Acts 23:12-22 – The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 More than forty men were involved in this plot. 14 They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. 15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.” 16 But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.” 19 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?” 20 He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him. 21 Don’t give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.” 22 The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”
“They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. 15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.”” So these hired killers approached the Sanhedrin and told them that they had taken an oath to kill Paul but needed their help. Honestly, I can’t imagine the today’s leaders of Judaism or Christianity not only not going along with such a plot, but also reporting the plot to the police, and that whether the person was another murderer and not just someone who had a different faith. Truly this applies for even the intended victim even if a killer, but most certainly for someone who only had a different view of faith. But these in the Sanhedrin were not true leaders of the Jewish faith, but they were Sadducees who were very wealthy and drunk with power. Men of pride whose ego could not bear another differing in opinion and even worse, many of their congregants switching to follow this new faith that claimed to reveal the true fulfillment of the belief that they preached. Really, the level of depravity of such men who claimed to serve God causes one’s jaw to drop at the sheer evil.
So the Sanhedrin’s part was to lie to the Roman commander, Claudius Lysias. They were to get him to bring Paul to them for a fair examination. But on the way the forty assassins would kill Paul and so fulfill their ungodly vow. I truly love the forbearers of our faith, the Jews, and I pray for them, and so knowing what the then leaders in Jerusalem did is so distressing! But of course, they instigated and demanded the killing of their Messiah, our Savior and Lord Jesus. Yet, even in these details, we see the truth of Romans 8:28 being borne out. The will of God for Paul to testify of Him in Rome was being unwittingly moved along by these assassins and the Sanhedrin.
“But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”” Oh, the superior wisdom of God! Even as these diabolical men were plotting the murder of Paul, the protection of God was present. It seems that Paul’s nephew was likely a young boy who was devoted to temple service (not unlike a Catholic Altar Boy) who was there to devoutly serve. However he came to be placed there, God has his agent in place to counter the evil plans being discussed. God always has His “remnant.” (1 Kings 19:1-18, Romans 11:1-6) God always has His people in place. Once again we see the truth of scriptures like Psalm 21:11, Proverbs 19:21, it is God’s will that will be done.
So the nephew snuck away from the men and ran to Paul to report the plan against him. Paul told him to tell the plot to the commander and Paul told one of the centurions to take his nephew to the commander because he had something to tell him. It seems odd that the centurion did as Paul said, but not so much when considering all that had just transpired.
The providence of God being played out before us is exciting and fascinating and for those who care to see, faith inspiring!
“The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?” 20 He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him. 21 Don’t give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.”” Some people have questioned that the commander would have led the “young man” aside by taking hold of his hand. This man was likely a prepubescent boy (though could have been older). However it make most sense of a man grabbing a boy’s hand to lead him and to make him more comfortable. Some people, thinking of this in an out of cultural reckoning, cannot think of this commander who had men beaten and killed without troubling of conscience, as someone who would be so kind to a young lad. Yet we must consider the times, the culture and the position of this man. He may have had a boy himself and could have been tender to his son.
Paul’s nephew repeated the story to the commander. Interesting is that this young man started off by giving this commander direction in saying “Don’t give into them.” Some find trouble with that, however it is not so hard to believe, especially from a younger boy who had not yet learned all the proprieties of addressing elders or authorities. That is true of children then and today.
“The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.” Claudius Lysias listened to all the boy reported and obviously believed him and upon dismissing him told him to tell no-one that the plot was now uncovered.
Family and Friends, the witness of God’s faithfulness is fully evident in the telling of these events. We see the plotting of killers and authorities in high places plotting against the man of God and indeed, against God’s very plans. Yet, God, who knew their plan since before time, already had arranged the defeat of their plans. Not only that, but He would use what they would do to bring about His plan. So these men unwittingly directly contributed to the bringing of Paul to Rome to testify on behalf of Jesus. In fact, they likely expedited it! We may have confidence that the plans of God for all they that love and serve God will also come to fruition. We do our best but as we can see, what we do is only a very small piece of the big plans God has long ago had in place. As the saying goes “Where God guides, God provides.” Amen! We, no matter what we see or don’t see, or understand or don’t understand, have full faith that God is able to carry out His plans for our lives. Paul knew this “…because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” Family, we also know this. Now let us remember it and fearlessly do and live as He has called us to. And that for His praise and glory! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”