1Gazing intently at the high council,23:1 Greek Sanhedrin; also in 23:6, 15, 20, 28. Paul began: “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!”

2Instantly Ananias the high priest commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth.

3But Paul said to him, “God will slap you, you corrupt hypocrite!23:3 Greek you whitewashed wall. What kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me struck like that?”

4Those standing near Paul said to him, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?”

5“I’m sorry, brothers. I didn’t realize he was the high priest,” Paul replied, “for the Scriptures say, ‘You must not speak evil of any of your rulers.’23:5 Exod 22:28.”

6Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!”

7This divided the council—the Pharisees against the Sadducees—

8for the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, but the Pharisees believe in all of these.

9So there was a great uproar. Some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees jumped up and began to argue forcefully. “We see nothing wrong with him,” they shouted. “Perhaps a spirit or an angel spoke to him.”

10As the conflict grew more violent, the commander was afraid they would tear Paul apart. So he ordered his soldiers to go and rescue him by force and take him back to the fortress.

11That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”

16But Paul’s nephew—his sister’s son—heard of their plan and went to the fortress and told Paul.

17Paul called for one of the Roman officers23:17 Greek centurions; also in 23:23. and said, “Take this young man to the commander. He has something important to tell him.”

18So the officer did, explaining, “Paul, the prisoner, called me over and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”

19The commander took his hand, led him aside, and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”

20Paul’s nephew told him, “Some Jews are going to ask you to bring Paul before the high council tomorrow, pretending they want to get some more information.

21But don’t do it! There are more than forty men hiding along the way ready to ambush him. They have vowed not to eat or drink anything until they have killed him. They are ready now, just waiting for your consent.”

22“Don’t let anyone know you told me this,” the commander warned the young man.

31So that night, as ordered, the soldiers took Paul as far as Antipatris.

32They returned to the fortress the next morning, while the mounted troops took him on to Caesarea.

33When they arrived in Caesarea, they presented Paul and the letter to Governor Felix.

34He read it and then asked Paul what province he was from. “Cilicia,” Paul answered.

35“I will hear your case myself when your accusers arrive,” the governor told him. Then the governor ordered him kept in the prison at Herod’s headquarters.23:35 Greek Herod’s Praetorium.