Ὡς δὲ ἐπληροῦντο ἡμέραι ἱκαναί, συνεβουλεύσαντο οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἀνελεῖν αὐτόν· (Acts 9:23)
Setting the Stage
Acts 9:23 narrates a turning point in the early ministry of Saul (later Paul). After his dramatic conversion on the Damascus road and subsequent bold preaching, resistance arises. The text reads: ὡς δὲ ἐπληροῦντο ἡμέραι ἱκαναί, συνεβουλεύσαντο οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἀνελεῖν αὐτόν – “And when many days had been fulfilled, the Jews plotted together to kill him.” Though concise, the verse demonstrates the narrative precision of Luke’s Greek. Temporal clauses, imperfective constructions, and deliberative verbs all work together to portray growing opposition and calculated hostility.
Key Verbal Elements
- ἐπληροῦντο – “were being fulfilled”: imperfect passive indicative, 3rd plural of πληρόω. Marks the gradual passage of time.
- συνεβουλεύσαντο – “they conspired”: aorist middle indicative, 3rd plural of συμβουλεύω. Describes a deliberate, collective decision.
- ἀνελεῖν – “to kill”: aorist active infinitive of ἀναιρέω. Indicates the purpose of the conspiracy.
Parsing Table
| Greek Word | Form | Parsing | Aspect | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ἐπληροῦντο | Verb | Imperf. pass. ind., 3rd pl. of πληρόω | Imperfective | “were being fulfilled” |
| συνεβουλεύσαντο | Verb | Aor. mid. ind., 3rd pl. of συμβουλεύω | Perfective | “they conspired / plotted” |
| ἀνελεῖν | Verb | Aor. act. infin. of ἀναιρέω | Perfective | “to kill / to do away with” |
The Temporal Clause: ὡς δὲ ἐπληροῦντο ἡμέραι ἱκαναί
The verse begins with ὡς δὲ – a narrative marker introducing a new development. The imperfect passive verb ἐπληροῦντο (“were being fulfilled”) suggests an ongoing process, not a single moment. The subject is ἡμέραι ἱκαναί (“sufficient days,” i.e., many days). Luke’s phrase indicates a lengthy passage of time, emphasizing that Saul’s preaching in Damascus was not a brief event but extended long enough to provoke determined opposition.
The temporal clause (“when many days had been fulfilled”) functions as the background, setting the scene for the main action. This is a typical Lucan technique: grounding narrative developments in temporal markers that frame the flow of events.
The Conspiracy: συνεβουλεύσαντο
The main verb συνεβουλεύσαντο (aorist middle indicative) captures the decisive action: “they conspired together.” The middle voice underscores their involvement and investment in the decision. This is not a spontaneous outburst but a calculated move – the verb συμβουλεύω means “to deliberate, take counsel,” and with the prefix συν- (“together”), it stresses corporate plotting.
The aorist aspect presents the decision as a whole, completed action: a moment of unified resolve. Luke’s choice of verb highlights the escalation of opposition: from rejection of Saul’s preaching to intentional planning for his elimination.
Purpose Expressed: ἀνελεῖν αὐτόν
The infinitive ἀνελεῖν (“to kill, do away with”) expresses the purpose of the conspiracy. Its subject is implicit in the accusative αὐτόν (“him”), referring to Saul. The construction συνεβουλεύσαντο… ἀνελεῖν shows a classic verb of deliberation governing an infinitive of purpose. The aorist infinitive views the contemplated act as a whole, emphasizing the finality of the plot.
This syntax makes the danger clear: after many days of patience, the opponents of the gospel shift from debate to planned destruction.
Lexical Insights
- ἡμέραι ἱκαναί – literally “sufficient days.” In idiomatic Greek, ἱκανός often means “considerable, many.” Luke uses this expression elsewhere (Acts 27:9) to indicate a significant passage of time.
- ἀνελεῖν – a strong verb, used for removal by killing (cf. Acts 5:36, 7:28). Its use here underscores the severity of the Jews’ intent.
- συνεβουλεύσαντο – not just “discussed” but “resolved with intent.” The word conveys determination after joint counsel.
Theological and Narrative Implications
This verse shows how the gospel immediately provoked hostility. Saul, once the persecutor, is now the persecuted. The passage illustrates the cost of discipleship and the inevitability of opposition when the gospel challenges established power structures. From a theological perspective, the imperfect tense of ἐπληροῦντο suggests divine timing: the “days” are fulfilled not merely by chance but under God’s providence. When the time was “enough,” opposition reached its peak.
The conspiracy verb (συνεβουλεύσαντο) contrasts with God’s counsel: while human opponents plan destruction, divine purpose works through it to spread the gospel further (cf. Acts 9:25, Saul’s escape). Grammar here becomes theology: imperfect time fulfillment meets perfective plotting, yet God’s will prevails.
Plotting and Providence: A Grammatical Reflection
Acts 9:23 is more than a historical note. Its grammar captures the rhythm of time passing, decisions forming, and danger intensifying. The imperfect tense paints the unfolding days, the aorist middle reveals a decisive plot, and the infinitive of purpose shows the deadly intent. Yet behind these human verbs stands divine sovereignty, turning schemes into stepping stones for mission. In this way, Greek grammar becomes a window into theology: the language of time, purpose, and action reveals both the reality of opposition and the certainty of God’s plan.
