King James Version

What Does Acts 23:20 Mean?

Acts 23:20 in the King James Version says “And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as thoug... — study this verse from Acts chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Acts 23:20 · KJV


Context

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, 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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Paul's nephew reveals the conspiracy, stating The Jews have agreed to desire thee—using the Greek synethento (συνέθεντο), meaning 'they covenanted together,' implying a formal pact. The phrase as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly exposes the deceptive pretense of legal inquiry masking murderous intent. This echoes the Jewish leaders' earlier stratagems against Jesus (Mark 14:1). The nephew's timely intelligence demonstrates God's providence preserving Paul for his Roman witness (Acts 23:11)—divine protection through human agency.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred in AD 57-58 during Paul's imprisonment in the Antonia Fortress, Jerusalem. The Sanhedrin's willingness to use deceit reveals the depth of their hostility toward Paul, whom they viewed as an apostate undermining Judaism.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's providence work through ordinary circumstances and human decisions to protect His servants?
  2. What does the Jewish leaders' deception reveal about religious zeal divorced from truth?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
εἶπεν1 of 24

he said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

δὲ2 of 24

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ὅτι3 of 24
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Οἱ4 of 24
G3588

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

Ἰουδαῖοι5 of 24

The Jews

G2453

judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah

συνέθεντο6 of 24

have agreed

G4934

to place jointly, i.e., (figuratively) to consent (bargain, stipulate), concur

τοῦ7 of 24
G3588

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

ἐρωτῆσαί8 of 24

to desire

G2065

to interrogate; by implication, to request

σε9 of 24

thee

G4571

thee

ὅπως10 of 24

that

G3704

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

αὔριον11 of 24

to morrow

G839

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

εἰς12 of 24

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ13 of 24
G3588

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

συνέδριον14 of 24

the council

G4892

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

καταγάγῃς15 of 24

thou wouldest bring down

G2609

to lead down; specially, to moor a vessel

τὸν16 of 24
G3588

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

Παῦλον17 of 24

Paul

G3972

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

ὡς18 of 24

as

G5613

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

μέλλοντές19 of 24

though they 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

τι20 of 24

somewhat

G5100

some or any person or object

ἀκριβέστερον21 of 24
G199

exactly

πυνθάνεσθαι22 of 24

enquire

G4441

to question, i.e., ascertain by inquiry (as a matter of information merely; and thus differing from g2065, which properly means a request as a favor;

περὶ23 of 24

of

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

αὐτοῦ24 of 24

him

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 23:20 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 23:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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