Acts 23:22

So the chief captain [then] let the young man depart, and charged [him, See thou] tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.

So ^{G3303}^{G3767} the chief captain ^{G5506} then let ^{G630} the young man ^{G3494} depart ^{G630}, and charged ^{G3853} him, See thou tell ^{G1583} no man ^{G3367} that ^{G3754} thou hast shewed ^{G1718} these things ^{G5023} to ^{G4314} me ^{G3165}.

The commander let the young man go, cautioning him, “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, “Do not tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

So the chief captain let the young man go, charging him, Tell no man that thou hast signified these things to me.

Acts 23:22 captures a pivotal moment in the Apostle Paul's journey, highlighting the shrewdness of the Roman chief captain, Claudius Lysias, and the unfolding of God's protective plan for Paul's life. This verse shows the captain's immediate, decisive action after being informed of a dangerous conspiracy.

Context

This verse follows a dramatic turn of events for Paul in Jerusalem. After being arrested in the temple and enduring various interrogations, including one before the Sanhedrin where he shrewdly divided his accusers (Acts 23:6-10), a more sinister plot emerged. The immediate context involves a grave assassination plot against Paul by more than forty Jewish men who had bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed him. Paul's nephew, hearing of this conspiracy, bravely reported it to the chief captain, Claudius Lysias, demonstrating the chief captain's responsibility to protect a Roman citizen under his charge.

Key Themes

Divine Providence and Protection: Even in the midst of extreme danger, God orchestrates circumstances—using an unexpected messenger (Paul's nephew) and a pagan authority (the chief captain)—to ensure Paul's safety and the continuation of his ministry. This is a powerful demonstration of God's providential care.
Prudence and Discretion: The chief captain's command for secrecy underscores the delicate and dangerous nature of the situation. He understood the need for discretion to ensure the success of his plan to protect Paul and to avoid further unrest.
Authority and Responsibility: Claudius Lysias acts decisively as a Roman official, fulfilling his duty to uphold the law and protect a Roman citizen, even if it means acting against a powerful local faction.

Linguistic Insights

The term "chief captain" translates from the Greek chiliarchos (χιλίαρχος), which refers to a military tribune, typically commanding a thousand soldiers. This emphasizes his significant authority and the strategic importance of his actions. The phrase "charged [him, See thou] tell no man" conveys a strong, urgent command for secrecy, indicating the critical nature of the information and the need to prevent the conspirators from learning their plot had been discovered.

Cross-References & Connections

This verse is a crucial turning point, as this act of protection leads directly to Paul's transfer to Caesarea under heavy guard, away from the immediate threat in Jerusalem. This move sets the stage for Paul's subsequent trials before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa, and ultimately his journey to Rome, fulfilling prophetic words about his destiny (Acts 23:11).

Practical Application

Acts 23:22 teaches us about the importance of discretion in sensitive matters, recognizing that not all information should be widely broadcast. It also reminds believers that God often works through unexpected people and circumstances—even secular authorities or seemingly minor individuals like a nephew—to accomplish His purposes. We can trust in God's sovereign hand, knowing that He is at work behind the scenes, protecting His servants and advancing His kingdom, even when dangers are great.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Mark 1:44

And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Joshua 2:14

And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.