King James Version

What Does Acts 23:9 Mean?

Acts 23:9 in the King James Version says “And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil... — study this verse from Acts chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

Acts 23:9 · KJV


Context

7

And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

8

For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

9

And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Pharisees' partial defense - 'We find no evil in this man' - represented limited progress. Their concession that perhaps 'a spirit or an angel' spoke to Paul (referencing Acts 22:6-10) acknowledged supernatural possibility while avoiding Jesus's lordship. This demonstrates how people may accept elements of truth without embracing its full implications.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Pharisees' statement 'let us not fight against God' echoed Gamaliel's earlier wisdom (Acts 5:39). They recognized that opposing genuine divine revelation would be futile, even if they hadn't fully embraced Christianity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you respond to partial truth or incomplete understanding in others - with encouragement or frustration?
  2. What does this teach about how God works progressively in people's understanding of spiritual reality?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
ἐγένετο1 of 30

there arose

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 30

And

G1161

but, and, etc

κραυγὴ3 of 30

cry

G2906

an outcry (in notification, tumult or grief)

μεγάλη4 of 30

a great

G3173

big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

καὶ5 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀναστάντες6 of 30

arose

G450

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

οἱ7 of 30
G3588

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

γραμματεῖς8 of 30

the scribes

G1122

a professional writer

τοῦ9 of 30
G3588

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

μέρους10 of 30

part

G3313

a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application)

τῶν11 of 30
G3588

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

Φαρισαίων12 of 30

that were of the Pharisees

G5330

a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary

διεμάχοντο13 of 30

and strove

G1264

to fight fiercely (in altercation)

λέγοντες14 of 30

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

Οὐδὲν15 of 30

no

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

κακὸν16 of 30

evil

G2556

worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas g4190 properly refers to effects), i.e., (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious

εὑρίσκομεν17 of 30

We find

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

ἐν18 of 30

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ19 of 30
G3588

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

ἀνθρώπῳ20 of 30

man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

τούτῳ·21 of 30

this

G5129

to (in, with or by) this (person or thing)

εἰ22 of 30

if

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

δὲ23 of 30

And

G1161

but, and, etc

πνεῦμα24 of 30

a spirit

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

ἐλάλησεν25 of 30

hath spoken

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

αὐτῷ26 of 30

to 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

27 of 30

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ἄγγελος28 of 30

an angel

G32

compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor

μὴ29 of 30

not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

θεομαχωμεν30 of 30

fight

G2313

to resist deity


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 23:9 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 23:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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