Acts 23 32

Acts 23:32 kjv

On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:

Acts 23:32 nkjv

The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the barracks.

Acts 23:32 niv

The next day they let the cavalry go on with him, while they returned to the barracks.

Acts 23:32 esv

And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him.

Acts 23:32 nlt

They returned to the fortress the next morning, while the mounted troops took him on to Caesarea.

Acts 23 verses

Acts 23 32 Meaning

Acts 23:32 describes a key logistical decision in the transfer of the Apostle Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea. After reaching Antipatris, the infantry soldiers, having completed the most dangerous part of the escort through terrain vulnerable to ambush, returned to their barracks. Only the horsemen continued the journey with Paul to ensure his safe arrival at Governor Felix in Caesarea. This action demonstrates Roman military efficiency and the strategic protection afforded to Paul.

Acts 23 32 Context

Acts chapter 23 recounts a series of dramatic events for the Apostle Paul. Following a riot in Jerusalem instigated by Jews who accused him of defiling the Temple, Paul was rescued by Roman soldiers and brought to the Antonia Fortress under the tribune Claudius Lysias. Lysias allowed Paul to address the Jewish Sanhedrin, where Paul's declaration of his Pharisaic background and belief in the resurrection caused a heated division. Fearing Paul would be torn apart, Lysias ordered him back to the barracks.

That night, a plot was formed by over forty Jews, who vowed neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul by ambushing him on his way to further questioning. Paul's nephew overheard the plot and informed Lysias. Recognizing the grave threat and acting decisively, Lysias prepared a substantial escort – two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen – to convey Paul under the cover of darkness to Governor Felix in Caesarea, effectively circumventing the assassination plot. They marched through the night, arriving at Antipatris, approximately 40 miles northwest of Jerusalem, the following morning. It is at this point that Acts 23:32 describes the change in the escort. From Antipatris, the terrain shifts from hilly, potentially ambusher-friendly regions to flatter coastal plains, where cavalry were more suitable for rapid travel and reconnaissance.

Acts 23 32 Word analysis

• On the next day (Τῇ δὲ ἐπαύριον - Tē de epaurion): This temporal phrase marks the transition point in the journey. The initial, immediate danger (the ambush near Jerusalem) had been safely bypassed under the cover of night. "Epaurion" simply means "the following day," indicating a new phase of the journey commenced after they rested or re-evaluated the escort needs at Antipatris.
• they let (ἀπῆκαν - aphekan): From ἀφίημι (aphiemi), meaning "to send away," "dismiss," or "release." This indicates a deliberate and strategic decision by the Roman soldiers or their commanding officer (likely at Antipatris, perhaps a centurion), not an accidental separation. It reflects efficient military protocol, understanding that the immediate danger zone was passed.
• the horsemen (τοὺς ἱππεῖς - tous hippeis): This refers specifically to the cavalry, initially numbering seventy as per Acts 23:23. Cavalry offered speed, mobility, and an elevated view, making them highly effective for patrolling open terrain. Their continued escort highlights the Roman commitment to Paul's safety, ensuring his protected arrival at Caesarea.
• go on with him (πορεύεσθαι σὺν αὐτῷ - poreuesthai syn autō): "To continue to journey with him." This emphasizes that Paul was not left alone but remained under escort. The word "poreuesthai" implies a progression, a continuation of the assigned mission to deliver Paul to Felix.
• and returned (ὑπέστρεψαν - hypestrepsan): From ὑποστρέφω (hypostrephō), meaning "to turn back" or "return." This signifies the end of duty for the foot soldiers who had completed their vital part of the mission.
• to the barracks (εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν - eis tēn parembolēn): "To the military encampment," "barracks," or "fortress." This refers specifically to the Antonia Fortress in Jerusalem, where the tribune Lysias and the soldiers were primarily stationed. It underlines their duty and base of operations, from which Paul had been dispatched.

Words-group analysis:

• "On the next day, they let the horsemen go on with him": This phrase conveys a critical military decision based on terrain and perceived threat. The immediate threat in Jerusalem had been overcome by the nocturnal departure, and the open plains beyond Antipatris were better suited for the quicker, more mobile cavalry. This shows Roman pragmatism in deploying resources effectively.
• "and returned to the barracks": This highlights the completion of duty for the foot soldiers. They had achieved their objective of safely removing Paul from the most immediate danger, demonstrating a logistical efficiency crucial for a vast empire. Their return signifies the shift from high-alert, heavy escort to a lighter, more agile force.

Acts 23 32 Bonus section

The escort of Paul by 470 soldiers was a very significant military operation for a non-political prisoner. This underscores the Roman tribune Lysias's deep concern about maintaining order and avoiding a disturbance that could damage his reputation, especially after the recent Jewish uprising. The specific details in Acts 23:23-24, where 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen are mentioned, reveal a well-organized response to a perceived major threat to a Roman citizen, however unjustly accused. Antipatris, the point where the infantry turned back, was a strategic city founded by Herod the Great and named after his father, Antipater. It was located on a significant Roman road, making it a natural stopping and resupply point, and a place suitable for a change in military guard as the landscape changed from hilly to plain. The very precision of the account in Acts adds to its historical credibility and demonstrates Luke's access to detailed information.

Acts 23 32 Commentary

Acts 23:32 serves as a subtle yet significant detail highlighting Roman efficiency, God's providential care for Paul, and the progressive unfolding of His plan. The military decision to reduce the escort to just horsemen at Antipatris was logical. The foot soldiers had accomplished their primary task: delivering Paul past the perilous Jerusalem-area ambush threat into safer, open terrain where a swift cavalry escort was more than adequate. This decision avoided unnecessarily deploying a large contingent over terrain that did not require it, while still ensuring Paul's high level of protection.

For Paul, this event underscores divine orchestration. Despite relentless plots and perils, God continuously ensured his safety and passage to Rome, as He had promised (Acts 23:11). The Roman military, unknowingly, became an instrument of God's will. This moment demonstrates how God often uses seemingly routine or logical human actions, such as military logistics, to advance His kingdom purposes and protect His servants. It also exemplifies that God does not always provide supernatural deliverance; often, He works through practical means and human decisions to bring about His desired outcome. This verse reminds us that even in mundane operations, God is active, watching over His people, bringing them to their appointed destination for His glory.