And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
Paul needed fresh strength of faith to face this desperate madness, for he could only think death certain. These men bound themselves by oath as a curse, making their murderous purpose irrevocable; but the real root is plain: zeal in hypocrites is so bloody they ignore what is lawful and run whithersoever lust carries them. They thought Paul an apostate and schismatic, but this was foolish opinion born of uncertain report. The same blindness drives the Papists today, so blinded by hypocrisy they believe nothing unlawful in destroying us.
AI summary
Malice that cannot gain its end by tumult or law will turn to the knife. Forty men bound themselves by oath to murder Paul, their hearts filled with hatred because he preached to Gentiles. Satan had stirred them in the night; by daylight they were ready to kill. But Christ appeared to Paul in darkness to shield him, and God was awake before His enemies rose.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 23:12-35
These were likely Sadducees, inflamed by what Paul said the day before. They bound themselves with the most dreadful oath, anathematizing themselves, wishing to be accursed and cut off from God's people if they failed. They vowed neither to eat nor drink until they murdered Paul, imitating Phinehas in their zeal but without any judicial authority or the magistrate's sanction.
AI summary