Acts 23:20
New International Version
He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him.

New Living Translation
Paul’s nephew told him, “Some Jews are going to ask you to bring Paul before the high council tomorrow, pretending they want to get some more information.

English Standard Version
And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him.

Berean Standard Bible
He answered, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of acquiring more information about him.

Berean Literal Bible
And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you that you might bring down Paul into the Council tomorrow, as being about to inquire something more earnestly about him.

King James Bible
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 inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

New King James Version
And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him.

New American Standard Bible
And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to the Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him.

NASB 1995
And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to the Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him.

NASB 1977
And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to the Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to the Sanhedrin, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more carefully about him.

Amplified Bible
And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) tomorrow, as if they were going to interrogate him more thoroughly.

Christian Standard Bible
“The Jews,” he said, “have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as though they are going to hold a somewhat more careful inquiry about him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Jews,” he said, “have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as though they are going to hold a somewhat more careful inquiry about him.

American Standard Version
And he said, The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul tomorrow unto the council, as though thou wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him.

Contemporary English Version
He answered, "Some men are planning to ask you to bring Paul down to the Jewish council tomorrow. They will claim they want to find out more about him.

English Revised Version
And he said, The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul tomorrow unto the council, as though thou wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The young man answered, "The Jews have planned to ask you to bring Paul to the Jewish council tomorrow. They're going to make it look as though they want more accurate information about him.

Good News Translation
He said, "The Jewish authorities have agreed to ask you tomorrow to take Paul down to the Council, pretending that the Council wants to get more accurate information about him.

International Standard Version
He answered, "The Jewish leaders have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Council tomorrow as though they were going to examine his case more carefully.

Majority Standard Bible
He answered, ?The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of acquiring more information about him.

NET Bible
He replied, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as if they were going to inquire more thoroughly about him.

New Heart English Bible
And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they intended to inquire somewhat more thoroughly concerning him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee, that thou wouldst bring down Paul to-morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat concerning him more perfectly.

Weymouth New Testament
"The Jews," he replied, "have agreed to request you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin to-morrow for the purpose of making yourself more accurately acquainted with the case.

World English Bible
He said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he said, “The Jews agreed to request you, that tomorrow you may bring down Paul to the Sanhedrin, as being about to inquire something more exactly concerning him;

Berean Literal Bible
And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you that you might bring down Paul into the Council tomorrow, as being about to inquire something more earnestly about him.

Young's Literal Translation
and he said -- 'The Jews agreed to request thee, that to-morrow to the sanhedrim thou mayest bring down Paul, as being about to enquire something more exactly concerning him;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he said, That the Jews agreed together to ask thee, so that to-morrow thou mightest bring down Paul to the council, as about to inquire something more accurately about him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said: The Jews have agreed to desire thee, that thou wouldst bring forth Paul to morrow into the council, as if they meant to inquire some thing more certain touching him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then he said: “The Jews have met to ask you to bring Paul tomorrow to the council, as if they intended to question him about something else.

New American Bible
He replied, “The Jews have conspired to ask you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as though they meant to inquire about him more thoroughly,

New Revised Standard Version
He answered, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more thoroughly into his case.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the young man said to him, The Jews have decided to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to their council, as though they were desirous to learn something more from him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And the youth said to him, “The Judeans have planned to ask you to send Paulus down tomorrow to their Council as if they want to learn something more from him;”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
He answered: The Jews have agreed to request you to bring Paul down into the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as if they intended to inquire some thing more accurately concerning him.

Godbey New Testament
And he said, The Jews have entered into an agreement to ask you that to-morrow you may lead Paul to the sanhedrim, as about to make inquiry as to something more definite concerning him.

Haweis New Testament
And he said, The Jews have agreed together to entreat thee that to-morrow thou wouldest bring down Paul into the sanhedrim, as about to make some more accurate inquiry concerning him.

Mace New Testament
the Jews, said he, have agreed to desire you would send Paul down to-morrow to the council, under the pretext of examining him more strictly.

Weymouth New Testament
"The Jews," he replied, "have agreed to request you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin to-morrow for the purpose of making yourself more accurately acquainted with the case.

Worrell New Testament
And he said, "The Jews agreed to ask you, that tomorrow you would bring Paul down into the Sanhedrin, as if they would inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him.

Worsley New Testament
And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee, that thou wouldest bring down Paul to-morrow to the council, as if they would inquire something more strictly concerning him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Plot to Kill Paul
19The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside, and asked, “What do you need to tell me?” 20 He answered, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of acquiring more information about him. 21Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.”…

Cross References
Acts 9:23-24
After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, / but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him.

Acts 25:3
to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.

Acts 22:22
The crowd listened to Paul until he made this statement. Then they lifted up their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He is not fit to live!”

Acts 21:31
While they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman regiment received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil.

Acts 24:1-9
Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul. / When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation. / In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. ...

Acts 26:9-11
So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. / And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them. / I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

Acts 13:50
The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district.

Acts 14:5-6
But when the Gentiles and Jews, together with their rulers, set out to mistreat and stone them, / they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region,

Acts 17:5-6
The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. / But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here,

Acts 18:12-13
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat. / “This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said.

Acts 19:23-24
About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. / It began with a silversmith named Demetrius who made silver shrines of Artemis, bringing much business to the craftsmen.

Acts 20:3
where he stayed three months. And when the Jews formed a plot against him as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.

Acts 6:11-14
Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” / So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, / where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. ...

Acts 7:57-58
At this they covered their ears, cried out in a loud voice, and rushed together at him. / They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Acts 8:1-3
And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. / God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. / But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire you that you would bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

The Jews.

Acts 23:12
And 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.

as.

Acts 23:15
Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

Psalm 12:2
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

Daniel 6:5-12
Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God…

Jump to Previous
Accurately Acquainted Agreed Agreement Closely Council Desire Detail Enquire Greater Inquire Intending Jews Making Mayest Morrow Paul Perfectly Pretext Purpose Questioned Request Sanhedrim Sanhedrin Something Somewhat Thoroughly Together Tomorrow To-Morrow Wanting Wouldest
Jump to Next
Accurately Acquainted Agreed Agreement Closely Council Desire Detail Enquire Greater Inquire Intending Jews Making Mayest Morrow Paul Perfectly Pretext Purpose Questioned Request Sanhedrim Sanhedrin Something Somewhat Thoroughly Together Tomorrow To-Morrow Wanting Wouldest
Acts 23
1. As Paul pleads his cause,
2. Ananias commands them to strike him.
7. Dissension among his accusers.
11. God encourages him.
14. The Jews' vow to kill Paul,
20. is declared unto the chief captain.
27. He sends him to Felix the governor.














He said, 'The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, on the pretext of acquiring more information about him.'
He said
This phrase introduces the speaker, who is the son of Paul's sister. The Greek word used here is "εἶπεν" (eipen), which is a common term for "said" or "spoke." It indicates a direct communication, emphasizing the importance of the message being conveyed. In the context of Acts, this phrase sets the stage for a revelation of a plot against Paul, highlighting the urgency and seriousness of the situation.

The Jews have agreed
The term "Jews" here refers to the Jewish leaders and members of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council in Jerusalem. The Greek word "Ἰουδαῖοι" (Ioudaioi) is used, which can denote both the Jewish people in general and, more specifically, the Jewish authorities. The phrase "have agreed" suggests a conspiracy or a collective decision, indicating a unified intent against Paul. Historically, this reflects the tension between the early Christian movement and the Jewish authorities who saw it as a threat to their religious and social order.

to ask you to bring Paul down
This request is directed towards the Roman commander, who holds authority over Paul's custody. The phrase "bring Paul down" implies a physical movement from the Roman barracks to the Sanhedrin's location. The Greek word "καταγάγῃς" (katagagēs) is used, meaning to lead or bring down, often with a sense of authority or control. This movement is not just geographical but also symbolic, as it represents an attempt to bring Paul under the jurisdiction and judgment of the Jewish council.

to the Sanhedrin tomorrow
The Sanhedrin was the supreme religious and legal council of the Jews, consisting of 71 members, including the high priest. The Greek term "συνέδριον" (synedrion) is used, meaning "council" or "assembly." The mention of "tomorrow" adds a sense of immediacy and urgency to the plot, indicating that the plan is already in motion and requires prompt action to thwart it. This reflects the historical context of the Sanhedrin's authority and its role in adjudicating matters of Jewish law and order.

on the pretext of acquiring more information about him
The word "pretext" suggests a deceptive or false reason given to mask the true intent, which is to ambush and kill Paul. The Greek word "πρόφασιν" (prophasin) is used, meaning an excuse or pretense. This highlights the duplicity of the Jewish leaders' plan, as they disguise their murderous intent with a facade of seeking further inquiry. This phrase underscores the theme of deceit and the lengths to which Paul's opponents are willing to go to eliminate him, reflecting the broader spiritual battle between truth and falsehood depicted throughout the Acts of the Apostles.

Verse 20. - Ask thee to bring for desire thee that then wouldest bring, A.V; unto for into, A.V.; thou wouldest for they would, A.V. and T.R.; more exactly concerning him for of him more perfectly, A.V. Have agreed. Συντίθημι occurs four times in the New Testament, of which three are in St. Luke's writings (Luke 22:5; this passage; and Acts 24:9), and the fourth in John 9:22. As though thou wouldest. The R.T., which reads μέλλων for μέλλοντες, must surely be wrong. It is in contradiction to ver. 15, and makes no sense. The pretext of further inquiry was theirs, not Lysias's.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
He answered,
Εἶπεν (Eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“The
Οἱ (Hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Jews
Ἰουδαῖοι (Ioudaioi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.

have agreed
συνέθεντο (synethento)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4934: Mid. and pass: To make a compact (agreement) with (together), covenant with, agree.

to ask
ἐρωτῆσαί (erōtēsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2065: Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request.

you
σε (se)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

to
ὅπως (hopōs)
Conjunction
Strong's 3704: From hos and pos; what(-ever) how, i.e. In the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual).

bring
καταγάγῃς (katagagēs)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2609: From kata and ago; to lead down; specially, to moor a vessel.

Paul
Παῦλον (Paulon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Sanhedrin
συνέδριον (synedrion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4892: A council, tribunal; the Sanhedrin, the meeting place of the Sanhedrin.

tomorrow,
αὔριον (aurion)
Adverb
Strong's 839: Tomorrow. From a derivative of the same as aer; properly, fresh, i.e. to-morrow.

on the pretext
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

of acquiring
πυνθάνεσθαι (pynthanesthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 4441: To ask, inquire, ascertain by inquiry, understand.

more information
ἀκριβέστερον (akribesteron)
Adverb
Strong's 199: Carefully, exactly, strictly, distinctly. Adverb from the same as akribestatos; exactly.

about
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

him.
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Apostles: Acts 23:20 He said The Jews have agreed (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 23:19
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