Acts 23 31

Acts 23:31 kjv

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

Acts 23:31 nkjv

Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

Acts 23:31 niv

So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris.

Acts 23:31 esv

So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

Acts 23:31 nlt

So that night, as ordered, the soldiers took Paul as far as Antipatris.

Acts 23 verses

Acts 23 31 Meaning

Acts 23:31 describes the swift action taken by Roman soldiers to protect the apostle Paul. Following the command of the Roman tribune, a substantial military escort transported Paul out of Jerusalem under the cover of night. This clandestine movement was necessary to evade a deadly plot by Jewish zealots to ambush and kill him. The verse marks a crucial stage in Paul's journey, shifting him from immediate danger in Jerusalem towards his eventual appearance before Roman authority in Caesarea, and ultimately, fulfilling God's purpose for him to bear witness in Rome. It illustrates divine providence working through secular means to preserve God's servant.

Acts 23 31 Context

Acts chapter 23 immediately follows Paul's tumultuous appearances before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. During his testimony, Paul sparked a deep division between the Pharisees and Sadducees, resulting in such violent dissension that the Roman tribune, Claudius Lysias, feared for Paul's life and had him rescued by force (Acts 23:10). The next night, the Lord Himself stood by Paul, assuring him that just as he had testified in Jerusalem, he would also bear witness in Rome (Acts 23:11).

Immediately before verse 31, a critical development unfolds: more than forty Jewish men conspired under oath to kill Paul, vowing not to eat or drink until they had done so (Acts 23:12-15). Paul's nephew overheard this plot and reported it to Paul, who then informed the tribune. Recognizing the grave threat and the potential breach of Roman peace, Tribune Lysias took swift and decisive action. He secretly commanded two centurions to prepare a formidable escort—200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen—to convey Paul safely under the cover of night to Governor Felix in Caesarea, effectively removing him from the Jewish plotters' reach (Acts 23:16-30). Verse 31 describes the immediate execution of this command.

Historically, this event occurs within the broader context of increasing Jewish unrest under Roman rule and the volatile situation in Jerusalem. Paul, a Roman citizen, was being held by the Roman authorities who had a duty to protect him and ensure a lawful process. Antipatris was a strategic, heavily fortified Roman city established by Herod the Great, approximately 35 miles northwest of Jerusalem, serving as a convenient overnight stop for military convoys traveling towards Caesarea, the Roman capital of Judea.

Acts 23 31 Word analysis

• So: Introduces the consequence or result of the preceding command and plot.
• the soldiers (στρατιῶται - stratiōtai): Refers to the Roman military personnel specifically assigned to Paul's protection. Their actions underscore Roman military discipline and authority.
• as they were commanded (συντεταγμένον - syntetagmenon): This highlights strict military obedience. The tribune's orders were clear, indicating the Roman emphasis on following official directives, which became an instrument of God's providence.
• took (παραλαβόντες - paralabontes): Implies taking possession or charge of Paul. It conveys custody and the responsibility of the soldiers to secure his person.
• Paul: The apostle himself, the central figure in this dramatic narrative, whose life was under immediate threat.
• and brought him (ἤγαγον - ēgagon): Denotes the action of leading or conducting Paul from one location to another.
• by night (διὰ νυκτὸς - dia nyktos): Crucial detail signifying secrecy and urgency. This method was chosen to circumvent the assassins' plot, emphasizing the perilous nature of the situation and the effectiveness of the Roman countermeasure. Night travel offered cover for a large contingent and made ambush more difficult.
• to Antipatris (Ἀντιπατρίδα - Antipatridai): A specific destination, a significant waypoint on the route from Jerusalem to Caesarea. Founded by Herod the Great and named after his father Antipater, it was an important city with a Roman garrison. Reaching Antipatris meant Paul was beyond the immediate reach of the conspirators from Jerusalem.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "So the soldiers, as they were commanded": This phrase emphasizes the efficient and disciplined execution of a specific military order. It highlights the direct chain of command from Tribune Lysias to his soldiers and underscores their professionalism in following directives without hesitation. This adherence to duty served God's purpose unknowingly.
• "took Paul and brought him by night": This indicates a swift and deliberate action designed for maximum security. "Took Paul" implies taking charge and custody of him, ensuring his safety. "By night" reveals the strategic nature of the transport, necessitated by the serious assassination threat, using darkness as a cloak for protection and stealth.
• "to Antipatris": This specifies the immediate destination and signifies a critical stage in Paul's journey out of danger. Antipatris, a considerable distance from Jerusalem, marked the safe passage zone where Paul would be secure from his immediate pursuers. It was the first leg of his journey towards Caesarea and ultimately, Rome.

Acts 23 31 Bonus section

The scale of the military escort, involving 470 soldiers for a single prisoner, highlights the perceived seriousness of the threat against Paul and, perhaps more significantly, the gravity with which the Roman authorities treated Paul's status as a Roman citizen and his importance in the legal process. Such a large force not only guaranteed protection against the 40 conspirators but also established undeniable Roman authority over the situation, preventing any widespread uprising in Paul's defense or against his transfer. The journey from Jerusalem to Antipatris (about 35 miles) would have taken several hours by night. From Antipatris, the infantry would return to Jerusalem, while the horsemen continued the remaining approximately 25 miles to Caesarea, which was safer territory and where Governor Felix resided. This detailed military maneuver underscores the very real danger Paul faced and the extent of God's hand in his dramatic rescue.

Acts 23 31 Commentary

Acts 23:31 presents a vivid picture of divine orchestration, even amidst human conspiracy and military actions. Paul's life hung by a thread due to a fanatical vow of assassination, yet God, who had just promised Paul safe passage to Rome, meticulously protected him. The verse underscores how secular authorities, unaware of their role in God's grand plan, became instruments of His providence. The massive military escort—commanded, organized, and dispatched under the veil of night—demonstrates the Roman commitment to order and their Roman citizen's protection, but ultimately, it served God's specific promise for Paul. This immediate and efficient removal of Paul from the Jerusalem danger zone ensured his survival and furthered his divinely appointed mission, laying the groundwork for his eventual appearance before Felix in Caesarea, then Festus, Agrippa, and ultimately Caesar. The soldiers' obedience, the chosen timing, and the specific destination all cohered to guarantee Paul's safety against overwhelming odds, a testament to God's faithfulness to His promises.