The Plot to Kill Paul

At daybreak a group of Jews bind themselves under oath not to eat or drink until they have killed Paul, and more than forty of them take part. They bring the plan to the chief priests and elders, asking them to request another hearing while the ambush is prepared on the road.

W¹²hen daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. ¹³More than forty of them were involved in this plot. ¹⁴They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him down to you on the pretext of examining his case more carefully. We are ready to kill him on the way.”

Paul’s sister’s son hears of the plot and reports it in the barracks, and Paul has him taken to the commander. In private the young man explains the plan in detail, and the commander dismisses him with orders to keep the matter secret.

¹⁶But when the son of Paul’s sister heard about the plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. ¹⁷Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” ¹⁸So the centurion took him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner sent and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.” ¹⁹The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside, and asked, “What do you need to tell me?” ²⁰He answered, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of acquiring more information about him. ²¹Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.” ²²So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, “Do not tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”