Acts 23:12
What does Acts 23:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 23:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 23:12 means
At daybreak, a group of Jews conspire together and bind themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed Paul. Their vow reveals the depth of hostility against him and the gospel he proclaims. Zeal, cut off from truth and justice, becomes murderous. They cloak their plan with religious intensity, turning fasting into a weapon rather than devotion. This snapshot shows that the conflict is not only theological but also violent. Yet their oath cannot override the Lord’s promise to Paul. Human schemes, however fervent, are fragile when set against God’s purpose to carry His witness to Rome.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when it was day, the Jews came together and put themselves under an oath that they would take no food or drink till they had put Paul to death.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And day having come, certain of the Jews having made a concourse, did anathematize themselves, saying neither to eat nor to drink till they may kill Paul;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when day was come, some of the Jews gathered together and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they killed Paul.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And when it was day, the Jews, having banded together, put themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they should kill Paul.
Context
Following the Lord’s promise, the narrative immediately presents a stark threat—a sworn conspiracy to assassinate Paul. The contrast is deliberate: divine assurance meets human plotting. The conspirators will seek help from the religious leadership to create a pretext for ambush. Meanwhile, Paul remains in Roman custody within the fortress. The next verses will detail the size of the conspiracy, their appeal to the council, and the providential discovery of their plan by a surprising agent—Paul’s young nephew—setting in motion a chain of protective actions.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 31:13
For I have heard the defaming of many, Terror on every side: While they took counsel together against me, They devised to take away my life.
- 2 Kings 6:31
Then he said, God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.
- Psalms 64:2
Hide me from the secret counsel of evil-doers, From the tumult of the workers of iniquity;
- Joshua 6:26
And Joshua charged them with an oath at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before Jehovah, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: with the loss of his first-born shall he lay the foundation thereof, and with the loss of his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.
- Psalms 2:1
Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?
- 1 Corinthians 16:22
If any man loveth not the Lord, let him be anathema. Maranatha.
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