Acts 23:21

“But do 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.”

Context:This verse is part of a narrative in the book of Acts that describes the Apostle Paul’s arrest and subsequent trials before the Jewish religious leaders and Roman authorities in Jerusalem.

In Acts 21, Paul had arrived in Jerusalem and visited the temple, where he was recognized by some Jews from Asia who knew him as a preacher to the Gentiles. They stirred up a mob against him, falsely accusing him of speaking against the law and defiling the temple. This led to Paul’s arrest by the Roman commander in Jerusalem, who sought to protect him from the enraged crowd.

In Acts 22, Paul was given permission to address the Jewish people from the steps of the Roman barracks. He recounted his conversion experience and how Jesus had called him to be a witness to both Jews and Gentiles. However, his mention of being sent to the Gentiles angered the crowd again, causing a riot.

In Acts 23, Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council consisting of religious leaders and elders. While Paul was making his defense, a dispute arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees regarding the resurrection. This division within the council presented an opportunity for Paul’s defense.

In Acts 23:12-22, a plot was hatched by more than forty Jews who had taken an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. They approached the chief priests and elders with their plan, seeking their approval. They wanted the council to request that Paul be brought back before them under the pretense of gathering more information, but their intention was to ambush and kill him.

Acts 23:21 contains the message that Paul’s nephew had overheard this conspiracy and reported it to the Roman commander. The nephew warns the commander not to yield to the demands of the Jewish council, as these forty men were ready and waiting to carry out their murderous plot. They were looking for a promise, possibly hoping for a commitment from the commander to hand Paul over to them.

This verse reveals the perilous situation Paul found himself in. It also demonstrates how God providentially used Paul’s nephew to uncover the plot and protect Paul from harm. God’s divine intervention ensured that the truth was brought to light, thwarting the scheme of those seeking to kill Paul.

This passage serves as a reminder of God’s sovereignty and the protection He provides to His servants. Despite the threats and opposition faced by Paul, God was with him, using various means to deliver him from danger. It also highlights the importance of remaining vigilant and discerning in the face of opposition and potential harm.