Acts 23:33

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

Who {G3748}, when they came {G1525} to {G1519} Caesarea {G2542}, and {G2532} delivered {G325} the epistle {G1992} to the governor {G2232}, presented {G3936} Paul {G3972} also {G2532} before him {G846}.

The cavalry took him to Caesarea, delivered the letter to the governor, and handed Sha’ul over to him.

When the horsemen arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul to him.

and they, when they came to Cæsarea and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

Context

Acts 23:33 describes the successful arrival of the Apostle Paul in Caesarea, the Roman provincial capital of Judea, following his dramatic rescue from a plot against his life in Jerusalem. Paul had been arrested in the Temple (Acts 21:27-36) and later faced a tumultuous hearing before the Sanhedrin (Acts 22:30 - Acts 23:10). A Jewish conspiracy involving more than forty men vowed to kill Paul (Acts 23:12-15).

Upon learning of this plot through Paul's nephew (Acts 23:16-22), the Roman commander Claudius Lysias immediately dispatched a large military escort to transport Paul safely to Caesarea, where he would be presented before Governor Felix (Acts 23:23-24). Lysias also sent a detailed letter explaining the situation, Paul's Roman citizenship, and the charges against him (Acts 23:25-30). This verse marks the completion of that journey and the formal handover of Paul and the accompanying legal documents to the highest Roman authority in the province.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection and Providence: The safe arrival of Paul, despite the intense hatred and plots against him in Jerusalem, clearly demonstrates God's providential care. This journey was essential for Paul to fulfill the Lord's promise that he would testify about Him in Rome.
  • Roman Law and Order: The verse highlights the formal and structured nature of the Roman judicial system. The delivery of the "epistle" (letter) and the formal "presentation" of Paul before the governor underscore the meticulous legal process, even in a faraway province. This system, though imperfect, often served as a shield for Paul against immediate Jewish persecution.
  • Transition in Paul's Ministry: Paul's arrival in Caesarea marks a significant transition from his active missionary journeys to a period of imprisonment and legal proceedings. These events, though confining, were integral to the unfolding of God's plan for Paul to reach the highest echelons of the Roman Empire with the Gospel.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "presented Paul also before him" uses the verb "presented," which in the Greek is paristēmi (παρίστημι). This word implies a formal act of standing someone *beside* or *before* another, often in a legal or official capacity, such as presenting a defendant for trial or a servant for duty. It emphasizes that Paul was not merely handed over, but formally brought forth and introduced to Governor Felix in a manner befitting a legal proceeding, complete with the accompanying official correspondence.

Practical Application

Acts 23:33 reminds us that even when facing intense opposition or challenging transitions in life, God's hand can be at work, guiding and protecting us. Paul's journey to Caesarea, though under arrest, was a necessary step in God's larger plan for his ministry. We can find encouragement to trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He can use various circumstances, including seemingly adverse ones or even secular systems, to accomplish His divine purposes. Our task is to remain faithful and obedient to His call, even when the path ahead is uncertain or difficult.

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 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;

  • Acts 23:24

    And provide [them] beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring [him] safe unto Felix the governor.

  • Acts 8:40

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

  • Acts 23:26

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

  • Acts 28:16

    And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back