Acts 23:13 (KJV)

What does Acts 23:13 mean?

Acts 23:13 states that more than forty people had joined together in a plot. This verse highlights the number and seriousness of those conspiring against Paul.

In the story, Luke is describing a group of Jewish men who have made a secret agreement to kill Paul. The verse emphasizes that this was not just a small group, but a significant number—over forty—showing how determined and organized the opposition to Paul had become at this point in his journey.

The Greek behind Acts 23:13

• συνωμοσία (synōmosia, G4945): This word is translated as "conspiracy" and refers to a secret plan or oath-bound group. The use of this term shows that the plot against Paul was not casual but a serious, coordinated effort.
• πλείους (pleious, G4119): Translated as "more than," this word stresses that the group was not just forty, but even more, highlighting the scale of the conspiracy.

Why Acts 23:13 matters

• Acts 23:13 clarifies that Paul faced not just individual threats but an organized and sizable group determined to kill him, which underscores the danger he was in.
• The verse connects to the wider passage by setting up the urgency and gravity of the plot, which leads to the actions taken by Paul's supporters and Roman authorities in the following verses.
• By specifying the number involved, the verse dispels any idea that opposition to Paul was minor or isolated, instead showing the extent of hostility he faced.