Acts 23:11 Meaning and Explanation
“And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →That night the Lord stands beside Paul and tells him to take courage: as he has testified in Jerusalem, so he must also bear witness at Rome.
What Does Acts 23:11 Mean?
After two days of mobs, chains, and a broken hearing, Paul spends the night in the fortress — and the Lord Himself stands by him there. As at Corinth (Acts 18:9-10), Jesus comes to His servant at the low ebb and speaks the word He so often spoke in Galilee: "Be of good cheer."
The promise reframes everything that follows: "as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome." The plots, trials, and shipwreck of the coming chapters are not detours but the appointed road. Christ does not promise Paul escape; He promises presence and purpose, and that is enough. A servant under such a word cannot fall until his witness is finished.
Acts 23:11 in the Original Language
tharseo (θαρσέω), 'be of good cheer' -- take courage; the word Jesus spoke to the fearful and the sick.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 23:11
What does Acts 23:11 mean?
That night the Lord stands beside Paul and tells him to take courage: as he has testified in Jerusalem, so he must also bear witness at Rome.