Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 23:10
And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring [him] into the castle.
10. the chief captain ] He must have been in some position where he could watch all the proceedings, though we can hardly think that he was presiding in the Sanhedrin.
pulled in pieces of them ] The Pharisees had constituted themselves protectors of the Apostle, and so the possession of his person had become the object of a struggle between them and their opponents.
commanded the soldiers ] They were in the tower of Antonia, overlooking the Temple-precincts, and so were ready to interfere in the struggle as soon as they were bidden. They were in considerable numbers, for below (Act 23:27) the A. V. renders this word by “army.” Jerusalem was at this time in such an excited state that the presence of a large Roman force was necessary.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
A great dissension – A great tumult, excitement, or controversy.
Into the castle – See the notes on Act 21:34.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 10. The chief captain – commanded the soldiers to go down] It appears that the chief captain was present during these transactions, and that he had a body of soldiers in readiness in the castle of Antonia; and it was from this that he commanded them to come down; for the rescue and preservation of Paul.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
A great dissension: feuds about pretended religion are usually among all men very sharp, because their opinions, being the issues of their own brains, are more beloved than their children, the fruit of their bodies.
Commanded the soldiers to go down; from the fort or castle, unto which there was an ascent or stair, to go up and down by.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
10. the chief captain, fearing lestPaul should have been pulled to pieces . . . commanded the soldiersto go down and take him by force, &c.This shows that thecommandant was not himself present, and further, that instead of theSanhedrim trying the cause, the proceedings quickly consisted in theone party attempting to seize the prisoner, and the other to protecthim.
Ac23:11-35. IN THEFORTRESS PAULIS CHEEREDBY A NIGHTVISIONANINFAMOUS CONSPIRACYTO ASSASSINATE HIMIS PROVIDENTIALLYDEFEATED, AND HEIS DESPATCHEDBY NIGHT WITH ALETTER FROM THE COMMANDANTTO FELIX ATCSAREA, BY WHOMARRANGEMENTS AREMADE FOR A HEARINGOF HIS CAUSE.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when there arose a great dissension,…. When that was come to a very great height, hot words were spoken, and they were ready to come to blows, and there was like to be a riot and tumult among them:
the chief captain fearing lest Paul should be pulled in pieces of them; either of the Sadducees, whom he had greatly offended and provoked, or of both Sadducees and Pharisees, the one laying hold on him to preserve him from the fury of the other, and the other endeavouring to pluck him out of their hands; and the fears of the chief captain were not so much out of affection to Paul, but lest there should be an uproar, which might issue in sedition, and rebellion against the Roman government, of which the Roman officers were always jealous; and because that Paul was a Roman, and should he suffer him to be destroyed in an illegal manner, he must be accountable for it: wherefore he
commanded the soldiers to go down: either from the castle of Antonia, or from a superior part of the temple, where he with his guards were, to hear this cause before the sanhedrim, to that part where it sat, and Paul was: and
take him by force from among them; if they refused to deliver him up, to make use of their arms:
and bring him into the castle; of Antonia, where he was before.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
When there arose a great dissension ( ). Present middle participle (genitive absolute). Literally, “dissension becoming much.”
Lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them ( ). First aorist passive subjunctive of , to draw in two, to tear in pieces, old verb, in the N.T. only here and Mr 5:4 of tearing chains in two. The subjunctive with is the common construction after a verb of fearing (Robertson, Grammar, p. 995).
The soldiers ( ). The army, the band of soldiers and so in verse 27.
To go down (). Second aorist active participle of , having gone down.
Take him by force (). To seize. The soldiers were to seize and save Paul from the midst of ( ) the rabbis or preachers (in their rage to get at each other). Paul was more of a puzzle to Lysias now than ever.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And when there arose a great dissension,” (polles de ginomenes staseos) “Then when (so) much discord raged,” that the council’s conduct would have been condemned by Caesar, as an “unlawful assembly,” neither conducted any longer in “decency or in ‘order,” Act 19:37-41; 1Co 14:40. This was similar to the uproar recounted in Ephesus, Act 19:32; Act 19:40.
2) “The chief captain fearing,” (phobetheis ho chiliarchos) “The chief captain fearing, upset,” at the uncivil conduct of the judges in the Sanhedrin council, fighting over a prisoner in whose midst he had delivered Paul. This was the court in which Jesus had been condemned, known for its reputation of “unjust judgement,” Psa 43:1; Luk 18:6; 1Co 6:1; 2Pe 2:9.
3) “Lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them,” (me diaspasthe ho Paulos hup’ auton) “Lest Paul should be torn asunder by them,” as they treated him like a lamb between two starving she-wolves. Lest Paul should be torn as a wild beast tears its prey, limb from limb, bone from bone, the chief captain feared for he was required to give account of such to Rome.
4) “Commanded the soldiers to go down,” (ekeleusen to strareuma kataban) “He commanded the soldiers to come down,” into the haranguing council, into the midst of the religious hubbub of screaming, shoving, and clamoring council.
5) “And to take him by force from among them,” (harpasai auton ek mesou auton) “And to seize and whisk him out of and away from their midst,” by the use of whatever force was necessary.
6) “And to bring him into the castle.” (agein te eis ten parembolen) “And to escort him back up to the castle fort,” for safety from the irrational, hate mongering Sadducees, to be kept or guarded in the barracks of the Roman soldiers, adjoining the outer court of the temple area.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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10. We see again what a cruel mischief contention is, which so soon as it doth once wax hot, hath such violent motions, that even most wise men are not well in their wits. Therefore, so soon as any beginning shall show itself, let us study to prevent it in time, lest the remedy be too late in bridling it when it is in the middle, because no fire is so swift as it. As for the chief captain, as he was appointed to be the minister of God’s providence to save Paul’s life, so he delivereth him now the second time by his soldiers from death. For though the chief captain defend − (544) him so diligently, for no other purpose save only that he may prevent uproars and murder; yet the Lord, who from heaven provided and appointed help for his servant, doth direct his blind hands thither. −
(544) −
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Succurrit,” succour.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(10) The chief captain, fearing . . .We may well believe that the priest who had been rebuked as a whited wall would not willingly forego his revenge. He, and the Sadducees generally, would now be able to assume the position of being more devoted defenders of the Law and of the Temple than the Pharisees themselves. The fear of the chiliarch was naturally heightened by his knowledge that he was responsible for the life of a Roman citizen. In the barracks of the fortress, as before, probably in the self-same guardroom as that which had witnessed our Lords sufferings at the hands of Pilates soldiers, the prisoner would at least be in safety.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
6. Paul Rescued and sent to Cesarea , Act 23:10-35 .
10. Great dissension Paul is imminently likely to be divided between the divided assembly. But Lysias is fully satisfied that Paul’s only offence is a religious dissent from the Sanhedric doctrines, which, as a Greek-Roman, he considers but a fancy crime, and he thereupon evidently purposes that their designs to murder him shall not be of easy accomplishment. (Act 23:29.) A second time does unconscious Gentilism rescue her great apostle from fallen Judaism.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him to the fortress.’
Indeed feelings now began to rise so high (and we really cannot blame Paul because they could not discuss reasonably together) that the chief captain who was observing the proceedings became alarmed and commanded that soldiers take him by force (the temple police may have tried to interfere) and convey him to the safety of the fortress.
He must have been in some despair. Here he was stuck with this prisoner, who was a Roman citizen and therefore difficult to deal with, and it was apparent that none of his opponents knew what to charge him with. He was having to hold him without charge and risk any consequences.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Paul reassured by the Lord:
v. 10. And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
v. 11. And the night following the Lord stood by him and said, be of good cheer, Paul; for as thou hast testified of Me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. As the uproar of the Jews concerning Paul became greater and more violent with every minute, the chiliarch, more of an interested spectator of the scene than an active participant, became apprehensive, began to fear that Paul would actually be torn to pieces by them. Those that took his part held him in order to protect him, others laid violent hands upon him to jerk him away, and thus he was dragged to and fro. Lysias therefore gave command by an orderly that the body of soldiers which was always in readiness should march down to the Temple area from the level of Antonia and tear the prisoner out of their midst, and then lead him to the barracks. So Lysias was once more disappointed in his attempts to find out the facts in Paul’s case; but he must certainly have concluded that the Jews had no charge of a political nature against him which they could or would formulate. But at this point the Lord came to the assistance of His servant. In the night following the arraignment before the Sanhedrin the Lord Himself, in a vision, stood by or over him as he slept, and reassured him, telling him that just as he had borne confident witness of the facts concerning Him in Jerusalem, had preached the Gospel of His grace openly and fearlessly, so it would be necessary for him, according to God’s will, to bear witness also in Rome. Paul had planned to visit Rome at the first opportunity; he had written the Christians of Rome an epistle containing a full exposition of Christian doctrine; and he would yet see the city, though probably not as he had planned. The fortunes of the Church are in the hands of the exalted Christ. He it is that is near to His faithful confessors on earth at all times, who strengthens and confirms them and directs the course of the Gospel according to His mill.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Act 23:10 . ] that he might be torn in pieces . Comp. Symm., 1Sa 15:33 ; Herod. iii. 13; Dem. 136. 15; Lucian, Asin . 32. The tribune saw the two parties so inflamed , that he feared lest they on both sides should seize on Paul the one to maltreat him, and the other to take him into their protection against their opponents and thus he might at length even be torn in pieces , as a sacrifice to their mutual fury!
. . . . . .] he ordered the soldiery to come down (from the Antonia) and to draw him away from the midst of them . The reading is a correct resolution of the participial construction. See Hermann, ad Viger . p. 774.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
Ver. 10. To take him by force ] This the soldiers did, for none other end than to prevent sedition and man slaughter; but God had a further end in it, viz. to preserve his servant for further noble employment; ideoque caecas manus illuc dirigit, saith Calvin, and therefore he directeth their blind hands thereunto. The truth is, every creature walks blindfold. Only he that dwells in light sees whither they go.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
10. ] The fact of all our best MSS. reading here, and not the unusual word , must carry it into the text. It is one of those cases where, notwithstanding our strong suspicion that the later MSS. contain the true reading, we are bound to follow our existing authorities: no sufficient subjective reason being assigned for the correction either way.
] to be taken literally , not as merely = ‘ should be killed .’ The Pharisees would strive to lay hold of him to rescue him: the Sadducees, to destroy him, or at all events to secure him. Between them both, there was danger of his being pulled asunder by them .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 23:10 . ., see critical note. : after verbs of fear and danger in classical Greek, with subjunctive after primary tenses, with optative (more usually) after secondary tenses, but in N.T. only the subjunctive, Burton, p. 95, and Viteau, Le Grec du N.T. , p. 83 (1893), Act 27:17 , 2Co 11:3 ; 2Co 12:20 , Heb 4:1 . , cf. LXX, Hos 13:8 , for use in same sense as here, to tear like a wild beast tears its prey in pieces (elsewhere in N.T., Mar 5:4 , cf. LXX, Jer 2:20 ), cf. in classical Greek, Herod., iii., 13, Dem., 58, 8. from Antonia. = (Blass), see critical note.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
chief captain. See note on Act 21:31.
fearing. Greek. eulabeomai. Only here and Heb 11:7. The texts read phobeomai (as Act 22:29), a much more common word.
pulled in pieces = torn asunder. Greek. diaspao. Only here and Mar 5:4.
of = by. Greek. hupo. App-104.
soldiers. Literally an army or detachment. Greek. strateuma. Here, Act 23:27. Mat 22:7. Luk 23:11. Rev 9:16; Rev 19:14, Rev 19:19.
take . . . by force. Greek. harpazo. Compare Act 8:39 (caught away).
from among = out of (Greek. ek) the midst of.
castle. See note on Act 21:34.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
10.] The fact of all our best MSS. reading here, and not the unusual word , must carry it into the text. It is one of those cases where, notwithstanding our strong suspicion that the later MSS. contain the true reading, we are bound to follow our existing authorities: no sufficient subjective reason being assigned for the correction either way.
] to be taken literally, not as merely = should be killed. The Pharisees would strive to lay hold of him to rescue him: the Sadducees, to destroy him, or at all events to secure him. Between them both, there was danger of his being pulled asunder by them.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 23:10. , the tribune or chief captain) What may we suppose that the soldier thought of the quarrel of so great a college? He was afterwards about to hear of worse things: Act 23:21.- , by them) Some were defending him, others rushing upon him.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
fearing: Act 23:27, Act 19:28-31, Act 21:30-36, Psa 7:2, Psa 50:22, Mic 3:3, Jam 1:19, Jam 3:14-18, Jam 4:1, Jam 4:2
to take: Act 22:24
Reciprocal: Psa 83:2 – lo Pro 24:11 – General Jer 26:24 – that Mat 27:23 – But Luk 23:5 – they Joh 18:12 – the captain Act 21:34 – into Act 24:6 – whom Act 24:7 – great Act 26:17 – Delivering Act 26:22 – obtained Act 27:43 – willing 2Co 6:5 – in tumults 2Ti 3:11 – but
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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Act 23:10. In the riot among the two sects of the Jews, their attention was turned upon Paul who was regarded as the cause of the disturbance. There was even so much indication of violence against him that the chief captain feared for his bodily safety. The reader should note that this act of soldiers under lawful direction was solely for the purpose of protecting Paul from mob violence. This should be remembered when considering the falsehoods of Tertullus in chapter 24:6, 7. Paul was removed from the Sanhedrin by the soldiers and taken into the castle for his bodily safety.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 23:10. And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down. The excitement in the council hall continued to increase. The Sadducees endeavouring to seize him as a blasphemer, the Pharisees laying hold on him to rescue and protect him, the apostle was literally in danger of being torn to pieces. Claudius Lysias, who was present in the assembly, at once intervened and ordered a guard of his soldiers to interpose and bring the accused again into the Roman barracks in Antonia. He felt he was responsible for the safety of one who claimed to be a citizen of Rome.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
St. Paul was now in the midst of difficulty and danger; but observe how seasonably God steps in for his succour and deliverance: First, he stirs up that heathen tribune, the chief captain Lysias, who was present at the trial, to see his prisoner have fair play; the Lord stirs up this man to rescue the apostle from the hands of violence, by which he was in danger of being pulled in pieces, and he is returned safe unto the castle again.
O how God’s encouragements evermore accompany his commands! His faithful servants, when they suffer for him, shall certainly be delivered by him, either in trouble or out of trouble.
Secondly, God comforts the suffering apostle with his own presence, and with the gracious manifestations of his special favour; The Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul.–
Where note, That if the Lord stand by, and be graciously present with his servants, in a suffering hour, it is no matter how many and how mighty they be that do withstand them, and appear against them. No doubt these words, Be of good cheer, Paul, turned the apostle’s prison into a palace, and enabled him to bid a bold defiance to all the devilish designs of the Jews in Jerusalem against him; having got such good security for his safety, even from God himself, in the faith of which our apostle holily triumphs, saying, If God be for us, who can be against us: Rom 8:31. That is, none can be against us, either safely or successfully. The presence of God with his suffering servants outweighs all their discouragements.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Act 23:10-11. And when there arose a great dissension Some of them urging that he ought to be set at liberty, while others eagerly insisted on his condemnation; the chief captain, fearing On being informed of their disorderly proceedings; lest he should be pulled in pieces of them Amidst the tumult; commanded a party of soldiers to go down From the garrison; to take him by force from among them Out of that apartment in the temple where he had ordered them to meet; and to bring him into the castle Antonia What must this heathen have thought of the worshippers of JEHOVAH, when he saw this assembly of chief priests, learned scribes, and rulers of Israel, forgetful of what became their rank, profession, and sacred character; and carried away by such unbridled rage, in their religious contests, as the Roman senators and magistrates, or principal persons, would have been ashamed of, even in their eager competition for authority and pre-eminence? Scott. And the night following the Lord stood by him Appeared to him in a vision; And said, Be of good cheer, Paul As he laboured under singular distresses and persecutions, so he was favoured with extraordinary assurances of the divine assistance. For as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem And all the malice of the Jews has not prevented thee from faithfully discharging thy commission; so must thou bear witness also at Rome Thus God now, in due time, confirms what Paul had before purposed in spirit, Act 19:21. Another declaration to the same effect is made by an angel of God, Act 27:23; particular promises being usually given when all things appear dark and desperate. For difficulties and dangers are nothing in the eyes of God; all hinderances only further his work; and a promise of what is afar off, implies all that necessarily lies between. Paul shall testify at Rome; therefore he shall come to Rome; therefore he shall escape the Jews, the sea, and the viper. He shall be brought safe through all intervening obstacles, dangers, and distresses, that he may bear testimony to the Romans. How would the defenders of Peters supremacy triumph, could they find but half as much ascribed to him!
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
See notes on verse 6
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
23:10 {9} And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring [him] into the castle.
(9) God will not forsake his own, even to the very end.