📖 Acts — Chapter 23 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Acts 23:1 And Paul, Rearnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
Acts 23:2 And the high priest RAnanias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
Acts 23:3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, Rthou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
Acts 23:4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?
Acts 23:5 Then said Paul, RI wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
Acts 23:6 But when RPaul 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 23:7 And when he had so said, Rthere arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
Acts 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
Acts 23:9 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, Rlet us not fight against God.
Acts 23:10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, Rfearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
Acts 23:11 And the night following Rthe Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
Acts 23:12 And when it was day, Rcertain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
Acts 23:13 And they were more than forty Rwhich had made this conspiracy.
Acts 23:14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.
Acts 23:15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain Rthat 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 23:16 And Rwhen Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
Acts 23:17 Then Paul called Rone of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
Acts 23:18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, RPaul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.
Acts 23:19 Then the chief captain Rtook him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?
Acts 23:20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
Acts 23:21 But Rdo 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 23:22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.
Acts 23:23 And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
Acts 23:24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto RFelix the governor.
Acts 23:25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:
Acts 23:26 Claudius Lysias unto Rthe most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
Acts 23:27 This man Rwas taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
Acts 23:28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:
Acts 23:29 Whom I perceived to be accused of Rquestions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
Acts 23:30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, Rand gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.
Acts 23:31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.
Acts 23:32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
Acts 23:33 Who, when they came to Caesarea and delivered the epistle to the governor, Rpresented Paul also before him.
Acts 23:34 And when the governor had read the letter, Rhe asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;
Acts 23:35 I will hear thee, said he, Rwhen thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s judgment hall.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 23:1–11 — The council hearing divides and the Lord encourages Paul
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul’s answer before the council leads to conflict, including his correction concerning the high priest. His resurrection hope divides Pharisees and Sadducees, soldiers rescue him, and the Lord promises witness at Rome.
Key Truth: Let hope sustain courage while keeping conduct accountable to truth.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And ____ , earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I …” (Acts 23:1)
Find it in Acts 23:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the ____ of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the …” (Acts 23:6)
Find it in Acts 23:6 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And the ____ following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of …” (Acts 23:11)
Find it in Acts 23:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 23:12–22 — A plot is uncovered through timely warning
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
More than forty men vow to kill Paul and seek a deceptive hearing request. Paul’s nephew hears the plan, informs him and the officer, and receives instructions to keep the report confidential.
Key Truth: Use knowledge of danger to protect rather than to excite rumor.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a ____ thing to tell him.” (Acts 23:17)
Find it in Acts 23:17 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ the chief captain took him by the hand, and went …” (Acts 23:19)
Find it in Acts 23:19 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “So the ____ captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, …” (Acts 23:22)
Find it in Acts 23:22 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 23:23–35 — Paul is escorted to Felix with a written account
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The officer arranges a substantial escort and sends a letter explaining the case and threat. Paul reaches Caesarea, Felix reads the letter, and a hearing is deferred until the accusers arrive.
Key Truth: Value orderly and truthful handling of an accusation.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And he ____ unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers …” (Acts 23:23)
Find it in Acts 23:23 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their ____ , but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy …” (Acts 23:29)
Find it in Acts 23:29 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s ____ hall.” (Acts 23:35)
Find it in Acts 23:35 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Psalms 56:3 — The psalm’s trust amid fear connects with courage under threat.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Where can a timely, truthful report protect someone from harm or injustice?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Acts 23:1–11 (The council hearing divides and the Lord encourages Paul) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Acts 23:12–22 (A plot is uncovered through timely warning) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Acts 23:23–35 (Paul is escorted to Felix with a written account) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What standard frames Paul's opening statement before the council?
5. What assurance connects Paul's Jerusalem witness with his future?
Notes
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