Acts 23:15

Act 23:15. Ὑμεῖς, ye) With this word are connected the words, with the council. They join together treachery and violence.—ἐμφανίσατε) viz. ἑαυτοὺς, with which comp. Act 23:22, ταῦτα ἐνεφάνισας πρὸς μέ.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Act_23:15. Ὑμεῖς] answering to the subsequent ἡμεῖς δέ. Thus they arrange the parts which they were to play.

σὺν τῷ συνεδρίῳ] Non vos soli, sed una cum collegis vestris (of whom doubtless the Pharisees were not to be allowed to know the murderous plot), quo major significationi sit auctoritas, Grotius.

ὅπως αὐτὸν κ.τ.λ.] design of the ἐμφανίσατε τ. χιλ. From this also it follows what they were to notify, namely, that they wished the business of Paul to be more exactly taken cognisance of in the Sanhedrim than had already been done (comp. Act_24:22).

τοῦ ἀνελ. αὐτ.] The design of ἕτοιμοί ἐσμεν; 2Ch_6:2; Eze_21:11; 1Ma_3:58; 1Ma_5:39; 1Ma_13:37. Comp. also Act_23:20.

πρὸ τοῦ ἐγγίσαι αὐτ.] so that you shall have nothing at all to do with him.

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Act 23:15 . νῦν οὖν : only in Acts in N.T., where it occurs four times, frequent in LXX. ἐμφανίσατε : “signify” in A. and R.V.; this rendering apparently conveys a wrong idea, for it implies that the Council had the authority, whereas this lay with the Roman officer, cf. Act 24:1 , Act 25:2 ; Act 25:15 . In LXX, Est 2:22 , Mal 3:7Mal 3:7 ; 2Ma 11:29 . σὺν τῷ συν .: with the whole Council, including both those who had previously inclined to favour Paul as well as his opponents; the former could not object to the pretext that further inquiries were to be made into Paul’s position, especially when the Sadducees urged such an inquiry. ὅπως , Burton, p. 87. ὡς μέλλοντας : this use of ὡς with the participle expressing the pretext alleged by another, often in Luke, cf. Luk 16:1 ; Luk 23:14 , Act 23:20 ; Act 27:30 , Viteau, Le Grec du N.T. , p. 189 (1893), but we may also compare 1Co 4:18 (Burton). διαγ .: “as though ye would judge of his case more exactly,” R.V., accurate cognoscere; the word need not be used here in the forensic sense as in Act 24:22 (Act 25:21 ), Grimm, Blass; the “inquiry” is expressed by the usual word in Act 23:20 . The verb is used in 2Ma 9:15 . πρὸ τοῦ ἐγγίσαι : so that the crime could not be imputed to the priests. ἕτοιμοί ἐσμεν τοῦ : for genitive of the infinitive after a noun or an adjective, in Luke and Paul (1Pe 4:17 ), (Viteau, u. s. , p. 169, Burton, p. 158. In LXX, cf. Mich. Act 6:8 , Eze 21:10-11 (Eze 21:15-16 ), 1Ma 3:58 ; 1Ma 5:39 ; 1Ma 13:37 . ἀνελεῖν αὐτὸν , cf. Hackett’s note, which gives a formal justification from Philo for the assassination of apostates.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Ye and the Senate requiring the same to be done, lest that the Tribune should think that it was demanded of him at some private man’s suit.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Now . . . ye with the council signify to the chief captain . . . as though, &c.--That these high ecclesiastics fell in readily with this infamous plot is clear. What will not unscrupulous and hypocritical religionists do under the mask of religion? The narrative bears unmistakable internal marks of truth.

or ever he come near--Their plan was to assassinate him on his way down from the barracks to the council. The case was critical, but He who had pledged His word to him that he should testify for Him at Rome provided unexpected means of defeating this well-laid scheme.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 15. And we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.] We shall lie in wait, and despatch him before he can reach the chief captain. The plan was well and deeply laid; and nothing but an especial providence could have saved Paul.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(15) Now therefore ye with the council . . .—The plot was necessary, either (1) because the Sanhedrin had lost, under Roman rule, its power to inflict capital punishment (see Notes on Act_7:59; Joh_18:31); or (2) because, even if they possessed that power, the chiliarch was not likely to allow its exercise in the case of a Roman citizen; or (3) because the experience of the previous day had shown that the violent party were not likely to obtain a majority in the Council. The plot was, so far, skilfully laid. Even those who had said, “We find no evil in this man,” could hardly oppose a proposal for a further investigation.

We, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.—The first word stands in the Greek with a kind of ferocious emphasis “You may safely leave us to do our part.”

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

15. Now therefore ye with the council, &c.] Rev. Ver. “do ye,” to mark more clearly the imperative. The chief priests and elders, of the Sadducees’ party, were to use their influence in the council, that a request might proceed from the whole body of the Sanhedrin, that Paul should be again brought before them by the chief captain. From what we read of the Sadducees, in the N. T. and Josephus, it is easy to believe that they would be in a majority.

that he bring him down] i.e. from the tower of Antonia to the place where the Sanhedrin held its meetings.

unto you to morrow] The oldest MSS. omit the last word. It is found in Act_23:20 below, and may have been early inserted here to make that verbal accord of the desire for which the received text of the Acts of the Apostles furnishes so many illustrations.

as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him] Rev. Ver. “as though ye would judge of his case more exactly,” which is more in accordance with the classical meaning of the verb.

we … are ready to kill him] So that the suspicion of complicity in the crime would not fall upon the chief priests and elders. Their intention would appear to have been to give St Paul a fair hearing, and the murder would seem to be the work of some fanatics unconnected with the Council.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait,.... Paul might have a sister living in Jerusalem; or this her son might be there on account of his studies; he might be a pupil to one of the doctors, by which means he might come at this secret, that such a number of men were in ambush, in order to take away his uncle's life: wherefore having got intelligence of it,

he went and entered into the castle; the Alexandrian copy reads, "the synagogue"; but Paul was not there, but in the castle of Antonia; the Ethiopic version renders it, "the prison"; though it is plain that he was not very closely confined, it was easy to have access to him; the reason might be, not only because he was a Roman, but because he was uncondemned, nor was any charge proved against him:

and told Paul; what he had heard, that such a number of men had entered into a conspiracy to take away his life, and lay in wait for him; and this was an instance both of duty and affection to his uncle, and worthy of imitation, whether it proceeded from natural relation, or from religion, or both.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

Ver. 15. As though he would inquire] Craft and cruelty are combined in the Church’s enemies; neither of them wanteth his mate, as the Scripture speaketh of those birds of prey and desolation, Isa 34:16, and as the asp is said never to wander alone without his companion with him.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Ye, with the council - With the concurrence or request of the Sanhedrin. It was only by such a request that they had any hope that the chief captain would remove Paul from the castle.

Signify to the chief captain - Send a message or request to him.

That he bring him down unto you - That he bring him from the castle to the usual place of the meeting of the Sanhedrin. As this was at some distance from the castle of Antonia, where Paul was, they supposed it would be easy to waylay him and take his life.

To-morrow - This is missing in the Syriac, Vulgate, and Ethiopic versions. It is, however, probably the correct reading of the text, as it would be necessary to convene the council, and make the request of the tribune, which might require the whole of one day.

As though ye would inquire ... - This request appeared so reasonable that they did not doubt that the tribune would grant it to the council. And though it was obviously a false and wicked pretence, yet these conspirators knew the character of the persons to whom they addressed themselves so well that they did not doubt that they would prevail on the council to make the request. Public justice must have been deeply fallen when it was known that such an iniquitous request could be made with the certain prospect of success.

Or ever he come near - Before he comes near to the Sanhedrin. The Great Council will thus not be suspected of being privy to the deed. We will waylay him, and murder him in the way. The plan was well laid; and nothing but the interposition of Providence could have prevented its execution.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Ye with the council; the chief priests are to join with the council in this desire to the chief captain; for they had no authority to command him.

As though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: the plot against Paul’s life was laid very deep, and not easily to be discovered; it being usual to send for prisoners to re-examine them, especially when religion and the public peace are concerned, as they pretended that here they were.

Or ever he come near: the space between the castle and the place where the council met, being considerable, it gave the greater advantage to the conspirators.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

15. With the council—They proposed that the request to the chiliarch should be made by regular vote of the Sanhedrin, those who favoured Paul being probably deceived as to the real design.

Or ever—Before. They will assassinate him at a distance, by the way, in order to keep the Sanhedrin clear of any suspicion of cooperation in the murder.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Do ye for ye, A.V.; the R.T. omits tomorrow, in the A.V.; judge of his case more exactly for inquire something more perfectly concerning him, A.V.; slay for kill, A.V. With the council. Either the temporary feeling of the Pharisees had subsided, and their old hatred come to the front again, or the high priest and Sadducees, by some plausible excuse, persuaded the Pharisees of the council to join with them in asking that Paul might be brought before them again. Signify. The word ejmfanizein only occurs here and at ver. 22, in this sense of "signifying" or "making known" something, which it has ina; Est_2:22, LXX Codex Alexandrinus (as the rendering of rm to tell), and in RAPC 2Ma 3:7, and in Josephus, as also in classical Greek. Elsewhere in the New Testament it means "to manifest," or "show," as in Joh_14:21, Joh_14:22; inthe passive voice "to appear," as in Mat_27:53; Heb_9:24; and in a technical legal sense "to give information". (Act_24:1 Act_25:2, Act_25:15) Judge of his case more exactly; diaginwskein k.t.l. The word only occurs here and inskein Act_24:22. The classical use of the word in the sense of "deciding," "giving judgment," is in favor of the R.V; diaginw) like diagnwsiv, diagnosis, (Act_25:21) is a word of very frequent use in medical writers, as is the ajkribesteron, which here is joined with it. (Act_24:22, note)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Now therefore ye - Which they never scrupled at all, as not doubting but they were doing God service.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

See notes on verse 12

J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

15. αὔριον omitted with אABCE. Not represented in Vulg.

15. νῦν οὖν ὑμεῖς … σὺν τῷ συνεδρίῳ, now therefore do ye with the council signify, &c. ἐμφανίζω in this sense of giving notice or information is frequent in LXX. Cf. Est 2:22, καὶ αὐτὴ ἐνεφάνισε τῷ βασιλεῖ τὰ τῆς ἐπιβουλῆς. See also 2Ma 3:7; 2Ma 11:29. The chief priests and elders, of the Sadducees’ party, were to use their influence in the council, that a request might proceed from the whole body of the Sanhedrin, for Paul to be again brought before them by the chief captain. From what we read of the Sadducees in the N.T. and Josephus, it is easy to believe that they would be in a majority.

καταγάγη αὐτόν, that he bring him down, i.e. from the tower of Antonia to the place where the Sanhedrin held its meetings. See above on Act 23:10.

ὡς μέλλοντας διαγινώσκειν ἀκριβέατερον τὰ περὶ αὐτοῦ, as though ye would judge of his case more exactly. They would profess a desire to know the whole right and wrong in the matter.

ἕτοιμοί ἐσμεν τοῦ ἀνελεῖν αὐτόν, we are ready to kill him. So that the suspicion of complicity in the crime would not fall upon the chief priests and elders. Their intention would appear to have been to give St Paul a fair hearing, and the murder would seem to be the work of some fanatics unconnected with the council.

For ἕτοιμος followed by the genitival infinitive, cf. LXX. 1Sa 13:21, καὶ ἦν ὁ τρυγητὸς ἔτοιμος τοῦ θερίζειν and 1Ma 13:37, ἕτοιμοί ἐσμεν τοῦ ποιεῖν ὑμῖν εἰρήνην. Also 2Ch 6:2, &c.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

15.] σὺν τῷ συνεδρ. belongs to ὑμεῖς, or perhaps better to ἐμφανίσατε—do you give official intimation (intimation conveyed by the whole Sanhedrim).

ὅπως expresses the purpose of ἐμφαν.,—τοῦ ἀν. αὑτ., that of ἕτοιμοί ἐσμ. (Meyer).

διαγιν. ἀκρ.] not as E. V. ‘enquire something more perfectly:’—but (see reff.) to determine with greater accuracy, or perhaps, neglecting the comparative sense, to determine accurately.

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Enquire [διαγινωσκειν] . Only here and ch. 24 22. Originally, to distinguish or discern; hence, to decide, as a suit. Rev., more correctly, therefore, judge.

More perfectly [ακριβεστερον] . Rev., better, more exactly. See on Luk 1:3; Act 18:25, 26.

Concerning him [τα περι αυτου] . Lit., the things about him. Rev., better, his case.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.