Acts 23:9
What does Acts 23:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 23:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 23:9 means
A loud uproar breaks out, and some scribes from the Pharisee party stand up to contend, saying, “We find no evil in this man,” and even allowing that a spirit or an angel might have spoken to him. Their words do not express full agreement with Paul’s gospel, but they acknowledge that his experiences could be legitimate. Truth forces a crack in the opposition. God uses this intra-council debate to grant Paul a measure of defense from unexpected quarters. Yet the tumult grows, showing how contested the realm of spiritual claims is. The Pharisees’ partial defense underscores that Paul’s message sits within the stream of Israel’s hope, now fulfilled.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And there arose a great clamor: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: and what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And there arose a great clamor: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: and what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And there was a great outcry: and some of the scribes on the side of the Pharisees got up and took part in the discussion, saying, We see no evil in this man: what if he has had a revelation from an angel or a spirit?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And there came a great cry, and the scribes of the Pharisees' part having arisen, were striving, saying, `No evil do we find in this man; and if a spirit spake to him, or a messenger, we may not fight against God;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And there arose a great cry. And some of the Pharisees rising up, strove, saying: We find no evil in this man. What if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And there was a great clamour, and the scribes of the Pharisees' part rising up contended, saying, We find nothing evil in this man; and if a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel...
Context
After Luke explains the theological divide, the Pharisaic side voices support—at least enough to contest Paul’s condemnation. This turn inflames the conflict, as each side presses its convictions. The council is no longer a stable court but a battleground. The Roman chief captain, responsible for public order and Paul’s life as a Roman citizen, must assess the danger. As the voices rise and tempers boil, the setting lurches from inquiry to near-riot, setting the stage for another Roman rescue that will remove Paul from the council’s immediate reach.
v.8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
v.9This passage
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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 5:39
but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest haply ye be found even to be fighting against God.
- Acts 9:4
and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
- Luke 23:22
And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath this man done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him and release him.
- Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please Jehovah, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
- Luke 23:14
and said unto them, Ye brought unto me this man, as one that perverteth the people: and behold, I, having examined him before you, found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
- Acts 23:8
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 23
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 23.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Baptism
Baptism is a significant act symbolizing new life in Christ, repentance, and identification with his death, burial, and resurrection.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bible Reading
The Bible encourages us to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word to grow in faith and wisdom.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bitterness
Bitterness is a deep-seated resentment that can poison the heart, but God offers healing and freedom through forgiveness.
What the Bible says about…