Acts 23 12

Acts 23:12 kjv

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 23:12 nkjv

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

Acts 23:12 niv

The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

Acts 23:12 esv

When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

Acts 23:12 nlt

The next morning a group of Jews got together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

Acts 23 verses

Acts 23 12 Meaning

Acts 23:12 describes a grave and fanatical plot against the Apostle Paul's life. Following the heated Sanhedrin hearing, a specific group of zealous Jews formed a conspiracy. They bound themselves by a severe religious oath, a curse upon themselves, vowing not to partake in any food or drink until they had succeeded in killing Paul. This vow underscored their extreme determination and hatred towards Paul, whom they perceived as a threat to their faith and traditions.

Acts 23 12 Context

This verse immediately follows Paul's appearance before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. During the hearing, a dispute arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees over the resurrection, which Paul skillfully exploited, leading to a riot. The Roman commander, Claudius Lysias, intervened, pulling Paul out to save him from being torn apart. The night before Acts 23:12, the Lord Himself appeared to Paul, encouraging him and assuring him that he would bear witness in Rome (Acts 23:11). This divine promise provides crucial background, foreshadowing the failure of any human plot against Paul's life. The Jewish religious climate at the time was highly charged, marked by fervent nationalism and zealous adherence to traditions, making Paul's gospel of Christ, which transcended Jewish legalism, a profound offense to many. This fanaticism often led to violent plots against those perceived as betraying their ancestral faith.

Acts 23 12 Word analysis

• And when it was day (Γενομένης δὲ ἡμέρας, Genomenēs de hēmeras): Literally "But when day had come." This temporal marker indicates the very next morning after Paul's tumultuous night, first before the Sanhedrin and then receiving divine reassurance. It suggests urgency and swiftness in the conspirators' planning.

• some of the Jews (τινὲς τῶν Ἰουδαίων, tines tōn Ioudaiōn): The use of tines ("some") is significant, emphasizing that this was not a collective decision of the entire Jewish population but rather a specific, likely extremist or fanatical, faction. This avoids broad generalizations and points to the individual responsibility of the plotters.

• banded together (ποιησάμενοι συστροφὴν, poiēsaménou systrophēn): This phrase implies forming a conspiracy, an insurrectionary gathering, or a secret association. The Greek word systrophē (συστροφή) can mean a gathering, a collection, or even a mob, suggesting a planned, organized, and perhaps illicit assembly with a malicious purpose.

• and bound themselves under a curse (ἀνεθεμάτισαν ἑαυτοὺς, anathemasathes heautous): This is a strong and serious vow. Anathematizo (ἀναθεματίζω) means to solemnly devote oneself, usually to destruction or to a curse if a promise is broken. It signifies an absolute and binding commitment, placing themselves under divine judgment if they failed to achieve their murderous objective. It reflected intense zeal and determination, rooted in their religious convictions, albeit misdirected.

• saying that they would neither eat nor drink (λέγοντες μήτε φαγεῖν μήτε πιεῖν, legontes mētē phagein mētē piein): This indicates a solemn fast, a vow of total abstinence from food and water. Such extreme measures were seen as a way to compel God to sanction their mission, or to demonstrate the gravity of their commitment, implying that failing their objective was worse than death by starvation.

• till they had killed Paul (ἕως οὗ ἀποκτείνωσι τὸν Παῦλον, heōs hou apokteinōsi ton Paulon): The ultimate, singular, and deadly objective. It shows the extent of their hatred and perceived threat that Paul represented. Their goal was nothing short of murder, justified in their minds by their religious convictions.

• "banded together and bound themselves under a curse": This phrase group highlights the malicious combination of secret conspiracy and severe religious obligation. They were not merely plotting but religiously compelling themselves to carry out a murder, framing it as a sacred duty. This reveals a dangerous fusion of human malice and distorted piety.

• "neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul": This specific oath emphasizes the fanaticism and ultimate devotion to their deadly cause. It conveys an extreme level of commitment and desperation, showing they were prepared to suffer immensely, even die, to achieve Paul's death.

Acts 23 12 Bonus section

The account in Acts 23:12 provides a powerful example of the truth that "the wrath of man shall praise You" (Ps 76:10). While the conspirators' intent was purely evil, their very plot indirectly led to Paul being moved from Jerusalem under heavy Roman guard, eventually aiding his journey toward Rome as foretold by the Lord. This act of violence, fueled by a misguided sense of religious duty, mirrors instances in history where zealotry led to extreme measures. It reminds us of Jesus' warning that people would kill His followers, believing they were serving God (John 16:2). Such oaths of fasting for a wicked purpose are a perversion of biblical fasting, which is meant for spiritual discipline, humility, and seeking God's will (Matt 6:16-18; Isa 58:6). The incident also echoes the historical tension and political instability in Judea under Roman rule, where various Jewish factions, sometimes driven by messianic fervor or intense nationalism, engaged in acts of zealous violence.

Acts 23 12 Commentary

Acts 23:12 starkly illustrates the depth of hostility Paul faced, demonstrating a chilling resolve to extinguish the gospel message through violence. The formation of a secret conspiracy, systrophē, underscores a deliberate and coordinated effort, moving beyond spontaneous anger to calculated malice. The binding oath, an anathema, reveals a profound spiritual dimension to their murderous intent. These zealous Jews, perhaps seeing Paul as a dangerous heretic who threatened their Mosaic law and traditions, elevated their personal hatred into a religious imperative. By vowing a fast unto death, they believed they were making their cause sacred, attempting to coerce divine approval for an act of murder.

However, this fanatical human plot stood in stark contrast to God's clear assurance to Paul in the previous verse (Acts 23:11). The Lord's promise to Paul—that he would bear witness in Rome—acts as a divine counter-narrative, showing the futility of any human attempt to thwart God's sovereign plan. The extreme nature of the oath highlights the lengths to which religious zeal, unguided by divine truth, can lead individuals into sin and violent extremism. Ultimately, this detailed plot, born of hatred and religious fervour, serves to highlight God's unfailing protection and the impossibility of derailing His purposes for His servants. The very fanaticism designed to hasten Paul's death inadvertently ensured his prompt and safer journey under Roman protection towards Rome, though indirectly.