Acts 23:27

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.

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}.

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,

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,

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.

Context of Acts 23:27

This verse is part of a letter written by Claudius Lysias, the Roman tribune in Jerusalem, to Governor Felix in Caesarea. Lysias is explaining the circumstances surrounding the arrest and transfer of the Apostle Paul. Paul had been unjustly seized by a mob in the Temple courts in Jerusalem, falsely accused by the Jews of bringing Gentiles into the sacred area and speaking against the Law. The mob intended to kill him, and Lysias intervened, initially unaware of Paul's identity or the specific charges. It was only after Paul was brought before the council (the Sanhedrin) that Lysias fully understood the depth of the Jewish animosity and Paul's declaration of his Roman citizenship, which afforded him special legal protections and rights, including the right to a fair trial and protection from arbitrary execution.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Providence and Protection: The verse highlights how God used a Roman military commander, seemingly acting out of duty, to protect Paul from a murderous mob. This demonstrates God's providential care, ensuring Paul's survival to continue his vital mission.
  • Roman Law and Justice: The Roman system, despite its imperfections, provided a framework for law and order that inadvertently served God's purposes. Lysias acted according to Roman protocol, protecting a citizen from unlawful violence and ensuring due process.
  • The Significance of Roman Citizenship: Paul's status as a Roman citizen was a critical factor in his rescue and subsequent journey to Caesarea and ultimately Rome. It afforded him legal rights that protected him from mob violence and allowed him to appeal to Caesar, furthering Paul's ongoing mission to the Gentiles.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "should have been killed of them" (Greek: kai mellonta anaireisthai hupo autōn) vividly expresses the immediate and deadly intent of the Jewish mob. It underscores the extreme danger Paul was in and the timely intervention of the Roman army. The crucial detail, "having understood that he was a Roman," emphasizes the legal status of Rhōmaios, which was not merely a nationality but a privileged legal standing that triggered specific protections under Roman law, including the right to be heard and not suffer summary punishment.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God can use unexpected individuals and secular authorities to accomplish His divine purposes. Even in hostile environments or situations of extreme danger, God can intervene through human means to protect His servants and advance His kingdom. It encourages believers to trust in God's sovereign plan, knowing that He is at work even when circumstances seem chaotic or threatening. It also implicitly reminds us of the importance of legal rights and due process, which can sometimes be instruments of God's protection in the world.

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.

  • 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.

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