Acts 23:11-24
Paul has been in front of the Sanhedrin twice and Paul has been rescued from the volatile situation both times. Now, about forty Jews have vowed not to eat until they have murdered Paul. The oath they took was called a cherem. They were basically asking God to curse them if they did not carry out the terms of the vow. This week, we begin with Paul’s communication from the Lord to take courage because he has testified about Him in Jerusalem and he will testify about him in Rome.
Two things are pointed out here. First, we see the lengths that the Jews were willing to go to eliminate Paul. Later, they even petition Festus to send Paul back to Jerusalem so they can ambush them and kill Paul along the way to carry out their vow, a cherem (Acts 25:3). The current passage is not the only time that the Jews will attempt to assassinate Paul. Paul’s nephew being there and hearing the vow was how God worked through people to ensure that his will would be accomplished. This time, God’s goal was to get Paul to Rome to testify about him in the most powerful government in their day.
Second, we see the lengths that the Roman commander is willing to go to protect Paul, a Roman citizen. Acts 21:34 says that the Roman commander was having trouble getting the truth from the gathering of Jews because of the uproar they were causing. Nothing changed in the next session Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin. When Paul’s nephew tells the commander of the plot to kill Paul, the commander decides to form a small protective army and transfer Paul to Caesarea saving Paul from the murder plot.
