {G4675}.

But don’t let yourself be talked into it, because more than forty men are lying in wait for him. They have taken an oath neither to eat nor to drink until they kill him; and they are ready now, only waiting for you to give your consent to their request.”

Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.”

Do not thou therefore yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, who have bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor to drink till they have slain him: and now are they ready, looking for the promise from thee.

Commentary

Context of Acts 23:21

This verse is part of a dramatic sequence in the Apostle Paul's life after his third missionary journey. Having returned to Jerusalem, Paul was arrested following a riot instigated by Jewish leaders who vehemently opposed his preaching of the Gospel, particularly his message to the Gentiles (Acts 21:30-31). After being brought before the Sanhedrin (Acts 23:1-10), a dangerous conspiracy was formed against him. Paul's nephew, hearing of this plot, bravely reported it to the Roman chief captain, Claudius Lysias. This verse contains the nephew's urgent warning to Lysias about the specific, deadly nature of the plot.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Providence and Protection: Acts 23:21 powerfully illustrates God's protective hand over Paul. Despite intense human malice and a meticulously planned assassination attempt, God used Paul's nephew and the Roman authorities to safeguard His servant, ensuring Paul would fulfill his mission to testify in Rome, as promised by the Lord Himself (Acts 23:11).
  • Human Malice and Conspiracy: The verse vividly portrays the extreme hatred and fanaticism of Paul's adversaries. More than forty men were so determined to kill Paul that they bound themselves with a solemn, self-imprecatory oath, refusing to eat or drink until their objective was achieved. This highlights the depth of spiritual opposition faced by early Christians.
  • The Seriousness of Oaths: In ancient Jewish culture, an oath of this nature was a profoundly serious and binding commitment, often involving a curse upon oneself if the vow was broken. The conspirators' willingness to undertake such a severe oath underscores their desperate resolve and the high stakes involved.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "bound themselves with an oath" translates the Greek verb ἀναθεματίζω (anathematizō), which means to "devote to destruction" or "curse." In this context, it signifies that the conspirators placed themselves under a solemn, self-imposed curse, vowing to starve if they failed to kill Paul. This wasn't merely a strong promise, but a ritualistic act of dedicating themselves to a curse if their murderous intent was not fulfilled. This fanatical commitment reveals the intense religious and political fervor that fueled the opposition against Paul.

Practical Application

Acts 23:21 offers several practical insights for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Even when facing overwhelming opposition or threats, this passage reminds us that God is sovereign and capable of protecting His people and accomplishing His purposes through unexpected means.
  • Vigilance and Wisdom: Paul's nephew demonstrated discernment and courage by reporting the plot. Believers are called to be wise and discerning, recognizing potential dangers and taking appropriate, godly action when necessary.
  • The Reality of Spiritual Conflict: The intense hatred and conspiracy against Paul serve as a powerful reminder that followers of Christ may face significant opposition, sometimes from unexpected sources. This necessitates relying on divine protection and wisdom to navigate challenges.
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 23:12 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • Acts 23:14 (4 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.

  • Exodus 23:2 (3 votes)

    Thou shalt not follow a multitude to [do] evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest [judgment]:

  • 2 Corinthians 11:26 (3 votes)

    [In] journeyings often, [in] perils of waters, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils by [mine own] countrymen, [in] perils by the heathen, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren;

  • Romans 9:3 (3 votes)

    For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

  • Acts 25:3 (3 votes)

    And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

  • Acts 20:19 (3 votes)

    Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: