Acts 23 14

Acts 23:14 kjv

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 23:14 nkjv

They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, "We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.

Acts 23:14 niv

They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, "We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.

Acts 23:14 esv

They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.

Acts 23:14 nlt

They went to the leading priests and elders and told them, "We have bound ourselves with an oath to eat nothing until we have killed Paul.

Acts 23 verses

Acts 23 14 Meaning

This verse details a specific, unlawful plot orchestrated by a group of Jews to ambush and kill the Apostle Paul. They made a solemn vow, swearing that they would neither eat nor drink until Paul was dead. This highlights the intense hostility and determination of the opposition Paul faced.

Acts 23 14 Context

Following a riot at the temple in Jerusalem, Paul was arrested by the Roman commander Claudius Lysias. After the commander thwarted a mob, Paul was allowed to address the Jewish crowd, during which he declared his call to be an apostle to the Gentiles. This declaration incensed the Jews. The next day, Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin. However, a division arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees regarding Paul's testimony of the resurrection, causing chaos. Claudius Lysias, fearing for Paul's life due to the escalating situation, intervened again and brought Paul back to the barracks. This verse reveals that outside the immediate proceedings, a conspiracy was already underway by over forty men who had taken a binding oath to assassinate Paul.

Acts 23 14 Word Analysis

• Δίακοσιοι (diakosioi): Literally "two hundred".
  • Represents a substantial number, emphasizing the organized and determined nature of the opposition.
• Περισσότεροι (perissoteroi): "More than," "upwards of."
  • Indicates the number was not exact, but certainly exceeded two hundred.
• ἀνδρῶν (andrōn): "Men," "men of."
  • Refers to males.
• συνέθεντο (synethento): From syntithemai, meaning "to place together," "to agree," "to devise."
  • Implies a deliberate and common planning of a malicious act.
  • Involves an active conspiracy.
• ἀνάθεμα (anathema): A curse, an accursed thing.
  • Indicates they devoted Paul to destruction, like a devoted offering (though in a negative sense), bringing divine wrath upon themselves if they failed.
  • Echoes Old Testament concepts of herem, sacred devotion, but here used to enforce their humanly devised plan of vengeance.
• Ἕν (hen): "One."
  • Unity in their wicked purpose.
• Φάγωμεν (phagōmen): "We eat," subjunctive mood from esthio (to eat).
  • Denotes their intention regarding their dietary abstention.
• Μὴ (mē): "Not."
  • Negates the action of eating.
• Πίομεν (piōmen): "We drink," subjunctive mood from pino (to drink).
  • Denotes their intention regarding their thirst.
• Ἕως (heōs): "Until."
  • Sets the condition for breaking their vow: Paul's death.
• ἀνέλωμεν (anelōmen): "We kill," subjunctive mood from anelō (to kill, to slay).
  • Expresses the violent termination they planned for Paul.
• Αὐτὸν (auton): "Him."
  • Specifically targeting Paul.

Group Analysis:The phrase "bound themselves under an anathema" (οἱ συνθέμενοι ἀνάθεμα, hoi syntithemēnoi anathema) signifies a self-imposed curse or devotion to destruction for the sake of accomplishing their objective. This was a potent and religiously charged oath, reflecting the extreme animosity of this faction.

Acts 23 14 Bonus Section

This organized group's "anathema" vow is a stark example of zeal without true knowledge or a perversion of religious fervor, much like Paul himself acknowledged he once possessed (Galatians 1:13-14). Their oath reflects an extreme commitment to their cause, but one that was diametrically opposed to God's purposes for Paul and the spread of the Gospel. Their action underscores the personal danger and opposition Paul constantly faced, as detailed throughout the book of Acts and his epistles.

Acts 23 14 Commentary

The unyielding hatred of the Jewish opposition is starkly evident. A group exceeding 200 men swore a sacred oath, dedicating themselves to death if they failed to assassinate Paul. This vow, similar to Jephthah's vow or other binding promises in Scripture, was intended to ensure absolute commitment to their deadly mission. Their resolve was so intense that they abstained from food and drink, making Paul's death the sole focus of their existence until it was achieved. This deep-seated antagonism, stemming from his ministry to the Gentiles, presented a grave and constant threat to Paul's life.