Acts 23:11
What does Acts 23:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 23:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 23:11 means
That night the Lord stands near Paul and says, “Be of good cheer.” Jesus affirms that Paul has faithfully testified about Him in Jerusalem and promises he must also bear witness in Rome. This is both comfort and commission. The path ahead includes Roman courts and imperial power, but none of it lies outside Christ’s plan. The word “must” signals divine necessity; Paul’s course is set by the risen Lord. In the face of hostility and uncertainty, this promise anchors Paul’s courage. God’s servant is not at the mercy of factions or mobs; the Lord directs his steps, ensuring that the gospel will reach the heart of the empire.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the night after, the Lord came to his side and said, Be of good heart, for as you have been witnessing for me in Jerusalem, so will you be my witness in Rome.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And on the following night, the Lord having stood by him, said, `Take courage, Paul, for as thou didst fully testify the things concerning me at Jerusalem, so it behoveth thee also at Rome to testify.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the night following, the Lord standing by him, said: Be constant: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But the following night the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good courage; for as thou hast testified the things concerning me at Jerusalem, so thou must bear witness at Rome also.
Context
After the whirlwind before the Sanhedrin, Paul receives a personal visitation from the Lord, providing assurance and clear direction. This promise interprets the previous rescue and anticipates the next developments. The fierce opposition in Jerusalem will not end Paul’s ministry; rather, it will relocate it. The next day, however, opposition intensifies as a lethal conspiracy forms. The promise of Rome will be tested by an immediate plot to kill Paul, and the narrative will show how God uses ordinary means to fulfill His extraordinary word.
v.10And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the castle.
v.11This passage
v.12And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 14:18
I will not leave you desolate: I come unto you.
- Philippians 1:13
so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole prætorian guard, and to all the rest;
- Acts 20:22
And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
- Acts 19:21
Now after these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
- Matthew 28:20
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
- Acts 2:25
For David saith concerning him, I beheld the Lord always before my face; For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
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