Acts 23:1-11: "Paul Before the Council"
The gospels and Acts are filled with Jewish opposition to "the Way". Paul will once again be put before his Jewish people and have to give testimony to his actions. An interesting aspect to this encounter is that Paul is not able to proclaim the gospel. In fact, this is a very unusual encounter for Paul. Many times in the previous encounters, Paul would spend his time either explaining his incredible conversion, or accusing the Jewish people of killing God. In this exchange with the Sanhedrin, Paul is humbled and uses a little trickery to escape the council.
Paul again addresses the Jewish council as "brethren". MacArthur's commentary says, "The customary way of addressing the Sanhedrin was 'Rulers and elders of the people' or 'Brethren and father's'. But Paul, unlike Peter or Stephen, had close ties to the Sanhedrin. He undoubtedly knew many of them, having probably once been a member of the Sanhedrin himself". Paul proclaims before them that he has, "lived [his] life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day". This was a strike at the Sanhedrin as they were desiring to kill him for what they viewed as blasphemy. If he had stood before them w/ a perfectly good conscience, and they desired to kill him, he was accusing them of going against God. Paul's statement is not to be taken as he had never committed anything wrong before. Obviously, that is not the case for Paul as the self-proclaimed, "wretched man that I am!" and chief of all sinners. However, Paul was saying that everything the Sanhedrin accused him of he felt no guilt before God. Basically, they were unjustified and wrong in everything they accused him of doing.
Because Paul had basically told the Sanhedrin they were wrong before God, Ananias the High Priest, "commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth." At this Paul is infuriated and shouts back, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!" This is the first retaliatory words we hear Paul say while being confronted by his enemies. Paul, however, was justified in his mind as it was illegal to be beaten if you had not been charged or convicted of any crime. This can bring to mind the time Christ spoke out against the Pharisees calling them, "whitewashed tombs" (Matt. 23:27), and Ezekiel's denunciation of false prophets as walls plastered over with whitewash, (Ezek. 13:10-16). Although completely understandable by human standards, Paul had sinned by speaking back disrespectful to God's high priest. Interestingly, MacArthur commentates, "Some have wondered how to harmonize Paul's strong language with his declaration to the Corinthians that "when we are reviled, we bless" (I Cor. 4:12). They point out, in contrast, the example of Jesus, who, "while being reviled, did not revile in return; while suffering, uttered no threats" (I Peter 2:23). . . .The answer is, of course, that Paul was not Jesus. Jesus was the sinless Son of God. Paul, while no doubt the godliest man who ever lived, was still a sinner. He vividly described his battle with indwelling sin in Rom. 7:14ff; this was one time when the flesh prevailed".
In his eyes, however, Paul may have felt justified, since he did not realize who he was speaking to was the high priest. For after he is questioned why he would, "revile God's high priest?" he responds by saying he was not aware. Paul, then humbly confesses his error to the Sanhedrin as he quotes Ex. 22:28, "You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people". This should teach us an important lesson. Although we may not agree with those that are in authority over us, we must still respect them, as God has put them over us. Despite the fact that the high priest was in opposition to God (as many leaders in a so-called "spiritual" position are today), Paul respected the authority that he held. This should be convicting to us as we talk about our parents, teachers, government leaders, etc. How do we speak of them? Are we respectful to them? Recognizing the position God has given them.
Seeing the poor start he had gotten off to with the high priest, Paul recognized he would not receive a fair trial, and tried to disrupt the trial by pitting the Pharisees against the Sadducees. Knowing that their was a conflict in the beliefs of these two groups, Paul calls on the Pharisees for support by proclaiming, "I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!" As Luke commentates to help us understand how this would affect the Sadducees he writes, "For the Sadducess say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge them all" (v.8). Paul knew that this would get a rise out of the two main religious factions that comprised the Sanhedrin. Paul, successfully diverts the attention off himself and gets the Pharisees to suddenly become his advocate.
The The International commentary on the New Testament explains, "The Sadducees accepted only the Pentateuch as authoritative. They rejected any concept of an afterlife, claiming that it was not found there. The Pharisees, on the other hand, believed in resurrection and the afterlife. Their beliefs were thus more compatible with Christianity than those of the Sadducees. F.F. Bruce notes that 'a Sadducee could not become a Christian without abandoning the distinctive theological position of his party; a Pharisee could become a Christian and remain a Pharisee".
I have found this section laughable. It is amazing to me how quickly the religious leaders could get thrown off track. They were so set in their ways, and so unbelievably narrow sighted and blind to the truth, that they could easily be thrown into confusion over a few slight words by Paul. The roman commander watching this must have been thoroughly frustrated by the Jews as they could not do anything peaceably and with order. He once again is unable to find out what they are so upset w/ Paul about. Another amazing thing is how quickly the Pharisees turn. One minute they were abusing Paul and ready to kill him. The next minute they are defending him before the Sadducees. You can see how fickle and obstinate the Pharisees were. "Some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began ot argue heatedly, saying, "We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" Apparently, the Sadducees were "more of a threat" to the Pharisees at this time because of their beliefs, than Paul was to them. MacArthur explains, "Lysias must have watched in growing frustration as the discord grew. Even after bringing Paul before the highest Jewish court, he was no nearer to discovering what crime the apostle had committed".
Once again, the Romans rescued Paul from his own people as they were, "afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks". Certainly, beaten and physically exhausted from the past couple days, the Lord comes to encourage and restore Paul, to help him persevere and continue on the course that He had set for him. "But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, "Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also". This must have been comforting on two levels. One, the Lord had commended Paul for his work. He reinforces the fact that he has been a faithful witness for him here in Jerusalem. It is like your boss coming to you and giving you praise for your hard work after a tough day. Second, Paul knew he would be released and be able to leave Jerusalem, as God has called him to Rome as well. God always knows when we need encouragement. Often he will bring people or circumstances to us that will help us get through the hard times. Let that be all the more reason why we should seek to proclaim Him to all we know.
Paul again addresses the Jewish council as "brethren". MacArthur's commentary says, "The customary way of addressing the Sanhedrin was 'Rulers and elders of the people' or 'Brethren and father's'. But Paul, unlike Peter or Stephen, had close ties to the Sanhedrin. He undoubtedly knew many of them, having probably once been a member of the Sanhedrin himself". Paul proclaims before them that he has, "lived [his] life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day". This was a strike at the Sanhedrin as they were desiring to kill him for what they viewed as blasphemy. If he had stood before them w/ a perfectly good conscience, and they desired to kill him, he was accusing them of going against God. Paul's statement is not to be taken as he had never committed anything wrong before. Obviously, that is not the case for Paul as the self-proclaimed, "wretched man that I am!" and chief of all sinners. However, Paul was saying that everything the Sanhedrin accused him of he felt no guilt before God. Basically, they were unjustified and wrong in everything they accused him of doing.
Because Paul had basically told the Sanhedrin they were wrong before God, Ananias the High Priest, "commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth." At this Paul is infuriated and shouts back, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!" This is the first retaliatory words we hear Paul say while being confronted by his enemies. Paul, however, was justified in his mind as it was illegal to be beaten if you had not been charged or convicted of any crime. This can bring to mind the time Christ spoke out against the Pharisees calling them, "whitewashed tombs" (Matt. 23:27), and Ezekiel's denunciation of false prophets as walls plastered over with whitewash, (Ezek. 13:10-16). Although completely understandable by human standards, Paul had sinned by speaking back disrespectful to God's high priest. Interestingly, MacArthur commentates, "Some have wondered how to harmonize Paul's strong language with his declaration to the Corinthians that "when we are reviled, we bless" (I Cor. 4:12). They point out, in contrast, the example of Jesus, who, "while being reviled, did not revile in return; while suffering, uttered no threats" (I Peter 2:23). . . .The answer is, of course, that Paul was not Jesus. Jesus was the sinless Son of God. Paul, while no doubt the godliest man who ever lived, was still a sinner. He vividly described his battle with indwelling sin in Rom. 7:14ff; this was one time when the flesh prevailed".
In his eyes, however, Paul may have felt justified, since he did not realize who he was speaking to was the high priest. For after he is questioned why he would, "revile God's high priest?" he responds by saying he was not aware. Paul, then humbly confesses his error to the Sanhedrin as he quotes Ex. 22:28, "You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people". This should teach us an important lesson. Although we may not agree with those that are in authority over us, we must still respect them, as God has put them over us. Despite the fact that the high priest was in opposition to God (as many leaders in a so-called "spiritual" position are today), Paul respected the authority that he held. This should be convicting to us as we talk about our parents, teachers, government leaders, etc. How do we speak of them? Are we respectful to them? Recognizing the position God has given them.
Seeing the poor start he had gotten off to with the high priest, Paul recognized he would not receive a fair trial, and tried to disrupt the trial by pitting the Pharisees against the Sadducees. Knowing that their was a conflict in the beliefs of these two groups, Paul calls on the Pharisees for support by proclaiming, "I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!" As Luke commentates to help us understand how this would affect the Sadducees he writes, "For the Sadducess say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge them all" (v.8). Paul knew that this would get a rise out of the two main religious factions that comprised the Sanhedrin. Paul, successfully diverts the attention off himself and gets the Pharisees to suddenly become his advocate.
The The International commentary on the New Testament explains, "The Sadducees accepted only the Pentateuch as authoritative. They rejected any concept of an afterlife, claiming that it was not found there. The Pharisees, on the other hand, believed in resurrection and the afterlife. Their beliefs were thus more compatible with Christianity than those of the Sadducees. F.F. Bruce notes that 'a Sadducee could not become a Christian without abandoning the distinctive theological position of his party; a Pharisee could become a Christian and remain a Pharisee".
I have found this section laughable. It is amazing to me how quickly the religious leaders could get thrown off track. They were so set in their ways, and so unbelievably narrow sighted and blind to the truth, that they could easily be thrown into confusion over a few slight words by Paul. The roman commander watching this must have been thoroughly frustrated by the Jews as they could not do anything peaceably and with order. He once again is unable to find out what they are so upset w/ Paul about. Another amazing thing is how quickly the Pharisees turn. One minute they were abusing Paul and ready to kill him. The next minute they are defending him before the Sadducees. You can see how fickle and obstinate the Pharisees were. "Some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began ot argue heatedly, saying, "We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" Apparently, the Sadducees were "more of a threat" to the Pharisees at this time because of their beliefs, than Paul was to them. MacArthur explains, "Lysias must have watched in growing frustration as the discord grew. Even after bringing Paul before the highest Jewish court, he was no nearer to discovering what crime the apostle had committed".
Once again, the Romans rescued Paul from his own people as they were, "afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks". Certainly, beaten and physically exhausted from the past couple days, the Lord comes to encourage and restore Paul, to help him persevere and continue on the course that He had set for him. "But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, "Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also". This must have been comforting on two levels. One, the Lord had commended Paul for his work. He reinforces the fact that he has been a faithful witness for him here in Jerusalem. It is like your boss coming to you and giving you praise for your hard work after a tough day. Second, Paul knew he would be released and be able to leave Jerusalem, as God has called him to Rome as well. God always knows when we need encouragement. Often he will bring people or circumstances to us that will help us get through the hard times. Let that be all the more reason why we should seek to proclaim Him to all we know.
posted by amesfam | 11:14 PM
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