Acts 23:21 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

We have here the story of a plot against the life of Paul; how it was laid, how it was discovered, and how it was defeated. I. How this plot was laid. They found they could gain nothing by popular tumult, or legal process, and therefore have a recourse to the barbarous method of assassination; they will come upon him suddenly, and stab him, if they can but get him within their reach. So restless is their malice against this good man that, when one design fails, they will turn another stone.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 23:11-24

23:11-24 On the next night the Lord stood by Paul and said, "Courage! As you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness in Rome also." When it was day the Jews formed a plot and laid themselves selves under a vow neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who formed this conspiracy. They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, "We have laid ourselves under a vow to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. Now, therefore, do you... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 23:21

But do not thou yield unto them ,.... Or be persuaded by them, to bring Paul down from the castle to the sanhedrim; this must not be imputed to the young man's pride and vanity, in taking upon him to give advice to the chief captain; but to his great affection for his uncle, which moved him to entreat, rather than to direct him, for which he gives a good reason: for there lie in wait for him more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:11-24

The powers that act on us from without. Manifold are the powers which are acting upon our spirit and deciding our course and destiny. Some of these are suggested by this narrative. I. THE MALEVOLENT HUMAN . ( Acts 23:12-15 .) In this case human malevolence took a very violent and malignant form: it sought to compass Paul's death by a dark and shameless stratagem. More often it seeks to do us injury for which we shall suffer, but from which we may recover. The very worst form... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

Special providence. It is difficult to define exactly what we mean by a special providence. Not one sparrow falls to the ground without our heavenly Father, who works all things after the counsel of his own will, and makes all things "work together for good to them that love him, to them who are the called according to his purpose" ( Romans 8:28 ). And yet there are times and occasions when the overruling and controlling hand of God is seen more clearly and more markedly than usual,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

Paul at Caesarea. I. " THE LORD IS MINDFUL OF HIS OWN ." Recall the beautiful song in Mendelssohn's 'St. Paul.' 1. The craft of their foes. They conspire against the righteous with a zeal worthy of a better cause ( Acts 23:12 , Acts 23:13 ); and cloak their designs under pious pretexts ( Acts 23:14 , Acts 23:15 ). 2. The Divine protection. He brings the counsels of wickedness to light ( Acts 23:16 ). The young man, whoever he was, Christian Or otherwise,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

Conspiracy defeated. The " must " of the Lord's midnight message interpreted by events. Divine providence working. The Christian stands still and sees the salvation. The Word of God is instead of human calculations and predictions. How different from fatalism in such a case as Livingstone in the dangers of his African mission reminds us that there is a feeling of confidence in our weakness which is like a vision in the night. Notice— I. THE GUILT OF FANATICISM . The forty... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:21

Do not thou therefore for but do not thou, A.V.; under a curse for with an oath, A.V.; neither to eat nor to drink for that they will neither eat nor drink, A.V.; slain for killed, A.V. ; the for a (promise), A.V. Do not … yield ( μὴ πεισθῇς ) ; be not persuaded by them; do not assent unto them (see Luke 16:6 ; Acts 5:40 ; Acts 17:4 , etc.). The promise , etc.; τὴν ἀπὸ σοῦ ἐπαγγελίαν . The word occurs above fifty times in the New Testament, and is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 23:21

Looking for a promise from thee - Waiting for your consent to bring him down to them. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 23:16-22

Acts 23:16-22. When Paul’s sister’s son heard, &c. How privately soever this business was contrived, the providence of God so ordered it, that, for the deliverance of his faithful servant from this inhuman and bloody conspiracy, it came to the ears of Paul’s nephew; who went and entered into the castle Where, as has been before observed, Paul now lay confined; and told him the whole matter. Then Paul called one of the centurions Who commanded part of the cohort under the tribune; ... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 23:11-24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 23:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:11-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 23:21

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 23:16-22

Group of Brands