Acts 23:20
And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
G3754
Οἱ
G3588
Οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συνέθεντο
have agreed
G4934
συνέθεντο
have agreed
Strong's:
G4934
Word #:
6 of 24
to place jointly, i.e., (figuratively) to consent (bargain, stipulate), concur
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅπως
that
G3704
ὅπως
that
Strong's:
G3704
Word #:
10 of 24
what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)
αὔριον
to morrow
G839
αὔριον
to morrow
Strong's:
G839
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, fresh, i.e., (adverb with ellipsis of g2250) to-morrow
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
12 of 24
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συνέδριον
the council
G4892
συνέδριον
the council
Strong's:
G4892
Word #:
14 of 24
a joint session, i.e., (specially), the jewish sanhedrin; by analogy, a subordinate tribunal
καταγάγῃς
thou wouldest bring down
G2609
καταγάγῃς
thou wouldest bring down
Strong's:
G2609
Word #:
15 of 24
to lead down; specially, to moor a vessel
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλον
Paul
G3972
Παῦλον
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
17 of 24
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
18 of 24
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
μέλλοντές
though they would
G3195
μέλλοντές
though they would
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
19 of 24
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
πυνθάνεσθαι
enquire
G4441
πυνθάνεσθαι
enquire
Strong's:
G4441
Word #:
22 of 24
to question, i.e., ascertain by inquiry (as a matter of information merely; and thus differing from g2065, which properly means a request as a favor;
Historical Context
This occurred in AD 57-58 during Paul's imprisonment in the Antonia Fortress, Jerusalem. The Sanhedrin's willingness to use deceit reveals the depth of their hostility toward Paul, whom they viewed as an apostate undermining Judaism.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's providence work through ordinary circumstances and human decisions to protect His servants?
- What does the Jewish leaders' deception reveal about religious zeal divorced from truth?
Analysis & Commentary
Paul's nephew reveals the conspiracy, stating The Jews have agreed to desire thee—using the Greek synethento (συνέθεντο), meaning 'they covenanted together,' implying a formal pact. The phrase as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly exposes the deceptive pretense of legal inquiry masking murderous intent. This echoes the Jewish leaders' earlier stratagems against Jesus (Mark 14:1). The nephew's timely intelligence demonstrates God's providence preserving Paul for his Roman witness (Acts 23:11)—divine protection through human agency.