Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Friday, August 16, 2013 Read – Acts 23:12-22 The morning light brings more intrigue to Luke’s unfolding story. A plot is uncovered regarding an attempt to kill Paul. The strategy is to make the tribune believe that overnight tempers have cooled and now everyone finally wants to get to the bottom of all of this controversy surrounding Paul. The plot is sinister. Unknown to the tribune and to Paul, a group of men have vowed to kill Paul by stabbing him as he is led to the hearing. Once again Luke is reflecting historical reality. Josephus tells his readers of a group of Jewish radicals that emerged at about this time in history known as the sicarii. The word “sicarii” means a small knife that can be easily hid under a person’s outer garment. Josephus tells of many prominent people who were publically killed in this way. The knifeman would slip up next to his victim in the crowd, stab him with his sicarii, and then disappear into the crowd in the chaos that would occur. All of this was part of the tragic build-up to the Jewish revolt in 66 AD. Luke is likely aware of this method of murder. His story has much historical plausibility. Fortunately for Paul the plot is uncovered. We learn more about Paul from Luke – a piece of information only Luke reveals. Paul has a sister who has a small son. Apart from this brief reference in the book of Acts, these two are unknown to history. Paul never mentions them. Paul’s nephew provides information to the tribune of the plot to kill Paul. The story is filled with intrigue and suspense. For a fourth time the Romans come to Paul’s rescue. And readers of Acts are left wondering how the men who have plotted against Paul will resolve the vow they have taken not to eat until Paul has been murdered – will they break their vow to God, or starve?