His Imprisonment in Jerusalem (continued) (21:17-23:30)
E. The immediate effects of his speech, (22:22-29)
v.22 The Jews could not believe that God would send anybody to the Gentiles. This statement of Paul's seemed so absurd that they would hear him no longer.
v.23,24 Three acts of rage: 1) shouting, 2) throwing off their garments, and 3) throwing dust into the air. When this continued the chief captain realized it would be useless to have Paul remain in their presence. Paul was to be beaten until he confessed what crime he had committed.
v.25 As they were about to begin the scourging Paul reveals to the officer in charge that he is a Roman citizen. Scourging an uncondemned citizen was clearly against Roman law.
v.26 The centurion reported to the chief captain that it would be foolish to scourge a citizen. If Paul had lying about his citizenship he would have been put to death.
v.27 Upon inquiry from the chief captain, Paul admits his Roman citizenship.
v.28 There were 3 ways to become a Roman citizen: 1) buy it illegally, 2) have it conferred on you as a gift, 3) be born Roman. The chief captain had purchased his citizenship, therefore since Paul had been born Roman he was in a more cordial relationship with the government than the chief captain was.
v.29 Those who were about to commit the scourging released Paul and departed, the chief captain became afraid because of the countercharges that Paul could legally levy against him.
F. Paul is brought before the Sanhedrin (22:30-23:10)
v.30 The chief captain still did not know what the problem the Jews were having with Paul was. To find out more, he assembled the Sanhedrin the next day and brought Paul before them.
v.1 Is Paul claiming sinlessness here? He had lived in obedience to God's will to the extent that his conscience was clear. Was this true when he was persecuting Christians?
v.2 The high priest had Paul silenced by having him slapped on the mouth.
v.3 "Whited wall" see Mt. 23:27. The high priest was trying to uphold the Law of Moses by using methods contrary to the law. Ananias was assassinated some 10 years later.
v.4 The attendants rebuke Paul for his speech toward the high priest.
v.5 Paul did not know that Ananias was the high priest. Paul quotes Ex. 22:28 to show that he knew the law concerning the respect due the high priest. Ananias must not have been wearing his robes of office, since Paul did not recognize him as the high priest.
v.6 Paul sees that he must divide to conqueror. If he can split the Sanhedrin, then he can direct their hatred away from himself and toward each other. Paul had been preaching resurrection from the dead. The Sadducees would condemn this teaching while the Pharisees would hold to it.
v.7 The effect of Paul's statement is evident, the two factions begin bickering among themselves.
v.8 The Sadducees denied three things: 1) resurrection, 2) the existence of angels and 3) existence of spirits. These are the chief differences between the two parties.
v.9 The noise grew, the argument continued. Finally, the scribes of the Pharisees contend that Paul is innocent, claiming that perhaps an angel or spirit had spoken to him (Paul). This statement would only fan the flames already roaring. Why?
v.10 The Sanhedrin was becoming a mob scene prone to violence. The chief captain realizing that his charge could be injured or killed, he had him physically removed. The chief captain still does not have the information he wants.
G. Paul is encouraged by a vision (v.11)
v.11 The Lord comes to Paul in a vision and strengthens him, telling him that he will have an opportunity to testify for the cause in Rome.
H. A conspiracy formed and exposed, (vv. 12-22)
v.12 These Jews formed a conspiracy and took an oath or a vow.
v.13 The number involved is revealed to be more than forty. Secrecy would be hard to maintain in a group this large.
v.14 The assassins report their oath to the chief priests and elders.
v.15 The assassins outline their plan to kill Paul. The involvement of the Sanhedrin would be restricted to the request for an audience with Paul. The killing would take place on the way to the meeting.
v.16 Paul's nephew discovers the plot and reports it to Paul. It seems that Paul's friends were able to visit him while he was in prison.
v.17 Paul wanted the chief captain to hear about the conspiracy directly from his nephew so he made these arrangements.
v,18 The centurion did as Paul requested. Why do you suppose the Romans were treating Paul so cordially now?
v.19 The chief captain is willing to listen to what Paul's nephew has to say and he protects the secrecy of the conversation by taking the young man aside.
v.20 The young man reports accurately the plot that has been hatched against Paul.
v.21 The young man pleads with the chief captain not to give in to the Jews request to bring Paul down. He reveals the number of Jews involved as well as their oath.
v.22 The chief captain obviously believed the young man and charged him to secrecy, then dismissed him.