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(12: 5), but not one prayer is going up for Paul while in Jerusalem. He is hated by the saints in
Jerusalem.

He will now go to Rome and will speak and write to the churches of Ephesus, Colosse, and
Philippi. Paul is in doubt at this point about his future in the ministry. In this verse, Paul’s
colossal mistakes have come to a head and he is in maximum discouragement. The Lord tells
him to be encouraged. At this point, when Paul is at his weakest, God is at his strongest.

JEWS ARE DETERMINED TO KILL PAUL

Act 23:12 And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves
under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

These Jews are taking a vow. Either they gave up on their vow after many days or they died of
starvation because Paul lived for many more years. These were religious unbelievers. Paul has
been encouraged during the night, and Satan is out to destroy him through these men. The
Jews have taken a vow to kill Paul in order to make a name for themselves. Again, Paul’s
greatest opposition came from religion. Legalism always persecutes grace. These men make
this vow out of emotion like many Christians do today who “present their bodies,” or
“surrender to full-time service.” Unless God deals with you, you will either break the vow or
live outside God’s will for a long time.

Act 23:13 Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy.

Act 23:14 They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, "We have bound ourselves under
a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.

This is a new, young, and zealous crowd going to the old religious leaders.

Act 23:15 Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be
brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries
concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near."

Now therefore ye with the council (Sanhedrin) signify to the chief captain that he bring him
(Paul) down unto you tomorrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly
(accurately) concerning him: and we, or ever (if) he comes near, are ready to kill him.

They are asking the Sanhedrin to act as if they need Paul for further questioning and
clarification of his testimony. When he is brought down by the Romans this group of young
Jews plans to kill him. This is a trap being set for Paul.