Acts 23:28

And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: _ NO JFB COMMENTARY ON THIS VERSE._...

25-35 God has instruments for every work. The natural abilities and moral virtues of the heathens often have been employed to protect his persecuted servants. Even the men of the world can discern between the conscientious conduct of upright believers, and the zeal of false professors, though they disregard or understand not their doctrinal principles. All hearts are in God's hand, and those are blessed who put their trust in him, and commit their ways unto him....

EXPOSITION ACTS 23:1 _Looking steadfastly on _for _earnestly beholding, _A.V.; _brethren _for _men and brethren, _A.V._; I have lived before God, _etc., for _I have lived, _etc., _before God, _A.V. LOOKING STEADFASTLY; ἀτενίσας, as in Acts 1:10; Acts 3:4, Acts 3:12; Acts 6:15; Acts 7:55; Acts 10:4;...

AND WHEN I WOULD HAVE KNOWN THE CAUSE,.... Or crime, he was guilty of: WHEREFORE THEY ACCUSED HIM: which they charged him with, and for which they beat him almost to death: I BROUGHT HIM FORTH INTO THEIR COUNCIL; their court of judicature, the great sanhedrim....

LETTER OF CLAUDIUS LYSIAS TO FELIX. Felix is addressed as most excellent (so Luke 1:3; Acts 26:25), a title of courtesy applied to proconsuls, officers of rank, and private persons. Lysias allows himself to say that he had assisted Paul because he had heard he was a Roman, and that he had done nothing worthy of bonds (_cf._ the two chains, Acts 21:33; Acts 22:30). An official sending a prisoner to a higher court might specify the charge (_cf. Acts 25:27_); and Lysias takes credit for having investigated the point, and for having found that the charge involved no legal o

THE STRATEGY OF PAUL (Acts 23:1-10)...

WHEN. WOULD HAVE KNOWN. wishing (Greek. _boulomai._ App-102.) to know. KNOWN. Greek. _ginosko._ App-132. but the texts read _epiginosko._ WHEREFORE. on account of (Greek. _dia_. App-104.Acts 23:2; Acts 23:2) which. ACCUSED. were accusing. Greek. _enkaleo._ See note on Acts 19:38....

_And when I would have known_, &c. The _Rev. Ver._more literally "and desiring to know, &c." The method by which the chief captain proposed to learn the charge against Paul was by scourging the prisoner. Cp. Acts 22:24....

LETTER OF CLAUDIUS LYSIAS TO FELIX....

_CLAUDIUS LYSIAS'S LETTER TO FELIX -- ACTS 23:25-35:_ Claudius Lysias wrote a letter in which he sent greetings to Felix and somewhat explained Paul's situation. He explained how that Paul was taken by the Jews in the temple, dragged out and beaten by them. He said he saved Paul's life when he found out he was a Roman. But he did not know that until he had bound him with two chains, and ordered him to be examined by scourging. He made it seem that it was his great concern for a Roman citizen that caused him to take such care. Claudius Lysias said that he wanted to find out what the Jews had against Paul. He explained how that he brought him before their council and learned that the charges concern only religious laws. He said Paul was not guilty of anything for which he should die or even be put in prison. He explained about the plot against Paul's life and how that he had qu