What Does Acts 23:15 Mean in the King James?
Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
A demand for more exact knowledge can be the mask of a decision already made.
THE MEANING
You are not protected by the appearance of a careful process: language of inquiry can conceal a decision already made. Here, the stated purpose is to enquire more perfectly, while the concealed purpose is to kill. The verse holds the polished request and the lethal intent in the same sentence.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
A process is not necessarily fair or truth-seeking just because it sounds careful and official.
THE ROOT
διαγινώσκειν
diaginoskein
GROWS FROM
γινώσκω (ginōskō; γνω-/γνο- stem)
To know, recognize, or come to know.
“enquire” in this verse is diaginoskein. The phrase claims a desire for more exact knowing, but the speakers have already settled what they intend to do. The language of discernment becomes cover for violence rather than a search for truth.
ALSO GROWS
gnōsis: Knowledge.
γνῶσις
It shares the knowing-family at the heart of the claimed inquiry.
epiginōskō: Recognize or know fully.
ἐπιγινώσκω
This related verb makes the contrast sharper: fuller recognition is invoked while the speakers conceal their actual purpose.
ἐμφανίσατε
emphanisate
GROWS FROM
φαίνω
phainō
To show or appear.
“signify” in this verse is emphanisate. The conspirators ask the council to make their request known to the chief captain, giving the plan an official appearance. The root highlights what is brought into view while the real intention remains hidden.
ALSO GROWS
phaneros: Visible or manifest.
φανερός
It shares the root’s language of showing what can be seen.
epiphainō: Appear or become visible.
ἐπιφαίνω
It carries the same movement into view, echoing how a hidden purpose can take on a public face.
THE PATTERN
Hidden hostility can use careful, respectable language to conceal its intent.
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.THE THREAD
And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.The same Greek verb behind “signify” appears here as “informed”: in both verses, a matter is formally made known. This connection shows how the concealed plot is carried forward through an official presentation.
This reading is from Selah Verse.
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