23:6
Paul now goes on the attack. He knew full well that there was a deep split in the Sanhedrin.The Pharisees were the smaller group, but were very influential. They believed in the resurrection and angels, amongst other things. The Sadducees did not believe in these things. So Paul reminds the assembly that he was a Pharisee, and that he was on trial for his belief in the resurrection. The former fact was certainly true, the latter was one way of interpreting events.
23:7-10
Paul was playing on the division between the Sadducees and Pharisees, and was very successful in this. The Pharisees were not going to deny their belief in the resurrection, so they now declared that Paul was innocent, and instead of Paul being the enemy, they saw the Sadducees as the enemy. The dispute became very violent and the commander decided to break things up and take Paul back to the barracks. There are always deep divisions within the enemy camp, and Paul was not afraid to play on these.
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