Acts 23 9

Acts 23:9 kjv

And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

Acts 23:9 nkjv

Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees' party arose and protested, saying, "We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God."

Acts 23:9 niv

There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. "We find nothing wrong with this man," they said. "What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?"

Acts 23:9 esv

Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, "We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?"

Acts 23:9 nlt

So there was a great uproar. Some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees jumped up and began to argue forcefully. "We see nothing wrong with him," they shouted. "Perhaps a spirit or an angel spoke to him."

Acts 23 verses

Acts 23 9 Meaning

Following Paul's declaration of his Pharisaic identity and belief in the resurrection, a profound division erupted within the Sanhedrin. Amidst a cacophony, scribes aligned with the Pharisaic faction rose to vehemently contend in Paul's defense. They declared him innocent of any wrongdoing related to the charges, proposing that if he had indeed received a message from a spiritual being or an angel, they should exercise extreme caution and refrain from opposing what might be a divine communication, thereby avoiding direct opposition to God. This statement highlighted the fundamental theological differences between the Pharisees, who believed in the resurrection, spirits, and angels, and the Sadducees, who did not.

Acts 23 9 Context

Acts chapter 23 begins with Paul standing before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish supreme court, where he is falsely accused by the Jewish council led by Ananias the high priest. Paul, seeking to defend himself, is struck by Ananias for an initial statement, to which Paul responds, unaware that it was the High Priest. He then cleverly exploits the deep-seated theological rift between the two dominant sects represented in the Sanhedrin: the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Knowing that Pharisees believe in the resurrection of the dead, angels, and spirits, while Sadducees deny all of these, Paul declares himself a Pharisee, persecuted "concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead." This declaration ignites a fierce debate and division within the council, shifting focus from Paul's alleged crimes to their own doctrinal dispute. Acts 23:9 details the crucial moment when the Pharisaic scribes take Paul's side, emphasizing their belief in divine communication as a reason not to oppose him. This sets the immediate context for their defense, illustrating God's providential use of existing religious divisions to protect Paul.

Acts 23 9 Word analysis

• And there arose: (γενομένης δὲ, genomenēs de) Denotes the development or happening of something; an immediate consequence of the previous statement.
• a great clamour: (πολλῆς κραυγῆς, pollēs kraugēs)
  • Kraugē signifies a loud outcry, shouting, often associated with intense emotion, a turbulent crowd, or vehement disputing. It describes the chaotic atmosphere in the Sanhedrin chamber.
• and the scribes: (καὶ τινες τῶν γραμματέων, kai tines tōn grammateōn)
  • Grammateus refers to a scribe or a secretary, but here specifically to learned men, often lawyers or interpreters of the Law. The phrase "some of" (τινες, tines) indicates not all scribes, but specific individuals aligned with a particular faction.
• that were of the Pharisees' part: (τοῦ μέρους τῶν Φαρισαίων, tou merous tōn Pharisaiōn) Clearly identifies their factional alignment within the Sanhedrin, emphasizing their shared doctrinal beliefs with Paul. The Pharisees believed in a resurrection of the dead, in angels, and in spirits, unlike the Sadducees.
• arose: (ἀναστάντες, anastantes) Stood up, indicating they were taking a prominent stand to voice their opinion and enter the debate.
• and strove: (διεμάχοντο, diemachonto)
  • From diamachomai, meaning to contend with, dispute hotly, or fight against. It conveys an intense, vehement disagreement or debate, not just a casual conversation, reflecting the deep schism Paul had just exposed.
• saying: (λέγοντες, legontes) The act of vocally expressing their view.
• We find no evil: (Οὐδὲν κακὸν εὑρίσκομεν, Ouden kakon heuriskomen)
  • Kakon refers to moral wrong, wickedness, or anything detrimental. This is a crucial declaration of Paul's innocence concerning the charges brought against him, reminiscent of similar pronouncements regarding Jesus' innocence.
• in this man: (ἐν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ τούτῳ, en tō anthrōpō toutō) Directly referring to Paul, highlighting their judgment on his character and actions related to the charges.
• but if a spirit: (εἰ δὲ πνεῦμα, ei de pneuma)
  • Pneuma can refer to wind, breath, or spirit. Here, it likely denotes a spiritual being, such as an angel or a divine manifestation, as opposed to a human spirit. This directly touches the Sadducee denial of such entities.
• or an angel: (ἢ ἄγγελος, ē angelos)
  • Angelos literally means messenger. In a biblical context, it refers to a divine messenger, affirming the Pharisaic belief in angelic existence and their role in divine communication.
• hath spoken to him: (ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ, elalēsen autō) Implying divine communication or revelation, a direct intervention of a spiritual being or angel.
• let us not fight against God: (μὴ θεομαχῶμεν, mē theomachōmen)
  • Theomachō means "to fight against God" or "to be in conflict with God." This phrase is profound, indicating a theological warning. It is an echo of Gamaliel's advice (Acts 5:39), suggesting that if Paul's experiences or messages originate from God, then opposing Paul would be equivalent to opposing God Himself, a dangerous and ultimately futile endeavor.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "And there arose a great clamour": This phrase immediately sets the scene of heightened tension and emotional fervor within the Sanhedrin, underscoring the severity of the theological rift exposed by Paul.
• "the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove": This highlights the active and forceful engagement of a specific faction within the Sanhedrin. It reveals the strategic success of Paul's tactic in causing a doctrinal debate that overshadowed his trial. Their "striving" implies a strong intellectual and verbal battle.
• "We find no evil in this man": This is a critical legal and moral declaration. It serves as an exoneration of Paul concerning the accusations of profaning the temple or stirring up sedition, indicating that even among some of his judges, no legitimate ground for conviction was found. This aligns Paul with figures like Jesus, who also received similar declarations of innocence from authorities.
• "but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him": This conditional statement underscores the Pharisees' openness to supernatural phenomena and divine revelation, contrasting sharply with the Sadducees' disbelief. It provides a theological justification for their defense of Paul, suggesting his defense might be divinely inspired.
• "let us not fight against God": This powerful theological and practical caution implies both fear of divine retribution and wisdom. It shifts the discussion from merely Paul's actions to the potentially ultimate source of his communication, making opposition to Paul's testimony a matter of challenging God Himself.

Acts 23 9 Bonus section

Paul's astute tactical move, identifying himself as a Pharisee focused on the hope of resurrection, was a masterstroke honed from his profound knowledge of Jewish law and traditions. His former identity as a diligent Pharisee and student under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) provided him with unique insight into their worldview, allowing him to exploit the theological fissures within the Sanhedrin for divine protection. This moment also serves as a stark example of how, even among those hostile to the Christian message, divine providence can use unexpected alliances to achieve God's sovereign plans. The Pharisees, typically opponents of the early church, here acted as Paul's unexpected advocates due to their shared doctrinal ground regarding resurrection and the supernatural.

Acts 23 9 Commentary

Acts 23:9 provides a pivotal moment in Paul's trial before the Sanhedrin, demonstrating the effectiveness of his shrewd strategy to divide his accusers. By leveraging the foundational doctrinal differences between the Pharisees and Sadducees concerning the resurrection, angels, and spirits, Paul not only deflected the charges against himself but also forced a significant number of his judges—the Pharisaic scribes—to defend him. Their declaration of "no evil in this man" constitutes a partial acquittal from a powerful religious body, highlighting God's providential hand in protecting His servant. The Pharisees' theological argument, suggesting Paul's experiences might be divinely inspired ("if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him"), is a crucial aspect. It not only aligns with their own beliefs but also offers a prudential warning against opposing God's will, echoing Gamaliel's earlier advice to the Sanhedrin in Acts 5:39. This moment exemplifies God's ability to use the pre-existing tensions and belief systems within society to advance His divine purpose, securing Paul's temporary safety and facilitating his journey towards Rome.