The Roman tribune has commanded the Jewish Council to meet, so that he can understand why the Jews hate Paul so intensely. The location of the meeting is not stated, but it appears the tribune and some of his soldiers attend to keep the peace:
“And looking intently at the council, Paul said, ‘Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.’ And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth” (Ac 23:1-2).
It is common in the Middle East even to this day for a judge to smack a prisoner to silence him, but never in response to his first words of defending his integrity! Unflinching, Paul responds:
“Then Paul said to him, ‘God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?’ Those who stood by said, ‘Would you revile God’s high priest?’ And Paul said, ‘I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, “You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people”’” (Ac 23:3-5).
Paul’s response is a prophecy which comes true some time later with the death of the high priest. Since Paul does not realize that his judge in this council is the high priest, he assumes this judge is breaking the law by having him struck. Paul wisely apologizes in Christlike manner when he realizes his error. But now God has given Paul new knowledge that will blow up in the faces of the council and show the tribune the ugly truth about those attacking him:
“Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial’” (Ac 23:6).
The Sadducees and the Pharisees are always in a bitter power struggle reminiscent of the iconic commercial where two sides scream at each other, “Tastes Great!” and “Less Filling!” Neither can be completely right or wrong, but they have their preferences.
To the Pharisees, nothing is more important that their belief in the resurrection of the dead, so Paul casts his entire ministry under this heading. The Sadducees bitterly oppose the resurrection. He knows what will happen next:
“And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, ‘We find nothing wrong in this man. What if an angel or a spirit spoke to him?’ And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks” (Ac 23:7-10).
Once again, not panicking in the face of opposition, but rather wisely using the opposition’s own arguments against them – with a major assist from the Holy Spirit – carries the day! And there are great rewards for performing what the Lord gives us with honor and wisdom in perfect unity with him:
“The following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome’” (Ac 23:11).
Imagine having Jesus appear to you, standing right next to you! But remember also that the Holy Spirit resides within you, closer than breathing!
When facing opposition or persecution, remember the words of Matthew 10:16, quoting Jesus:
“’…be wise as serpents and innocent as doves…’” in perfect unity with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.