The Plot to Kill Paul - Acts 23

¹² The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. ¹³ More than forty men were involved in this plot. ¹⁴ 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. ¹⁵ 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.”

¹⁶ But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.

¹⁷ Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” ¹⁸ So he took him to the commander.

The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”

¹⁹ The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”

²⁰ He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him. ²¹ 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.”

²² The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

Here we learn that Paul had a sister and a nephew.  They obviously kept in touch. 

We also learn that 40 Jews agreed not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.  That is a large group to make such a dedicated stand.  They obviously had judged Paul’s soul and found it wanting, something they were unqualified to do and had no authority to do.  Only Jesus can judge a man’s soul, and He will.  Since the text mentions the chief priests and the Sanhedrin, it is reasonable to assume that all of them are working together to murder Paul.

Paul is hated because he follows Jesus.  They violently protest against him directly and have now plotted to kill him.  All because he follows Jesus.  What has following Jesus cost you?  Should you ask yourself, are you following Jesus with all your heart, mind, and spirit?