Acts 23:14 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The conspirators disclose their oath to the chief priests and elders, enlisting the religious leadership in the plot.
What Does Acts 23:14 Mean?
The assassins do not hide their plan from the religious authorities — they report it to them. Disclosing their "great curse" to the chief priests and elders, they assume these guardians of the law will raise no objection to murder by ambush. None is recorded.
It is a dark portrait: shepherds of Israel folded into a plot against an innocent man, as their predecessors had been against Jesus (Matthew 26:3-4). Office and robe do not sanctify a scheme; God's servants are known by their fruit (Matthew 7:16). And over it all the promise of verse 11 stands, untouched.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 23:14
What does Acts 23:14 mean?
The conspirators disclose their oath to the chief priests and elders, enlisting the religious leadership in the plot.