Acts 23 – The Listening Plan

Devotional

But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”

And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”

– Acts 23:6-9

Sometimes the wisest thing to do is to look for an easy exit. Paul knew full well that there was no hope—in this situation—for a fair, unbiased hearing. So he made the wise decision to find the nearest offramp.