Act 23:6-8 | TNotes | STEP | 23:6 Paul focused on the key issue in his trial, the hope of resurrection from the dead . His preaching was simply the outworking of that hope and the fact of Jesus’ resurrection, but the message was unacceptable to both groups of Jews because of its implications. Pharisees could not abide the inclusion of the Gentiles apart from circumcision and keeping the law of Moses (cp. 15:5 ), but that was what the resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Spirit had provided (Acts 2:39 ; 10:34-48 ). Sadducees could not stand the proclamation of the resurrection at all (cp. 4:1-2 ).

cActs 2:39►

d10:34-48►

f23:7-10►

‏ Acts 23:6-8

23:6 ^a Paul focused on the key issue in his trial, the hope of resurrection from the dead. His preaching was simply the outworking of that hope and the fact of Jesus’ resurrection, but the message was unacceptable to both groups of Jews because of its implications. Pharisees could not abide the inclusion of the Gentiles apart from circumcision and keeping the law of Moses (cp. 15:5 ^b), but that was what the resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Spirit had provided (Acts 2:39 ^c; 10:34-48 ^d). Sadducees could not stand the proclamation of the resurrection at all (cp. 4:1-2 ^e).
Summary for Acts 23:7-10: 23:7-10 ^f Paul’s statement (23:6 ^g) divided the council, with the Pharisees taking Paul’s side against the Sadducees. The resulting uproar was so great that the commander rescued Paul and took him back into the fortress of Antonia.