Acts 23:12

Saturday, 30 December 2023

And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Acts 23:12

The Greek more literally reads, “And day having come, certain of the Jews having made a conspiracy, anathematized themselves, saying neither to eat nor to drink until they might kill Paul” (CG).

Paul was just told by Jesus that as he had testified for Him at Jerusalem, so he must also do so in Rome. With that note of assurance, a plot is next revealed in an attempt to stop this, saying, “And day having come.”

This is the same day that started at evening following his standing before the council. The thought here is probably that those involved in the plot twisted and turned in anger all night long, stewing over Paul and his proclamations concerning Jesus. Eventually, their thoughts welled up into murderous desires. Therefore, “certain of the Jews having made a conspiracy.”

One can see them coming together and saying, “That Paul is a real problem. He needs to be dealt with.” They went to bed angry, and by morning, their thoughts had turned into a conspiracy to deal with their enemy.

These Jews may be zealots. They are noted in the Apocrypha and in the writings of Josephus as following this course of action at several points in Jewish history. They honestly believed what they were doing was for the honor of the name of God, and they felt that they were rightly serving Him at such times. Therefore, they planned, and then they intended to execute the plan. In order to do so, they “anathematized themselves.”

This Greek phrase corresponds to the Hebrew idea of kherem, where a person, thing, or even an entire city, was devoted to God. The destruction of Jericho was such an instance. Likewise, the account in 1 Samuel 15:1-9 met this standard.

It is seen at other times in the Old Testament. Paul uses the term “anathema” to describe what should occur towards those who do not love the Lord Jesus Christ in 1 Corinthians 16:22. And in Galatians 1:8, 9, using this idea of anathema, he says –

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.”

The same word used to describe this oath is used in Mark 14:71, where Peter called down curses on himself. This is a solemn obligation that these Jews have placed upon themselves. To show the binding nature of this, it next says, “saying neither to eat nor to drink until they might kill Paul.”

It seems like these men would have perished from their oath because it would be unsuccessful. However, Lightfoot shares this from the Talmud, “He that hath made a vow not to eat anything, woe to him if he eat, and woe to him if he do not eat. If he eat he sinneth against his vow; if he do not eat he sinneth against his life. What must such a man do in this case? Let him go to the wise men, and they will loose his vow.”

This type of shenanigans in their theology is not uncommon. It was expected that if a person made a vow, he was to keep it at all costs. As Solomon says –

“When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it;
For He has no pleasure in fools.
Pay what you have vowed—
5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.” Ecclesiastes 5:4, 5

Life application: When a vow is made to God, it is expected that it will be paid. Obviously, if one is saved and in Christ, he will not lose his salvation if he fails to fulfill a vow he has made. However, the wisdom of simply not vowing is obvious.

There are times when a vow cannot be fulfilled. If it was spoken, how foolish the person will look when he cannot fulfill what he has promised to God? We are expected to be people of integrity. Again and again, believers are told that they are to perform what they speak and that one’s Yes is to be Yes. How much more should we be honoring a vow we utter to the Lord?

For best happiness, refrain from making vows. Simply fulfill the words that you speak and be people who can be trusted. This is the wise course to take.

We praise You, Lord God, because we know that You are ever-faithful to Your word. What You have said, and what is recorded for us to read in Your word, will come about. We know with all certainty that You will never fail to perform. Help us to emulate You and to be people of integrity towards the things we say. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.