Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

23:14 The chief priests and elders were the dominant force on the Sanhedrin, and the majority of these were Sadducees, who were the ones most opposed to Paul. The conspirators do not seem to have approached the Pharisees.

23:16 the son of Paul's sister. Nothing is known of Paul's family. They possibly moved to Jerusalem when Paul was young (see note on 22:3). he . . . entered the barracks. As a Roman citizen Paul was probably given generous visitation privileges.

23:18 The military showed great deference to their Roman prisoner, as evidenced by the quick response of both the centurion and the tribune (Lysias) to Paul and his nephew.

23:21 Since the plot was thwarted, one wonders if the conspirators died of hunger and thirst! Probably not: by rabbinic law, in the event a vow became impossible to fulfill, those under it were released from its terms (see Mishnah, Nedarim 3.3).