Acts 23:26

KJV

Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix [sendeth] greeting.

KJV (with Strong's)

Claudius {G2804} Lysias {G3079} unto the most excellent {G2903} governor {G2232} Felix {G5344} sendeth greeting {G5463}.

Complete Jewish Bible

From: Claudius Lysias
To: His Excellency, Governor Felix:

Greetings!

Berean Standard Bible

Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings.

American Standard Version

Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix, greeting.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 23:26 serves as the formal opening of a pivotal letter from Claudius Lysias, the Roman tribune in Jerusalem, to Governor Felix, the Roman procurator of Judea. This concise salutation establishes the official nature of the communication, identifying both the sender and the high-ranking recipient, thereby setting the administrative stage for the transfer of the Apostle Paul and the continuation of his legal proceedings under the Roman judicial system.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse initiates a crucial section of Paul's narrative, immediately following the discovery of a Jewish conspiracy to assassinate him in Jerusalem. After rescuing Paul from a mob in the temple courts (as detailed in [Acts 21:30-35](/acts/21-30-35 "Acts 21:30-35 - Paul's Arrest and Rescue")), Claudius Lysias, the Roman chief captain, had Paul interrogated and later learned of the plot against his life (see [Acts 23:12-22](/acts/23-12-22 "Acts 23:12-22 - The Plot Against Paul")). Recognizing the gravity of the situation and Paul's Roman citizenship, Lysias decides to transfer Paul to Caesarea, the provincial capital, for judgment before Governor Felix. Acts 23:26-30 contains the full text of Lysias's letter, which provides Felix with the necessary background for Paul's case, demonstrating the Roman commitment to due process even amidst political and religious tensions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Roman Empire maintained strict administrative and legal protocols in its provinces. Judea, a volatile province, was governed by a procurator (like Felix), who held significant judicial and military authority, reporting directly to the emperor. Claudius Lysias, as a chiliarch or tribune, commanded a cohort of soldiers and was responsible for maintaining order in Jerusalem. Formal communication between such officials, as seen in this verse, adhered to established Greco-Roman epistolary conventions, typically beginning with a salutation identifying the sender and recipient, often followed by a wish for well-being. This adherence to protocol underscores the Roman emphasis on order, hierarchy, and legal procedure, even when dealing with a prisoner accused by a local populace.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 23:26 contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Acts. Firstly, it highlights **Roman Authority and Due Process**, illustrating how the Roman legal system, despite its imperfections, served as a framework for justice and order, protecting Paul from mob violence and ensuring his case was handled through official channels. Secondly, it underscores **God's Providence in Paul's Journey**, demonstrating how seemingly mundane administrative actions become instruments in God's sovereign plan to protect His servant and advance the gospel. Paul's transfer to Caesarea, initiated by this letter, was a direct fulfillment of the Lord's promise that Paul would testify about Him in Rome (as affirmed in [Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - The Lord's Assurance to Paul")). Lastly, the verse exemplifies **Formal Communication and Respect for Authority**, reflecting the standard practices of official correspondence in the Greco-Roman world and the expected deference shown by a subordinate officer to a higher provincial authority.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **most excellent (Greek, _krátistos_):** This superlative adjective, derived from a word meaning "strongest," conveys a sense of highest dignity and honor. It is a formal title of respect used for high-ranking officials, indicating Felix's esteemed position as governor. Lysias's use of this address is a conventional display of deference, appropriate for official correspondence between a tribune and a procurator.
* **governor (Greek, _hēgemṓn_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to lead," this term refers to a chief person or ruler of a province. In this context, it specifically designates Felix as the Roman procurator of Judea, the highest civil authority in the region. This title clarifies Felix's jurisdiction and the reason for Paul's transfer to his authority.
* **greeting (Greek, _chaírō_):** This primary verb, meaning "to be cheerful" or "to be well-off," serves as the standard opening salutation in Greek letters. It is equivalent to "Greetings!" or "Hail!" and functions as a formal well-wishing. The KJV's bracketed "[sendeth]" indicates that this verb is an infinitive (χαίρειν, _chairein_) in the original Greek, commonly understood as "wishing good health" or "sending greetings." Its presence signifies the commencement of a formal letter.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix":** This clause precisely identifies the sender and the recipient of the letter. "Claudius Lysias" is the Roman tribune, the military commander in Jerusalem, while "the most excellent governor Felix" is the Roman procurator of Judea, the highest civil authority in the province. The use of "most excellent" is a formal honorific, establishing the hierarchical relationship and the official nature of the communication.
* **"[sendeth] greeting":** This phrase, with "sendeth" supplied by the translators for clarity, represents the standard epistolary salutation in the Greco-Roman world. It signifies the commencement of a formal letter, conveying a conventional well-wishing from the sender to the recipient. It sets a respectful and official tone for the correspondence that follows.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 23:26 primarily functions as an **Epistolary Opening**, adhering to the conventional structure of ancient letters by clearly stating the sender and recipient. This immediately establishes a **Formal Tone**, signaling that the communication is official and carries the weight of Roman authority. The use of the honorific "most excellent" for Governor Felix further emphasizes this formality and the hierarchical respect due to his office. Furthermore, while seemingly a straightforward administrative detail, this verse carries an element of **Foreshadowing**. It initiates the process that will move Paul out of immediate danger in Jerusalem and closer to his ultimate goal of reaching Rome, thus setting in motion a series of events crucial for the advancement of the gospel, even through the seemingly mundane channels of Roman bureaucracy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, though an administrative detail, profoundly illustrates God's sovereign hand at work through human systems, even those that are pagan or imperfect. The Roman legal and administrative apparatus, designed for imperial control, becomes an unwitting instrument in God's plan to protect His apostle and advance the gospel. Lysias's decision to transfer Paul, prompted by a plot against Paul's life, was not merely a bureaucratic action but a divinely orchestrated step ensuring Paul's safety and progression toward his ultimate mission. This highlights that God's providence extends to the seemingly ordinary and even secular aspects of life, demonstrating His ability to use any means to accomplish His purposes.

* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The Lord Directs the King's Heart")
* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 23:26, a seemingly dry administrative detail, offers a powerful reminder that God's sovereign plan often unfolds through the most ordinary and even bureaucratic channels of human society. It encourages us to cultivate an awareness of God's presence and activity even in the mundane or complex systems we navigate daily. Just as the Roman legal system, a pagan authority, became an instrument for Paul's protection and the gospel's advancement, so too can God work through contemporary governments, institutions, and even our workplaces. This verse challenges us to trust in God's overarching providence, even when circumstances seem chaotic or purely secular. It also underscores the importance of proper communication and respect for established authorities, even when those authorities are imperfect or their systems flawed, recognizing that God can use them for His greater purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge your perception of God's involvement in seemingly secular or administrative aspects of life?**
* **In what ways have you observed God working through unexpected or ordinary channels to accomplish His purposes in your own life or in the world around you?**
* **What does Lysias's formal address to Felix teach us about the importance of respectful and clear communication, especially when dealing with those in authority?**

### FAQ
**Who were Claudius Lysias and Governor Felix, and what were their roles in Paul's story?**

Answer: Claudius Lysias was the Roman tribune (also known as a chiliarch or chief captain) of the cohort stationed in Jerusalem. His primary role was to maintain order and security in the city. He first encountered Paul when he rescued him from a violent mob in the temple courts (as recounted in [Acts 21:30-35](/acts/21-30-35 "Acts 21:30-35 - Paul's Arrest and Rescue")). Lysias was responsible for Paul's safety and for investigating the charges against him. Governor Felix (Marcus Antonius Felix) was the Roman procurator of Judea, based in Caesarea. As procurator, he was the highest Roman civil and military authority in the province, responsible for justice, taxation, and maintaining peace. Lysias transferred Paul to Felix's jurisdiction because of the serious nature of the accusations against Paul and, more immediately, due to a plot to assassinate Paul in Jerusalem (found in [Acts 23:12-22](/acts/23-12-22 "Acts 23:12-22 - The Plot Against Paul")). Felix then held Paul in custody for two years, hoping for a bribe, before being succeeded by Festus (see [Acts 24:27](/acts/24-27 "Acts 24:27 - Felix Leaves Paul in Prison")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Acts 23:26 does not contain a direct prophecy of Christ, it powerfully illustrates the overarching theme of God's sovereign control over all earthly powers and systems, a truth profoundly centered in Christ's ultimate authority. The seemingly mundane act of a Roman official writing a letter becomes a crucial step in God's divine plan for Paul, ultimately leading him closer to Rome to bear witness to Christ. This echoes the truth that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")), and He is the one who "removes kings and sets up kings" ([Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms")). Christ's own trials before Roman authorities, culminating in His crucifixion under Pilate, demonstrate His submission to earthly powers for a divine purpose, yet His resurrection utterly transcends them. In Paul's case, the Roman legal system, though imperfect, is utilized by Christ's providence to protect His messenger and advance His kingdom, demonstrating that even imprisonment can serve to further the gospel (as Paul himself would later attest in [Philippians 1:12](/philippians/1-12 "Philippians 1:12 - Paul's Imprisonment Advances the Gospel")). Thus, this verse implicitly points to the reigning Christ, who orchestrates all circumstances, even the administrative details of an empire, to ensure the fulfillment of His redemptive purposes and the spread of His glorious gospel.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 15:23

And they wrote [letters] by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren [send] greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

Luke 1:3

It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

Acts 24:3

We accept [it] always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

Acts 26:25

But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

James 1:1

¶ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

3 John 1:14

But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace [be] to thee. [Our] friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.