Acts 23 15

Acts 23:15 kjv

Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

Acts 23:15 nkjv

Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near."

Acts 23:15 niv

Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here."

Acts 23:15 esv

Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near."

Acts 23:15 nlt

So you and the high council should ask the commander to bring Paul back to the council again. Pretend you want to examine his case more fully. We will kill him on the way."

Acts 23 verses

Acts 23 15 Meaning

This verse details the conspirators' cunning plan to murder Paul. Over forty men, having bound themselves by a solemn oath to neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul, instruct members of the Sanhedrin council to formally request the Roman chief captain, Lysias, to bring Paul back down to them the following day. Their stated reason for this request is to conduct a more thorough or perfect examination of Paul's case. However, their true, concealed intent is to ambush and kill Paul before he reaches the Sanhedrin chamber. It reveals the depth of their malice, deceit, and fanatical determination to eliminate Paul, posing a grave threat to his life immediately after his safety seemed momentarily secured by Roman intervention.

Acts 23 15 Context

Acts chapter 23 begins with Paul's appearance before the Sanhedrin, where a physical assault against him escalates into a theological debate over the resurrection, causing a fierce division between the Sadducees and Pharisees. The Roman chief captain, Lysias, concerned about Paul's safety (and his Roman citizenship, as revealed earlier), had Paul taken into military custody. Following this, the Lord Himself appears to Paul in a vision, assuring him that he must bear witness in Rome, thus guaranteeing his survival (Acts 23:11). Verse 15 immediately follows this divine assurance. Unknown to Paul and Lysias, a group of more than forty zealous Jewish men had sworn an oath (Acts 23:12-14) to assassinate Paul. This verse is their concrete plan to execute their vow, manipulating the Jewish high council to unwittingly facilitate their murderous scheme, demonstrating their extreme fanaticism and willingness to use deception under a veneer of legal inquiry.

Acts 23 15 Word analysis

• Now therefore (Οὖν νῦν, Oun nyn): A strong connective phrase indicating a logical consequence or continuation of their previous agreement and oath (Acts 23:12-14). It signifies the transition from oath to action, demonstrating immediate intent and urgency in their plot.
• ye with (ὑμεῖς σὺν, hymeis syn): Refers to the specific members of the Sanhedrin council (implied to be sympathetic to their cause or easily swayed) whom the conspirators are addressing and influencing. This highlights the complicity sought from influential religious leaders.
• the council (τῷ συνεδρίῳ, tō synedriō): Refers to the Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin. This signifies their attempt to use the legitimate authority and perceived investigative power of the highest religious body to facilitate their illicit agenda, giving it an appearance of legitimacy.
• signify (ἐμφανίσατε, emphanisate): Aorist imperative, meaning "make manifest," "report," "disclose," or "request." It denotes a formal, official communication, indicating their desire for a legitimate-looking request to be sent to the Roman authority.
• to the chief captain (τῷ χιλιάρχῳ, tō chiliarchō): Refers to Lysias, the Roman tribune commanding the cohort stationed in Jerusalem. He held authority over military operations and keeping public order, and they sought to exploit this.
• that he bring him down (ὅπως καταγάγῃ αὐτὸν, hopōs katagagē auton): "Bring him down" from the Antonia Fortress (where Paul was held) to the area near the Temple where the Sanhedrin met. This physical movement was essential for their ambush.
• unto you tomorrow (πρὸς ὑμᾶς αὔριον, pros hymas aurion): The inclusion of "tomorrow" underscores the immediate urgency of their plot, fueled by their binding oath to act swiftly.
• as though (ὡς, hōs): This preposition indicates a pretense, an "as if" scenario. It directly exposes the deceptive nature of their request.
• ye would inquire (μέλλοντες διαγινώσκειν, mellontes diaginoskein): "Intending to discern," "about to decide." This describes the feigned purpose of their request—a legal proceeding or further judicial examination.
• something more perfectly (ἀκριβέστερον, akribesteron): Comparative adverb from akribēs, meaning "accurate," "exact," "diligent." So, "more accurately" or "more precisely." This adds a layer of professional and meticulous deception to their stated intent, making the request seem genuine.
• concerning him (περὶ αὐτοῦ, peri autou): "About him" or "regarding him" – referring to Paul.
• and we (ἡμεῖς δέ, hemeis de): A stark contrast and reveal. "But we" introduces the true, hidden intention of the conspirators themselves.
• before he come near (πρὸ τοῦ ἐγγίσαι αὐτόν, pro tou enggisai auton): Meaning "before he gets close," indicating a planned ambush en route, ensuring they intercept him before he is secure within the council chambers or Roman protection.
• are ready (ἕτοιμοι, hetoimoi): Adjective meaning "prepared," "eager," "poised." It highlights their commitment, preparedness, and eagerness to carry out the murder.
• to kill him (ἀνελεῖν αὐτόν, anelein auton): Infinitive meaning "to take away," "to destroy," "to kill." This is the ultimate, explicit objective of the entire elaborate deception.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain...": This phrase initiates the deceitful formal request. It emphasizes the collaboration sought between the conspirators and specific council members, leveraging the perceived authority of the Sanhedrin to deceive the Roman captain.
• "...that he bring him down unto you tomorrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him...": This part outlines the mechanics of their deception. The request for Paul's presence is framed as a legitimate and even scrupulous desire for a deeper understanding of his case. This pretense is designed to allay Roman suspicions. The immediate timing ("tomorrow") adds a layer of believable urgency.
• "...and we, before he come near, are ready to kill him.": This concluding clause starkly reveals the true, murderous intent behind the carefully crafted deception. The contrast ("and we") dramatically exposes the profound malice and violent determination of the conspirators, ready to commit murder immediately and without hesitation outside official scrutiny.

Acts 23 15 Bonus section

The conspirators' plan relied heavily on two things: the reputation and perceived authority of the Sanhedrin to request Paul, and the route taken between the Antonia Fortress (Roman barracks) and the Temple precincts (where the Sanhedrin met), which offered opportunities for ambush. This plot is distinct in its organized, large-scale nature compared to previous informal plots against Paul's life. It highlights the desperation and extreme fanaticism within certain Jewish elements who viewed Paul as a dangerous apostate from their traditions and therefore deserving of death. The irony is that the same zeal often professed for God led them to blatant deceit and a murderous act, which would violate fundamental Mosaic laws against false witness and murder (Exod 20:13, 16; Deut 5:17, 20).

Acts 23 15 Commentary

Acts 23:15 provides a chilling glimpse into the intensity of opposition Paul faced. It demonstrates the profound level of hatred and religious zeal, twisted into murderous intent, among certain Jewish factions in Jerusalem. This verse lays bare a meticulously crafted, multi-layered conspiracy: first, the fanatical oath sworn by over forty men; second, the strategic manipulation of members within the venerable Sanhedrin council; and third, the deception directed at the Roman authorities. The plan to ambush Paul on his journey from the barracks to the council meeting underlines their cold determination and disregard for both Roman law and human life, cloaking their heinous goal under the guise of religious and legal inquiry. Ironically, their very urgency and elaborate deception, rather than guaranteeing success, provided the crucial elements for the plot to be discovered and thwarted, thus ensuring God's greater purpose for Paul. This account underscores that even the most fervent and detailed human plots cannot stand against the sovereign will and protective hand of God, who had already promised Paul he would reach Rome (Acts 23:11).