Keraia
Acts 23

Acts 23:6

Paul before the Sanhedrin · Acts 23:1–11
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Translations

Modern
Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
Traditional
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
Literal
And Paul, having known that the one part consists of Sadducees, but the other of Pharisees, was crying out in the Council, “Men, brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning hope and resurrection of the dead I am judged.”
Latin
Sciens autem Paulus quia una pars esset sadducæorum, et altera pharisæorum, exclamavit in concilio: Viri fratres, ego pharisæus sum, filius pharisæorum: de spe et resurrectione mortuorum ego judicor.

Original

Greek
English
Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”

Notes

Acts 23:6

Paul focused on the main issue in his trial: the hope of the resurrection (the belief that the dead will be raised to life). His preaching came from this hope and from the fact that Jesus had risen from the dead.

However, his message was not accepted by either group of Jews because of what it meant. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection, but they could not accept that Gentiles could be included among God’s people without circumcision and without keeping the law of Moses (see 15:5). Yet this is exactly what the resurrection of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit had made possible (see Acts 2:39; 10:34–48).

The Sadducees, on the other hand, did not believe in the resurrection at all. Because of this, they strongly opposed any teaching about the resurrection (see 4:1–2).

Events

People

Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles, author of many NT epistles Pharisee: A strict Jewish sect known for legalism and hypocrisy Sadducee: A Jewish sect that denied the resurrection and spirits

Glossary

Ananias Book of the Acts of the Apostles Courts and Trials Judaism Paul the Apostle Sadducees

Topics

Court: Accused Spoke in his own Defense Defense of Paul Diplomacy: Paul, in Arraying the Pharisees and Sadducees Against Each Other at his Trial Hope: General Scriptures Concerning Hope: Objects of a Resurrection Paul: A Zealous Pharisee Pharisees: Concerning the Resurrection Pharisees: Paul, a Pharisee Prudence in Turning the Jewish Sects Against Each Other Prudence: Paul Resurrection: General Scriptures Concerning Tact: Paul in Putting the Two Religious Factions of the Jews Against Each Other when he Was in Trouble The Pharisees by Descent, Especially Esteemed The Resurrection: The Preaching of, Caused: Persecution The Sadducees: The Resurrection a Cause of Dispute Between Them and The