Acts 23:31

Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought [him] by night to Antipatris.

Then {G3767}{G3303} the soldiers {G4757}, as {G2596} it was commanded {G1299} them {G846}, took {G353} Paul {G3972}, and brought {G71} him by {G1223} night {G3571} to {G1519} Antipatris {G494}.

So the soldiers, following their orders, took Sha’ul during the night and brought him to Antipatris,

So the soldiers followed their orders and brought Paul by night to Antipatris.

So the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

Commentary

Acts 23:31 describes a crucial moment in the Apostle Paul's life, highlighting his transfer under Roman guard from Jerusalem to Antipatris. This nighttime journey was a direct consequence of a plot against his life by Jewish religious leaders.

Context of Acts 23:31

Following a tumultuous appearance before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, and a divine assurance from the Lord that he must bear witness in Rome (Acts 23:11), Paul faced an immediate threat. More than forty Jewish men conspired to ambush and kill him (Acts 23:12). This plot was revealed to the Roman tribune, Claudius Lysias, who, upon learning that Paul was a Roman citizen and in danger, ordered his transfer for safety. The city of Antipatris, located approximately 35 miles northwest of Jerusalem, was a strategic midway point on the road to Caesarea, where the Roman governor Felix resided. The detail "by night" underscores the urgency and secrecy required to circumvent the assassins' plans, showcasing the Roman authorities' commitment to maintaining order and protecting a citizen.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Protection and Providence: This verse powerfully illustrates God's protective hand over Paul. Despite intense human malice and conspiracy, God used the Roman authorities, even unwittingly, to safeguard His servant and ensure His purposes for Paul's ministry were fulfilled. It's a testament to God working all things for good for those who love Him.
  • Roman Law and Order: The Roman military's actions here demonstrate their system of justice and protection for Roman citizens. While they might not have understood the spiritual implications, their adherence to law inadvertently served God's sovereign plan.
  • Paul's Journey to Rome: This transfer was a significant step in Paul's journey that would eventually lead him to Rome, fulfilling the Lord's prophecy and allowing him to preach the Gospel in the heart of the Roman Empire.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "by night" (Greek: dia nuktos) emphasizes the clandestine and urgent nature of the transfer. It wasn't merely a journey that happened at night, but one undertaken specifically to avoid the dangers of daylight travel, where the conspirators might have executed their ambush. This detail highlights the real and immediate threat to Paul's life.

Practical Application

Acts 23:31 reminds believers that God's protection is active, even in the midst of severe threats and opposition. We can trust that God is at work, orchestrating circumstances—sometimes through unexpected means or secular authorities—to accomplish His will and protect His people. When facing challenges, this verse encourages us to rely on God's sovereignty, knowing that He is able to deliver us and guide us according to His divine plan, just as He did for Paul on his dangerous journey to Antipatris.

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Cross-References

  • Acts 23:23 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • Luke 7:8 (2 votes)

    For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth [it].

  • 2 Timothy 2:3 (2 votes)

    Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

  • 2 Timothy 2:4 (2 votes)

    No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.