The book of Acts
Paul is transferred to Caesarea
Chapter 23:12 to 35
The Jews that hated Paul plotted a conspiracy and solemnly swore not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. This kind of abhorrent vote was not uncommon among the Jews who, according to their perverted traditions, gave them the right to punish without any legal process those they considered lawbreakers, including killing a Jew who had abandoned the law of Moses.
They did not hesitate to tell the chief priests and elders (who composed the Sanhedrin) what they were doing, and they demanded their support and connivance to commit the murder of Paul. As the majority were of the sect of the Sadducees, and bitter enemies of Paul and of the Gospel, we do not find recorded any opposition from them. They thought they were doing a service to God (John 16:2). In reality, these men did not risk dying of hunger or thirst, for these oaths were cancelled as easily as they were made: any of their "wise men" or rabbis could free them of their commitment, according to the Talmud (one of the basic books of Jewish religion containing the oral law, doctrine, morals and traditions of the Jews).
As the commander had previously assembled the Sanhedrin to hear their accusations against Paul, these men thought he would have no objection to submit him again despite the conflict they had had between themselves on that occasion. Then, on the way, being many (more than forty), they would kill Paul.
We have no more information about Paul’s nephew mentioned here. Somehow he had knowledge of the conspiracy and went to the fortress to tell everything to Paul, who right away called one of the centurions and told him to take the young man to the commander because he had something to tell him. Paul was respected because of his Roman citizenship. After all, the Lord had told Paul that he would be going to Rome. Nevertheless, we see that Paul used the privileges of Roman citizenship he had.
It would have been easier for Paul to say to his nephew, "Thank you for telling me this, but I am trusting in God, so you may go back". Obviously, God provides us with means like these and expects us to use them. It does not mean in any way that we do not trust Him. Instead, we trust that God will use our methods and means to accomplish His purposes.
The commander showed kindness by taking the boy by the hand aside to where they could not be heard, and listened to everything he had to say about the plot, as well as his warning not be persuaded by the committee of Jews who would see him the next day. Thus informed, the commander dismissed the young man and ordered him not to tell anyone that he had revealed these things to him, and immediately arranged for the transfer of Paul to Caesarea at 9 o'clock that night with a powerful escort to bring him safely to Governor Felix. (*)
The commander was responsible for order and security of the province whereas Governor Felix was the highest authority in the legal field of the region, and represented the Roman emperor himself. Paul had therefore to be sent to Felix for judgment of his legal case.
If the Jews had carried out their intention to kill Paul, the commander would be in great trouble to explain to his superiors how this Roman citizen could be murdered while in his custody – he would have to answer for it in court. It is perhaps surprising that the commander amassed such a great force to escort his prisoner: two centurions with “two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen,” (these were extra troops holding a spear in their right hands). It was a force to repel any attack of the forty Jews if they had the audacity to attack them on their journey. The extreme caution of Lysias is explained in some Latin manuscripts as being due to the fear of a night attack, which might result in his being accused of bribery before Felix. He also ordered mounts to be provided to set Paul on, serving for alternate use (because the distance was more than 120 km), to carry luggage and for the use of a companion (which would be Lucas).
Claudius Lysias did not go with them, but sent a letter to Felix in Caesarea. In this passage, we have a transcript of it, probably in its entirety, because it would have all been read in open court before Felix, and Luke would probably be there with Paul. Roman law required that a subordinate authority as Lysias send a written case statement to higher authority with all the details (called "elogium"). A copy of the letter may have been given to Paul after his appeal to Caesar, probably written in Latin. The letter is a careful mixture of truth and falsehood with the seal of authenticity. It puts things in a favourable light to Lysias, without any mention of who gave the order to flog Paul.
In his letter, the commander explained that his research had proven that Paul was innocent of any crime deserving death or imprisonment. The turmoil in fact was caused by questions about the laws of the Jews. Because of the trap that was being prepared against Paul, he found it advisable to send Paul to Caesarea so his accusers would also go there to present their accusation before the governor.
During the night, this little army travelled sixty miles to the town of Antipatris, a considerable distance for the soldiers who marched on foot. Without there having been any untoward occurrence, and now out of danger from the Jews, the soldiers left the cavalry with Paul, and returned to Jerusalem.
The cavalry went on to Caesarea, they gave the letter to the governor and handed Paul over. Therefore, the prophecy of Agabus, made on the spot when, on his way to Jerusalem, Paul and his friends were for a few days in the house of Philip (chapter 21: 8-11), was fulfilled perfectly and speedily.
Felix read the letter and asked Paul what province he was from. He needed to know that to see if it was senatorial or imperial, because, as applicable, it would not be under his jurisdiction. Cilicia was in Syria, which had its own administrator, and if Paul's case was of insurrection, the authority there should judge him. However, for now, as he been arrested in Jerusalem and it was not for insurrection, the trial would have to be done by Felix.
He adjourned the trial until his accusers came from Jerusalem, and placed Paul in custody "in Herod's Praetorium." The Greek word is "praito¯rio¯i" and can designate the headquarters of a general, or the governor's palace, which is the case here. There were accommodations suitable for prisoners in these places.
R David Jones
(*) Felix was the brother of Pallas, a favourite of the notorious emperor Claudius. Both Felix and Pallas were freed slaves and Emperor Claudius appointed Felix as procurator of Judea in 52 AC. Felix held the position until Festus replaced him due to complaints made against him to Nero by the Jews. Felix had married Drusilla, daughter of Herod Agrippa, hoping to please the Jews. He was one of the most depraved men of his time. The historian Tacitus gives account of the "cruelty and greed with which he exercised the power of a king with the spirit of a slave." The term "Governor" means "leader" and was used for all kinds of leaders (emperors, kings, attorneys). In the New Testament it is used for Pilate (Matthew 27:2), Felix (Acts 23:24,26,33, 24:1), and Festus (Acts 26:30).
12 And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13 Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy.
14 They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, "We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.
15 Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near."
16 So when Paul's sister's son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.
17 Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, "Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him."
18 So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, "Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you."
19 Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?"
20 And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him.
21 But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you."
22 So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, "Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me."
23 And he called for two centurions, saying, "Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night;
24 and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor."
25 He wrote a letter in the following manner:
26 Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.
27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.
28 And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council.
29 I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains.
30 And when it was told me that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him immediately to you, and also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him. Farewell.
31 Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32 The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the barracks.
33 When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.
34 And when the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was from Cilicia,
35 he said, "I will hear you when your accusers also have come." And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium.
Acts chapter 23, verses 12 to 35