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.
Study Note
Study Note
The conspiracy of more than forty Jews who 'bound themselves under a curse' to kill Paul illustrates the intensity of the opposition the apostle faced and the providential series of events — Paul's nephew overhearing the plot, the military escort to Caesarea — that preserved him for his Roman journey. The 'oath of devotion' (anathematizein) was a Jewish practice of self-cursing that invoked divine punishment for failure to accomplish the stated purpose — a drastic measure indicating the conspirators' determination. The episode continues Luke's consistent narrative pattern in Acts that human plots to eliminate the gospel's messengers are overruled by providential intervention, fulfilling Jesus's promise in Luke 21:18 ('there shall not a hair of your head perish'). Paul's own account in 2 Corinthians 11:26 of 'perils from mine own countrymen' and Romans 15:31's prayer for deliverance from unbelievers in Judea likely refer to threats of this kind.
Other Translations
And 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.
And 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;
And 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.
Cross References
Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is …
Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: …
But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that …
And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and …
But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son …
And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth …
And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he …
And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of …
Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.