The answer is: Paul

Acts 23:12

In Acts 23, we get a dramatic backdrop that paints a vivid picture of intense commitment and the lengths to which some were willing to go. The Jews who made the oath against Paul were fervent in their desire to silence him, believing that the end justified the means. Why so fierce? Paul had been preaching about Jesus, and this was deeply threatening to some of their established beliefs.

This isn’t an isolated incident. The man who inspired so much ire was, ironically, once a persecutor of Christians himself before his transformation on the Damascus Road. What a twist! It's fascinating to note that throughout history, other figures faced similar situations. Like Elijah challenging the prophets of Baal or even John the Baptist’s imprisonment—courage often stirs strong reactions.

Fun trivia—these 40 individuals who took a vow to neither eat nor drink remind us that oaths were quite serious. In Judaism, oaths were not made lightly. Weathering extreme actions, like fasting, shows how committed they were to their goal. Amid their plotting, however, God had Paul divinely protected, demonstrating that, ultimately, divine will often cannot be curtailed by human schemes.

If you enjoy digging deeper into biblical accounts, you might revisit how Paul’s journeys influenced countless communities, highlighting an interesting link between different narrations—from Acts to the letters he penned, showcasing a life woven intricately into his faith and mission.