Paul Escorted to Caesarea under Guard
Acts 23:23-35
Acts.23.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- προσκαλεσαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- τινας: PRON,acc,pl,m
- δυο: NUM,acc,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- εκατονταρχων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ειπεν·Ετοιμασατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg+VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- στρατιωτας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- διακοσιους: NUM,acc,pl,m
- οπως: CONJ
- πορευθωσιν: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,pl
- εως: CONJ
- Καισαρειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ιππεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εβδομηκοντα: NUM,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- δεξιολαβους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- διακοσιους: NUM,acc,pl,m
- απο: PREP
- τριτης: NUM,gen,sg,f
- ωρας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- νυκτος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 23:24-31 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Lysias' letter (23:25–30) explains the reason for and orders governing the heavy escort; 23:31 reports their arrival at Caesarea—same episode, same motif of official Roman protection and transfer.
- Acts 21:31-36 (thematic): Earlier scene where Roman soldiers and centurion intervene to rescue Paul from a violent Jewish mob; parallels the use of military force and Roman authority to protect and control Paul’s movements.
- Acts 22:25-29 (thematic): Paul's Roman citizenship changes how the commander treats him (stops flogging); this legal/military protection under Roman officers sets the stage for later decision to send him under heavy escort to Caesarea.
- Acts 27:1-3 (thematic): Another episode in Acts where Paul is transported as a prisoner under a Roman military officer (a centurion, Julius) and accompanying soldiers—parallels procedure and motif of guarded conveyance to another jurisdiction.
- Acts 9:23-25 (thematic): Early plot against Paul in Damascus and his escape (lowered in a basket) — thematically parallel as an instance of enemies plotting to kill Paul and his subsequent preservation/transfer under protective measures.
Alternative generated candidates
- Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix, greetings.
- Then he wrote a letter to the governor Felix and entrusted it to the centurion to be taken to Caesarea.
Acts.23.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- κτηνη: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- τε: CONJ
- παραστησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- ινα: CONJ
- επιβιβασαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Παυλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- διασωσωσι: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
- προς: PREP
- Φηλικα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ηγεμονα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 23:23 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same pericope: Lysias' detailed order to prepare a large military escort (two hundred soldiers, horsemen, spearmen) to accompany Paul—same action that 23:24 implements.
- Acts 23:25 (quotation): The official letter Lysias sends with the escort describing why Paul is being delivered to Felix; closely connected to the escort mission described in 23:24.
- Acts 24:1 (structural): Follows directly from the escorted transfer: Paul stands before Governor Felix in Caesarea, the judicial setting toward which the military escort in 23:24 is directing him.
- Acts 21:33-34 (thematic): Earlier scene where the Roman commander intervenes to take Paul into custody and into the barracks for examination—another instance of Roman military authority securing Paul for official procedure.
- Acts 12:4 (thematic): Peter is placed under guard by squads of soldiers to be presented (by Herod) — a comparable motif of Roman/official guards assigned to control or present a Christian prisoner to authorities.
Alternative generated candidates
- This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him; I came with my troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.
- Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix—greetings.
Acts.23.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- γραψας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- επιστολην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εχουσαν: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,sg,f
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- τυπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τουτον·: DEM,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 15:23-29 (structural): A formal, authoritative letter sent in Acts (the Jerusalem Council's circular letter to Gentile believers); parallels Lysias' official epistolary transmission and the narrative practice of quoting a written statement verbatim.
- Luke 1:3 (verbal): Luke's explicit statement about composing/writing an orderly account (ἐγὼ ... ἔδοξεν καὶ ἐγὼ γράψαι), echoing the same verb and formal compositional language as 'having written a letter' in Acts.
- Acts 25:25-27 (thematic): Festus' formal summation/report concerning Paul (an official officer's account to higher authorities); parallels Lysias' written report as a governing official framing Paul's case for the governor.
- Acts 24:1-9 (thematic): Tertullus' formal accusation presented before Felix illustrates another example in Acts of official written/oral charges and legal communications addressed to a Roman governor, comparable to Lysias' letter introducing the events.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when I desired to know the charge for which they accused him, I brought him down to their council, and I found that the accusations concerned questions of their law, but there was nothing charged against him deserving of death or imprisonment.
- This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him; I came with my troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.
Acts.23.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Κλαυδιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Λυσιας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κρατιστω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- ηγεμονι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Φηλικι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- χαιρειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Acts 23:25 (structural): Immediate context: the verse is part of Claudius Lysias' official letter; Acts 23:25 introduces that letter and its purpose, so this verse functions as the epistolary salutation within the same document.
- Acts 24:10 (structural): Both verses involve the same recipient, Governor Felix. Acts 23:26 is Lysias' formal greeting to Felix in a written report; Acts 24:10 records Paul addressing Felix in person during his defense—parallel in addressee and legal/administrative setting.
- Acts 24:26 (thematic): Shows the outcome of communications with Felix: after hearing Paul (and by implication reports like Lysias'), Felix delays decisions and converses privately with Paul. Thematically linked as part of the chain of official communications and their consequences for Paul before the governor.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when it was reported to me that the Jews had ambushed him, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you the charges against him.
- Wishing to learn the charge on which they accused him, I brought him down to their council.
Acts.23.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ανδρα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τουτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- συλλημφθεντα: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,acc,sg,m
- υπο: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- Ιουδαιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- μελλοντα: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,n
- αναιρεισθαι: VERB,pres,mid-pass,inf
- υπ᾽αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,3
- επιστας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- συν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- στρατευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- εξειλαμην: VERB,aor,mid,ind,1,sg
- μαθων: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- Ρωμαιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Acts 22:25-29 (verbal): Paul's declaration of Roman citizenship and the tribune's reaction; directly parallels the motive in 23:27 ('having learned that he was a Roman') for military intervention and protection.
- Acts 16:37-39 (thematic): Paul and Silas appeal to their rights as Roman citizens after unlawful beating; thematically parallels using citizenship to secure relief and official accountability.
- Acts 21:30-34 (structural): An earlier scene where a Jewish mob seizes Paul and the Roman tribune intervenes to rescue him; mirrors the narrative pattern of mob violence and military protection found in 23:27.
- Acts 23:12-15 (thematic): The conspiracy by more than forty Jews to kill Paul is the immediate plot that precipitates the commander’s decision to remove and protect Paul—directly linked to the situation summarized in 23:27.
Alternative generated candidates
- The soldiers, following their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
- I found that they accused him about questions of their law, but there was no charge deserving death or chains.
Acts.23.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- βουλομενος: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- τε: CONJ
- επιγνωναι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αιτιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- δι᾽ην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- ενεκαλουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- κατηγαγον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- συνεδριον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Luke 22:66 (verbal): Uses the same action of leading/bringing an accused person 'into the council' (Sanhedrin); parallels wording and setting of a suspect delivered to the Jewish council.
- Matthew 26:59 (thematic): Chief priests and elders assemble to hear charges against an accused (Jesus); thematically parallels the religious leaders convening to determine accusations and judgment.
- Acts 18:12-15 (structural): Jews bring Paul before the proconsul (Gallio) to press charges—similar narrative pattern of the accused being delivered to an official/bench for inquiry into the cause.
- Acts 24:1-9 (thematic): Paul formally accused before the governor (Felix) with his accusers presenting charges—parallels the procedural move of bringing an accused before an authoritative council or court to determine the cause.
Alternative generated candidates
- On the next day they left the horsemen to go on with him while they returned to the barracks.
- When it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him at once to you and ordered his accusers also to state their case before you.
Acts.23.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- ευρον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εγκαλουμενον: PART,pres,pass,acc,sg,m
- περι: PREP
- ζητηματων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- νομου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- μηδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- αξιον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- θανατου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- δεσμων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- εχοντα: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,n
- εγκλημα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Acts 25:18-19 (verbal): Speaks of 'certain points of dispute about their law/religion' brought against Paul—very close in wording and subject (questions about Jewish law) to Acts 23:29.
- Acts 24:5-6 (thematic): Jewish leaders bring accusations against Paul (ringleader of the Nazarenes, profaning the temple) — parallels the motif of Jewish charges concerning law and temple matters even when no capital crime is proven.
- Acts 21:28 (thematic): A crowd seizes Paul and levels charges about violating the law and temple — another instance of Jewish legal accusations driving proceedings against Paul.
- Luke 23:14-15 (structural): Pilate declares he finds 'no guilt' in the accused concerning the charges—parallels the legal outcome language in Acts 23:29 that nothing was found worthy of death or imprisonment.
Alternative generated candidates
- When they came to Caesarea they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul also before him.
- So the soldiers, following their orders, took Paul and transferred him by night to Antipatris.
Acts.23.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μηνυθεισης: VERB,aor,pass,part,gen,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- επιβουλης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ανδρα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εσεσθαι: VERB,fut,mid,inf
- εξαυτης: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,f
- επεμψα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- προς: PREP
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- παραγγειλας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- κατηγοροις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- λεγειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- προς: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
Parallels
- Acts 24:1-9 (structural): Jewish leaders present formal accusations against Paul before Governor Felix—parallels the procedure of sending the prisoner and ordering the accusers to state their case before the governor.
- Acts 25:1-12 (structural): Later stage in Paul's legal saga where accusers and governor (Festus) interact and legal jurisdiction is debated; echoes the institutional process of transferring a case to a provincial authority.
- Luke 23:7 (verbal): Pilate 'sent' Jesus to Herod when he learned Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction—similar language and procedure of transferring a detainee to another official for examination.
- Matthew 27:2 (thematic): The Jewish leaders 'delivered' Jesus to Pontius Pilate the governor—thematic parallel of handing a suspect over to a civil authority for trial.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was; and when he learned that he was of Cilicia,
- On the next day they allowed the horsemen to go on with him, while they returned to the barracks.
Acts.23.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μεν: PART
- ουν: CONJ
- στρατιωται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- κατα: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- διατεταγμενον: VERB,perf,pass,ptc,acc,sg,n
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- αναλαβοντες: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,nom,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Παυλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ηγαγον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- δια: PREP
- νυκτος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Αντιπατριδα·: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 23:23-24 (structural): The written orders from Claudius Lysias that direct the soldiers to take precautions and escort Paul; v.31 executes the command described here.
- Acts 23:32-35 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: the soldiers bring Paul to Antipatris by night, lodge him with the commander, and the next day send him on to Caesarea.
- Acts 27:1 (thematic): Paul again placed under armed guard for transfer to another jurisdiction (this time to Rome), reflecting the recurring motif of military custody during legal transport.
- Acts 12:6-7 (thematic): Night-time movement related to an apostle’s safety—Peter’s escape from prison at night (divine intervention) parallels the motif of nocturnal removal to avert hostile plots.
- 1 Samuel 19:11-12 (allusion): David’s secret night escape from Saul’s men (aided by Michal) parallels the theme of nighttime departures undertaken to protect a pursued figure from assassination or capture.
Alternative generated candidates
- he said, "I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive." And he commanded that Paul be kept in Herod's praetorium.
- When the horsemen came to Caesarea they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul to him.
Acts.23.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- επαυριον: ADV
- εασαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ιππεις: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- απερχεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
- συν: PREP
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- υπεστρεψαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- παρεμβολην·: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 23:23-24 (verbal): The preceding orders specify the same military escort (including horsemen) sent to accompany Paul—directly connected wording and context.
- Acts 23:31 (structural): Follows from v.32: reports the outcome of the escort, that they brought Paul safely to Caesarea—same transfer episode.
- Acts 21:31-33 (thematic): Another scene where Roman soldiers intervene to protect Paul from a mob and take him into custody/the barracks (παρεμβολή), showing the recurring role of military escort/protection.
- Acts 27:1 (thematic): Later transfer of Paul under military authority—Paul is delivered to a centurion and placed under guard for transit to Italy, a parallel instance of official military custody/escort.
- John 18:12 (thematic): Roman/cohort involvement in arresting and escorting a prisoner to official custody; thematically comparable depiction of soldiers' role in transferring detainees to authorities.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the soldiers, having accomplished their charge, returned to the barracks.
- When the governor read it, he asked what province he was from; and when he learned that he was from Cilicia,
Acts.23.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οιτινες: PRO,rel,nom,pl,m
- εισελθοντες: PART,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Καισαρειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- αναδοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- επιστολην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ηγεμονι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- παρεστησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Παυλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 23:25-30 (verbal): Immediate literary parallel: Claudius Lysias' letter (vv.25–30) is the document delivered to the governor mentioned in v.33; the same transfer and rationale are narrated.
- Acts 24:1-9 (structural): Ananias and the Jewish leaders bring formal charges and present Paul before Governor Felix in Caesarea—directly parallels the procedure of delivering a prisoner and accusations to a Roman governor.
- Acts 25:1-12 (structural): Paul's later appearance before Festus (and his appeal to Caesar) continues the pattern of Roman gubernatorial hearings and the transfer of jurisdiction initiated when Paul was presented in Caesarea.
- Luke 23:1-2 (thematic): Jesus is brought before the Roman governor (Pilate) with formal accusations by Jewish leaders—parallels the motif of Jewish authorities presenting a suspect to Roman civil power for judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- On the following day some Jews came down from Jerusalem and brought charges against Paul before the governor.
- he said, "I will hear you when your accusers arrive." Then he ordered that he be kept in Herod's praetorium and guarded.
Acts.23.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αναγνους: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- επερωτησας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- ποιας: ADJ,acc,pl,f
- επαρχειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- πυθομενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- απο: PREP
- Κιλικιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 22:3 (verbal): Paul explicitly states his origin: 'born in Tarsus of Cilicia'—the same identification of provincial origin (Cilicia) referenced in Acts 23:34.
- Acts 21:39 (verbal): When addressing a Jerusalem crowd Paul declares he is 'a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia,' another direct testimony to his Cilician origin paralleling the tribunal's inquiry in 23:34.
- Acts 9:30 (thematic): After the threats in Jerusalem the believers send Paul down to Caesarea and on to Tarsus—this movement to Tarsus (a city in Cilicia) underscores the connection to his Cilician background mentioned in 23:34.
- Galatians 1:21 (thematic): Paul recounts traveling in 'the regions of Syria and Cilicia' after his conversion; this situates Paul geographically and thematically links to the identification of his provincial origin (Cilicia) in Acts 23:34.
Alternative generated candidates
- They stood to accuse him and brought many witnesses, alleging things against him concerning their law and the temple.
- After a few days the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem assembled, bringing certain men from the chief priests and the elders to lay charges against Paul before the governor.
Acts.23.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Διακουσομαι: VERB,fut,mid,ind,1,sg
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- εφη: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- οταν: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- κατηγοροι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- παραγενωνται·κελευσας: VERB,pres,mid,subj,3,pl + VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πραιτωριω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ηρωδου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- φυλασσεσθαι: INF,pres,mid/pass
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 25:6-12 (structural): Festus arranges a formal hearing ‘when the accusers arrive’ and Paul asserts his legal right (appeal to Caesar). Parallel legal procedure and promise to hear accusers before deciding.
- Acts 22:25-29 (thematic): Paul’s Roman citizenship changes the authorities’ treatment (stops flogging); like 23:35, Roman legal protections and the commander’s concern for proper procedure are central.
- Luke 23:7 (verbal): Jesus is sent to Herod’s praetorium (same term as in Acts 23:35). Verbal/setting parallel: trial/holding of a defendant in Herod’s praetorium.
- Acts 21:33-34 (thematic): The Roman commander orders Paul detained and bound amid a mob; parallels the motif of Roman military/official custody and guarded detention described in 23:35.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the governor had given orders, Paul was brought in and the accusations were laid before him.
- Their accusations were many and violent, but they could not substantiate them.
Then he called two centurions and said, "Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen;"
"and provide mounts for Paul, and take him safely to Governor Felix."
He wrote a letter in these words:
"Claudius Lysias to his Excellency Governor Felix — greetings.
When this man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, I came upon them with my forces and rescued him, because I learned that he was a Roman.
Desiring to know the charge they brought against him, I brought him down to their council;
and I found that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but there was nothing laid against him deserving death or bonds.
As soon as it was made known to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him at once to you under a strong escort, and I ordered his accusers to state before you the charges they had against him." So the soldiers, following their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
On the next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, while they returned to the barracks.
When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul before him.
When the governor had read the letter, he asked what province he was from; and learning that he was from Cilicia,
he said, "I will hear your case when your accusers arrive." Then he commanded that Paul be kept in Herod's praetorium.