It must take a lot of hate to want to actually kill someone. I understand the anger of never wanting to see a person again, but to kill them takes it to a whole new level. That level of hate reveals sin in the heart that had been there for a long time. There is a difference between defending your own life, an accident, and pre-meditated murder.
The legalistic Jew may have looked perfect, but their hearts were as evil as they come. More than 40 men bonded together to fast until Paul was killed. It is disgusting when a person uses something that is meant to be Holy and turn it into something ugly. They went to the chief priest and elders about their plan, so they would go to the commander for an inquiry of Paul in the Sanhedrin. The intent was for Paul to be killed before ever getting to Rome.
Paul's nephew heard of the plot and went to warn Paul. Paul then called a centurion to take his nephew to the commander. He gave the information to the commander and begged for Paul's life. God was in the mix and had already been working on all the people involved. The commander told the young man to leave with caution, so that no one would know what he had said.
You see that Paul took the threat seriously, but he was not worried. He had just received God's promise that he would live until he gave his testimony in Rome. He knew his purpose. It also reveals that no one can deter God's plan. No one could kill Paul until his job was done. Lastly, it shows that God will not force people to do good. He will work in the hearts of people that allow Him in.
Acts 23:12-22
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