# Acts Chapter 23
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## Summarrium
Paul speaks plainly at the council before the priests, the high priest who orders him be struck in the mouth. Paul evidently unhappy about this insults the high priest and raises an objection to judging Paul in accordance with the law. He is informed he has just insulted the high priest and without apology points out he did not know it was the high priest but is aware insulting the High priest is wrong.

Paul recognises that the council is evenly divided and points out that he is a Pharisee by decent and hopes for the resurrection from the dead. Given the longstanding feud between these two political factions, this causes a political divide and Paul is removed by Soldiers for his own personal safety. 

Forty Jews then conspire to see Paul killed taking an oath neither to eat nor drink until they have accomplished their goal. This plot is discovered by his Nephew who eventually relays this to the Roman Tribune. Paul is then given a serious armed escort to Caesarea where he will be given a hearing by Claudius Lysias the governor.

## Meditatio
There is a shrewdness to Paul's political dealings here that demonstrate a clear knowledge and understanding of his political opponents. It is a testimony to his understanding of the culture to which he is a part of that he is able to speak to this culture. Firstly let's deal with Paul's insult.

I do wonder if Paul's outburst is essentially a very human response to physical pain. Paul is not usually as outspoken as Peter and in preceding passages we have seen him adopt a far more winsome approach. Generally insulting your opponents doesn't tend to convince them that you have the stronger argument. None the less I can imagine the filth that would come out of my mouth if a whole bunch of political opponents commanded I be punched in the face repeatedly.

Interestingly Paul in public session acknowledges he has wronged the high priest by speaking evil of a ruler. Yet he does not apologise for this. Indeed his approach is all too human; he points out his ignorance. Now as the saying goes ignorance is no excuse but Paul manages to redirect everyone's attention from his faux pas expertly.

He recognises that the Pharisees like most of the Jewish nation are concerned with ancestry. The Jewish religion is a nationalistic religion from it's inception in the promise to Abraham to make him a great nation[^1]. As such Paul leverages his social and ideological pedigree to make this not about the validity of the way but whether there is to be hope in the resurrection from the dead. Thus dripping kerosene on the candle that fuels the deep divisions between the rival groups.

Paul was also a politician it seems.

[^1]: See [Genesis 13:16](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen+13%3A16&version=ESV)