What Does Acts 23:20 Mean in the King James?
And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
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
The request for a fuller inquiry is the cover; the decisive verb says the Jews have already placed their intent together.
THE MEANING
You hear two things at once: a request framed as careful inquiry and an agreement already made around Paul. The text lets the stated purpose and the shared intent sit side by side; the danger lies in their mismatch.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
A request for fuller information is not automatically evidence of honest curiosity; inquiry can be the cover for intent that is already settled.
THE ROOT
συνέθεντο
synethento
GROWS FROM
τίθημι
tithēmi
to put, place, or set
The Greek verb for “agreed” carries the sense of putting something together. Here, the shared arrangement sits beneath the language of inquiry: the invitation sounds open, while the intent has already been joined.
ALSO GROWS
synthēkē: agreement, compact
συνθήκη
This word for an agreement comes from the idea of putting things together, making the shared intent in the verse concrete.
thesis: a placing, position
θέσις
A position is something set in place; this branch echoes how the Jews’ intent is settled before Paul is asked to appear.
THE PATTERN
Concealed hostility can borrow the language of honest inquiry or fair dealing.
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.And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;THE THREAD
And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.The Greek word translated “assented” shares the τίθημι root with “agreed” here: both carry the sense of putting something together. The root links private coordination with public agreement, showing how settled intent can take the form of formal assent.
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