In school they teach you about the building action of a plot, leading to the climax. Chapter 23 clearly provides a significant portion of that building action. First, Paul stands before the Sanhedrin, a religious supreme court of sorts. It was made up of 70 men and led by the High Priest. I found it interesting that Paul speaks so aggressively in verse 3, then backpedals so quickly when he is informed that he got mouthy with the High Priest. I'm not sure quite what to make of that...we didn't see Jesus back off like that. On the other hand, Paul and Jesus are not apples to apples.
I also wonder what happened to the forty involved in the murder plot against Paul. They vowed not to eat or drink until he was killed. So when we learn their plot fails, did they go back on their word, or did they starve to death? Thank God for Paul's brave nephew who I have to assume risks his life to save Paul's.
Lastly, how about the size of the caravan that transports Paul to Caesarea. 200 soldiers and 200 spearmen, with 70 horsemen? Paul is not simply some under the radar troublemaker. He and his cause are a big deal. Big enough to put 470 Romans on the march. That alone makes it seem pretty unlikely that the events in Acts could have been fabricated much at all. These events were the kind that had people's attention to the point they would remember them for many years to come.
Next week....Paul on trial.
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