The Jews made an oath to neither eat or drink until they had killed whom?

In Acts 23, a group of more than forty Jewish zealots took a deadly oath, vowing not to eat or drink until they had assassinated Paul. Imagine the intensity of that determination! These men weren't taking a lighthearted approach to their grievances; they were so enraged that they felt justified in starving themselves, all for the sake of their mission.

The mob's plan to kill Paul reflects the deep-seated tensions of the time. Paul, a former Pharisee turned Apostle, had caused quite a stir among both the Jewish community and the Romans with his teachings about Jesus. Interestingly, this highlights a recurring theme in the Bible: the clash between tradition and the emerging renewal of ideas, seen throughout the scriptures.

Trivia time! This particular moment triggers echoes from earlier biblical narratives, reminiscent of King Herod's plot to eliminate Baby Jesus, bringing to life the enduring conflict between authority and emerging truths. And while matters of hunger and sacrifice may signify the extremity one can go to for belief, it’s fascinating to consider how, centuries later, conflict around ideas and beliefs would still brew.

On a more joyous note, while the conspirators vowed not to eat or drink, Paul continues his mission, representing resilience in the face of appear dire circumstances. His story reminds us that even when appetite and wine collude to silence, truth perseveres in the long run!