“Answers For A Study in the Book of Acts” is a weekly post in addition to the regular “Case for Christianity, Person of Interest” posts on the weekend. The original questions can be found at the bottom of the “Case for Christianity, Person of Interest” study a weekend or two before, and the answers appear here mid-week. This gives you time to do your own research, and then check your answers here. Keep in mind these will be basic answers with a little depth, but you can go much deeper for discussion if you’d like.
Note: The answers will focus on what the text of the Bible says, and commentaries and speculative answers will be noted as such. There are many scholarly commentaries out there but it will be important, as students of the Bible, to keep the text of the Bible as our first source. Commentaries can be used, keeping in mind that they are human thoughts about God’s Word.
The Goal for the notes, questions and answers: Share and reuse to lead your own Bible study!
Bible Study
Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.
Read Acts Chapter 23: Then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions.
NOTE: The New American Standard Version (NASB) is the Bible being used here, unless otherwise noted. Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for “Discussion” or “Going Deeper” questions. Cite sources to share with your group.
Paul before the Council; and a conspiracy to kill Paul
1. Read Chapter 23:1-11 with your table group
In the first part of this chapter, Paul is allowed to speak before the Council (having previously been seized in the Temple):
a. What did Paul say to the Council, and to Ananias, that got him in trouble; and what Old Testament verse did Paul cite as his apology?
“Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!” Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!” Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”” Acts 23:1-5
- Paul had first stated that he had “fulfilled his duty God” but then he called the high priest a “whitewashed wall” and told him that he had “violated the law by commanding that he be struck.”
- Note: Some scholars say Paul would have known that it was the high priest because he himself had been part of the Pharisees and thus was being sarcastic; others say he had been gone for so long and, or, did not recognize the high priest since he was probably not in official dress at this time. The text is not clear on the state of mind Paul was in, but either way he was in trouble with them.
- Paul quotes from Exodus 22:28 as a sort of apology for his words against the high priest.
b. What tactic did Paul use to cause conflict between the Sadducees and Pharisees (what was the difference in the two group’s beliefs)?
“Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)” Acts 23:6-8
- Paul caused an argument between the Pharisees and Sadducees by bringing up his belief in the resurrection of the dead which he knew that the Pharisees believed in and the Sadducees did not.
- This, for a time, took the attention off of Paul and almost got him released…
c. What happened to Paul because of this uproar, and then what did the Lord say to Paul to comfort and encourage him?
“There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,” they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”” Acts 23:9-11
- To protect Paul from the uproar the commander ordered the troops to take Paul away by force to the barracks.
- The next night the LORD spoke to Paul and told him to “take courage” because he, Paul, was to go to Rome and testify (share the Gospel) just as he had done in Jerusalem.
- Note: Knowing that the LORD had promised that he would go to Rome and testify, would have given Paul the great confidence, and peace, that we will see him display in all of his trials and misfortunes that follow (all the way to Rome).
d. Going Deeper: What can we find, historically, about this man Ananias?
From gotquestions.org
(There are three men named Ananias in the Bible, this one is as follows:)
“A third Ananias in the Bible was high priest in Jerusalem during much of Paul’s early ministry. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, Ananias was appointed by Herod Agrippa II in approximately AD 48. Known for his harshness and cruelty, Ananias appears in Acts 23 during Paul’s trial in Jerusalem before the Sanhedrin council. Enraged by Paul’s defense, Ananias ordered him to be struck on the mouth (Acts 23:1–2). Paul objected, saying, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!” (verse 3).”
“When Paul realized that he was addressing the high priest, he apologized. As Paul continued his defense, a near riot broke out in the Sanhedrin over the issue of the resurrection of the dead—a point of theology that the Pharisees and Sadducees disagreed upon (Acts 23:6–9). The Roman guard took Paul into protective custody (verse 10). Ananias was probably involved in the plot to murder Paul on his way back to court (verses 12–15), but the plot was foiled when the Roman commander found out about it and transported Paul under heavy guard to Caesarea (verses 16–35). Five days later, Ananias traveled to Caesarea and continued to pursue his case against Paul before Governor Felix (Acts 24:1). Ananias and other Jewish leaders considered Paul to be the ringleader of a troublemaking Nazarene sect that was stirring up riots among the Jews.”
“Many of the Jews hated Ananias because of his ruthlessness and corruption, but he was protected by Rome even after he was deposed as high priest. In AD 66, at the start of the first great Jewish Revolt, Ananias was assassinated by an angry mob of anti-Roman revolutionaries.”
2. Read Chapter 23:12-35 with your table group
In the second part of the chapter, a conspiracy is formed:
a. What was the conspiracy planned against Paul, and who planned it?
“The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty men were involved in this plot. 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. 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.”” Acts 23:12-15
- More than forty Jewish men conspired to kill Paul while he was being brought back to the Sanhedrin for additional questioning (with false pretenses, they set up a request from the chief priests and elders for him to return to the Sanhedrin).
- It is believed (see gotquestion.org above) that the group in on the conspiracy would have included Ananias, the high priest, and other Jewish leaders.
- These men took an oath to not eat or drink anything until they had killed Paul.
b. Who overheard the conspiracy and what did he do?
“But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” 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.” The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me? 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. 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.” The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”” Acts 23:16-22
- Paul’s nephew had overhead the men planning the conspiracy, so he was able to go to Paul and tell him, and Paul was able to have the Centurion take him to the Commander.
- The Commander heard what Paul’s nephew had to say, and told him not to tell anyone that he had report this to him.
- Note: We can see God’s hand in this because God had this young man in the right place, at the right time. The LORD guided Paul’s nephew, the Centurion, and the Commander to save Paul from the conspiracy so that Paul would continue his journey to Rome as promised.
c. What did the commander do, and who did he send Paul to?
“Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”” Acts 23:23-24
- The commander was able to direct his men, and a host of soldiers, to take Paul to Governor Felix at Caesarea that night.
- This action was, again, directed by God to save Paul’s life from the conspiracy planned against him, and so that he could continue to testify to the Gospel in Caesarea and later on to Rome.
d. Going Deeper: What can we find, historically, about Felix, and also the city of Caesarea?
From gotquestions.org
Felix:
“Antonius Felix was formerly a slave but was promoted by Claudius Caesar to the office of governor. The Roman historian Tacitus described Felix as “cruel, licentious, and base.” While in Judea, Felix was attracted to Drusilla, a daughter of Herod Agrippa I. The fact that Drusilla was already married made no difference to Felix. He enticed her away from her husband, Azizus, and they later married.
Felix was the governor of Judea and Samaria when the apostle Paul was arrested in Jerusalem for preaching the gospel (Acts 23:35). Because a mob was planning to kill Paul before he could come to trial, the Roman commander hustled Paul away in the night, accompanied by two hundred soldiers, to Caesarea so that his case could be heard by Governor Felix (Acts 23:23–24).
When Paul arrived in Caesarea, Felix the governor read an explanatory letter from the Roman commander who had sent Paul there, asked what province Paul was from, and then postponed his hearing until Paul’s accusers could be present (Acts 23:33–35). Five days later, a company arrived; it included Ananias the high priest, some Jewish elders, and a hired lawyer named Tertullus. Once the proceedings had begun, Tertullus and the Jewish leaders accused Paul of being a troublemaker who had attempted to desecrate the temple (Acts 24:5–6). Given his turn to speak, Paul politely denied the charges against him. He also pointed out that his actual accusers, Jews from Asia, were not present and that he had not been found guilty of any crime before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem (Acts 24:17–21).
Felix was well informed about this new sect of Jesus’ followers called the Way, and when he heard that Paul’s case involved questions of religion, he adjourned the hearing until the Roman commander who had arrested Paul could be present (Acts 24:22). Paul’s words must have intrigued Felix, because a few days later he summoned Paul to hear more of his teaching. Felix and Drusilla both “listened to [Paul] as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus” (Acts 24:24). But when conviction came through Paul’s words, Felix grew afraid and ordered him to stop talking. Although he gave Paul some freedom by allowing his friends to tend to his needs, Felix kept Paul in jail for two years, ostensibly waiting for a more “convenient” time (Acts 24:25). In reality, Felix was hoping for a bribe from Paul, but one never came. When Felix was replaced as procurator, he left Paul in jail for his successor, Porcius Festus, to deal with.
It could be that another reason Felix left Paul in jail was that he was reluctant to pronounce judgment on a man who was clearly innocent. Or possibly he did so to please Drusilla. A fear of political backlash from the Jews was also a factor (Acts 24:27). Upon his loss of the governorship, Felix was summoned to Rome where certain of his former Jewish subjects accused him of cruelty and corruption. Felix was found guilty but was spared the death penalty.
Felix is representative of many people who are intrigued by the gospel but recognize that surrendering to it means loss of status, power, or control of their own lives. Like Felix, many know on a deep level that what they are hearing is truth, yet their stubborn pride refuses to accept it. Judas Iscariot may have been one of those people. He was in close association with the Son of God for three years, witnessing miracles, healings, and other supernatural events. Yet in the end he chose to walk away. Mere exposure to truth does not necessarily enlighten the heart, and Felix is a good example of that (Ephesians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 1:18).”
From landofthebible.com
Caesarea:
“King Herod was a magnificent builder and the Roman seaport of Caesarea stands to this day in testament to his ability to take the small town of Straton’s Tower and turn it into the headquarters of Northern Palestine. This is where Peter baptized the Roman centurion Cornelius, the first gentile convert to Christianity (Acts 10). It was from this port that Paul set sail to preach in communities all over the Mediterranean, and where he was later imprisoned for two years and made his powerful speech before Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa (Acts 12-25:6).
This Mediterranean gem has much adventure to offer. You can start at the monumental seacoast theater and imagine the finest Roman drama unfold before you. The theater was so well engineered that it still remains a mystery how it was done without modern technology; you can speak in a normal tone from the center of the theater and thousands sitting in the theater can hear you clearly.
At the sea palace of Pontius Pilate there is a stone-encrypted commemoration of the Roman ruler who the New Testament mentions as sentencing Jesus to crucifixion. Along the beautiful beach is a large hippodrome where you can learn about Roman horse races from the impressive frescos along the walls. This hippodrome was also an amphitheatre where history records that both Christians and Jews were fed to the lions. A Roman administrative center, bathhouse, and even public toilet facility are clearly distinguishable among the remains. A great crusader moat and fortress built by King Baldwin I, stand out impressively.
One of the most impressive aspects of Caesarea, which can be partly seen today, is the port built by King Herod, which he called “Sebastos”. The Sebastos port was the largest seaport on the eastern Mediterranean and was built with volcanic ash called pozzolana, which kept the breakwater from floating. Aqueducts can be seen along Caesarea’s shore that led water from nearby Tananim stream and Shuni spring to the city. Caesarea is also a site containing much ante-Nicean Christian history. The remains of a martyrium church built over an earlier Roman pagan temple can be seen in Caesarea’s main promenade. Christianity’s largest library once stood in Caesarea, where church fathers, like Jerome, used to conduct their theological works.”
Please continue to join us in making our “Case for Christianity, Person of Interest” along with a study in the book of Acts, and share it with others!
Note: Class presentation, videos, reflections and Bible study question are posted on the weekend – Bible study answers (like these) are posted mid-week.
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Teri Dugan
TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com
1 Peter 3:15