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.

To Caesarea by Night

23 He summoned two of his centurions and said, “Get 200 soldiers ready with 70 cavalry and 200 spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight.[a](A) 24 Also provide mounts so they can put Paul on them and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”

25 He wrote a letter of this kind:

26 Claudius Lysias,

To the most excellent governor Felix:

Greetings.(B)

27 When this man had been seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, I arrived with my troops and rescued him because I learned that he is a Roman citizen.(C) 28 Wanting to know the charge they were accusing him of, I brought him down before their Sanhedrin. 29 I found out that the accusations were about disputed matters in their law,(D) and that there was no charge that merited death or chains.(E) 30 When I was informed that there was a plot against the man,[b](F) I sent him to you right away. I also ordered his accusers(G) to state their case against him in your presence.[c]

31 Therefore, the soldiers took Paul during the night and brought him to Antipatris as they were ordered. 32 The next day, they returned to the barracks, allowing the cavalry to go on with him. 33 When these men entered Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.(H) 34 After he[d] read it, he asked what province he was from. So when he learned he was from Cilicia,(I) 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing whenever your accusers get here too.” And he ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.(J)

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 23:23 Lit at the third hour tonight
  2. Acts 23:30 Other mss add by the Jews
  3. Acts 23:30 Other mss add Farewell
  4. Acts 23:34 Other mss read the governor