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.

Paul Moved to Caesarea

23 And he called to him two of the centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready by [a]the third hour of the night to proceed to (A)Caesarea, [b]with seventy horsemen and two hundred [c]spearmen.” 24 They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to (B)Felix the governor. 25 And he wrote a letter [d]with the following content:

26 “Claudius Lysias, to the (C)most excellent governor Felix: (D)Greetings.

27 When this man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, (E)I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, (F)after learning that he was a Roman. 28 And (G)wanting to ascertain the basis for the charges they were bringing against him, I (H)brought him down to their [e](I)Council; 29 and I found that he was being accused regarding (J)questions in their Law, but [f]was (K)not charged with anything deserving death or [g]imprisonment.

30 When I was (L)informed that there would be (M)a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing (N)his accusers to [h]bring charges against him before you.”

31 So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 But on the next day they let (O)the horsemen go on with him, and they returned to (P)the barracks. 33 When these horsemen had come to (Q)Caesarea and delivered the letter to (R)the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34 Now when he had read it, he also asked from what (S)province Paul was, and when he learned that (T)he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your (U)accusers arrive as well,” giving orders for [i]Paul to be (V)kept in Herod’s [j]Praetorium.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 23:23 I.e., 9 p.m.
  2. Acts 23:23 Lit and
  3. Acts 23:23 Or slingers; or bowmen
  4. Acts 23:25 Or to this effect
  5. Acts 23:28 Or Sanhedrin
  6. Acts 23:29 Lit had no charge of
  7. Acts 23:29 Lit bonds
  8. Acts 23:30 Lit speak against him
  9. Acts 23:35 Lit him
  10. Acts 23:35 I.e., governor’s official residence