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Acts 23:16-35
Easy-to-Read Version
Acts 23:16-35
Easy-to-Read Version
16 But Paul’s nephew heard about this plan. He went to the army building and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the army officers and said to him, “Take this young man to the commander. He has a message for him.” 18 So the army officer brought Paul’s nephew to the commander. The officer said, “The prisoner Paul asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”
19 The commander led the young man to a place where they could be alone. The commander asked, “What do you want to tell me?”
20 The young man said, “Some Jews have decided to ask you to bring Paul down to their council meeting tomorrow. They want you to think that they plan to ask Paul more questions. 21 But don’t believe them! More than 40 of them are hiding and waiting to kill him. They have all promised not to eat or drink until they have killed him. Now they are waiting for you to say yes.”
22 The commander sent the young man away, telling him, “Don’t tell anyone that you have told me about their plan.”
Paul Is Sent to Caesarea
23 Then the commander called two army officers. He said to them, “I need some men to go to Caesarea. Get 200 soldiers ready. Also, get 70 soldiers on horses and 200 men to carry spears. Be ready to leave at nine o’clock tonight. 24 Get some horses for Paul to ride so that he can be taken to Governor Felix safely.” 25 The commander wrote a letter that said:
26 From Claudius Lysias,
To the Most Honorable Governor Felix.
Greetings:
27 Some Jews had taken this man and planned to kill him. But I learned that he is a Roman citizen, so I went with my soldiers and saved him. 28 I wanted to know why they were accusing him. So I brought him before their council meeting. 29 This is what I learned: The Jews said this man did some things that were wrong. But these charges were about their own Jewish laws, and there was nothing worthy of jail or death. 30 I was told that some of the Jews were making a plan to kill him. So I decided to send him to you. I also told those Jews to tell you what they have against him.
31 The soldiers did what they were told. They got Paul and took him to the city of Antipatris that night. 32 The next day the soldiers on horses went with Paul to Caesarea, but the other soldiers and the spearmen went back to the army building in Jerusalem. 33 The soldiers on horses entered Caesarea, gave the letter to Governor Felix, and then turned Paul over to him.
34 The governor read the letter and asked Paul, “What country are you from?” The governor learned that Paul was from Cilicia. 35 The governor said, “I will hear your case when the Jews who are accusing you come here too.” Then the governor gave orders for Paul to be kept in the palace built by Herod.
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Acts 23:16-35
New International Version
Acts 23:16-35
New International Version
16 But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks(A) and told Paul.
17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him to the commander.
The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner,(B) sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”
19 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”
20 He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin(C) tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him.(D) 21 Don’t give in to them, because more than forty(E) of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him.(F) They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.”
22 The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”
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(G) at nine tonight.(H) 24 Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”(I)
25 He wrote a letter as follows:
26 Claudius Lysias,
To His Excellency,(J) Governor Felix:
Greetings.(K)
27 This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him,(L) but I came with my troops and rescued him,(M) for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen.(N) 28 I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin.(O) 29 I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law,(P) but there was no charge against him(Q) that deserved death or imprisonment. 30 When I was informed(R) of a plot(S) to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers(T) 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(U) go on with him, while they returned to the barracks.(V) 33 When the cavalry(W) arrived in Caesarea,(X) they delivered the letter to the governor(Y) 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,(Z) 35 he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers(AA) get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard(AB) in Herod’s palace.
Footnotes
- Acts 23:23 The meaning of the Greek for this word is uncertain.
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