Paul Before the Sanhedrin

22:30 The next day, because the commanding officer116 wanted to know the true reason117 Paul118 was being accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests and the whole council119 to assemble. He then brought120 Paul down and had him stand before them.

23:1 Paul looked directly1 at the council2 and said, “Brothers, I have lived my life with a clear conscience3 before God to this day.” 23:2 At that4 the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near5 Paul6 to strike7 him on the mouth. 23:3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!8 Do9 you sit there judging me according to the law,10 and in violation of the law11 you order me to be struck?” 23:4 Those standing near him12 said, “Do you dare insult13 God’s high priest?” 23:5 Paul replied,14 “I did not realize,15 brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You must not speak evil about a ruler of your people.’ ”16

23:6 Then when Paul noticed17 that part of them were Sadducees18 and the others Pharisees,19 he shouted out in the council,20 “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection21 of the dead!” 23:7 When he said this,22 an argument23 began24 between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 23:8 (For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.)25 23:9 There was a great commotion,26 and some experts in the law27 from the party of the Pharisees stood up28 and protested strongly,29 “We find nothing wrong30 with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 23:10 When the argument became31 so great the commanding officer32 feared that they would tear Paul to pieces,33 he ordered the detachment34 to go down, take him away from them by force,35 and bring him into the barracks.36

23:11 The following night the Lord37 stood near38 Paul39 and said, “Have courage,40 for just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem,41 so you must also testify in Rome.”42