Acts 23:23

And he called unto [him] two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;

And {G2532} he called unto {G4341} him {G5100} two {G1417} centurions {G1543}, saying {G2036}, Make ready {G2090} two hundred {G1250} soldiers {G4757} to {G3704} go {G4198} to {G2193} Caesarea {G2542}, and {G2532} horsemen {G2460} threescore and ten {G1440}, and {G2532} spearmen {G1187} two hundred {G1250}, at {G575} the third {G5154} hour {G5610} of the night {G3571};

Then he summoned two of the captains and said, “Get two hundred infantry soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o’clock tonight, and seventy mounted cavalry and two hundred spearmen;

Then he called two of his centurions and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea in the third hour of the night.

And he called unto him two of the centurions, and said, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Cæsarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night:

Commentary on Acts 23:23

Acts 23:23 details the swift and substantial measures taken by the Roman Chief Captain Lysias to ensure the safe passage of the Apostle Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea. This verse highlights the immediate response to a dangerous conspiracy against Paul's life.

Context

Following a tumultuous period in Jerusalem where Paul faced intense opposition from Jewish religious leaders and mobs, he was arrested by Roman soldiers. After Paul's appearance before the Sanhedrin, a plot was uncovered by Paul's nephew: more than forty Jewish men had sworn an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul (Acts 23:12-15). Upon learning of this grave danger, Chief Captain Lysias, responsible for maintaining order and protecting Roman citizens, decided to transfer Paul to Caesarea, the Roman provincial capital where Governor Felix resided. This transfer was urgent and required significant military protection due to the severity of the threat.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection and Providence: Despite the intense hatred and elaborate plots against Paul, God's sovereign hand is evident in his preservation. This large Roman escort, prepared in secret and under urgency, illustrates how God can use secular authorities and unexpected circumstances to protect His servants and fulfill His purposes, including Paul's eventual journey to Rome (Acts 23:11).
  • Roman Authority and Order: The verse showcases the efficiency and power of the Roman military. Lysias, as a Roman tribune, acted decisively to uphold Roman law and protect a Roman citizen, even if it meant deploying a considerable force. The sheer number of soldiers (470 in total) underscores the perceived threat and the Romans' commitment to maintaining order.
  • Urgency and Secrecy: The command to prepare "at the third hour of the night" (around 9 PM) emphasizes the critical need for speed and discretion. This nighttime departure was designed to evade the conspirators and ensure Paul's secure departure from Jerusalem.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Centurions": These were Roman military officers, each typically commanding a "century" of about 100 soldiers. Lysias summoning two indicates a significant delegation of responsibility for this crucial mission.
  • "Threescore and ten": An archaic English phrase meaning seventy (3 x 20 + 10 = 70). This detail specifies the number of horsemen assigned to the escort.
  • "Third hour of the night": Corresponds to approximately 9:00 PM. This detail underscores the urgency and secrecy of the operation, as a nighttime departure would minimize the risk of ambush.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is fully capable of providing protection even in the most dangerous circumstances. Like Paul, we may face opposition or threats, but we can trust in God's providential care. He often uses unexpected means, even worldly systems or authorities, to accomplish His will and safeguard His people. It encourages believers to have faith in God's sovereignty and to remember that His plans cannot be thwarted by human schemes.

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.

  • Matthew 14:25

    And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

  • Acts 23:33

    Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

  • Acts 8:40

    But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

  • Luke 12:38

    And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find [them] so, blessed are those servants.

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