The Plot to Kill Paul and the Soldier's Intervention
Acts 23:12-22
Acts.23.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Γενομενης: VERB,aor,pass,part,gen,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- ποιησαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- συστροφην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- Ιουδαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ανεθεματισαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εαυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- λεγοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,masc
- μητε: CONJ
- φαγειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- μητε: CONJ
- πιειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εως: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- αποκτεινωσιν: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Παυλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 23:20-22 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Jewish conspirators send a letter and men to the governor to press for Paul’s death and to secure the plot’s execution; these verses describe the plot’s exposure and Roman response.
- Acts 9:23-25 (thematic): Earlier plot to kill Paul in Damascus—local opponents conspire to seize him—showing a recurring pattern of Jewish attempts to murder Paul using oaths/plots and clandestine arrangements.
- Acts 21:30-31 (structural): The violent mob in Jerusalem that seizes Paul and drags him from the temple sets the immediate context in which the later conspiracy (v.23–24 and v.12) to kill him develops.
- John 11:53 (verbal): Uses similar language about plotting to kill: 'from that day on they plotted to put him to death,' paralleling the Jewish leaders’ resolved, organized intent to murder a perceived enemy (here Jesus; in Acts, Paul).
- Matthew 26:3-4 (thematic): The chief priests and elders conspire to arrest and kill Jesus—an analogous example of Jewish leadership organizing a premeditated plot to eliminate a threatened figure within Jerusalem.
Alternative generated candidates
- When day came, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves by an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.
- Now when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves by an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.
Acts.23.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- πλειους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- τεσσερακοντα: NUM,acc,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ταυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- συνωμοσιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ποιησαμενοι·: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 23:12 (structural): Immediate context: the Jewish leaders 'plotted' to ambush and kill Paul—23:13 reports that more than forty were involved in this conspiracy, continuing the same narrative thread.
- Acts 23:14 (structural): Direct continuation: this verse describes the conspirators binding themselves by an oath to carry out the plot mentioned in 23:13.
- Acts 9:23-25 (thematic): Earlier plot to kill Paul in Damascus—Jews conspired and watched the city gates to assassinate him, a parallel instance of coordinated attempts on Paul’s life.
- Matthew 26:3-4 (thematic): The chief priests and elders conspire to arrest and kill Jesus—a parallel example of religious leaders organizing a deliberate plot to eliminate a perceived threat.
- Psalm 64:2-6 (thematic): Imagery of secret plotting and conspiracy against a righteous person; thematically parallels the covert, collective nature of the plot described in Acts 23:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- There were more than forty of them in this conspiracy.
- There were more than forty who had made this conspiracy.
Acts.23.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οιτινες: PRO,rel,nom,pl,m
- προσελθοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- αρχιερευσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- πρεσβυτεροις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- ειπαν·Αναθεματι: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- ανεθεματισαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- εαυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- μηδενος: PRON,gen,sg,m
- γευσασθαι: VERB,aor,mid,inf
- εως: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- αποκτεινωμεν: VERB,aor,act,subj,1,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Παυλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 23:12 (verbal): Same conspiracy described immediately before: Jews 'bound themselves under an oath' to neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul — almost identical language and action.
- Acts 23:21 (structural): Continues the same plot, specifying that more than forty men had joined the conspiracy and planned an ambush — structural continuation of the killing plot.
- Matthew 26:3-4 (thematic): The chief priests and elders assemble to plot Jesus' arrest and death; parallels the involvement of Jewish religious leaders in a clandestine plan to eliminate a perceived threat.
- John 11:53 (thematic): The Jewish leaders resolve to kill Jesus ('from that day on they took counsel to put him to death'), a parallel instance of religious authorities deciding violently to remove a problematic figure.
Alternative generated candidates
- They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, "We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.
- They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, "We have bound ourselves by an oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.
Acts.23.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- νυν: ADV
- ουν: CONJ
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- εμφανισατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- χιλιαρχω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- συν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- συνεδριω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- οπως: CONJ
- καταγαγη: VERB,aor,act,sub,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- ως: ADV
- μελλοντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- διαγινωσκειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- ακριβεστερον: ADV,comp
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- περι: PREP
- αυτου·ημεις: PRON,gen,sg,3 + PRON,nom,pl,1
- δε: CONJ
- προ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- εγγισαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ετοιμοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εσμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανελειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 23:12-14 (structural): Immediate context: the same group of conspirators swear not to eat until they kill Paul and plan to ask the tribune and the council to bring him down so they can ambush him—same episode and closely parallel wording.
- Acts 23:16-22 (structural): Direct narrative continuation: the nephew learns of the plot, tells Paul and the tribune, and the plot is foiled—shows the intended outcome and Roman protection foiling the conspirators.
- Acts 9:23-25 (thematic): Earlier plot to kill Saul/Paul in Damascus; believers lower him in a basket to save him—parallel motif of Jewish factions conspiring to murder Paul and the need for escape/rescue.
- Acts 21:31-36 (thematic): A mob seizes Paul with intent to kill him in Jerusalem and the Roman tribune intervenes to protect him—similar dynamics of violent Jewish opposition and Roman authority intervening on Paul’s behalf.
- Matthew 26:3-5 (thematic): The chief priests and elders conspire to arrest and kill Jesus (but not during the festival)—comparable council-driven plotting to eliminate a perceived threat by secret arrangement.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now then you and the council inform the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you intended to examine his case more thoroughly; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near."
- Now therefore you and the council notify the commander to bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to examine the case more thoroughly; and we are ready to kill him before he arrives."
Acts.23.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ακουσας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- υιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αδελφης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- Παυλου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ενεδραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- παραγενομενος: VERB,aor,mid,part,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εισελθων: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- παρεμβολην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- απηγγειλεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Παυλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 23:12-15 (structural): Immediate context describing the Jewish conspiracy to kill Paul; Acts 23:16 is the direct narrative response (the nephew learns of this plot).
- Acts 23:22-24 (structural): Follows Acts 23:16—shows the result of the nephew's report: the commander takes measures to protect Paul and send him under guard to Caesarea.
- Acts 9:23-25 (thematic): Earlier plot against Paul in Damascus and his escape by the help of allies; parallels the motif of conspiracies against Paul and interventions that preserve his life.
- 1 Samuel 19:1-2 (thematic): Jonathan (a close associate/kinsman) warns David about Saul's intent to kill him—parallel motif of a relative or close associate warning the endangered figure of a royal/prophetic leader.
- Jeremiah 38:7-13 (thematic): An insider (Ebed‑melech) intervenes to rescue Jeremiah from mortal danger; parallels the action of a sympathizer informing authorities to secure protection for a threatened prophet/apostle.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the son of Paul's sister heard of the ambush, he went in and entered the barracks and told Paul.
- But when the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.
Acts.23.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- προσκαλεσαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ενα: NUM,acc,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- εκατονταρχων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- εφη·Τον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- νεανιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τουτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- απαγε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- χιλιαρχον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εχει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- γαρ: PART
- απαγγειλαι: VERB,aor,act,inf,NA,NA
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 23:16 (structural): Immediate context: Paul’s nephew overhears the assassination plot and is brought to inform Paul, which directly leads to Paul summoning a centurion to send the young man to the tribune.
- Acts 23:23–30 (structural): Follows the same episode: Claudius Lysias dispatches troops and writes a letter to the governor to secure Paul’s transfer — the outcome of reporting the plot to the tribune/commander.
- Acts 21:31–33 (thematic): Similar motif of Roman officers (centurions/tribune) intervening in a Jewish mob incident and taking Paul into official custody and reporting to higher authority.
- 1 Samuel 20:18–22 (thematic): David and Jonathan use a planned messenger/signal to convey crucial information about danger and safety — parallels the use of a young man as a trusted courier to inform authorities about a life‑threatening plot.
Alternative generated candidates
- Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him."
- Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him."
Acts.23.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- μεν: PART
- ουν: CONJ
- παραλαβων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ηγαγεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- χιλιαρχον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- φησιν·Ο: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- δεσμιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- προσκαλεσαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- ηρωτησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τουτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- νεανιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αγαγειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- προς: PREP
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- εχοντα: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,n
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- λαλησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
Parallels
- Acts 23:16 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same episode: the young man overhears the plot, runs to the barracks, and reports to the chief captain — the verse before and after describe the same transfer and request that Paul made to have the young man brought to the commander.
- Acts 23:22 (structural): Continuing action in the same narrative: the chief captain acts on the young man's report by taking precautions and sending Paul under heavy guard — shows the consequential military response to the information the young man provided.
- Acts 21:30-33 (thematic): Earlier scene in Jerusalem where a Roman commander intervenes between a mob and Paul, seizes and orders Paul bound and brought into the barracks — parallels the motif of military officers mediating between Paul and hostile crowds and conveying him to higher authority.
- Acts 25:24-27 (thematic): Later instance of official intermediaries and reports in Paul's legal career: Festus reports to King Agrippa (and contemplates sending Paul to Caesar), illustrating the recurring pattern of messages, summonses, and authorities receiving information about Paul through intermediaries.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the centurion took him and brought him to the commander. The young man said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more closely into his case.
- So he took him and brought him to the commander. The centurion said, "Make the young man ready." And they went aside and asked him privately, "What is it you have to tell me?"
Acts.23.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- επιλαβομενος: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- χειρος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- χιλιαρχος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- αναχωρησας: VERB,part,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- κατ᾽ιδιαν: ADV
- επυνθανετο·Τι: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εχεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- απαγγειλαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
Parallels
- Acts 23:17-18 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel: these verses describe how the young man was brought to the chief captain—directly connected actions (bringing the informant and the captain’s private questioning).
- Acts 21:30-33 (structural): Similar scene of Roman military authority intervening in a disturbance involving Paul; highlights the tribune/centurion’s role in seizing, questioning and managing Paul’s custody.
- Acts 22:25-29 (thematic): Another episode in Acts where Roman officers and centurions must question and handle Paul (here Paul invokes his citizenship to stop scourging)—connects to themes of private inquiry, legal procedure, and military officers’ treatment of a detainee.
- John 18:33-38 (thematic): Pilate’s private interrogation of Jesus about his kingship parallels the motif of a Roman official taking a detainee aside to ask probing, authoritative questions to determine the nature of the charge.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not be persuaded by them; for more than forty men lie in wait for him who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor to drink until they have killed him. They are now ready and await your assent."
- He answered, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow as though you were going to examine him more thoroughly.
Acts.23.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- οτι: CONJ
- Οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- Ιουδαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- συνεθεντο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,pl
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ερωτησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- οπως: CONJ
- αυριον: ADV
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Παυλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- καταγαγης: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,sg
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- συνεδριον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- ως: ADV
- μελλον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- ακριβεστερον: ADV,comp
- πυνθανεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- περι: PREP
- αυτου·: PRON,gen,sg,3
Parallels
- Acts 23:14-15 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same narrative: Jews bound themselves by oath to ask that Paul be brought before the council and plotted to kill him—same conspiracy described more fully.
- Acts 23:16 (structural): Follows directly: a relative of the conspirators overhears the plot and informs Paul, showing the plot's exposure and continuity with v.20.
- Acts 25:2-3 (thematic): Later scene where Jewish leaders press accusations and seek to have Paul brought before Roman authorities—similar tactic of mobilizing official proceedings against him.
- Matthew 26:3-4 (thematic): Chief priests and elders plot to arrest and kill Jesus by seizing him and bringing him to trial—parallel motif of religious leaders conspiring to use legal/official channels to eliminate an opponent.
Alternative generated candidates
- The commander dismissed the young man and commanded him, "Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me."
- Do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty men lie in ambush for him; they have bound themselves by oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him, and now they are ready, waiting for your consent."
Acts.23.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- ουν: CONJ
- μη: PART
- πεισθης: VERB,aor,mid/pass,subj,2,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- ενεδρευουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- γαρ: PART
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εξ: PREP
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- ανδρες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- πλειους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- τεσσερακοντα: NUM,acc,pl
- οιτινες: PRO,rel,nom,pl,m
- ανεθεματισαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εαυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- μητε: CONJ
- φαγειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- μητε: CONJ
- πιειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εως: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- ανελωσιν: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- νυν: ADV
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- ετοιμοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- προσδεχομενοι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,pl,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- απο: PREP
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- επαγγελιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 9:23-25 (structural): Another plot to kill Paul (then still called Saul) in Damascus; friends lower him by night to escape—parallel in theme and narrative pattern of conspiracies against Paul.
- John 11:53 (thematic): The Jewish leaders begin plotting Jesus’ death (“they planned to put him to death”); parallels the council/party planning an assassination in secret.
- Matthew 26:3-4 (thematic): The chief priests and elders confer about how to arrest and kill Jesus—similar motif of religious authorities arranging a covert killing.
- Psalm 64:2-3 (allusion): Speaks of secret plots and covert schemes against the righteous (‘they conceive mischief’), echoing the imagery of men lying in wait and plotting murder.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then he called two centurions and said, "Prepare two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen."
- The commander ordered the young man to be brought into the barracks and charged him to tell no one that he had informed him.
Acts.23.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- μεν: PART
- ουν: CONJ
- χιλιαρχος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- απελυσε: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- νεανισκον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- παραγγειλας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- μηδενι: PRON,dat,sg,n
- εκλαλησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- οτι: CONJ
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- ενεφανισας: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,sg
- προς: PREP
- εμε: PRON,acc,sg,1
Parallels
- Matthew 16:20 (verbal): Jesus commands his disciples to tell no one that he is the Christ—same injunction to silence (tell no one) regarding information revealed about a key person.
- Mark 3:12 (verbal): Jesus charges unclean spirits not to make him known—parallel motif of an authoritative charge to keep a revelation or identity secret.
- Mark 1:43-44 (verbal): After healing a leper Jesus sternly charged him to tell no one—close verbal and functional parallel: an authority figure orders silence about a revealed event.
- Mark 5:43 (verbal): When raising Jairus’s daughter Jesus strictly charged that no one should know about it—another instance of commanding silence after a revelation/act.
- Daniel 12:9 (thematic): The instruction to Daniel that the words be sealed until the time of the end parallels the theme of restricting disclosure of revealed information until the proper time.
Alternative generated candidates
- Provide mounts for Paul so that he may be sent safely to Governor Felix."
- Then he called two centurions and said, "Get ready two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to set out for Caesarea at the third hour of the night; see that Paul is safely delivered to Governor Felix." So the commander wrote a letter in these terms:
When it was day, some of the Jews conspired and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.
There were more than forty of them who had made this conspiracy.
They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, 'We have bound ourselves by a great oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.' So now you, together with the council, request the commander to bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you intended to inquire more thoroughly concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near. But the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush; he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.
Paul called one of the centurions and said, 'Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.' So the centurion took him and brought him to the commander and said, 'The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, for he has something to tell you.'
The commander took him by the hand, led him aside, and questioned him privately, 'What do you have to tell me?'
He said, 'The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they wished to examine him more exactly. Do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty men lie in ambush for him—men who have bound themselves by a curse and sworn that they will neither eat nor drink until they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise.' So the commander dismissed the young man, charging him, 'Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.'
Then he called two centurions and said, 'Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night.'