And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire you that you would bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
The Jews.
Acts 23:12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
as.
Acts 23:15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.
Psalm 12:2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
Daniel 6:5-12 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God…
The Jews have agreed
The term "Jews" here refers to the Jewish leaders and members of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council in Jerusalem. This council held significant religious and political power. Their agreement indicates a unified decision, reflecting the serious threat they perceived in Paul's teachings about Jesus Christ and the spread of Christianity.
to ask you to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin
The Sanhedrin was the highest Jewish court, located in Jerusalem. It consisted of Pharisees and Sadducees, who often had differing theological views but were united in their opposition to Paul. The request to bring Paul before them was a strategic move to confront him directly, under the guise of legal proceedings.
tomorrow
The immediacy of the plan underscores the urgency and determination of the Jewish leaders to deal with Paul swiftly. This reflects the tension and volatility of the situation, as Paul's teachings were seen as a direct challenge to their authority and traditional beliefs.
on the pretext of acquiring more information about him
The phrase "pretext of acquiring more information" reveals the deceitful nature of the plot. The leaders were not genuinely interested in learning more about Paul's teachings; rather, they intended to ambush and kill him. This tactic of using false pretenses is reminiscent of other biblical accounts where deceit is used to achieve malicious ends, such as the story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis.
• Luke records that Paul’s young nephew “went to the barracks and told Paul” of the plot (Acts 23:16), then was granted an audience with the Roman commander.
• God providentially positions ordinary people for extraordinary moments, echoing Esther 4:14 and Proverbs 21:1—earthly power bends to God’s purpose.
• The simple phrase “He answered” shows immediate obedience; compare Samuel’s “Speak, for Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10). Readiness to speak truth protects life (Proverbs 12:6).
• More than forty conspirators had “formed a plot and bound themselves with an oath” (Acts 23:12–15).
• Psalm 2:1–4 reminds us that human councils rage, yet the Lord sits enthroned.
• Jesus forewarned, “They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons” (Luke 21:12). Opposition verifies, rather than nullifies, God’s plan (John 15:18–20).
• The conspirators manipulate legal channels, seeking Rome’s cooperation while hiding murderous intent—similar to the Sanhedrin’s tactics with Pilate in John 18:28–30.
• Paul’s life had always been in God’s hands: at conversion the Lord said, “He is My chosen instrument to carry My name…before kings” (Acts 9:15).
• Human schemes cannot override that calling (Isaiah 14:27).
• “Tomorrow” underscores urgency; yet God had already spoken the night before: “Take courage…you must testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11).
• The Sanhedrin had clashed with Paul earlier that week (Acts 23:1–10). Re-summoning him would seem routine—perfect cover for the ambush.
• Jesus predicted His followers would give testimony before “councils” (Matthew 10:17–18); each appearance, voluntary or coerced, advances the gospel.
• The stated aim—“acquiring more information”—masks murderous intent. Psalm 5:9 describes such duplicity: “No truth is in their mouth; their heart is destruction.”
• Proverbs 26:24–26 warns that enemies “speak graciously” while concealing violence.
• God exposes this lie through the nephew, foiling the ambush and steering Paul toward Caesarea and, ultimately, Rome (Acts 23:23–35; 27:24).
Acts 23:20 pulls back the curtain on a covert plot, revealing how God uses a vigilant nephew, a responsive commander, and even the conspirators’ timetable to safeguard Paul. Though foes conspire, the Lord orchestrates events so His servant will reach the next platform for witness. The verse affirms that human deception never outmaneuvers divine sovereignty, encouraging believers to trust God’s unfailing oversight in every threat and trial.
Verse 20. - Ask thee to bring for desire thee that then wouldest bring, A.V; unto for into, A.V.; thou wouldest for they would, A.V. and T.R.; more exactly concerning him for of him more perfectly, A.V. Have agreed. Συντίθημι occurs four times in the New Testament, of which three are in St. Luke's writings (Luke 22:5; this passage; and Acts 24:9), and the fourth in John 9:22. As though thou wouldest. The R.T., which reads μέλλων for μέλλοντες, must surely be wrong. It is in contradiction to ver. 15, and makes no sense. The pretext of further inquiry was theirs, not Lysias's.