Paul Faces the Council and Escapes a Plot

Paul looked straight at the council and said he had tried to live with a clear conscience before God. Then the high priest ordered him to be struck. Paul said this was against the law, and when he was told it was the high priest, he answered by acknowledging the command not to speak against a ruler of his people.

Seeing that the council included Sadducees and Pharisees, Paul said he was being judged because of the hope and resurrection of the dead. At once the meeting broke into a fierce argument, because the Sadducees and Pharisees disagreed sharply. Some Pharisee scribes defended Paul, but the dispute became so dangerous that the commander sent soldiers to pull Paul out and take him back to the barracks.

The following night, the Lord stood by Paul and assured him that just as he had testified in Jerusalem, he would also testify in Rome. The next day, more than forty men formed a conspiracy. They bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul, and they asked the chief priests and elders to help set up an ambush.

But Paul’s sister’s son heard about the trap. He went into the barracks and told Paul. Paul sent him to the commander through a centurion, and the commander took the young man aside in private. After hearing the plan, the commander told him not to tell anyone he had reported it.

The commander quickly prepared a large escort of soldiers, horsemen, and spearmen to take Paul by night to Caesarea. He also sent a letter to Governor Felix, saying that the accusations concerned questions of Jewish law and were not charges deserving death or imprisonment. Paul was brought to Felix, who said he would hear the case when the accusers arrived, and Paul was kept in Herod’s palace.