Acts 23 26

Acts 23:26 kjv

Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.

Acts 23:26 nkjv

Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.

Acts 23:26 niv

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

Acts 23:26 esv

"Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings.

Acts 23:26 nlt

"From Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings!

Acts 23 verses

Acts 23 26 Meaning

This verse marks the formal commencement of a letter written by Claudius Lysias, a Roman chiliarch (military tribune) stationed in Jerusalem, to Marcus Antonius Felix, the Roman procurator of Judea in Caesarea. It serves as a standard salutation in ancient Greco-Roman epistolary practice, addressing Felix with appropriate titles of respect and formal greetings, as Lysias transfers Paul, a Roman citizen, into Felix's jurisdiction due to an assassination plot.

Acts 23 26 Context

Acts chapter 23 immediately precedes this verse, detailing a failed attempt by Jewish leaders to have Paul condemned by the Sanhedrin, followed by an elaborate assassination plot hatched by more than forty zealous Jews. These men had taken an oath to neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. This conspiracy was uncovered by Paul's nephew, who reported it to Claudius Lysias, the tribune in command of the Roman cohort in Jerusalem. Recognizing the severe danger Paul was in, and potentially concerned about Paul's status as a Roman citizen and the potential for a larger public disturbance, Lysias made the decision to send Paul under heavy guard to Caesarea, where Felix, the Roman procurator, presided over Roman provincial justice. Verse 26 initiates the formal written communication that accompanied Paul's transfer, a crucial step in ensuring Paul's legal process continued safely and according to Roman protocol, despite the clear and present danger to his life.

Acts 23 26 Word analysis

• Claudius Lysias (Κλαύδιος Λυσίας, Klaudios Lysias): He was the Roman chiliarch, a military tribune, in charge of a cohort in Jerusalem (approximately 600-1000 soldiers). His Roman name indicates he had received Roman citizenship, likely acquired or bestowed for service. He initially rescued Paul from a mob (Acts 21:31-32) and later uncovered the assassination plot. His actions here reflect a duty to Roman law and order, and to protect a Roman citizen.
• to His Excellency (τῷ κρατίστῳ, tō kratistō): This term translates as "most excellent" or "most distinguished." It is an official title of honor and respect used for high-ranking Roman officials. Luke uses it similarly when addressing Theophilus (Lk 1:3) and Paul uses it for Felix again (Acts 24:3, 26:25). It does not necessarily reflect personal character but rather acknowledges social and governmental status.
• the governor (ἡγεμόνι, hēgemoni): The Greek term hēgemōn is a general word for "leader," "ruler," or "governor." While Felix was specifically a "procurator," which handled fiscal affairs alongside administrative and judicial duties, "governor" is a fitting general description. This title denotes his supreme authority in the province, holding both civil and military power.
• Felix (Φήλικι, Phēliki): Antonius Felix was the Roman procurator of Judea from AD 52-59. Historically, he is known for his harsh and corrupt rule. Tacitus famously described him as one "who in the practice of all cruelties and lusts, exercised the power of a king with the instincts of a slave." Paul's long detention under him (Acts 24:27) reflects Felix's character.
• greetings (χαίρειν, chairein): A standard opening salutation in Greek letters, meaning "rejoice" or "farewell." It's a conventional polite greeting to initiate correspondence, akin to "sincerely" or "respectfully."

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Claudius Lysias, to His Excellency the governor Felix, greetings": This entire phrase constitutes the formal salutation of an official Roman letter. It meticulously identifies the sender (Claudius Lysias), the recipient with due titles (His Excellency the governor Felix), and concludes with the standard epistolary greeting. This structured address establishes the letter's authenticity and formal purpose within the Roman administrative system, conveying a sense of legal due process and governmental authority in dealing with Paul's case. It signals the transition of Paul's custody and the jurisdiction of his case.

Acts 23 26 Bonus section

The seemingly straightforward greeting masks subtle layers within the biblical narrative and historical context. Lysias's decision to write this formal letter, rather than simply send Paul, highlights the importance of documented procedure in the Roman world, particularly when a Roman citizen was involved and when there were political implications in the highly volatile province of Judea. Although Paul's citizenship status and the serious nature of the plot are not explicitly mentioned in this particular verse, the careful opening sets the stage for a comprehensive explanation within the body of the letter. The letter implicitly asserts Roman authority over Jewish affairs, even religious ones when they devolved into public unrest and threats to life. The politeness of the greeting also stands in stark contrast to the urgent and violent reality that necessitated its writing, further emphasizing the Roman attempt to maintain an appearance of orderly governance.

Acts 23 26 Commentary

Acts 23:26 serves as the official opening of a vital document in the narrative of Paul's journey. It encapsulates the Roman adherence to formal procedure and respect for authority. Lysias, though motivated by both duty and self-preservation (as he subtly omits his earlier attempt to flog a Roman citizen, Acts 22:25), correctly employs the formal Greek address for his superior, Felix. The choice of "His Excellency" (kratistos) underscores the recipient's high office, not necessarily personal virtue. This short verse highlights the intersection of divine providence, human legal systems, and personal ambitions. God uses this secular Roman machinery—with its flawed officials—to safeguard Paul, moving him from the intense danger in Jerusalem to a more secure setting in Caesarea, and thus further on his appointed path to testify in Rome (Acts 23:11). The letter ensures that Paul, despite Jewish hostility, remains under the protection of the formidable Roman law until God's purpose for him is fulfilled.