Acts 23:27

KJV

This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

KJV (with Strong's)

This {G5126} man {G435} was taken {G4815} of {G5259} the Jews {G2453}, and {G2532} should {G3195} have been killed {G337} of {G5259} them {G846}: then came I {G2186} with {G4862} an army {G4753}, and rescued {G1807} him {G846}, having understood {G3129} that {G3754} he was {G2076} a Roman {G4514}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This man was seized by the Judeans and was about to be killed by them, when I came on the scene with my troops and rescued him. After learning that he was a Roman citizen,

Berean Standard Bible

This man was seized by the Jews, and they were about to kill him when I came with my troops to rescue him. For I had learned that he is a Roman citizen,

American Standard Version

This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be slain of them, when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 23:27 recounts the Roman tribune Claudius Lysias's explanation to Governor Felix regarding Apostle Paul's arrest and subsequent rescue from a Jewish mob in Jerusalem. Lysias details how he intervened with his army to save Paul, who was on the verge of being killed by his Jewish accusers, emphasizing that his decisive action was prompted by the discovery of Paul's Roman citizenship, which afforded him special legal protections under Roman law. This verse serves as a crucial administrative record, highlighting the immediate danger Paul faced and the providential role of Roman authority in his preservation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a letter (Acts 23:26-30) written by Claudius Lysias, the Roman tribune, to Governor Felix in Caesarea. It immediately follows Paul's tumultuous appearance before the Sanhedrin, where a sharp division between Pharisees and Sadducees erupted over the doctrine of resurrection, leading to further chaos and a plot by over forty Jews to assassinate Paul (Acts 23:12-22). Lysias, having learned of this conspiracy through Paul's nephew, takes swift action to transfer Paul under heavy guard to Caesarea, ensuring his safety and a proper hearing before the governor. This letter, therefore, serves as Lysias's official report, justifying his actions and explaining the circumstances that necessitated Paul's transfer, framing Paul as a Roman citizen unjustly targeted by his countrymen.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Roman Empire, at this time, maintained a complex system of governance over its provinces, balancing local customs with imperial law. Roman citizenship was a highly prized status, granting specific rights, including protection from arbitrary punishment, the right to a fair trial, and the right of appeal to Caesar. Jerusalem was a volatile city under Roman occupation, frequently experiencing religious and political unrest, especially during festivals when large crowds gathered. The Jewish leadership, particularly the Sanhedrin, held significant religious and judicial authority within their community but ultimately operated under Roman oversight. The animosity towards Paul stemmed from accusations that he was defiling the Temple and teaching against Jewish law and customs, charges that could incite a riot and threaten Roman order, thus prompting Lysias's intervention.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes in the book of Acts. It powerfully illustrates **Divine Providence and Protection**, showing how God uses unexpected means—a pagan Roman official and the Roman legal system—to protect His servant Paul from mortal danger and advance His redemptive purposes. It underscores the **Significance of Roman Law and Citizenship**, demonstrating how Paul's legal status was instrumental in his preservation and subsequent journey, which ultimately led him to Rome, fulfilling God's plan for him to bear witness before kings and Gentiles (compare [Acts 9:15](/acts/9-15 "Paul's Commission to Gentiles and Kings")). Furthermore, it highlights the persistent **Jewish Opposition to the Gospel**, as Paul's own countrymen repeatedly sought to silence and kill him, forcing Roman authorities to intervene to maintain peace and order, often inadvertently aiding the spread of the Christian message.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **rescued (Greek, _exairéō_):** From ἐκ and αἱρέομαι, meaning "to tear out," "to select," or figuratively, "to release." In this context, it signifies a forceful and decisive act of liberation, pulling Paul out of immediate danger. Lysias's intervention was not merely a passive observation but an active and military-backed extraction of Paul from the grip of the murderous Jewish mob, underscoring the severity of the threat and the effectiveness of the Roman response.
* **should have been killed (Greek, _méllō anairéō_):** This phrase combines μέλλω (to intend, be about to be, do, or suffer something) with ἀναιρέω (to take up, take away violently, abolish, murder). The combination vividly conveys the imminent and certain death Paul faced. It emphasizes that the Jewish mob's intent was not merely to harm or imprison Paul, but to execute him summarily, highlighting the extreme peril from which Lysias intervened to save him.
* **Roman (Greek, _Rhōmaîos_):** From Ῥώμη, referring to a Roman citizen or inhabitant of Rome. This term denotes a specific legal and social status within the Roman Empire, granting a person particular rights and protections not afforded to non-citizens. Lysias's understanding of Paul's Roman citizenship was the pivotal factor that transformed his intervention from a routine crowd control measure into a serious legal matter requiring the full protection of Roman law for a citizen.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This man was taken of the Jews,"**: This clause establishes the initial situation: Paul (referred to as "this man") was apprehended or seized by the Jewish people. This "taking" was not a lawful arrest but an act of mob violence in the Temple courts, where Paul was falsely accused and violently attacked.
* **"and should have been killed of them:"**: This phrase underscores the extreme danger Paul was in. The Jewish mob's intent was lethal; they were on the verge of lynching him. This highlights the severity of the situation and the immediate threat to Paul's life, justifying the urgent military intervention.
* **"then came I with an army, and rescued him,"**: This is Lysias's account of his intervention. He asserts his personal involvement ("I came") and the significant force he deployed ("with an army," referring to his detachment of soldiers). The verb "rescued" (exairéō) emphasizes the active, forceful, and successful nature of his intervention, pulling Paul out of the clutches of the mob.
* **"having understood that he was a Roman."**: This final clause provides the crucial motivation for Lysias's decisive action. His understanding of Paul's Roman citizenship (which Paul had declared earlier in [Acts 22:25-29](/acts/22-25-29 "Paul's Roman Citizenship Revealed")) was the legal trigger that compelled him to protect Paul. Roman law strictly forbade the summary execution or mistreatment of a Roman citizen without due process, making Paul's status a game-changer in his predicament.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Narrative Detail** to convey the urgency and legal justification of Lysias's actions. By stating that Paul "should have been killed," the narrative emphasizes the extreme peril, creating a sense of dramatic tension. The precise detail that Lysias intervened "having understood that he was a Roman" highlights the **Irony** of the situation: Paul, a Jew, is saved from his own people by a pagan Roman official, whose actions are dictated by imperial law rather than religious conviction. This also serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, as Paul's Roman citizenship will continue to play a critical role in his journey, ultimately leading him to Rome itself, a journey God had already revealed was part of His plan for Paul (e.g., [Acts 19:21](/acts/19-21 "Paul's resolve to go to Rome")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 23:27 powerfully illustrates God's sovereign providence, demonstrating His ability to use secular authorities and legal systems, even those unaware of His divine plan, to protect His servants and advance His kingdom purposes. Claudius Lysias, acting purely out of Roman legal obligation and a desire to maintain order, unwittingly becomes an instrument of God's protection for Paul. This echoes the broader biblical theme that "the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes" ([Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "The Lord Directs the King's Heart")). God's protective hand ensures that Paul's mission, destined to reach Rome and bear witness before emperors, is not prematurely cut short by the malice of his adversaries.

* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "The Lord's Counsel Stands Forever")
* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "God Changes Times and Seasons")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 23:27 offers profound insights for believers today, reminding us that God's protective hand is at work even in the most perilous and chaotic circumstances. Just as He used a Roman tribune to rescue Paul, God can and does employ unexpected individuals, systems, and events—even those seemingly indifferent or hostile to faith—to accomplish His divine will and safeguard His people. This should cultivate a deep trust in God's sovereignty, encouraging us to remain faithful and courageous, knowing that our lives and ministries are ultimately in His hands. It also prompts us to appreciate the structures of law and order, imperfect as they may be, as potential instruments of divine protection and justice in a fallen world. We are called to pray for those in authority, recognizing their role in maintaining peace and order, which can create opportunities for the Gospel to flourish.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this account of Paul's rescue strengthen your faith in God's providential care in your own life?**
* **In what ways might God be using "unexpected" people or circumstances in your life to protect you or advance His purposes?**
* **How does understanding the role of Roman law in Paul's protection shape your perspective on secular governments and legal systems today?**

### FAQ

**Why was Paul in such immediate danger from the Jews?**

Answer: Paul was in immediate danger because he was falsely accused by certain Jews from Asia of bringing a Gentile (Trophimus) into the Temple, thereby defiling the sacred space, and also of speaking against the Law and the Temple itself. These accusations incited a furious mob in Jerusalem, who seized Paul in the Temple courts and began to beat him, intending to kill him on the spot without any trial or due process. This mob violence was a direct result of intense religious and nationalistic fervor, fueled by misinterpretations and malicious accusations against Paul's ministry.

**What was the significance of Paul's Roman citizenship in this event?**

Answer: Paul's Roman citizenship was absolutely critical to his rescue and subsequent treatment. As a Roman citizen, Paul possessed specific legal rights, including protection from arbitrary flogging or execution without a proper trial, and the right to appeal his case to Caesar. When Claudius Lysias discovered Paul was a Roman citizen, it immediately elevated the situation from a mere street riot to a serious legal matter concerning the rights of a Roman citizen. This compelled Lysias to protect Paul, ensure his safety, and arrange for a formal hearing, ultimately leading to his transfer to Caesarea and eventually to Rome, fulfilling God's plan for Paul to bear witness there.

**Who was Claudius Lysias, and what was his role?**

Answer: Claudius Lysias was the Roman tribune (a military commander of a cohort, typically 1,000 soldiers) stationed in Jerusalem. His primary role was to maintain peace and order in the volatile city. He intervened when he saw the riot in the Temple courts, initially unaware of Paul's identity or the specific charges. His actions, as described in his letter, were driven by his duty to suppress unrest and, crucially, to uphold Roman law, especially once he understood Paul's status as a Roman citizen. He was responsible for Paul's custody and transfer, ensuring he received a hearing according to Roman legal procedures.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 23:27, detailing Paul's rescue by Roman authority, serves as a powerful testament to God's sovereign protection over His chosen instruments, ultimately pointing to the greater narrative of Christ's redemptive work. Just as Paul was delivered from those who sought his life, so too was Christ, though ultimately submitting to the cross, delivered from the power of death through His resurrection, conquering sin and the grave for all humanity ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9-10 "Christ's Resurrection and Victory")). Paul's suffering and preservation, enabling him to continue his mission to proclaim the Gospel, mirror the suffering and ultimate triumph of Christ, whose own journey to the cross was divinely orchestrated for the salvation of the world ([Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8-9 "Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). The protection afforded to Paul by Roman law, a secular system, foreshadows how the spread of the Gospel, despite opposition, would be facilitated by various earthly structures, demonstrating that "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me," as Jesus declared ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "The Great Commission")). Paul's journey to Rome, protected by God, ultimately served to advance the kingdom of Christ, fulfilling the divine purpose that the Good News would reach the ends of the earth, beginning with the very heart of the Roman Empire ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "The Holy Spirit and Witnessing")).

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 22:25

And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

Acts 22:29

Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

Acts 21:31

And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

Acts 21:33

Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded [him] to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

Acts 23:10

And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring [him] into the castle.

Acts 24:6

Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.