Acts 23:11

“And the night following, etc.] The day in which Paul was brought before the sanhedrim, and pleaded his own cause before them, and had thrown them into confusion and division: the Lord stood by him; the Lord Jesus Christ appeared in a vision to him, and stood very near him, by the side of him, by the bed or couch on which he might lie: and said, be of good cheer, Paul; though he was now a prisoner in the castle; and though the high priest, and the Sadducees especially, were enraged against him; and though a plot was about to be formed to take away his life; for this exhortation seems to be designed to prepare him for further trials, and to prevent discouragement under them; which shows the…”

“IN THE FORTRESS PAUL IS CHEERED BY A NIGHT VISION--AN INFAMOUS CONSPIRACY TO ASSASSINATE HIM IS PROVIDENTIALLY DEFEATED, AND HE IS DESPATCHED BY NIGHT WITH A LETTER FROM THE COMMANDANT TO FELIX AT CÆSAREA, BY WHOM ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE FOR A HEARING OF HIS CAUSE. (Acts 23:11-35) the night following--his heart perhaps sinking, in the solitude of his barrack ward, and thinking perhaps that all the predictions of danger at Jerusalem were now to be fulfilled in his death there. the Lord--that is, Jesus. stood by him . . . Be of good cheer, Paul; for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou . . . also at Rome--that is, "Thy work in Jerusalem is done, faithfully and well done; but…”

“The Lord stood by him - Evidently the Lord Jesus. See the notes on Acts 1:24. Compare Acts 22:18. The appearance of the Lord in this case was a proof that he approved the course which Paul had taken before the Sanhedrin. Be of good cheer - It would not be remarkable if Paul, by these constant persecutions, should be dejected in mind. The issue of the whole matter was as yet doubtful. In these circumstances, it must have been especially consoling to him to hear these words of encouragement from the Lord Jesus, and this assurance that the object of his desires would be granted, and that he would be permitted to bear the same witness of him in Rome. Nothing else can comfort and sustain the soul…”

“And the night following, the Lord Jesus - What Paul had before purposed in spirit, Act 19:21, God now in due time confirms. Another declaration to the same effect is made by an angel of God, Act 27:23. And from the 23d chapter the sum of this book turns on the testimony of Paul to the Romans. How would the defenders of St. Peter's supremacy triumph, could they find out half as much ascribed to him! Be of good courage, Paul - As he laboured under singular distresses and persecutions, so he was favoured with extraordinary assurances of the Divine assistance. Thou must testify - Particular promises are usually given when all things appear desperate. At Rome also - Danger is nothing in the eyes…”

“23:11 At this critical juncture, Jesus encouraged Paul to continue as his faithful witness by assuring him that he would go to Rome (see 19:21).”

“the Lord: Act 2:25, Act 18:9, Act 27:23, Act 27:24; Psa 46:1, Psa 46:2, Psa 109:31; Isa 41:10, Isa 41:14, Isa 43:2; Jer 15:19-21; Mat 28:20; Joh 14:18; Co2 1:8-10 Be: Act 27:22, Act 27:25; Mat 9:2, Mat 14:27; Joh 16:33 for: Act 19:21, Act 20:22, Act 22:18, Act 28:23-28; Rom 1:15, Rom 1:16; Phi 1:13; Ti2 4:17 must: Act 28:30, Act 28:31; Isa 46:10; Joh 11:8-10 Acts 23:12”