Acts 23:10

“And when there arose a great dissension, etc.] When that was come to a very great height, hot words were spoken, and they were ready to come to blows, and there was like to be a riot and tumult among them: the chief captain fearing lest Paul should be pulled in pieces of them; either of the Sadducees, whom he had greatly offended and provoked, or of both Sadducees and Pharisees, the one laying hold on him to preserve him from the fury of the other, and the other endeavouring to pluck him out of their hands; and the fears of the chief captain were not so much out of affection to Paul, but lest there should be an uproar, which might issue in sedition, and rebellion against the Roman…”

“the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled to pieces . . . commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force, &c.--This shows that the commandant was not himself present, and further, that instead of the Sanhedrim trying the cause, the proceedings quickly consisted in the one party attempting to seize the prisoner, and the other to protect him.”

“A great dissension - A great tumult, excitement, or controversy. Into the castle - See the notes on Acts 21:34. return to 'Top of Page'”

“fearing: Act 23:27, Act 19:28-31, Act 21:30-36; Psa 7:2, Psa 50:22; Mic 3:3; Jam 1:19, Jam 3:14-18; Jam 4:1, Jam 4:2 to take: Act 22:24 Acts 23:11”