Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 23:17
Then Paul called one of the centurions unto [him,] and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
17. Then Paul called one of the centurions, &c.] The Apostle was under the charge of a military guard, and so would have no difficulty in getting his message conveyed. And the knowledge that he was a Roman citizen, and that by birth, would have spread among the soldiery and would not be without its influence.
for he hath a certain thing [ Rev. Ver. something ] to tell him ] We have nothing to guide us to a knowledge of how Paul’s nephew became acquainted with the plot to murder his uncle. As we know nothing of any kinsmen of St Paul being Christians we may perhaps be right in supposing that the young man was a Jew, present in Jerusalem on account of the feast, and that he had heard among the Jewish population about the uproar, and the undertaking of the would-be assassins. In his interview with the chief captain it is clear that he was prepared with evidence which was convincing to that officer.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Called one of the centurions – Who might at that time have had special charge of the castle, or been on guard. Paul had the most positive divine assurance that his life would be spared, and that he would yet see Rome; but he always understood the divine promises and purposes as being consistent with his own efforts, and with all proper measures of prudence and diligence in securing his own safety. He did not rest merely on the divine promises without any effort of his own, but he took encouragement from those promises to put forth his own exertions for security and for salvation.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 17. Bring this young man unto the chief captain] Though St. Paul had the most positive assurance from Divine authority that he should be preserved, yet he knew that the Divine providence acts by reasonable and prudent means; and that, if he neglected to use the means in his power, he could not expect God’s providence to work in his behalf. He who will not help himself, according to the means and power he possesses, has neither reason nor revelation to assure him that he shall receive any assistance from God.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The chief captain having the command of a thousand soldiers, there were ten captains under him: one of these Paul intrusts with his message to the chief captain, not making any particular request unto the chief captain, supposing him to have so much of the Roman justice in him, that when he understood his case, he would provide for his saftety; which he was not mistaken in.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
17. Then Paul called one of thecenturionsThough divinely assured of safety, he never allowsthis to interfere with the duty he owed to his own life and the workhe had yet to do. (See on Ac27:22-25; Ac 27:31).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him,…. For under this chief captain there must have been ten of them, if the company of which he was captain consisted of a thousand men, as his title chief captain or chiliarch imports; for a centurion was over an hundred men, as his title signifies; perhaps this might be the same, as in Ac 22:25
and said, bring this young man to the chief captain: which was a very prudential step, not to let the centurion into the secret, but to desire him to introduce the young man to the chief captain; for had he trusted the centurion with it, he might not have acquainted his officer with it, but have informed the liers in wait of it: now though the apostle was assured by Christ that he should not die at Jerusalem, but should bear witness of him at Rome, and though he did not distrust the truth of Christ’s words, but most firmly believed them; yet he thought it his duty to make use of the means, which providence had put in his way, for his preservation and safety; the Ethiopic version reads, “bring this young man by night to the chief captain”; that so he might not be seen, and observed to have carried any intelligence to him:
for he hath a certain thing to tell him; which was of some moment and importance, and proper for him to know.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Called unto him (). First aorist participle indirect middle, calling to himself. Paul laid his plans as energetically as if Jesus had not promised that he would see Rome (23:11).
Bring (). “Take away.”
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said,” (prskalesamenos de ho Paulos hena ton hekatonterchon ephe) “Then Paul called to him one of the centurions and requested him,” the centurion to whose care or custody he had been assigned, he requested:
2) “Bring this young man unto the chief captain:” (ton neanian touton apage pros ton chiliarchon) “Bring or lead this youth (young man) to the chief captain,” who had power to dispose of the business, and in whom Paul had confidence, believing him to be a captain of integrity.
3) “For he hath a certain thing to tell him.” (echei gar apangeilai ti auto) “For he has something specific to report to him,” something that regards his Roman duties and responsibilities. Tho Paul had been Divinely assured of his own safety, he did not let this keep him from the duty he had to care for his own life, so far as he was able, and the work he was to continue doing, so far as he was able, Eph 2:10; Jas 1:22. He was evidently a remarkable young man, based on the reception the chief captain of the Roman Guard gave him, and the charge he committed to him, Act 23:19-22.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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17. Calling unto him. Paul was not so desirous of life, but he would have made haste to die, if the Lord had thought it good so to be; but because he knoweth that he serveth Christ upon that condition, that he may no less live than die to him, he doth not neglect to avoid the danger which was revealed to him. And though he be fully persuaded that God is the keeper of his life, yet he doth not wait until God put forth his hand out of heaven to work a miracle, but doth rather use the remedy which is offered him; nothing doubting but that it is appointed by God. −
Thus must all the ministers of Christ deal, that being furnished with invincible constancy, so far as their calling requireth, they fear not danger, and yet that they cast not away themselves through rashness. Let them call upon the name of the Lord cheerfully, even amidst the pikes; − (553) and yet let them not contemn those helps which are offered; otherwise they shall be injurious to God, in that they are not only not moved with his promises, − (554) but also despise the means which he hath appointed for their deliverance. −
(553) −
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In mediis augustiis,” in the midst of straits.
(554) −
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Ad ejus promissiones surdi,” deaf to his promises
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
‘And Paul called to him one of the centurions, and said, “Bring this young man to the chief captain, for he has something to tell him.’
Paul then immediately called one of the centurions to him and asked him to take the boy to the chief captain, as he had some important information to impart. As a Roman citizen his request would be received with respect. They would not want to offend him.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 23:17. Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, Though St. Paul had an express promise from Christ for his security, Act 23:11 yet he did not neglect any proper means of safety. Comp. ch. Act 27:24-25; Act 27:31.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him , and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
Ver. 17. And said ] i.e. prayed, Act 23:18 . The poor man speaks supplications, Pro 18:23 , puts his mouth in the dust, speaks as out of the ground in a low language, in a submissive manner, when a suitor especially; for in that case the answer commonly cuts off half the petition, as the echo doth the voice.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Act 23:17 . , see on Act 7:58 and previous note above. The narrative gives the impression that he was quite a young man, if we look at his reception by the chiliarch and the charge given to him.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
centurions. See note on Act 21:32.
young man. Greek. neanias, but the texts read neaniskos. App-108.
a certain thing. Greek. tis. App-123.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Act 23:17. ) one: for there were several.-, the tribune or chief captain) It was safer to tell the chief captain himself.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
one: Act 23:23, Act 22:26, Pro 22:3, Mat 8:8, Mat 8:9, Mat 10:16
Reciprocal: Mat 8:5 – a centurion Mat 27:54 – the centurion Luk 7:2 – centurion’s Luk 7:8 – under Joh 18:12 – the captain Act 21:31 – chief Act 22:25 – the centurion Act 27:1 – a centurion
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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Act 23:17-18. Paul arranged a meeting of his nephew with the captain.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 23:17. Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain. Attention has been justly called here to the fact that, although Paul had just received the Divine promise of protection in all these present dangers, yet he neglected none of the ordinary means of safety which were presented to him, evidently looking on them as the saving hand of the Lord stretched out to him. There was nothing of wild unreasoning enthusiasm in the great missionary apostle.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
17-22. A moment’s reflection was sufficient to show Paul that his only hope of safety was in the chiliarch, and, therefore, he at once had the facts communicated to him. (17) “Then Paul called to him one of the centurions, and said, Lead this young man to the chiliarch; for he has something to tell him. (18) He then took him and led him to the chiliarch, and said, The prisoner, Paul, called me to him and requested me to lead this young man to you, who has something to say to you. (19) The chiliarch took him by the hand, and drawing aside in private, asked him, What is it that you have to tell me? (20) And he said, The Jews have agreed to request you that you bring down Paul into the Sanhedrim to-morrow, as though they would inquire more accurately concerning him. (21) But do not be persuaded by them; for there lie in wait for him more than forty men of them, who have bound themselves under a curse neither to eat nor drink until they have slain him. And they are now prepared, expecting a promise from you. (22) Then the chiliarch dismissed the young man, charging him to tell no one that you have made known these things to me.” The injunction of secrecy was prompted in part by a desire for the young man’s safety; but chiefly by an unwillingness that the Jews should know the real cause of the steps he was about to take. If they should discover that their machinations could influence his policy, they might be emboldened to give him further trouble.
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
Verse 17
Thus Paul appealed to a military a man for protection, which, if granted, he knew must necessarily be military. His example is of no absolutely binding authority; but the case shows, at least, how he understood the gospel in respect to the right of human governments to exercise such powers, for the purposes of public and private protection.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
23:17 {11} Then Paul called one of the centurions unto [him], and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
(11) The wisdom of the Spirit must be joined with simplicity.