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2. The Holy Spirit revealed to Paul that he would suffer in Jerusalem (Act 20:22-24), but well-meaning prophets reinterpreted the Spirit’s message (Act 21:4). In the same way, well-meaning disciples reinterpreted Agabus’ prophecy (Act 21:10-12).

3. However, the Lord affirmed that it was His will for Paul to go to Jerusalem and to Rome through a vision.

B. Aversion of Paul’s discouragement.

1. This was the fifth of six visions that the apostle Paul experienced (Act 9:3-6; 16:9-10; 18:9-10; 22:17-18; 27:23-24).

2. This vision, like several others (Act 18:9-10; 27:23-24) was for the purpose of encouraging Paul amidst dangers the in ministry.

3. First Paul was comforted that the Lord stood at his side literally and figuratively.

4. Secondly, the Lord exhorted Paul to “take courage” (tharseō - to be firm or resolute in the face of danger or adverse circumstances, i.e. be courageous BDAG).

5. Why should Paul be encouraged? The Lord was by his side, the Lord is sovereign, Paul had been a faithful witness in God’s will, and God had more work for him in Rome (Rom 1:9-11; 15:23).

II. ANATHEMA FORMULATED (12-15).

A. Committed to Paul’s Death (12-13).

1. Our day is not the only age where radical religious and secular group seek to make good on death threats of believers.

2. [12] The Jewish zealots formed a “conspiracy” (“sustrophê” means to hold a uproar, “poiein sustrophê” means to hold a secret conspiratorial meeting).

3. This conspiracy was a united “oath” (anathematizō – invoke divine consequences if certain conditions may or may not be met, cf. 1Ki 2:23, 6:31) that they would not eat or drink until they killed Paul.

4. The term “anathema” has an interesting history. It formerly indicated something “set apart (cut)” as a public offering to a deity (Lev 27:28). It can mean something removed or “banned” as an abomination to God (Deu 7:26). It can also have the meaning of killing someone (anathematize) under divine decree (Deu 20:17). Finally, it can refer to someone that is accursed by God (Gal 1:8-9) and excommunicated by man.

5. In the case of Acts, it contained a double anathema. The Jewish zealots would die (anathema) if they did not kill (anathema) Paul.

6. [13] More than forty had taken the oath to kill Paul. They were deceived by Satan to do what they believed that the Romans were unwilling to do.

B. Conspiracy of Zealots and Priests (14-15).

1. [14] However, these Zealots did not conspire alone. The chief priests and elders (probably Sadducees in this instance, cf. Act 23:7-9) should have rebuked or even had these Zealots arrested. Instead, they were more than willing co-conspirators.

2. [15] In fact, the priests submit to the plot of the Zealots. They agreed to call Paul again for a mock investigation. On the way to the trial, the Zealots would “ambush” (enedra – edra = seat, act of concealment for a surprise attack, vs. 17) the unsuspecting soldiers and kill Paul.

3. The Sadducees were angry with Paul for teaching the resurrection and the resurrection of Christ.

III. ANATHEMA FOUND OUT (16-19).

A. Paul’s Nephew Overhears the Plot (16-17).

1. [16] This is the only clear reference to a family member of Paul (cf. Rom 16:7, 11, 21 cf. Rom 9:3 cf. Php 3:8). Paul had a sister who had a son and quite possibly, they were from Tarsus. What he was doing in Jerusalem was not stated. Nor was it explained why he would warn his uncle who probably had been excommunicated from his Jewish family of Pharisees (Act 23:6).

2. Luke’s irony is not lost. First, the ironic humor is seen in the attempt to keep a conspiracy secret by more than “forty” (also an apologetic point). Secondly, he adds that the secret conspiracy was overheard by, of all people, Paul’s nephew.

3. Paul, having experienced other plots by the Jews (Act 9:23, 29; 20:3), acted immediately.

4. [17] Following the proper protocol, Paul contacted a lower ranking officer to report to the Commander. Though still a “prisoner” (vs. 18), Paul’s relationship with the centurions was cordial in part because of his Roman citizenship.

B. Paul’s Nephew Reports the Plot (18-19).

1. [18] The centurion led Paul’s nephew to the Commander who Luke will identify for us as Claudius Lysias (Act 23:26; 24:7, 22).

2. Paul’s nephew was identified by Paul as a “young man” (neaniskos – older boy or unmarried young man, vs. 17, 18). This may have been a polite and respectful reference to a young boy. The Commander took him “by the hand” (vs. 19) which would only seem understandable if Paul’s nephew was a young boy.

3. [19] Taking the matter seriously, the Commander took the boy aside and inquired of him privately.

IV. ANATHEMA FOILED (20-23).

A. Revealing of the Plot (20-21)

1. Paul’s nephew communicated with great detail the deceptive plot to kill his uncle.

2. The boy exhorted the Commander not to listen to the Council’s conspiracy, because more that forty were lying in wait.

B. Response to the Plot (22-23)

1. [22] At this point, the Commander understood that foiling the conspiracy would require confidentiality. So he commanded the boy to tell no one.

2. [23] The Commander also realized the magnitude of the potential danger. Not only were forty men a dangerous threat, but perhaps there were more waiting in the wings at a beckon call. In addition, the stability and peace of the state rested upon the Commander’s shoulders and he would take no chance in being unprepared.

3. Some have suggested that the Commander anticipated that the forty were members of the Sicari (cf. Act 21:38), the extremist splinter cut-throat group of Jewish Zealots.

4. Whether or not they were members of the Sicarii, they obviously were skilled in murder.

5. Therefore the Commander ordered 470 soldiers to escort Paul safely to Felix the governor. 200 of the soldiers were highly skilled in their own right as “spearmen” (dexiolabos – either spearmen, slingers, or light armed foot soldiers).

V. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS.

A. Believers can still “take courage”.

1. You are a child of God (1Jo 3:1)

2. He is “at your side” (Mat 28:20; Joh 10:27-29)

3. He is sovereign in your life (Rom 8:28-30)

4. He will providentially protect you (Ps 46; Ps 27:1-6; Ps 91:1-7;

5. He is at work in you (Phi 1:6; Phi 2:13)

6. He has a work for you.

7. He will aid you in that work

8. He will bring about the results

B. The answer to the moral issue of OT anathemas.

1. God is a sovereign holy God and can punish the wicked in any way He desires.

2. God can use any instrument He desires to bring about His punishment, be it Israel or other ungodly nations.

3. Understand that we were not talking about Sunday school children but wicked and rebellious people.

4. Israel’s God is the one true God. Israel’s God is not the same Allah (Attributes, plan of Salvation, Son).

5. They had been offered a surrender, OT gives instruction for such a response. What about just one person? We have the example of Rahab.

6. New Dispensation now (“love your enemies”.

Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516