So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.
But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.
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. 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.’”
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.” 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 a spirit or an angel 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.
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.”
Comment: I’m sure that over the years many explanations of this passage have been put forward. Paul escaped his threatened flogging yesterday by announcing his Roman citizenship. The tribune wanted to know why the Jews were threatening a Roman citizen – what was this all about? Paul claimed his innocence before God; The High priest, illegally ordered him to be silenced; Paul makes a powerful, sharp, just criticism, apparently not knowing that Ananias was the High Priest. Although I think that his statement was just and deserved Paul is quick to apologize, realizing in what a high honour the man was held in Jewish law.
But Paul doesn’t stand a chance in front of these malicious men. So realizing the huge theological division between the Pharisees and Sadducees, he plays his next card. Highlighting the theological difference between the Ps & Ss, he makes them claw at each others throats, and the Tribune ends the charade and hides Paul, a Roman citizen, in the army barracks. In the night, God stands besides Paul and announces that he is about to go to Rome.
Prayer: ‘Where You lead me, I will follow, Lord.’
As I read it! 