These small group Bible studies of Acts 23 contain commentary, discussion questions, and practical application. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Acts 23 Bible Study Guide – Paul Before the Council
Acts 22:22-23:11
Outline
I. Paul talks to the Roman tribune (22:22-30)
II. Paul before the council (23:1-11)
I. Paul talks to the Roman tribune (22:22-30)
Discussion Questions
• Why were the Jews so angry with Paul?
• What is it about human nature that doesn’t want to share good things with others?
• What does it mean to be “examined by flogging?”
• Should authorities (such as parents) use discipline as a means to find out the truth? Is this just?
• Should Paul have just taken the abuse and turned the other cheek? Why or why not?
• Is it lawful to flog a Roman citizen who has not been condemned?
• How do we see God’s sovereignty in the fact that Paul was born a Roman?
• How did that protect him? How did that open up new opportunities for the gospel?
• Why was the tribune afraid?
• As a leader (parent, boss, or church leader), how can you make sure that you are just and fair to those under you?
Cross-References
Acts 16:37 – But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.”
Proverbs 18:13 – If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
Proverbs 18:17 – The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. The Jews went into a frenzy – The idea that God would visit and save the Gentiles enraged them. Clearly, they enjoyed being God’s chosen people. Rather than considering how they could pass on the blessings of God to others, they became prideful. They considered that they were superior to others. Other people groups were looked down on and considered enemies.
You see that spirit in Jonah, who refused to go preach repentance to the Ninevehites.
Even from Old Testament times, God made it clear that Israel was to be a light to the nations.
Isaiah 49:6 – I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.
But they didn’t get the message. Rather than realizing God blessed them so that they could be a witness to others, they viewed God’s blessings as a birthright and other people as either enemies or subjects to be ruled or used.
Application – God blesses us so that we can pass on what we have received to others. He puts resources into our hands so that we can steward those for His kingdom.
Reflect – What is something God has blessed you with that you can pass on to someone else?
2. The tribune ordered that Paul be “examined by flogging” –
They were going to whip Paul until he confessed to the crimes that had so angered his people. Torturing out a confession before establishing any guilt is extremely unjust. It assumes guilt rather than proving it.
In fact, Paul had done nothing worthy of being flogged. A wise leader should seek to objectively understand all the facts before making a judgment or dispensing punishment.
Application – If God has placed you in a position of authority, be just and fair in how you use that authority.
Here are a few practical examples of what not to do.
• Tell your child, “Go stand in the corner until you are ready to admit what you did,” if you are not sure they did the thing.
• One of your children disobeyed, but you are not sure which one. Do not discipline both just to make sure that one didn’t get away with it.
• Take the side of one spouse in a marriage squabble before hearing the other side of the story.
3. God’s sovereignty in Paul’s Roman citizenship –
Paul mentioned his Roman citizenship before they began flogging him. It was illegal to beat or whip Roman citizens without a trial.
Paul was born as a Roman citizen. This was rare. We do not know how his parents first obtained citizenship, but we know that it was not a coincidence. God prepared this ahead of time because he knew that it would both protect Paul and open up new opportunities for the gospel.
On more than one occasion, Paul was saved from worse persecution because he was a Roman citizen. Eventually, Paul appealed to Caesar and traveled to Rome. That was made possible only because he was a Roman citizen. In Rome, he had more opportunities to testify of Christ, even to powerful people.
Reflect – In what other Biblical examples do we see similar cases of God’s sovereignty preparing people for a greater mission (perhaps even before they were born)?
God is sovereign. He ensured that Moses would be raised by the royal family in Egypt. He planned to send Joseph to Egypt to save his family from a severe famine.
God is just as sovereign over your life. He chose which country and family you would be born in. He arranged when and how you would hear the gospel. God’s providence led you where you are and opened up many avenues for serving Him. These things were not just a lucky coincidence. They were arranged by God.
Reflect – Share some examples of how God’s sovereignty in your life has resulted in opportunities for sharing the gospel.
Application – Spend some time to prayerfully reflect on God’s work in your life, even before you were born. Consider the country and family you were born into. Consider your education. Think about how you met the person who shared the gospel with you. Reflect on how you met your spouse or good Christian friends.
Acknowledge before God that these are not coincidences. Thank Him for directing your life for good behind the scenes. Live in the constant awareness that you are not the result of random coincidences, but God’s perfect plan.
Proverbs 16:33 – The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
II. Paul before the council (23:1-11)
Discussion Questions
• Who was at this council?
• How did Paul start off his “defense?” Why do you think he started like this?
• What is our conscience? How active is your conscience?
• How important is it to keep a clear conscience?
• Share about a time when your conscience convicted you?
• Why did Ananias have Paul hit?
• Was Paul right to respond as he did? Was the flesh seeping through or a Holy Spirit-filled rebuke?
• Do you have to respect an evil ruler?
• If you meet an evil politician, say a president of your country who reviles God, should you respect him?
• What does this show us about Paul as a person?
• How could Paul not know that was the high priest?
• In verse 5, is he apologizing?
• Why did Paul say he was on trial for the hope of the resurrection of the dead? Was his statement true?
• What did the Sadducees believe about the resurrection?
• Where is the resurrection taught in the Old Testament?
• How did Jesus refute their idea that there was no resurrection?
• What was the conclusion of this council?
• How did Jesus encourage Paul?
• How does this encourage you?
Cross-References
Exodus 22:28 – You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
Romans 13:1 – Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
1 Peter 3:16 – Having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
Acts 24:16 – So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
Matthew 22:29-33 – But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Paul before the council –
The Roman tribune wanted to understand the nature of the accusations against Paul. He commanded the “chief priests and all the council” to meet. That likely included the full Sanhedrin. These were the most powerful Jewish leaders.
2. Paul’s goal to keep a clear conscience –
Acts 23:1 – “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”
Paul consistently mentioned his goal of keeping a clear conscience before God and men (2 Timothy 1:3, Acts 24:16). He testified that his goal had always been to do the right thing and please God. Only he knew his own heart, but he was testifying before them his pure motives.
God gave us a conscience to teach us right and wrong. It is our internal moral meter, which either approves our behavior or convicts us. It is possible that wrong input can result in wrong output. Paul’s own life is an example of that. In the past, he zealously persecuted believers, all while believing he was doing the right thing. Therefore, it is important to feed our conscience properly.
For believers, the Holy Spirit works together with our conscience to give us an internal moral compass.
Paul also taught that people are responsible for following their conscience, which tells them what is right and wrong. A failure to do that will result in condemnation on the day of judgment.
Romans 2:15 – They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.
Application – We also should seek to live by our conscience and the leading of the Spirit. It can be easy to live to please other people or simply follow the rules or standards others want us to conform to. But we are personally responsible before God. He has given us a moral compass, the Holy Spirit, and His Word. Most of the time, we know the right thing to do. There are many sins we could commit that others will never find out about. You know. Your conscience is telling you not to do it for a reason.
There are also many things that others do and are popular. Perhaps even other Christians see nothing wrong with it. But your conscience tells you that you shouldn’t do it. Do not violate your own conscience just because someone else has a different perspective.
Romans 14:23 – For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
If you cannot do something with a good conscience, don’t do it.
Take a few moments to consider if there is anything you have been doing that you feel inside is not right.
Here is a good prayer to pray from time to time.
Psalms 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Only you and God know your heart, thoughts, and the choices you make while you are alone. Be filled with integrity to do what you know is right, no matter who is watching.
3. Paul’s spat with the high priest –
Ananias was disgusted with Paul’s statement that he had followed his conscience. He ordered Paul struck.
Paul took offense and had a strong reaction.
Acts 23:3 – Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?”
It was also against their law to beat someone who had not yet been convicted. Paul was correct factually in saying that it was hypocritical for them to be judging him while themselves disobeying their law.
Reflect – Was Paul right to respond as he did? Was the flesh seeping through or a Holy Spirit-filled rebuke?
Let us keep in mind that Paul was not a perfect person. He was flesh and blood, like you and me. As such, he was prone to anger and outbursts just as we are.
In verse 5, Paul essentially confesses, showing that he realized he was out of line here.
It is possible to be factually correct and still be wrong. The high priest was unjust. He was opposing God. And yet, as the established leader of the Jews, Paul was still obligated to show respect for his office.
He admitted that himself.
Acts 23:5 – And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
A leader can be completely in the wrong and we should still show respect to their God-given office. That doesn’t mean that leaders can never be challenged or even potentially removed, but that should be done properly.
Reflect – Do you have to respect an evil ruler? How do you do that without approving of their behavior?
Application – Respect your leaders. If we even should respect an evil ruler, how much more should we show honor to the good ones who use their position to serve us (Hebrews 13:17). Share a practical way to show appreciation to someone in leadership this week.
4. Paul’s appeal to the resurrection –
Jewish leaders were divided into multiple camps. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection (or accept any Scripture outside of the Pentateuch), while the Pharisees were the conservatives of their day.
Sadducees – They were primarily composed of upper-class Jews from priestly families. They largely controlled the Sanhedrin. And it was they who had made the deals with Rome, agreeing to serve Rome, but able to keep some local control and religious freedom of worship. Sadducees only believed the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament, was Scripture. Therefore any doctrines built upon evidence in the other books were discarded. They rejected the doctrine of the resurrection. It is an odd position for a religious group that claimed to believe in God and prioritized temple rituals. They were the liberals of their time and were willing to re-interpret doctrines or passages to fit in with a more modern viewpoint.
There are Old Testament verses that teach about the resurrection. Daniel states it very plainly.
Daniel 12:2 – And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
But the Sadducees only believed in the Torah.
The Sadducees are a clear reminder of people’s inherent tendency to disregard God’s Word in favor of popular opinion or expediency. From the very beginning, Satan tempted Eve with the phrase, “Did God really say?” Satan’s method hasn’t changed.
In the modern church today, you can find many pastors and congregations who say that homosexuality is not a sin, that God accepts everybody, and we should too. Some denominations even allow homosexual pastors.
Others refuse to speak up about abortion or literal creation because they don’t want to alienate the world. But this is not just a modern problem. In the 1800s, many churches in the US followed the sinful culture’s practice of segregation. They excluded black people and were racist. Some went as far as to preach in favor of slavery from the pulpit. Instead of being a light for Christ, they compromised with the world for personal gain. To be clear, the
The Bible does speak out against this practice (Exodus 21:16).
Culture doesn’t believe in hell? Toss it out. People don’t like the word “sin”? Don’t use it. Is it politically incorrect to say there is only one way to God? Ok, accept every religion. Evolution is popular? Ok, change Genesis to accommodate it. The list of compromises with the world goes on and on.
Reflect – What causes the church to compromise with culture? What can you do about it?
How can we stand on God’s Word against these waves of liberalism that undermine it? It’s simple, actually. You only need to memorize one question. If you remember this question, you need never fall into Satan’s trap. You will not be swept by the waves of cultural forces pushing against you.
The question is, “What does the Bible say?”
God’s Word is the foundation, the source of our worldview, not culture. It’s really that simple. If you ask that question, you can then solve every single controversy mentioned above and more. All of us should be equipped with that question. Do not ever be afraid to ask it.
Ask it when you go to church, as you are listening to the pastor. Ask it when you come to study and are listening to me. Ask it when you are reading John MacArthur’s or Piper’s latest book. Ask it when you listen to sermons online or read commentaries.
Jesus proved the resurrection of the dead –
Jesus faced off against the Sadducees during his ministry as well.
Mark 12:20-23 – There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring. And the second took her, and died, leaving no offspring. And the third likewise. And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died. In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.”
The Sadducees attempt to disprove the resurrection by bringing up the issue of levirate marriage. Levirate marriage was the Old Testament practice of marrying a deceased relative’s wife to provide for her and bring up offspring to continue the family line.
Mark 12:26-27 – And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.”
Boom! Jesus destroys their arguments with this brilliant answer.
How did Jesus prove the resurrection of the dead? He proved it by Scripture. He is answering the question mentioned above, “What does the Bible say?” Note that He quoted part of the Torah, which they claimed to believe. This was more effective than quoting Daniel since they would have rejected it offhand.
The argument was simple. God used the present tense in declaring that He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:6), which meant that they were still alive, hence proving life after death.
Back to Paul.
Paul sought to gain support from the Pharisees by essentially saying, “The resurrection is on trial.” It was effective and he used this tactic successfully to bring the trial to a standstill.
It was clearly an issue of contention among the council members. Paul ripped off the scab and the focus was taken off of him as they began fighting again.
At the same time, Paul’s statement was true. He was on trial because he believed and preached that Jesus had arisen from the dead.
Jesus taught to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Paul practiced that here.
There was such a clamor that, to save Paul’s life, the Roman tribune shut down the council right then and there.
5. Jesus encouraged Paul –
Acts 23:11 – The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
Jesus personally came and encouraged Paul, telling him to “take courage.” Note that Jesus could easily have rescued Paul. Or he could have comforted him with a promise that this trial would be over soon and Paul would be freed. Jesus did neither.
Paul was going to face a long ordeal. It would lead him, still imprisoned to Rome. Jesus’ comfort is not, “I will take you out of it.” It is, “I have a purpose in it.”
God never promises to give us an easy life. Neither does he promise to rescue us from every trial. But He does promise to be with us (Isaiah 41:10). Nothing can happen to his believers that will separate us from God’s presence (Romans 8:38-39). In addition, He guarantees that He will use whatever happens in our life, even if it looks bad, for good (Romans 8:28).
Never forget that Jesus is also with you. He will never leave or forsake you. Though He won’t always deliver you out of the storm, He will be with you through it. Hold on to the promise that God has a purpose. Take courage.
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