Acts 23 6

Acts 23:6 kjv

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Acts 23:6 nkjv

But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!"

Acts 23:6 niv

Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead."

Acts 23:6 esv

Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial."

Acts 23:6 nlt

Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!"

Acts 23 verses

Acts 23 6 Meaning

Paul, realizing that the Sanhedrin council was divided between two opposing factions, Sadducees and Pharisees, strategically declared his identity as a Pharisee. He then asserted that the reason for his arrest and accusation stemmed from his unwavering belief in the hope of the resurrection of the dead. This statement, a fundamental point of contention between the two groups, served to exploit their existing theological rift, diverting attention from Paul's evangelistic activities to their own internal dispute.

Acts 23 6 Context

Acts 23 begins with Paul on trial before the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish judicial body. After an initial confrontation where Paul is struck on the mouth, he recognizes the assembly is comprised of two distinct, mutually antagonistic groups: the Sadducees and the Pharisees. The Sanhedrin was responsible for enforcing Jewish law and tradition, and both groups had political and religious influence, often vying for power. Paul, knowing their profound theological disagreements, particularly concerning the resurrection of the dead, makes a calculated statement designed to ignite their internal conflict, thereby disrupting the unified front against him.

Acts 23 6 Word analysis

• But (δέ - de): A connective particle often indicating a slight antithesis or transition. Here, it marks a turning point in Paul's defense strategy after the chaotic start to the council hearing.
• when Paul perceived (γνοὺς δὲ ὁ Παῦλος - gnous de ho Paulos): Gnous (γνοὺς), from ginosko, signifies more than just seeing; it implies understanding, discerning, or recognizing a fact. Paul acutely understood the internal dynamics and divisions of the council. This wasn't a superficial observation but a shrewd grasp of the situation.
• that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees: These two influential Jewish sects held drastically different theological and political views. The Sadducees, typically the aristocratic, priestly class, adhered strictly to the Pentateuch, rejecting the resurrection, angels, spirits, and oral tradition. The Pharisees, often representing the popular religious movement, believed in all these doctrines, accepting the Prophets and Writings alongside the Torah and valuing oral law. Their disagreement on fundamental issues was widely known.
• he cried out (ἔκραζεν - ekrazen): The imperfect tense indicates a strong, perhaps sustained or emphatic, public declaration. This was a dramatic, vocal proclamation designed to be heard by all.
• in the council (ἐν τῷ συνεδρίῳ - en tō synedriō): Refers to the Sanhedrin, the supreme judicial and religious body of the Jews. Paul's declaration was made in the formal setting of his trial.
• Men and brethren (Ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί - Andres adelphoi): A polite yet direct form of address to the council members, acknowledging their shared Jewish identity even amidst conflict.
• I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee (Ἐγὼ Φαρισαῖος εἰμι, υἱὸς Φαρισαίου - Egō Pharisaios eimi, huios Pharisaiou): Paul strongly identifies with his heritage and past religious affiliation (see Phil 3:5, Acts 22:3, 26:5). He states not just that he was a Pharisee, but "I am a Pharisee," highlighting a continued alignment with key Pharisaic beliefs (especially concerning resurrection), even in his new faith in Christ. This was not a lie, as the core belief in the resurrection of the dead remained.
• of the hope and resurrection (περὶ ἐλπίδος καὶ ἀναστάσεως - peri elpidos kai anastaseōs):
  • Hope (ἐλπίδος - elpidos): In this context, it refers to the firm expectation and confidence in God's future promises, particularly regarding eternal life and the rising of the dead. For Paul, this hope was supremely fulfilled and realized in Jesus Christ.
  • Resurrection (ἀναστάσεως - anastaseōs): Literally "a rising up again." This is the pivotal doctrine that separated the Pharisees and Sadducees. Paul directly challenges the Sadducee disbelief. For Christians, the resurrection of Christ is the bedrock of their faith and the guarantee of their own future resurrection.
• of the dead (νεκρῶν - nekron): Refers to those who have died, emphasizing the physical raising from death.
• I am called in question (κρίνομαι - krinomai): To be judged, to be put on trial, or to be accused. Paul presents his belief in resurrection as the central reason for his present predicament, a charge which he knows the Sadducees vigorously oppose, but which resonates with the Pharisees.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Paul perceived... he cried out in the council: This sequence highlights Paul's acute discernment and swift, decisive action within a hostile environment. His wisdom and strategic thinking are paramount in this moment of crisis.
• one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees: This directly points to the divided nature of the Jewish leadership, setting the stage for Paul to exploit this internal rift.
• I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: More than an assertion of heritage, it's a statement of ongoing theological affinity on a key doctrine. Paul identifies with a belief system common to many in the room, albeit now understood through Christ.
• of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question: Paul frames his accusation around a central, contentious Jewish doctrine rather than his Christian mission specifically, drawing a wedge between his accusers based on their own internal religious disputes. For Paul, the "hope and resurrection" was embodied in the risen Jesus, making his declaration both strategically shrewd and entirely truthful.

Acts 23 6 Bonus section

Paul's declaration highlights the deep sectarianism within Judaism at the time, particularly the chasm between the Sadducees and Pharisees, which ultimately played a role in the Roman conquest and destruction of Jerusalem. While both groups were generally antagonistic to Jesus and early Christianity, their specific doctrinal positions, especially concerning the afterlife, made the Sadducees far more resistant to the core message of the resurrection of Christ. Paul's strategic genius lies in leveraging this existing divide. His claim effectively turned some Pharisees into his momentary advocates, as they recognized his defense of a belief they also held dear, even if they disagreed on the person of Jesus being the resurrected one. This tactic of finding common ground on foundational beliefs, while navigating differences, is a practical application of being "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Mt 10:16).

Acts 23 6 Commentary

Paul’s declaration in Acts 23:6 is a masterclass in strategic rhetoric and astute situational awareness. Faced with a hostile Sanhedrin eager to condemn him, Paul recognizes the theological fault line running directly through his accusers. By emphatically declaring himself a Pharisee, not merely by heritage but by his continued belief in the "hope and resurrection of the dead"—a cornerstone of Pharisaic theology that the Sadducees adamantly rejected—he deliberately ignites a profound doctrinal dispute within the council itself. This move instantly polarizes his judges, forcing them to defend their own positions rather than present a united front against him.

It’s crucial to understand that Paul wasn't lying. While his "Pharisee" understanding of resurrection was now radically transformed by Christ's own resurrection and its implications for believers (1 Cor 15), the core tenet of resurrection of the dead was still absolutely central to his faith, aligning him on this point with the Pharisees. He used a truth about his faith, which was simultaneously a key aspect of traditional Judaism, to expose the disunity and doctrinal bankruptcy of his opponents who rejected this foundational hope. His trial thus morphs from a persecution against a Christian into an internal Jewish theological debate, providing Paul a moment of reprieve and God a way to deliver His servant. This demonstrates that wisdom, prudence, and knowledge of one's audience are vital in testifying, even in the most dangerous circumstances.