Paul’s Defense Before the Sanhedrin Acts 23:1-35

Paul is now a prisoner, and we will follow Paul’s life as a prisoner.  Paul will give a vivid defense of himself and his ministry.  In chapter 22, we have seen how the Roman captain arrested Paul and put him in prison and was about to beat him.  He relented from doing so when he learned that Paul was a Roman citizen.  He was astonished to find that Paul was a Jew who could speak Greek and was a Roman citizen.  Paul was highly educated, a real cosmopolitan individual.

As chapter 23 opens, Paul is before the Sanhedrin; in essence, he is appearing before the chief priest and council.  The High Priest orders that Paul be smitten on the mouth.  Paul is treated in an unjust way, and Paul speaks out by calling the High Priest a “whited wall.”  Paul is standing up for what is right – “a man cannot be condemned or punished before judgment has been handed down.”  Paul did not recognize that he was speaking to the High Priest (vv. 1-5).  Paul understood that rulers should be respected under the law.

As Christians, regardless of who is in office, we need to respect the position he or she occupies!  Yes, Paul knew to render respect to rulers, for Romans 13:7 states: “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due: custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”  Paul wrote Roman when the infamous Nero was on the throne!  Paul shrewdly turns his defense into a theological argument between two rivalry groups – the “fundamentalists” (Pharisees) and the “liberals” (Sadducees).  The fundamentalists and liberals are still at odds with one another even today.

After a great dissension among the groups, the Pharisees came to Paul’s defense, and the Roman captain orders that Paul be brought to the castle (vv. 6-10).  The chief captain rescues Paul without understanding the real nature of the hatred against Paul!  I find that to be very ironic!  During a tumultuous period in Paul’s life, he received some comforting words from the Lord: “Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou has testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome” (v. 11).

Paul was warned by the Spirit of God that he should expect bonds and afflictions if he went to Jerusalem.  Now the Lord assures Paul that he will also testify in Rome.  Notice that there is a plot against Paul’s life, but God’s assuring words of comfort will overrule any plot (vv. 12-15).

God’s plan for Paul is Rome and no plot can suppress His plan.  The plot is to kill Paul, but God’s plan for Paul is to testify in Rome!  The chief captain is informed of the plot against Paul from Paul’s relative and orders that Paul would be escorted safely to the port of city of Caesarea, where Paul will appear before the Roman governor, Felix (vv.16-35).

Paul’s accusers are to go down to Caesarea if they have case against Paul.  In retrospect, it was interesting to me that Paul uses his Roman citizenship and instructs his nephew to tell the chief captain regarding the plot against Paul’s life.  It is interesting to me that this mob of above forty angry men did not even get to kill Paul!

God will protect His own, for God promised Paul that Paul will testify in Rome!  Paul will indeed witness before governors, rulers and kings as the Lord Jesus had said.

May God Bless!