Acts 23:12 Meaning and Explanation
“And when it was day, 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →At daybreak a group of men bind themselves under an oath to neither eat nor drink until they have killed Paul.
What Does Acts 23:12 Mean?
The morning after the Lord's promise, a conspiracy forms. Certain men bind themselves under a curse — calling God's judgment on their own heads if they fail — vowing neither food nor drink until Paul is dead. Religious zeal has curdled into murder sworn in God's name.
Luke wants us to feel the timing. Heaven has just said, "thou must bear witness at Rome"; earth answers with assassins under oath. The chapter becomes a contest between a vow and a promise — and the reader already knows which word cannot fail. Zeal can fast and swear; it cannot overturn what the Lord has spoken (Isaiah 46:10).
Acts 23:12 in the Original Language
anathematizo (ἀναθεματίζω), 'bound under a curse' -- to place oneself under anathema, invoking judgment if the vow fails.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 23:12
What does Acts 23:12 mean?
At daybreak a group of men bind themselves under an oath to neither eat nor drink until they have killed Paul.