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23 And having summoned a certain two of the centurions, he said, “Prepare two-hundred soldiers and seventy horsemen and two-hundred spearmen[a] so that they may proceed to Caesarea at the third[b] hour of the night”; 24 and that they should provide mounts in order that having put-on Paul, they might bring him safely through to Felix[c] the governor, 25 he having written a letter having this form:

26 “Claudius Lysias, to the most-excellent governor Felix: Greetings. 27 I rescued this man having been seized by the Jews and being about to be killed by them, having come-suddenly-upon them with the troop— having learned that he was a Roman[d]. 28 And wanting to know the reason for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin— 29 whom I found being accused about issues of their Law, but having no accusation[e] worthy of death or imprisonment. 30 And a plot having been disclosed to me that would be against the man, I sent him to you at once, having also ordered his accusers to speak the things against him before you”.

Roman Soldiers Take Paul To Caesarea, Where He Awaits The Arrival of His Accusers

31 So indeed the soldiers, in accordance with the thing having been commanded them, having picked-up Paul, brought him during the night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day, they[f] returned to the barracks, having let the horsemen depart with him— 33 who, having entered into Caesarea, and having delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul to him also. 34 And having read it, and having asked from what province he was, and having learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing whenever your accusers also arrive”— having ordered that he be guarded in the Praetorium[g] of Herod.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 23:23 Or, slingers, bowmen. The precise meaning of this military term is not certain.
  2. Acts 23:23 That is, 9 p.m.
  3. Acts 23:24 After the death of King Herod Agrippa I (Act 12:1), the Roman emperor Claudius (Act 18:2) put Judea under the control of a Roman procurator (similar to the prefects like Pilate). Felix was the fourth, and ruled from a.d. 52-59.
  4. Acts 23:27 Lysias gives himself the higher motive (rescuing a Roman citizen) rather than his actual motive (maintaining order; doing his duty), omitting the messy details.
  5. Acts 23:29 Or, charge.
  6. Acts 23:32 That is, the walking soldiers; the bulk of the detachment.
  7. Acts 23:35 That is, governor’s headquarters or palace in Caesarea.

Paul Transferred to Caesarea

23 Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen[a] to go to Caesarea(A) at nine tonight.(B) 24 Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”(C)

25 He wrote a letter as follows:

26 Claudius Lysias,

To His Excellency,(D) Governor Felix:

Greetings.(E)

27 This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him,(F) but I came with my troops and rescued him,(G) for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen.(H) 28 I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin.(I) 29 I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law,(J) but there was no charge against him(K) that deserved death or imprisonment. 30 When I was informed(L) of a plot(M) to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers(N) to present to you their case against him.

31 So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. 32 The next day they let the cavalry(O) go on with him, while they returned to the barracks.(P) 33 When the cavalry(Q) arrived in Caesarea,(R) they delivered the letter to the governor(S) and handed Paul over to him. 34 The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,(T) 35 he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers(U) get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard(V) in Herod’s palace.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 23:23 The meaning of the Greek for this word is uncertain.