King James Version

What Does Acts 23:15 Mean?

Acts 23:15 in the King James Version says “Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye w... — study this verse from Acts chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Acts 23:15 · KJV


Context

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.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain—Over forty men conspired with Sanhedrin members to murder Paul under pretense of further inquiry (v. 12-14). The verb emphanisate (make clear/inform) shows their plan required official cooperation. As though ye would enquire something more perfectly (ἀκριβέστερον, akribesteron, more accurately)—The adverb 'more perfectly' gave the plot appearance of legitimate judicial procedure, masking murderous intent with religious language.

We, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him—The conspirators' confidence reveals their fanaticism: bound by oath, fasting until Paul's death (v. 12). This plot demonstrates how religious zeal untethered from righteousness produces violence. The irony is stark—those claiming to defend God's law planned premeditated murder in God's name, violating the sixth commandment while invoking the first.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Assassinations by zealots were common in this volatile period. The forty-plus conspirators likely included sicarii willing to die for their cause. That Sanhedrin members cooperated shows the depth of opposition to Paul's gospel. Roman protective custody proved providential—God used pagan justice to thwart religious assassination.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does religious language sometimes mask unrighteous motives and violent intentions?
  2. What does this conspiracy teach about the danger of zealotry divorced from love and truth?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 33 words
νῦν1 of 33

Now

G3568

"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate

οὖν2 of 33

therefore

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

ὑμεῖς3 of 33

ye

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

ἐμφανίσατε4 of 33

signify

G1718

to exhibit (in person) or disclose (by words)

τῷ5 of 33
G3588

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

χιλιάρχῳ6 of 33

to the chief captain

G5506

the commander of a thousand soldiers ("chiliarch"; i.e., colonel

σὺν7 of 33

with

G4862

with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi

τῷ8 of 33
G3588

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

συνεδρίῳ9 of 33

the council

G4892

a joint session, i.e., (specially), the jewish sanhedrin; by analogy, a subordinate tribunal

ὅπως10 of 33

that

G3704

what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)

αὔριον11 of 33

to morrow

G839

properly, fresh, i.e., (adverb with ellipsis of g2250) to-morrow

αὐτόν12 of 33

he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καταγάγῃ13 of 33

down

G2609

to lead down; specially, to moor a vessel

πρὸς14 of 33

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ὑμᾶς15 of 33

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ὡς16 of 33

as

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

μέλλοντας17 of 33

though ye would

G3195

to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili

διαγινώσκειν18 of 33

enquire

G1231

to know thoroughly, i.e., ascertain exactly

ἀκριβέστερον19 of 33
G199

exactly

τὰ20 of 33
G3588

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

περὶ21 of 33

concerning

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

αὐτόν22 of 33

he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἡμεῖς23 of 33

we

G2249

we (only used when emphatic)

δὲ24 of 33

and

G1161

but, and, etc

πρὸ25 of 33

or ever

G4253

"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to

τοῦ26 of 33
G3588

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

ἐγγίσαι27 of 33

come near

G1448

to make near, i.e., (reflexively) approach

αὐτόν28 of 33

he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἕτοιμοί29 of 33

ready

G2092

adjusted, i.e., ready

ἐσμεν30 of 33

are

G2070

we are

τοῦ31 of 33
G3588

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

ἀνελεῖν32 of 33

to kill

G337

to take up, i.e., adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e., abolish, murder

αὐτόν33 of 33

he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


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 23:15 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 23:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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