Acts 23 21

Acts 23:21 kjv

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.

Acts 23:21 nkjv

But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you."

Acts 23:21 niv

Don't give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request."

Acts 23:21 esv

But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent."

Acts 23:21 nlt

But don't do it! There are more than forty men hiding along the way ready to ambush him. They have vowed not to eat or drink anything until they have killed him. They are ready now, just waiting for your consent."

Acts 23 verses

Acts 23 21 Meaning

Acts 23:21 details a perilous plot against the apostle Paul. It is a warning to the Roman tribune not to yield to the deceptive request of Paul's accusers. More than forty Jewish conspirators have sworn a binding oath, a self-imposed curse, vowing to neither eat nor drink until they have assassinated Paul. They are ready to execute their ambush and await the tribune's cooperation to bring Paul back to them, providing the opportunity for their murderous scheme.

Acts 23 21 Context

This verse appears at a critical juncture in Paul's journey. Having been arrested in Jerusalem due to false accusations, Paul was rescued from a mob and the Sanhedrin by the Roman tribune, Claudius Lysias. Following a chaotic trial where Paul divided the Sanhedrin by proclaiming his identity as a Pharisee believing in the resurrection, the tribune feared Paul would be torn apart (Acts 23:10). The Lord Himself appeared to Paul in Acts 23:11, assuring him he must testify in Rome. Acts 23:21 immediately follows this divine assurance. The verse is Paul's nephew informing the tribune of a meticulously planned assassination attempt, aiming to ambush Paul as he is supposedly brought back before the council. This desperate plot by a faction of zealous Jews underscores the intense animosity towards Paul and his Gospel message, propelling Paul from Jewish legal entanglement into the protective, albeit circuitous, hands of Roman authority, fulfilling God's promise.

Acts 23 21 Word analysis

• "Do not be persuaded": (Greek: μὴ πείσῃς, mē peisēs). An emphatic warning, telling the tribune not to trust or be convinced by the seemingly reasonable request from the Sanhedrin. It highlights their manipulative intent behind the official petition.
• "by them": Refers to the Jewish leaders, specifically the contingent of the Sanhedrin or its representatives who intended to trick the tribune into handing Paul over.
• "for more than forty": A precise and considerable number, indicating an organized and determined group rather than a mere few. This detail underscores the seriousness and scale of the threat.
• "of them lie in wait for him": (Greek: ἐνέδραν ποιοῦνται, enedran poiountai, literally "they are making an ambush"). This denotes a premeditated, deceptive, and violent attack. It emphasizes their malicious intent to murder by stealth.
• "who have bound themselves with an oath": (Greek: ἀναθεματίζουσιν ἑαυτούς, anathematizousin heautous, "they anathematize themselves"). This is not merely an oath, but a self-imposed curse or anathema. It means they invoke divine judgment upon themselves if they fail to accomplish their murderous goal. This signifies extreme fanaticism, solemnity, and commitment, putting their lives and souls on the line for their purpose.
• "that they will neither eat nor drink": This specifies the nature of their vow: a fast oath. Such an oath was highly serious, binding the individuals to their purpose under threat of literal starvation. It demonstrates the depth of their zeal and unyielding determination to kill Paul.
• "till they have killed him": This is the explicit, violent objective of their sacred and desperate oath. Their perverted religious zeal leads them to commit murder.
• "and now they are ready": Emphasizes the immediate readiness and preparedness of the conspirators. They are poised to act the moment the opportunity arises.
• "looking for the promise from you": They are awaiting the tribune's consent to bring Paul down from the barracks for further questioning. This shows their cunning and how they planned to exploit legal procedure to facilitate their assassination attempt.

Words-group analysis

• "more than forty... who have bound themselves with an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him": This phrase dramatically portrays the depth of the conspirators' hatred and the extreme measures they are willing to undertake. Their "sacred" oath involving self-starvation until their murderous deed is done, illustrates an ultimate level of fanatical devotion to their destructive purpose, rooted in religious and nationalistic fervor.
• "lie in wait for him... looking for the promise from you": This grouping highlights the treacherous and deceptive nature of the plot. The conspirators are not seeking a fair trial or justice but a clandestine opportunity to ambush. They cynically leverage the Roman judicial process as a means to achieve their wicked ends, portraying a façade of legal request while harboring murderous intentions.

Acts 23 21 Bonus section

• The dramatic revelation of the plot by Paul's nephew highlights that God often uses unexpected or seemingly "insignificant" means to accomplish His will and protect His servants. The contrast between a highly organized group of "more than forty" desperate men and a young relative exposing their plan is profound.
• The incident provides a strong example of how religious zeal, when devoid of true knowledge and love, can become twisted into the most heinous forms of hatred and violence, believing it to be a service to God (John 16:2, Rom 10:2).
• This verse signifies a crucial turning point in Paul's life and ministry, marking his effective removal from Jewish jurisdiction and placing him increasingly under Roman legal and protective custody, directly steering him towards his divinely appointed testimony in Rome.

Acts 23 21 Commentary

Acts 23:21 paints a vivid picture of the relentless, violent opposition faced by the early Church and its apostles. It reveals a specific instance of murderous fanaticism among certain Jewish factions, who, driven by zeal, distorted divine law into a justification for assassination. Their "anathema" oath and fasting until Paul's death demonstrates an extreme and perverted sense of piety. This desperate conspiracy, however, paradoxically serves God's sovereign plan. The divine foresight, working through the unexpected messenger of Paul's nephew, foils the elaborate plot. This revelation compels the Roman tribune to protect Paul as a Roman citizen, thereby moving him out of immediate Jewish danger and closer to his ultimate destination and mission in Rome, fulfilling God's assurance from the previous night (Acts 23:11). The incident stands as a powerful testament to God's providence amidst intense persecution, showcasing His ability to turn evil designs into instruments for His redemptive purposes.