They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.
English Standard Version (ESV)
These men didn't just swear an oath; they "anathematized themselves with an anathema." This isn't a casual promise, but a self-imposed curse, an intense vow that spiritually bound them to this deadly mission and highlighted their desperate, zealous hatred for Paul.
They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.
English Standard Version (ESV)
A violent plot has formed against Paul, with over forty men swearing a solemn oath not to eat until they've killed him. These conspirators now approach the chief priests and elders, seeking their cooperation to bring Paul before the council the next day, so they can carry out their deadly ambush.
Imagine binding yourself with a solemn vow, a curse, to do something extreme – to not eat or drink until a specific, deadly task is accomplished. This wasn't just a promise; it was a dangerous declaration.
The men in Acts 23:14 didn't just decide to harm Paul; they swore a profound oath, a self-imposed 'anathema.' This Hebrew idiom, 'we have anathematized ourselves with an anathema,' signifies an intense, binding curse upon themselves if they failed. It wasn't a casual vow but a desperate, all-consuming commitment. This kind of extreme oath was meant to ensure their resolve, leaving no room for doubt or turning back. It highlights a dark side of religious fervor, where zeal can curdle into deadly obsession.
Who did these determined men turn to with their deadly plan? It wasn't just anyone, but the very religious and political leaders of Jerusalem, revealing a chilling alignment.
These conspirators didn't operate in a vacuum. They brought their plot directly to the chief priests and elders. This was strategic, as these leaders, often part of the Sadducean party and identified as Paul's enemies, would be sympathetic. The text implies they weren't seeking permission but rather alliance. By approaching the authorities, they secured cooperation, perhaps even encouragement. This alliance shows how religious power can be corrupted, twisting its purpose to facilitate violence and injustice rather than uphold righteousness.
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archiereus · Greek Noun
The leading religious officials of Judaism, specifically the high priest and heads of the priestly families, who formed the core of the Sanhedrin and held significant political and spiritual authority.
This dangerous oath highlights the extreme animosity Paul faced and the lengths to which his opponents would go. It underscores how political and religious factions within Jerusalem were willing to conspire and even violate the law to eliminate perceived threats.
c. AD 30s
Paul's Ministry and Opposition
Paul, a former persecutor of Christians, becomes a prominent apostle spreading the Gospel. His ministry, especially among Gentiles, ignites intense opposition from some Jewish leaders and groups.
c. AD 30s
Paul's Arrest in Jerusalem
Upon returning to Jerusalem, Paul is falsely accused of bringing a Gentile into the temple, leading to a riot. Roman soldiers intervene and arrest him for his own protection.
c. AD 30s
Paul Before the Sanhedrin
Paul is brought before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish high council). He cleverly divides the council by asserting his belief in the resurrection, causing a major dispute.
c. AD 30s— this verse
Conspiracy to Kill Paul
More than forty Jewish men take a solemn vow not to eat or drink until they have killed Paul, viewing him as a threat to Judaism.
c. AD 30s
The Plot Revealed to Paul
Paul's nephew overhears the conspiracy and warns Paul. Paul, in turn, informs the Roman commander, who then arranges for Paul's secret transfer to Caesarea for safety.
This passage shows a similar extreme self-imposed restriction as part of a vow, illustrating how deeply people could commit themselves to a course of action through solemn promises, even if misguided.
Judges 11:30-31This is a famous example of a rash vow taken by a leader, highlighting the dangerous consequences of making absolute promises without fully considering the outcome.
Ezra 10:5This shows a collective, intense act of repentance that involved fasting and a solemn oath, demonstrating how a group could bind themselves with strong commitments in response to a perceived crisis.
1 Kings 18:26This verse describes the prophets of Baal engaging in frenzied actions, including self-mutilation, which mirrors the extreme and potentially self-destructive commitment of the conspirators in Acts 23.
ellicottActs 23:14: "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."
(14) They came to the chief priests and elders. —It will be remembered that the high priest Ananias had already shown the rough brutality of his nature in his treatment of St. Paul, and was now, we can scarcely doubt, impelled by the spirit of revenge. It lies on the surface that those to whom the conspirators went were the Sadduc…
bensonActs 23:14: "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."
Acts 23:14-15. And they came to the chief priests and elders — Who were of the sect of the Sadducees, and Paul’s greatest enemies, telling them what they had done; and desiring them to ask the chief captain to bring Paul down to the council on the morrow, as if they wished to inquire something more perfectly concerning him, and we…
These men didn't just swear an oath; they "anathematized themselves with an anathema." This isn't a casual promise, but a self-imposed curse, an intense vow that spiritually bound them to this deadly mission and highlighted their desperate, zealous hatred for Paul.
A violent plot has formed against Paul, with over forty men swearing a solemn oath not to eat until they've killed him. These conspirators now approach the chief priests and elders, seeking their cooperation to bring Paul before the council the next day, so they can carry out their deadly ambush.
A violent plot has formed against Paul, with over forty men swearing a solemn oath not to eat until they've killed him. These conspirators now approach the chief priests and elders, seeking their cooperation to bring Paul before the council the next day, so they can carry out their deadly ambush.
"They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul." — These men didn't just swear an oath; they "anathematized themselves with an anathema." This isn't a casual promise, but a self-imposed curse, an intense vow that spiritually bound them to this deadly…
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Last reviewed October 2026