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Acts 23 · a question people ask

"I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees" (23:6). Why did Paul cry this out?

In the text

Acts says what Paul perceived and what he cried out: "when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council" (23:6). It says what followed: "an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the crowd was divided" (23:7). It doesn't say what Paul intended. Later, before Felix, Paul speaks of that day himself: "unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’" (24:21). These are his words; Acts adds none of its own about his purpose, and these notes don't either.

The verses

“But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!” When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the crowd was divided.”
Acts 23:6-7 · World English Bible
“unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’””
Acts 24:21 · 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