1. A perplexed Roman commander (22:25-23:1)
a) The Roman commander in charge of the Fortress of Antonia was perplexed over the charges against Paul. The
Jewish crowd reacted hysterically during Paul’s defense speech. He was going to resort to the brutal practice of
scourging (whip with metal/bone pieces) to force a confession out of the prisoner. This was OK with a Jewish
man, but not a Roman citizen. He discovered Paul had a higher status, since Paul was born a Roman citizen. He
was afraid of repercussions with Rome since he had chained & nearly scourged an innocent Roman citizen
(assumed innocent until proven guilty). He had to protect Paul and guarantee a just trial.
b) He had to understand the charges against Paul so he ordered the chief priests & the council (Sanhedrin) to
assemble for an examination. He looked on, but stayed out of the proceedings. He thought truth & justice could
be discovered best before the Jewish high court.
2. A stalemate among the Sanhedrin (23:2-10)
a) “looking/gazing intently”- maybe to look for familiar faces and/or consider how to proceed. He declared he had
lived his life with a perfectly good conscience before God until that day. If this included before becoming a
Christian, he was sincere in what he thought was service to God. Otherwise, he was referring to his conduct after
his encounter with Christ.
b) The high priest, Ananias (47-59 AD, died violently in 66), known for greed & violence, ordered Paul struck on
the mouth for what he took as a bold-faced lie. Paul blew up declaring God was going to strike him calling him a
whitewashed wall. Ezek. 13:10- the flimsy whitewashed wall of the false prophet’s proclamation of peace, unable
to withstand a flood of judgment. Striking a man before he was proven guilty was against their Law (Lev. 19:15).
c) The bystanders charged Paul with reviling God’s high priest. Paul said he was not aware it was the high priest: he
had not been in Jerusalem much because of his journeys; a different high priest gave him the authority to arrest
Christians in Damascus; this was an informal hearing). He quoted Exodus 22:28b admitting it was wrong to
speak evil of a ruler. His verbal outburst was inappropriate (John 18:22,23).
d) Obviously, the Jewish leadership was convinced he was guilty & were going to find him guilty of something.
Paul perceived/knew the Sanhedrin was comprised of representatives from two groups: Sadducees & Pharisees.
The Sadducees were dominant in number and control, but the Pharisees were popular & influential.
e) Their beliefs radically differed. The Sadducees were political-minded. They did not believe in a resurrection: life
ceased at death. People did not continue to live as angels/spirits. Pharisees believed in a resurrection, & people
living on in an intermediate state angels/spirits.
f) Paul cried out that he was a Pharisee & from a family of Pharisees. He pinpointed the charge against him was for
the hope and resurrection of the dead. Jesus resurrection was at the heart of fulfilling this hope. This was not just
a distraction. It confronted the Jewish leaders with the crucial issue: Jesus resurrection. A sincere Pharisee should
become a follower of the risen Messiah.
g) A great uproar ensued and scribes (scholars) from the Pharisaic party began to argue heatedly for Paul’s
innocence. Perhaps a spirit or angel had spoken to him about the resurrection. Great dissension followed.
h) The Roman commander was now afraid for his Roman prisoner’s life. He sent troops to interrupt the heated
argument and brought Paul back to the barracks.
3. Divine Perspective (23:11)
a) That night the Lord appeared at Paul’s side (18:9-10) and charged him to take courage. As he had solemnly
witnessed to the resurrected Lord’s cause at Jerusalem, he would also witness at Rome. He knows when we need
something extra.
b) These frustrating circumstances gave Paul an opportunity to put Christ’s resurrection before people for
consideration. The Lord also confirmed Paul’s plans (19:21) to get to Rome. In spite of the limitations, delays
and frustrations, the Lord would eventually get Paul to Rome to make Christ’s resurrection prominent in high
circles. How might your frustrating circumstances do the same?