Acts 23:23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

We have here the story of a plot against the life of Paul; how it was laid, how it was discovered, and how it was defeated. I. How this plot was laid. They found they could gain nothing by popular tumult, or legal process, and therefore have a recourse to the barbarous method of assassination; they will come upon him suddenly, and stab him, if they can but get him within their reach. So restless is their malice against this good man that, when one design fails, they will turn another stone.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 23:11-24

23:11-24 On the next night the Lord stood by Paul and said, "Courage! As you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness in Rome also." When it was day the Jews formed a plot and laid themselves selves under a vow neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who formed this conspiracy. They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, "We have laid ourselves under a vow to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. Now, therefore, do you... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 23:23

And he called to him two centurions ,.... Who had each of them an hundred soldiers under them: saying, make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea ; which was formerly called Strato's tower, a sea port town, where Felix the Roman governor now was; it was six hundred furlongs, or seventy five miles F6 Joseph. de Bello Jud. l. 1. c. 3. sect. 5. Egesip de Excid. urb. l. 1. c. 7. from Jerusalem: these two hundred soldiers were foot soldiers, as appears by their being... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 23:23

Two hundred soldiers - Στρατιωτας , Infantry or foot soldiers. Horsemen threescore and ten - There was always a certain number of horse, or cavalry, attached to the foot. Spearmen - Δεξιολαβους , Persons who held a spear or javelin in their hand; from εν τῃ δεξιᾳ λαβειν taking or holding a thing in the right hand. But the Codex Alexandrinus reads δεξιοβολους , from δεξια , the right hand, and βαλλειν , to cast or dart, persons who threw javelins. But both words seem to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:11-24

The powers that act on us from without. Manifold are the powers which are acting upon our spirit and deciding our course and destiny. Some of these are suggested by this narrative. I. THE MALEVOLENT HUMAN . ( Acts 23:12-15 .) In this case human malevolence took a very violent and malignant form: it sought to compass Paul's death by a dark and shameless stratagem. More often it seeks to do us injury for which we shall suffer, but from which we may recover. The very worst form... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

Special providence. It is difficult to define exactly what we mean by a special providence. Not one sparrow falls to the ground without our heavenly Father, who works all things after the counsel of his own will, and makes all things "work together for good to them that love him, to them who are the called according to his purpose" ( Romans 8:28 ). And yet there are times and occasions when the overruling and controlling hand of God is seen more clearly and more markedly than usual,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

Paul at Caesarea. I. " THE LORD IS MINDFUL OF HIS OWN ." Recall the beautiful song in Mendelssohn's 'St. Paul.' 1. The craft of their foes. They conspire against the righteous with a zeal worthy of a better cause ( Acts 23:12 , Acts 23:13 ); and cloak their designs under pious pretexts ( Acts 23:14 , Acts 23:15 ). 2. The Divine protection. He brings the counsels of wickedness to light ( Acts 23:16 ). The young man, whoever he was, Christian Or otherwise,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:12-35

Conspiracy defeated. The " must " of the Lord's midnight message interpreted by events. Divine providence working. The Christian stands still and sees the salvation. The Word of God is instead of human calculations and predictions. How different from fatalism in such a case as Livingstone in the dangers of his African mission reminds us that there is a feeling of confidence in our weakness which is like a vision in the night. Notice— I. THE GUILT OF FANATICISM . The forty... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 23:23

Of the centurions for centurions, A.V.; and said for saying, A.V. ; as far as for to, A.V. Two hundred soldiers ; one hundred for each centurion; στρατιώτας , foot-soldiers, who alone would be under the command of the centurions. The ἱππεῖς and the δεξιολάβοι would be under the command perhaps of a τουρμάρχης , or decurio, captain of a turma, or squadron. Here there would seem to be two turmae because a turma consisted of thirty-three men—here possibly of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 23:23

And he called unto him two centurions ... - Each centurion had under him 100 men. The chief captain resolved to place Paul beyond the power of the Jews, and to protect him as became a Roman citizen.Two hundred soldiers - These foot soldiers were designed only to guard Paul until he was safely out of Jerusalem. The horsemen only were intended to accompany him to Caesarea. See Acts 23:32.And horsemen - These were commonly attached to foot soldiers. In this case, however, they were designed to... read more

Group of Brands