“And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”
My Notes
What Does Acts 23:9 Mean?
The Sanhedrin erupts into chaos: the Pharisees among them defend Paul, declaring "We find no evil in this man" and raising the possibility that a spirit or angel has spoken to him. Their conclusion—"let us not fight against God"—is a remarkable concession from men who, as a body, had crucified Jesus and persecuted His followers.
Paul had strategically divided the council by identifying himself as a Pharisee who believed in the resurrection (verse 6). The Sadducees, who denied resurrection, opposed him. The Pharisees, who affirmed resurrection, defended him. Paul exploited a theological fault line within the council, turning his accusers against each other. The prisoner outmaneuvered the court.
The phrase "let us not fight against God" (mē theomachōmen) carries enormous ironic weight. These Pharisees are worried about fighting against God by opposing Paul—while they belong to the same institution that fought against God by crucifying Jesus. The possibility they're raising about Paul is the certainty they denied about Jesus. They can consider that a spirit spoke to Paul but couldn't accept that God spoke through Christ.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Have you ever been wise enough to present truth strategically—honest but effective? What happened?
- 2.The Pharisees worried about fighting God regarding Paul but didn't worry about it regarding Jesus. Where might you have the same blind spot?
- 3.Paul divided his opponents by identifying common ground with some. How do you find allies in hostile environments?
- 4.Is it manipulative to present truth strategically, or is it wisdom? Where's the line?
Devotional
"Let us not fight against God." The Pharisees say this—members of the same council that crucified Jesus. They're worried about fighting against God by opposing Paul while having already fought against God by killing the Messiah. The irony is almost too much.
Paul split the room with one sentence: "I am a Pharisee, and I believe in the resurrection." The Sadducees (who denied resurrection) attacked him. The Pharisees (who affirmed resurrection) defended him. The prisoner turned the court into a battlefield of internal theological disagreement. The man on trial became the man controlling the proceedings.
The Pharisees' willingness to consider that an angel or spirit spoke to Paul—while they'd rejected the same possibility with Jesus—reveals the inconsistency of institutional religion. The institution can be open-minded about some things and completely closed-minded about others, with no logical consistency between the two positions. They'll fight against God in one room and worry about fighting against God in the next.
Paul's strategic brilliance here doesn't diminish his sincerity—it enhances it. He was genuinely a Pharisee. He genuinely believed in the resurrection. He simply stated the truth in the way that was most strategically effective. Truth doesn't have to be naive. You can be completely honest and completely strategic at the same time. Paul wasn't manipulating. He was communicating the right truth to the right audience at the right time.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And there arose a great cry,.... Or noise, a loud clamour; they began to be very noisy, and to talk loud, and in high…
A great cry - A great clamor and tumult. The scribes - The learned men. They would naturally be the chief speakers. Of…
The scribes - arose, and strove - Διεμαχοντο, They contended forcibly - they came to an open rupture with the Sadducees;…
Many are the troubles of the righteous, but some way or other the Lord delivereth them out of them all. Paul owned he…
And there arose a great cry[Rev. Ver.clamour] The noise was of an excited mob. It is the same word that is used in the…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture