The beloved physician Luke wrote how “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. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse fifteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how the men said, “we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him” where we read:
Now therefore you with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though you would inquire something more perfectly concerning him:and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.
The verse begins, “Now therefore you with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, ...” Luke began with the words, “now therefore” which means “at the present time then, wherefore and on this account” “you with the council” or “you, high priests, alongside the entire Sanhedrin” “signify to the chief captain” which means “appear, show and declare to the chiliarch or Roman commander of a cohort” “that he bring him down unto you” or “that the chief captain lead Paul to the high priests and Sanhedrin” “to morrow” which means “on the next day”. Luke shared how the over forty men who banded together under a curse to kill Paul wanted the “high priests” and the “Sanhedrin” to convince the “chief captain” to lead “Paul” to them on the following day.
The verse goes on to say, “... as though you would inquire something more perfectly concerning him:” Luke continued with the words, “as though you would inquire” which means “like you intend and have in mind to distinguish, know accurately and ascertain” “something more perfectly” or “to perceive, understand or know exactly, accurately or diligently” “concerning him” which means “about Paul”. Luke shared how the men who banded together with a curse against “Paul” wanted the “high priests” and “Sanhedrin” to tell the “chief captain” that they intended to discover more accurately some information about “Paul”.
Finally the verse says, “and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.” Luke finished this verse by writing, “and we” which refers to “the over forty men who banded together under a curse to not eat or drink until they killed Paul”, “or ever he come near” or “at the time Paul arises and appears close to where the over forty men were located”, “are ready to kill him” which means “exist as prepared to abolish, slay and put Paul away”. Luke shared how the over forty men told the “high priests” and “Sanhedrin” they would be waiting for “Paul” to appear and would “kill” him as soon as he was near them.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how deceptive and determined these over forty men were who banded themselves together under a curse to kill “Paul”. They sent a message to the “high priests” and “Sanhedrin” to have “Paul” sent to where they were to further interrogate him. When he arrived, they intended to pounce on him and kill him. We see how their efforts were meant to stop “Paul” from sharing the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ because they did not believe Him. God wants people to believe and trust in His Son Jesus to be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with Him, however, not everyone yields to Him. Those who receive Jesus align with God's purpose and plan, and those who oppose Him shall find themselves in conflict with Almighty God.
Next time Luke shares what happened, “when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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