Section 22:30–23:11
Paul spoke to the Jewish leaders
In this section, the Roman commander still did not know why the Jews wanted to kill Paul, so he arranged for Paul to stand before the Jewish ruling council so that their discussion could inform him. But the members of the Jewish ruling council considered this as an opportunity to judge Paul according to their laws.
The ruling Jews belonged to one of two religious groups: the Pharisees and Sadducees. One way they differed was that the Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead, but the Sadducees did not believe in it.
Paul saw that they intended to judge him. So, he declared that he believed in the resurrection of the dead in order to start them arguing. And indeed, the Pharisees and Sadducees began to argue with one another. These two groups argued so violently that the commander thought that it was dangerous for Paul to remain there. So he ordered soldiers to rescue Paul and bring him back to the barracks.
Other examples of headings for this section are:
Paul before the Council (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Before the Sanhedrin (New International Version)
-or-
Paul caused the Jewish leaders to argue
Paragraph 22:30
22:30a
The next day: This phrase refers to the day after the one mentioned in 22:24. It goes with 22:30b. For example:
30aSince the commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews, the next day 30bhe released him…
the commander: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as commander means “leader of one thousand soldiers.” This kind of officer commanded six hundred to a thousand soldiers in the Roman army. See how you translated this word in 21:31 or 22:24.
the real reason: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the real reason is literally “something definite.” It refers to a reason that the commander could be reasonably certain was correct. At this time the commander did not know why the Jews were so angry with Paul. Other ways to translate this word are:
exactly (New International Version)
-or-
for sure (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
really
Paul was accused by the Jews: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:
the Jews were accusing Paul
22:30b
released him: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as released:
(1) It means allowed to leave prison. The commander had kept Paul in prison overnight to protect him from the angry Jews outside. For example:
he freed Paul (New Jerusalem Bible)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, NET Bible, Revised English Bible)
(2) It means removed his chains. For example:
he had Paul’s chains taken off (Good News Translation)
(Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, English Standard Version, New Century Version, King James Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the commander would not insult Paul by leaving chains on him after he discovered that Paul was a Roman citizen. Other ways to translate this clause according to interpretation (1) are:
released ⌊from prison⌋
-or-
allowed to leave ⌊prison⌋
22:30c
the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin: The chief priests were part of the Sanhedrin. For example:
the chief priests and the rest of the Sanhedrin
chief priests: This phrase refers to the priests who were leaders of the other Jewish priests. Other ways to translate this word are:
the leader of the priests
-or-
the priests who led of all ⌊of the other Jewish⌋ priests
See how you translated this phrase in 4:6 or 9:21.
Sanhedrin: The word Sanhedrin is a Greek word that means “council.” Here it refers to the group of Jewish men with the highest authority over their people. They made laws and decided court cases. Some ways to translate Sanhedrin are:
council (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Jewish council (New Century Version)
-or-
Jewish high council (New Living Translation (2004))
See how you translated this word in 4:15 or 6:12.
to assemble: The Jewish council probably met in their usual meeting place. They would not have met in a Roman house.
22:30d
he brought Paul down: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as brought…down indicates a downward direction. It was downhill from the barracks to the building where the Sanhedrin met. In some languages it is important to indicate that direction as the Berean Standard Bible has done. But in some languages the direction down is not important here.
stand before them: This clause indicates that Paul would speak to the Sanhedrin. The commander did not intend for the Sanhedrin to judge Paul.
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