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Acts 23 · a question people ask

"The following night, the Lord stood by him" (23:11). Who stood by Paul?

In the text

The verse says "the Lord". He said, "Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome." (23:11). Acts doesn't say in this verse whether the Father or Jesus is meant, and these notes don't say either.

The verses

“The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.””
Acts 23:11 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Acts 23

Acts 23: Cheer up, Paul

Paul tells the council he is judged "Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead" (23:6). The following night, "the Lord stood by him": "Cheer up, Paul" (23:11). When more than forty people plot against him, Paul's sister's son, whom Acts never names, tells Paul (23:13, 23:16).

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Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions