King James Version

What Does Acts 23:12 Mean?

Acts 23:12 in the King James Version says “And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together , and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would ne... — study this verse from Acts chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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. under a curse: or, with an oath of execration

Acts 23:12 · KJV


Context

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 , and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. under a curse: or, with an oath of execration

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, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The conspiracy formed 'when it was day' shows the plotters' immediate and determined hatred. Their binding oath to 'eat nothing until they had killed Paul' demonstrated fanatical zeal that valued murder over self-preservation. This echoes Jesus's warning about those who 'kill you, thinking they do God service' (John 16:2), showing how religious extremism corrupts moral judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Such binding oaths were serious in Jewish culture, invoking divine curse if violated. However, rabbinic law provided loopholes for oaths made for illegal purposes, so the conspirators likely had ways to escape their vow.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can religious conviction become twisted into justifying violence and wickedness?
  2. What safeguards keep your religious zeal from turning into destructive extremism?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
Γενομένης1 of 20

when it was

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

δὲ2 of 20

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ἡμέρας3 of 20

day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ποιήσαντες4 of 20

banded together

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

τινες5 of 20

certain

G5100

some or any person or object

τῶν6 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰουδαίων7 of 20

of the Jews

G2453

judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah

συστροφὴν8 of 20
G4963

a twisting together, i.e., (figuratively) a secret coalition, riotous crowd

ἀνεθεμάτισαν9 of 20

and bound

G332

to declare or vow under penalty of execration

ἑαυτοὺς10 of 20

themselves

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

λέγοντες11 of 20

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

μήτε12 of 20

neither

G3383

not too, i.e., (in continued negation) neither or nor; also, not even

φαγεῖν13 of 20

eat

G5315

to eat (literally or figuratively)

μήτε14 of 20

neither

G3383

not too, i.e., (in continued negation) neither or nor; also, not even

πίειν15 of 20

drink

G4095

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

ἕως16 of 20

till

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

οὗ17 of 20
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἀποκτείνωσιν18 of 20

they had killed

G615

to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy

τὸν19 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Παῦλον20 of 20

Paul

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 23:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 23:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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