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22:30-23:10 On the
next day as he (the tribune) wanted to know the real reason why (Paul) was accused
by the Jews, he released him and ordered that the chief priests and all the council come together. He brought Paul down and set him amongst
them. 23:1 And so gazing at the
council Paul said "Brethren I have lived with a good conscience before
God until this day." Then the
high priest Ananias gave the order to those standing by (Paul) to strike
him on the mouth. Then Paul (said)
"God is about to strike you - whitewashed wall. You are sitting in judgment over me
according to the law and yet are you not breaking the law by ordering me to
be struck?" Those standing by
said "Would you revile the high priest of God?" Paul said "I did not know brethren that
he is high priest. It has been
written "(As) a ruler of your people you shall not speak in an evil
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way." Now Paul knew that one part (of the
council) consisted of Sadducees and the other (part) of Pharisees. He cried out to the council "Brethren. I am a Pharisee and the son of
Pharisees. I am being judged here
about my hope in the resurrection of the dead." As he said this there was discord amongst
the Pharisees and Sadducees and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say there is no
resurrection, nor angels nor spirits.
But the Pharisees confess to both (resurrection and spirits). So there was a great amount of
noise. Some of the scribes rose up
on behalf of the Pharisees saying
"We find no evil in this man.
What if a spirit spoke to him or an angel?" So there was much discord. The Tribune was afraid that Paul should
be torn asunder by them and he commanded the soldiers to come down and grab
him (Paul) from out of their midst and bring him (back) into the fort.
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