6. “But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.”
Christians are exhorted to “follow after the things which make for peace” (Rom. 14:19) and to “follow peace with all men” (Heb. 12:14). We speak very carefully here, but the beloved Apostle was far more than a Pharisee; he was a child of God a Christian. Paul spoke the truth but it was not a truth appropriate for that time and surely not a truth spoken by those who would be peacemakers (see Eph. 2:14).
7. “And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.”
How good if our words bring peace and unity rather than dissension and division among those who hear us speak. Too often, even among brethren, unadvised words (though it be truth, yet spoken apart from the Spirit’s leading) bring division.
8. “For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.”
For these hardened enemies of Christ, the great question had not to do with theological issues, but rather, “What think ye of Christ?” The Pharisees were right about resurrection, and the Sadducees wrong. But both were eternally, solemnly wrong about the blessed person of Jesus of Nazareth. Let us always deal with fundamental issues before causing divisions over questions or interpretations of Scripture.
9. “And there arose a great cry: and the scribes [that were] of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”
It seemed that Paul’s strategy had gained its desired end. But the flesh, when used to defend the truth of Christ, cannot bring blessing. God’s truth must be accepted by submissive hearts prepared by the Holy Spirit to receive it, not forced upon a soul through man’s clever intelligence and cunning.
10. “And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.”
Paul’s comments, though successful in dividing the Jews, did not succeed in bringing him liberty. Liberty and peace among brethren does not result from setting groups at odds with each other.
11. “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of Me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.”
Even in our moments of failure, the Lord Jesus in gracious love knows perfectly how to encourage our hearts. The blessed Lord knew the motive of Paul’s heart was love for Himself and His earthly people. He knew Paul’s desire to see the nation blessed, though that desire had led him to a place which was not according to the Lord’s will. How sweet and comforting must have been the Saviour’s words to the beloved Apostle that night: “Be of good cheer. ” Only God, who brings blessing out of failures, can say such words. But when He does, let us, no matter how great our failure may be, believe Him!
12-15. “And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you tomorrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.”
The wicked unbelief of the Jews for Christ, His servants and His truth is relentless. In their blinded condition, they did not realize that “His blood be on us, and on our children” was a far greater curse under which their nation had been bound. But all their plans were useless. If those more than forty men held true to their curse, they died of starvation. What a solemn end for those to whom God had given the Bread from heaven that they might live.
16-18. “And when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.”
The beloved Apostle now displays that wonderful faith which marked his course. Knowing of the murderous plan, Paul uses no strategy of his own to protect himself against his enemies. The Lord had spoken to him and had promised him that he would bear testimony in Rome as he had in Jerusalem. That was enough for faith. No human planning was needed. The report was sent by his nephew to the “powers that be,” while Paul enjoyed peace.
19. “Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?”
What a question! What do we have to tell the world? The young man was right to uncover the plot of the Jews to the one whose task was to keep peace and order in that land. But how much happier the task of Christians to tell out the love of our Lord Jesus to those with whom we come in contact.
20-21. “And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul tomorrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly. But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.”
The report is given without embellishment, leaving all with the one who was ordained of God to maintain order and make necessary decisions. Today we are encouraged to “demand our rights,” voting for those leaders who will grant the freedoms we desire. May we, as pilgrims and strangers, leave “the king’s heart... in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will” (Prov. 21:1).
22. “So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast showed these things to me.”
What a blessed privilege for the believer to go, at all times, into the very presence of our God, pouring out to Him our every fear, concern and want and to do so alone and welcome in His blessed presence.
Ed.