DAWN
Daily Arts Web Nucleus
Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture plus an explanation with links 2017 August 17
Risen Christ and Soldiers (1572)
Germain Pilon (c. 1537 - 1590)
French Renaissance Style
Louvre, Paris, France
Image Source: Wikimedia
Explanation: In Acts 23, Paul had his first of two trials before the High Priest, Ananias. This trial was in Jerusalem. The next was in Caesarea (Acts 24:1). In this trial, Paul told the Sanhedrin that he had lived in all good conscience before God. And the High Priest, Ananias, commanded him to be struck on the mouth. Paul then called Ananias a whited wall and told him that God would strike him. This shocked those who heard him and they asked him how he dared to revile the High Priest. Paul said he did not realize who Ananias was. The High Priesthood was in constant change at this time because many were eligible and each took his turn. So Paul may simply not have known who was High Priest at the time. Other possibilities would be Paul's poor eyesight, the High Priest being out of uniform, or some other factor or combination of factors.
Paul then realized that the assembly was divided between Pharisees and Sadducees, so he told the assembly that he was a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, and that he was called into trial concerning the resurrection of the dead. The Pharisees, who believed in the resurrection and in things supernatural, took Paul's side. The Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection or things supernatural, became violent, and Paul was caught in their midst. The Roman commander sent his troops into the assembly and delivered Paul from them lest they harm him. They lodged him in the barracks. The following night the Lord stood by Paul and told him to take courage, because he would bear witness to him in Rome, just as he had in Jerusalem (1-11). In the morning, the Jews made a plot to kill Paul. But Paul's nephew heard of the plot and informed Paul. Paul then sent him to the Roman commander with this news. The commander sent the boy away privately and ordered him to tell no one (12-22). The commander then sent Paul away to the governor Felix, guarded by 470 men. Felix kept him in Herod's Praetorium and waited for his accusers to arrive (23-35).
[Sermons: Eric Alexander. David Lauten. Various. ]
[Illustration: Today's image represents the key factor in today's chapter, the resurrection, particularly the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which was at the heart of the debate between Paul and the Jewish authorities. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:17, "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins."]
RESOURCES
[THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES:
Acts 23:1-11: Matthew 23:27; John 18:19-23; Luke 20:27; Acts 5:39.
Acts 23:12-35: Acts 19:21; Acts 24:24-27. ]
[ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]
[ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]
[ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
[ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Micha'el Ben David. Sons of Korah. Fernando Ortega. Janet Isaac Morrison. Music of the Bible Revealed - Suzanne Haik-Vantoura. Dr. David Erb. Gregorian Chants. ]
*** For Additional word studies use one of the Greek Interlinear Bibles below. ***
Acts 23
2. Focus on the Ministry of Paul & his Companions (Ac 13:1 - Ac 28:31) - 48 A.D. - 62 A.D. Israel; Mediterranean Region
1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?
5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together [made a bond], and bound themselves under a curse [and anathematized themselves], saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse [anathematized ourselves with an anathema], that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.
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.
16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.
19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?
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.
21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath [anathematized themselves], that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.
22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.
23 And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea., and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:
26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:
29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.
31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
33 Who, when they came to Caesarea., and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;
35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.
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