Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 23:26
Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix [sendeth] greeting.
26 30. Letter of Claudius Lysias to Felix
26. the most excellent governor ] The title “most excellent” is that which is given by St Luke at the beginning of his Gospel to the Theophilus for whom he wrote it. Hence it is probable that Theophilus held some official position, it may be under the Romans in Macedonia, where St Luke remained for some time and where he may probably have written his gospel.
sendeth greeting ] The Rev. Ver. omits the first word. The original has only the infinitive “to rejoice” which is of course governed by some word indicating a wish, i.e. = “biddeth to rejoice,” “wisheth joy.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Unto the most excellent governor Felix – The most honored, etc. This was a mere title of office.
Greeting – A term of salutation in an epistle wishing health, joy, and prosperity.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Most excellent; a title given to persons of great eminency, as, Luk 1:3, it is given to Theophilus, unto whom also this book of the Acts is inscribed, Act 1:1.
This Felix was brother to one Pallas, who together with Narcissus (the other of the emperor Claudiuss favourites) managed all public affairs, and are by the historians branded for all the mischiefs of that calamitous time. This Felix and his brother Pallas were born slaves, and manumitted by Claudius, and were such as are exalted; as often Providence will show the power it hath in pulling down and setting up whom it pleaseth.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
26-30. Claudiusthe Roman namehe would take on purchasing his citizenship.
Lysiashis Greek familyname.
the most excellentgovernoran honorary title of office.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Claudius Lysias, unto the most excellent Governor Felix,…. This is the inscription of the letter, and by it we learn the name of the chief captain, so often spoken of in this and the two preceding chapters, which was Claudius Lysias; the first of these names is a Roman one, and which he might take from the Emperor Claudius, for he was not a Roman born; and the latter seems to be a Greek name, and was his proper name, and, he himself very likely was a Greek, since he purchased his freedom with money; one of this name was Archon of Athens p; and another is reckoned by Cicero q, among the famous orators of Greece, and is often cited by Harpocratian r; one of Antiochus’s noblemen, and who was of the blood royal, and acted as a general against the Jews, was of this name s.
“So he left Lysias, a nobleman, and one of the blood royal, to oversee the affairs of the king from the river Euphrates unto the borders of Egypt:” (1 Maccabees 3:32)
The chief captain calls Felix the governor
the most excellent, which was a title of honour that belonged to him as a governor; the same is given to Theophilus, Lu 1:3 sendeth greeting; or wishes all health and prosperity.
p Fabrieii Bibliograph. Antiqu. p. 213. q De Claris Orator. vel Brutus, c. 32. r Lex Decem Orator. s 1 Maccab. iii. 32.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Most excellent (). See on Lu 1:3 to Theophilus though not in Ac 1:1. It is usual in addressing men of rank as here, like our “Your Excellency” in 24:3 and Paul uses it to Festus in 26:25.
Greeting (). Absolute infinitive with independent or absolute nominative ( ) as is used in letters (Acts 15:23; Jas 1:1) and in countless papyri (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1092).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
To the most excellent [ ] . “His excellency” : an official title. Compare ch. Act 24:3; Act 26:25.
Greeting [] . See on ch. Act 14:23.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix,” (Klaudios Lusias to kratisto hegemoni Pheliki) ” Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor,” procurator or viceroy; This indicates that the name of the chief captain of the Roman guard or garrison in Jerusalem was Claudius Lysias, also referred to as Lysias, Act 24:22. Thus the name of the chief captain was disclosed, for the first time since he entered the narrative. Claudius was his Latin name that he took when he purchased his citizenship, and Lysias was his Greek name, Act 22:28, Act 21:31. He addressed Felix, the governor, as a “most excellent or noble” person, an honorary title.
2) “Sendeth greeting.” (charein) “Sends greetings directly to Felix,” who is the governor of this territory, of Judea. The language was likely in Latin, since both the writer and receiver of the letter were Romans, and Roman officials.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(26) Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix.The letter may have been sent unsealed, or a copy of it may have been given to St. Paul or St. Luke after his arrival. What we have obviously purports to be a verbal reproduction of it. We note (1) that the epithet most excellent is that which St. Luke uses of Theophilus, to whom he dedicates both the Gospel and the Acts (Luk. 1:3; Act. 1:1), and (2) that the formal salutation, greeting, is the same as that used in the letter of the Council of Jerusalem (Act. 15:23) and in the Epistle of St. James (Jas. 1:1).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
26. Claudius Lysias The name Lysias, which is here first given, intimates that he was a Greek; the name Claudius is Latin, assumed, perhaps, after he had bought his Roman citizenship “for a great price.” So that we have here a note from a Greek-Roman chiliarch to a Greek-Roman procurator.
Most excellent An official title.
Greeting The usual epistolary civility.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix, greeting.’
This is a standard opening form giving name of sender, name of recipient and a greeting. Lysias would be his given name. Claudius would be added when he became a Roman citizen during the reign of Claudius. ‘Most excellent’ is a normal way of addressing a high official.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
Ver. 26. Unto the most excellent ] Felix was (as likewise Haman) of base birth, but highly advanced in court by means of his brother Pallas, a great favourite of Nero’s, insomuch as he became husband to three queens successively, as Suetonius writeth. He cruelly killed Jonathan the Jewish priest, and committed many other outrages in this province; so that being complained about at Rome, he had been put to death, but for the greatness of his brother, who begged his pardon. (Josephus.)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
26. ] See ref. Luke.
This letter seems to be given (translated from the Latin) as written , not merely according to its general import (see the false statement in Act 23:27 ): from what source , is impossible to say, but it may be imagined that the contents transpired through some officers at Jerusalem or at Csarea friendly to Paul.
Such letters were called elogia : so Modestin. Dig. lib. 49, tit. 16, leg. 3 (Facciolati): ‘Desertorem auditum ad suum ducem cum elogio prses mittet,’ ‘with an abstract of the articles brought against him.’
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 23:26 . , see note on Act 1:1 . ( or ), cf. Act 15:23 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act 23:26-30
26″Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, greetings. 27When this man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be slain by them, I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. 28″And wanting to ascertain the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their Council; 29and I found him to be accused over questions about their Law, but under no accusation deserving death or imprisonment. 30When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing his accusers to bring charges against him before you.”
Act 23:26-30 This is the required letter of explanation of Paul’s case by the officer in charge (cf. Act 25:12 ff). It states the flow of the events, but does so in such a way as to make Lysias look good.
Act 23:26 This is the verse in which we are told the Chiliarch’s name.
Act 23:29 This verse fits Luke’s pattern of showing that Christianity and its leaders, when accused before governmental officials, were always acquitted and deemed innocent. Rome had nothing to fear from “the Way”!
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Claudius Lysias. As the Procurator’s legate, he was responsible for order in Jerusalem. He had shown promptness and vigour, and, moreover, kindly consideration for his prisoner (Act 23:19), and in his letter puts Paul’s case in a favourable light. He certainly claims some credit for himself to which he was not entitled (Act 23:27), and says nothing about his proposing to scourge a Roman citizen. But he stands far above Felix, or even Festus, and is entitled to rank with Julius (Act 27:3, Act 27:43).
most excellent. Greek. kratistos. Only occurance here; Act 24:3; Act 26:25, and Luk 1:3. It was an official title. Compare “Excellency”.
greeting. See note on Act 15:23.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
26. ] See ref. Luke.
This letter seems to be given (translated from the Latin) as written, not merely according to its general import (see the false statement in Act 23:27): from what source, is impossible to say, but it may be imagined that the contents transpired through some officers at Jerusalem or at Csarea friendly to Paul.
Such letters were called elogia: so Modestin. Dig. lib. 49, tit. 16, leg. 3 (Facciolati): Desertorem auditum ad suum ducem cum elogio prses mittet, with an abstract of the articles brought against him.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 23:26-35
PAUL SENT TO CAESAREA
Act 23:26-35
26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor-Paul was sent with a Roman escort of four hundred seventy soldiers from Jerusalem to Caesarea; this was a distance of about seventy miles. Felix was the governor, and Claudius Lysias was the chief captain. Felix was a higher official than Lysias; hence, the very courteous and formal salutation or greeting as given here. Most excellent is a term used by Luke in addressing Theophilus. (Luk 1:3.) This salutation is usual in addressing men of high rank; it is similar to most excellent in Act 24:3. Claudius Lysias is a Latin name, and Felix is a Greek. Some think that the letter was written in Latin; others think that it was in Greek; we do not know in what language it was written.
27 This man was seized by the Jews,-Lysias here wishes to be understood that he interfered for Paul on account of learning that he was a Roman citizen; this would seem to gain him some favor for his loyalty. However, the truth was that he had unlawfully bound a Roman citizen. He concealed the injustice that he had done to Paul. We see here the difference between the simple truth of the history and the cunning artifice of the skeptical Lysias. This is what we would naturally expect from a clever worldly politician, who had more regard for the favor of his superiors than he had for the truth. Lysias did rescue Paul before he learned that Paul was a Roman citizen, but he had violated the Roman law before doing this.
28 And desiring to know the cause-Lysias proceeds to state the matter in such a way as to show his official acts were to be commended. Lysias, like Gallio, cared for none of those things which disturb the Jews, and regarded their religious affairs as of no consequence. Lysias intended to show that the prisoner had been treated illegally, and that he had done all that he could to learn the charges against Paul. He had taken Paul, he says, before the Jews council. This was to ascertain the nature of his crime.
29 whom I found to be accused-Lysias further states that when he brought Paul before the Sanhedrin he found him accused of violating some of the laws of the Jews. The only accusation that he learned against Paul was that he had violated the law of Moses; this had nothing to do with the Roman law. This is a confession that he had not violated Roman law and was not worthy of death or bonds. Then why should Lysias send him to Felix. Lysias proceeds to give his reason for sending Paul to Caesarea.
30 And when it was shown to me-Roman officers in reporting a prisoner to a higher official must give the charges. Lysias had no crime to charge against Paul, but the determined attempts on the part of the Jews to kill him seemed to demand further inquiry. He does not mention in this letter the fact that Paul was in danger of being torn into pieces before the council; he does declare his knowledge of the plot to kill Paul. This was sufficient ground for sending a Roman citizen where he might be expected to have a fair trial according to Roman law. He states that he charged Pauls accusers to go to Caesarea and make their charges known to Felix. Lysias does not seem to state the facts as they are. There is nothing in the record that shows that he commanded the accusers to appear before Caesars court. He may have done so; at least, he says in this letter that he did. Farewell is added by many ancient authorities, but is omitted here. It will be observed that Lysias does not represent Paul as a convict, but as one who had been rescued from a mob.
31 So the soldiers, as it was commanded them,-This letter of Lysias is inserted by Luke, and breaks the continuity of the historical events. Verse 31 takes up the facts and continues them. The soldiers obeyed the command and brought Paul by night to Antipatris. This place was formerly called Capharaba. It was rebuilt by Herod the Great and called by him Antipatris in memory of his father, Antipater. It was more than forty miles from Jerusalem, and more than halfway from Caesarea. They journeyed all night and made good time. Paul was now out of reach of his conspirators.
32 But on the morrow they left the horsemen-On the morrow may mean the morning of the arrival at Antipatris, or it may mean the day after they arrived there. It seems that some time would be given for rest after journeying all night. It matters but little as to whether it means the next day after leaving Jerusalem or the next day after arrival at Antipatris. They left the horsemen to go on with Paul. The journey on to Caesarea was through a hilly region where there was much danger. There were four hundred seventy, and four hundred of them returned to Jerusalem, while the seventy horsemen continued with Paul. We are not told why these four hundred turned back; they had orders to go as far as Caesarea. (See verse 23.)
33 and they, when they came to Caesarea-Those who were in charge of the cavalry went on with Paul to Caesarea and presented Paul with the letter from Lysias to Governor Felix. In this way they executed their commission. It was probably a journey of five or six hours from Antipatris to Caesarea. They waited further orders from the governor. Paul thus entered Caesarea with the pomp of attendance very unlike the humble guise in which he had left it. They entered Caesarea in daylight, and such a parade would have attracted many curious eyes. Philip and other Christians of Caesarea must have been startled to recognize the rapid fulfillment of prophecy concerning Pauls journey to Jerusalem.
34 And when he had read it,-When Felix read the letter from Lysias, he inquired from what province Paul came. He was informed by Paul or some other one that Paul was from Cilicia, which was an imperial province. He did not inquire whether Paul was a Roman citizen; that was stated in the letter of Lysias to Felix. Felix probably inquired of his native province that he might ascertain whether he had jurisdiction over him; it seems that Felix would have gladly avoided trying Paul. There were laws regulating provincial relations, and one government was not at liberty to rely entirely on anothers letter, but must himself make thorough investigation. This Felix did.
35 I will hear thee fully,-Since Cilicia was an imperial province, Felix had jurisdiction over the trial of Paul. He informed Paul that he would hear him fully when his accusers came. This meant that he would give Pauls case a formal examination, and implied that he would give him a fair trial. Felix commanded Paul to be kept in Herods palace. This was built by Herod the Great; Judea was now a Roman province, and the palace of its former kings had become the governors official residence. It appears that Paul was dealt with kindly. It seems that Paul was kept near the governors place of residence. Paul was under honorable restraint, a Roman, and uncondemned. Paul was guarded or detained by soldiers, and had to wait the slow processes of a trial.
Questions on Acts
By E.M. Zerr
Acts Chapter 23
What council was about to hear Paul?
In what frame of mind did he behold it?
Repeat his claim of conscience.
Would this include his persecution of Christians?
Can one be conscientious while doing wrong?
What did Ananias command to be done?
Was this a legal sentence?
State the name Paul called him.
What is the thought expressed thereby?
Also what charge did Paul make against him?
Tell the retort of the bystanders.
What ironic rebuke did Paul give Ananias?
State what Paul now observed of the crowd.
Tell what hope he mentioned now.
Which class would be favorable to this ?
What resulted among the crowd?
How did the Pharisees reason on the matter?
To what danger was Paul now exposed?
What was done to prevent it?
Tell what cheering message Paul received .
What curse did certain Jews take over themselves?
Is there any record of their keeping it?
Whom did they try to draw into the plot?
In what way was it prevented?
What did they pretend they wished to learn?
At what place would they meet, to learn it?
Was this a public place for inquiry into matters?
Would this give some show of truth to their plea?
How many were in the conspiracy?
What charge was given the young man?
Why did the captain call two centurions?
Why take Paul to Caesarea?
At what time was the journey to start?
Who was governor at this time?
Was all communication made orally?
State the name of the captain.
Was his address courteous?
By whom was Paul taken?
What was about to happen to him?
With what force did the captain rescue him?
Was this an orderly procedure for the captain?
On what fact did he act?
What was Paul’s rank as a citizen?
Why was he brought before the council?
What information resulted?
Upon what report is the captain now acting?
State his command to Paul’s accusers.
Where did tbe escort first stop?
What change was now made in the escort?
What is meant by the castle?
State antecedent of “who” in the 3ard verse.
Of what province was Paul?
For what was the hearing to wait?
Where was Paul to be kept?
Acts Chapter Twenty-Three
Ralph Starling
Pauls defense to them did not go good,
The High Priest did not respond as he should.
He was so upset an order he mouthed,
An order to slap Paul in the mouth.
Paul reacted, God will strike you, you white-washed wall
You judge me for violating the Law,
While you do the same while standing there tall.
So, how could this matter be solved at all?
Paul, knowing Pharisees and Sadducees did not agree..
He called out, I am from birth a Pharisee!
A verbal battle ensued that became an uproar
So much so the Commander feared Paul would be torn.
That night the prison barracks became his home.
The Lord appeared saying he must testify in Rome.
Next day the Jews formed a plan to kill Paul.
Pauls nephew heard it and reported it all.
The Jews would ask for information from Paul,
An ambush they planned would bring about his fall.
The Commander wrote a let to Claudia Lysias,
Giving a complete outline of the business.
Paul was escorted to Felix in Caesarea,
Who said, When your accusers come well have a hearing.
Paul was take n to a special place,
And kept under guard in Herods Palace.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
the most: Act 24:3, Act 26:25,*Gr: Luk 1:3
greeting: Act 15:23, Jam 1:1, 3Jo 1:14
Reciprocal: Ezr 4:17 – Peace Luk 2:2 – governor Luk 3:1 – Pontius Pilate Luk 7:8 – under Act 23:24 – Felix
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
See notes on verse 23
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
23:26 {13} Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix [sendeth] greeting.
(13) Lysias is suddenly made by the Lord to be Paul’s protector.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
This is the first mention of the commander’s name in Acts. His Greek name was Lysias, and when he purchased his Roman citizenship (cf. Act 22:28) he must have also taken the Roman name of the emperor. Felix was the governor of the Roman province of Syria, which included Judea. Claudius Lysias addressed Felix politely (cf. Act 1:1; Act 24:2; Act 26:25).