Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 23:23
And he called unto [him] two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
23. to go to Cesarea ] The residence of the Roman governor and the seat of the chief jurisdiction. The preposition is not the usual one. Hence the Rev. Ver. gives “to go as far as Csarea.” The distance between Jerusalem and Csarea is about 70 miles.
and spearmen ] The Greek word is an unusual one, and signifies ‘graspers by the right hand.’ Hence it has been explained, as in the A. V., of soldiers who carried a spear in their right hand; others have thought a military guard was meant who kept on the right hand of the prisoners of whom they had charge. The Vulgate gives lancearii, lancers.
at the third hour of the night ] This would be, according to Jewish reckoning, at 9 p. m.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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 Act 23:32.
And horsemen – These were commonly attached to foot soldiers. In this case, however, they were designed to attend Paul to Caesarea.
And spearmen – dexiolabous. This word is found nowhere else in the New Testament, and occurs in no Classical writer. It properly means those who take, or apprehend by the right hand; and might be applied to those who apprehend prisoners, or to those who hold a spear or dart in the right hand for the purpose of throwing it. Some have conjectured that it should be read dexiobolous – those who cast or throw (a spear) with the right hand. So the Vulgate, the Syriac, and the Arabic understand it. They were probably those who were armed with spears or darts, and who attended on the tribune as a guard.
At the third hour of the night – At nine oclock. This was in order that it might be done with secrecy, and to elude the band of desperadoes that had resolved to murder Paul. If it should seem that this guard was very numerous for one man, it should be remembered:
- That the number of those who had conspired against him was also large; and,
- That they were men accustomed to scenes of blood; men of desperate characters who had solemnly sworn that they would take his life.
In order, therefore, to deter them effectually from attacking the guard, it was made very numerous and strong. Nearly 500 men were appointed to guard Paul as he left Jerusalem.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 23. Two hundred soldiers] , Infantry or foot soldiers.
Horsemen threescore and ten] There was always a certain number of horse, or cavalry, attached to the foot.
Spearmen] , Persons who held a spear or javelin in their hand; from taking or holding a thing in the right hand. But the Codex Alexandrinus reads , from , the right hand, and , to cast or dart, persons who threw javelins. But both words seem to mean nearly the same thing.
The third hour of the night] About nine o’clock P.M., for the greater secrecy, and to elude the cunning, active malice of the Jews.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Make ready two hundred soldiers; two hundred were the usual proportion or number of men which were under the two centurions; so that they were commanded to have their companies in readiness.
And horsemen threescore and ten; horsemen being usually added for defence of their foot soldiers.
Spearmen, as they are called here, were such as handled, or threw, their javelins or darts with their right hand. Some think them to have been such as our serjeants, who take men into custody; others, that they were soldiers raised out of foreign nations, and lightly armed.
At the third hour of the night; partly because in those hot countries it is very troublesome to travel by day, and partly for the greater security of Paul and such as went with him.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
23, 24. two hundred soldiersaformidable guard for such an occasion; but Roman officials felt theirhonor concerned in the preservation of the public peace, and thedanger of an attempted rescue would seem to require it. The force atJerusalem was large enough to spare this convoy.
the third hour of thenightnine o’clock.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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 f from Jerusalem: these two hundred soldiers were foot soldiers, as appears by their being distinguished from horsemen in the next clause, and were just the number that the two centurions had the command of; the making of them ready, was their seeing to it, that they were properly clothed, and accoutred with arms and ammunition, and with sufficient provision for their journey:
and horsemen threescore and ten; the Ethiopic version reads, “a hundred”; but without support from any copy: “and spearmen two hundred”; who carried spears in their right hand; the word used signifies such who receive, lay hold on, or hold anything in their right hand: some think it designs such who were employed in the militia, to lay hold on guilty persons, and hold them; the Alexandrian copy reads, , “those that cast with the right hand”; and so reads the Syriac version, to which the Arabic agrees, which renders it “darters”; such as carried darts in their hands, and did not shoot out of a bow, but cast darts with their hands: now these being got ready, were ordered to march,
at the third hour of the night; at nine o’clock at night, that they might go out unobserved, and before the petition from the sanhedrim was presented to him.
f Joseph. de Bello Jud. l. 1. c. 3. sect. 5. Egesip de Excid. urb. l. 1. c. 7.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Two ( ). “Some two” as in Lu 7:19, indicating (Page) that they were not specially chosen.
Soldiers (),
horsemen (),
spearmen (). The three varieties of troops in a Roman army like the cohort of Lysias (Page). The were the heavy-armed legionaries, the belonged to every legion, the were light-armed supplementary troops who carried a lance in the right hand (, right, , to take). Vulgate, lancearios. At the third hour of the night ( ). About nine in the evening.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Soldiers [] . Heavy – armed footmen : legionaries.
Spearmen [] . Only here in New Testament, and not in classical Greek. From dexiov, right, and lambanw, to take. The exact meaning is uncertain. Some explain it as those who take the right side of the prisoners whom they have in charge; others, those who grasp (their weapon) with the right hand; others, again, those who hold (a second horse) by the right hand. They are here distinguished from the heavy armed legionaries and the cavalry. They were probably light – armed troops, javelin – throwers or slingers. One of the principal manuscripts reads dexiobolouv, “those who throw with the right hand.”
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
PAUL SENT FROM JERUSALEM TO FELIX AT CAESAREA V. 23-35
1) “And he called unto him two centurions, saying,” (kai proskalesamenos tinas fuo ton hekatontarchon eipen) “And he called two certain (specific, trusted) centurions, and instructed,” charged them as follows:
2) “Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea,” (hetoimasate stratiotas diakosious hopos pareuthosin heos Kaisareias) “You all prepare two hundred soldiers so that they may go as far as Caesarea,” a distance of some sixty miles overland. They were javelin-throwing, light-armed soldiers.
3) “And horsemen threescore and ten,” (kai hippeis hebimekonta) “And seventy horsemen,” cavalry men, also prepared for the trip to Caesarea.
4) “And spearmen two hundred,” (kai deksiolabous diakosious) “And two hundred spearmen,” bearers of spears also prepared for a trip to Caesarea, making four hundred foot soldiers and seventy cavalry men. The depot at Jerusalem was large enough to spare this number of men.
5) “At the third hour of the night “ (apo trites horas tes
nuktos) “At or shortly following the third hour of the night,” to leave about nine o’clock in the evening so that by daybreak Paul would be safely, a safe distance from the conspirators; The number of the 470 escort was designed to guard against any unexpected surprise attack.
He who does “exceeding abundantly above that we are able to ask or think,” in his provisions, provided more than ten protectors for each of the 40 conspirators against Paul, Eph 3:20; Php_4:19.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
CRITICAL REMARKS
Act. 23:23. Two.Not one or two (Howson), but some or certain twoi.e., two or three (Hackett) of the centurions. Compare some two of the disciples (Luk. 7:19). Soldiers.Heavy armed, as distinguished from the horsemen. The spearmen, , right hand graspersan obscure word, not yet satisfactorily explainedhave been interpreted as meaning military lictors who guarded prisoners, and were so called from taking the right side (Kuinoel), but probably signified a lightly armed Roman cohort of slingers and javelin throwers (Jos., Wars, II. Act. 17:5; III. Act. 7:18; IV. Act. 1:3), hence rightly enough named spearmen.
Act. 23:25. A letter after this manner.Lit., having this type, as to verbal form, stamp, and contents. Such a writing relative to a prisoner, called an elogium, was required by Roman law to be sent with every prisoner forwarded to a magistrate for trial. That this was not the actual missive of Claudius Lysias, but only a free reproduction of what the writer of the Acts supposed it might be, has been argued
(1) from the difficulty of understanding how the writer of the Acts would get to know what Lysias wrote, and
(2) from its similarity to the introduction of Luke (Act. 1:3), which, like it, uses the epithet most excellent, and to the Jerusalem letter, which employs the same salutation, greeting (Act. 15:23). But as to
(1), the letter of Lysias may have been unsealed and shown to Paul, if not also to Luke, who most likely accompanied him; while as to
(2), it need only be supposed that Lysias, Luke, and James, knew the art of polite letter-writing. It is a gratuitous assumption to assert that the composer of the Acts is responsible for the inaccuracy which occurs in Lysias letter (Holtzmann).
Act. 23:28. I brought him forthbetter, downinto their council.This clause is omitted by some authorities.
Act. 23:30. From the Received Text the word should be struck out, according to the best authorities; but even then two constructions are combined:
(1) , and
(2) . The sense, however is, it having been shown to me that there would be a plot against the man. By the Jews is wanting in the oldest codices. So is the concluding word, farewell, which was probably inserted from Act. 15:29.
Act. 23:31. By, or during night the apostle with his escort travelled to Antipatris.
Act. 23:32. On the morrow after their arrival at Antipatris. Returned to the castle.Possibly one of the centurions (Act. 23:23), along with the footmen and spearmen.
Act. 23:35. I will hear thee.Perhaps fully should be added to convey the force of the preposition. The rule of Roman law was: Qui cum elogio mittuntur ex integro audiendi sunt. The governor of a province was not to give implicit credit to the document with which a prisoner was sent to him; he must institute an independent examination of the case for himself (Hackett).
HOMILETICAL ANALYSIS.Act. 23:23-35
The Midnight Ride to Csarea; or, Pauls Safety Ensured
I. The departure from Jerusalem.
1. The time. The third hour of the night; i.e., about nine oclock in the evening. The military tribune obviously lost no time. Neither had God. The conspiracy had been hatched in the early hours of the morning. In the course of the forenoon it might be laid before the council. In the afternoon it was public talk in the inns. In the evening by nine oclock, it was defeated. Well says Russell Lowell in his Biglow Papers:
And youve got to get up early
If you want to take in God.
2. The escort. Two hundred footmen, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen. A large guard for the protection of one man. From this may be inferred the military tribunes sense of the danger arising from the reckless daring of the Sicarii which infested the country. Besides, the Roman citizenship of Paul rendered it necessary that no risk should be run of harm coming to him while in the tribunes care. Or, perhaps, finding Paul to be a very extraordinary man, the chief captain was proud to have him his prisorer and under his protection; and the mighty parade with which he sent him off intimates as much (Henry).
3. The destination. The soldiers were simply told they were to go to Csarea. Even the centurion was not informed at first of the reason of this midnight march. His instructions ran to provide beasts of burden, either horses or mulesto carry packages he might infer, but, as Luke indicates, to set Paul on one of them, and so convey him safe to Felix.
4. The accompanying letter.
(1) Its writer. Claudius Lysias, concerning whom nothing is known beyond what is here recorded.
(2) Its recipient. Felix (Antoninus), at that time Roman Procurator of Juda, to which office he had been appointed A.D. 53. A freedman of the emperor Claudius, and brother of Pallas the favourite of Nero, he exercised his power as a prince with the spirit of a slave (Tacitus, Hist., Act. 23:9), while Josephus (Ant., XX. viii. 5) relates that under this rule the affairs of the Jews grew worse and worse continually. Suetonius affirms that he was the husband of three queens: (a) Drusilla, the daughter of Juba, king of Mauritania and Selene, the daughter of Antony and Cleopatra; (b) another Drusilla, the daughter of Herod Agrippa I., sister of Herod Agrippa II., and wife of Azizus, King of Emesa, whom she left to marry Felix; and (c) a royal lady, whose name is unknown. This immoral governor ruled over Juda for seven or eight years, was recalled by Nero in the year A.D. 60 or 61, and accused by the Csarean Jews, but acquitted on the intercession of his brother Pallas (Jos., Ant. XX., viii. 9). He was succeeded by Festus. Tradition reports that along with Drusilla and their son he perished in an eruption of Mount Vesuvius, in the days of Titus Csar.
(3) Its contents. After a courteous salutation (Act. 23:26), it explained how Paul had come into his hands (Act. 23:27), and why Paul was now forwarded to him (Act. 23:30). The apostle had been rescued by him (Lysias) when in danger of being slain in the temple (Act. 23:27), because he (Lysias) had come to know that he (Paul) was a Romanan incorrect statement, which Lysias makes to represent his own conduct in the most favourable light, and which indirectly confirms the genuineness of the letter (Meyer). The apostle had been examined before the council of his countrymen, with the result that nothing had been found against him worthy of death or of bonds, but only certain charges about questions of their law had been advanced to his discredit (Act. 23:28-29). The apostles life had become imperilled in consequence of a conspiracy against him, which had come to his, the tribunes ears, and which was the reason why Paul had been forwarded to Csarea, that if his accusers had aught to urge against him they might do so before a regular tribunal.
II. The arrival at Csarea.
1. The halt at Antipatris. This town, built by Herod the Great, on a site called Kaphar-saba (Jos., Ant., XIII. xv. 1; XVI. Act. 23:2)the modern Kefr Sbaand named Antipatris in honour of his father, was forty miles from Jerusalem, on the direct road to Csarea, and might easily be reached, by a forced march of four miles an hour, by seven or nine oclock a.m. Here the cavalcade halted for the day, and on the morrowi.e., the day after arriving at Antipatristhe horsemen and spearmen proceeded on their journey to complete the twenty-six miles that remained between Antipatris and Csarea, the soldiers returning to Jerusalem, as the most dangerous part of the road was then passed.
2. The presentation of the letter and the prisoner to Felix. This was done on reaching Csarea. Felix, on perusing the document, put only one question, inquiring to what province the prisoner belonged. Felix was not the principal Roman official in that part of the empire. The proconsul of Syria bore supreme authority over Juda. Felix was proconsul, or deputy, of Juda under that great official. Felix deemed it expedient to inquire respecting the nationality of the prisoner, as it might have been desirable to have him sent at once to the seat of the government of some other procurator or proconsul (Spence). Compare Pilates action in sending Christ, a Galilean, to be judged by Herod (Luk. 23:6-7).
3. The decision of Felix concerning Paul. Having learnt that Paul belonged to Cilicia, Felix determined to investigate his cause himself. The political motives which induced him to retain a Cilician in Juda are to us now unknown (Spence). When Pauls accusers should arrive the trial would be opened. Meanwhile the apostle was commanded to be kept in Herods judgment-hall, pretorium, or palaceoriginally a mansion, erected by Herod for his accommodation, but then used as an official residence by the Roman governor. Most likely a part of this edifice was set apart for the lodging of state prisoners, and in any case it is apparent that in Csarea Paul was not treated like a common criminal, but allowed a large amount of liberty, his friends being permitted to visit him (Act. 24:23), during the two years of his confinement in that city.
Learn
1. The respect which Christians, when sincere, exact, even from men of the world. This shown by the numerous guard provided to escort Paul.
2. The disrespect to truth which is often exhibited by men of the world. This instanced by Lysias inaccuracy in his letter.
3. The possibility of finding virtue in the hearts of those who have not been renewed by Divine grace. As in Lysias.
HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Act. 23:25-30. Lysias Letter to Felix. This epistle, which is a good specimen of the Roman method of writing letters, may be considered as a model of brevity, simplicity, and perspicuity. The customary title of respect to a superior, and expression of good-will, are once only made use of; and in this it differs exceedingly from modern epistles to persons of high rank and authority, which are generally encumbered with multiplied compliments and ascriptions of honour. Lysias, however, was careful not to intimate to Felix that he had bound Paul, in order to scourge him; and as we suppose this to have been an exact copy of the letter, it appears he was willing Felix should conclude that his interposition in Pauls favour arose from a previous knowledge that he was a Roman citizen, though it is evident this was not the case. In other respects, the account was fair and candid; and we cannot wonder that a heathen should state his conduct in that light which was most favourable to his own reputation and advancement, and not likely to injure any man (Scott). This letter shows us that Claudius Lysias has granted protection to the Roman citizen without being attracted by the witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. The respect of a Roman, which he demands of the Jews, he wilfully emphasises, by so representing the matter as if he had rescued Paul from the Jews, after having learnt of his Roman citizenship. Through this crafty report he expected to receive from his excellency Felix the governor the more praise, while we see that Lysias was a man of not more than heathen virtue. The more powerfully also through this showed the hand of the Lord, which can deliver from the wisdom of the mighty and can make all things, even the ambition of a heathen officer, work for the good of poor Christians (Besser).
Act. 23:31. The Apostles Ride to Antipatris.A modern counterpart of this has been found in Luthers conveyance to Wartburg by his friends after the Diet of Worms. He was enjoined not to preach on his way home. Declaring, however, that the word of God was free, he preached, despite the injunction, at Hirschfeld and Eisenach. As he was making a little dtour from the latter place, in order to visit some of his relatives and friends at Mhia, near Salzungen, he was suddenly fallen upon, in the neighbourhood of Altenstein and Walters-hansen, by a company of horsemen, lifted out of the waggon, and whilst his companions, Nicholas Amsdorf and James Luther, were suffered quietly to go on their way, he was set upon a horse, driven about for some hours in the forest, and finally, at eleven oclock at night, brought to the castle of Warnburg, near Eisenach, which had formerly been the seat of the old landgraves of Thuringia. It soon became evident that this sudden capture, which, in all probability, was ordered by the elector, was intended to secure the well-being and personal safety of the Reformer (Hagenbachs History of the Reformation, i. 138, 139).
Pauls Midnight Escapes.
I. From Damascus.By being let down over the city wall in a basket (Act. 9:25).
II. From Thessalonica.After the uproar in that city, by being sent away to Bera (Act. 17:10).
III. From Jerusalem.To Antipatris and Csarea.
Pauls Last Departure from Jerusalem.
I. A mournful departure of a witness for the truth, whose message of salvation his blinded people have rejected.
II. The glorious, triumphant march of an anointed servant of God, whom the Lord leads victoriously through the midst of enemies.
III. The solemn homeward journey of a warrior of Christ, who goes to meet his last fight, his last victory, his last reward.Gerok.
Act. 23:33-35. Pauls First Interview with Felix.
I. Presented to the governor.The representative of the Lord of the whole earth to the plenipotentiary of Csar, the minister of heaven to the servant of Rome, the noblest man that ever stood in Herods palace to one of the worst that ever found in it a home.
II. Questioned by the governor.As to what province he was of. Perhaps out of mere curiosity, more likely because he wished if possible to shirk an unpleasant duty by handing him over to some other official. The least important question Felix could have asked.
III. Accepted with the governorSo far, at least, as not to be condemned by him without a hearing. Even Felix accorded him what his countrymen so often denied himpermission to defend himself. He should not be pronounced a criminal without a fair trial. Sometimes heathens may teach their more enlightened fellows lessons in morality and goodness.
IV. Lodged beside the governor.Kept in Herods palace. Another trace of the faithful care of God for His servant, as He granted him time and rest to pray and strengthen himself in the Lord; but also an unconscious tribute of respect and honour paid by Felix to the illustrious prisoner who stood before him.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(23) Spearmen two hundred . . .Literally, right hand graspers. The word was a strictly technical one, and seems to have been applied to those light armed troops who carried a light spear or javelin in their right hands, as contrasted with those who carried the old spear, with a heavier shaft, which had to be wielded by both. They are coupled by the military writers of the Byzantine empire with archers and peltast, or light shield-bearers. The escort seems a large one for a single prisoner, but the tumults of the previous days, and the information just received as to the conspiracy, gave the chiliarch good reason to apprehend a formidable attack.
At the third hour of the night.Assuming that St. Luke uses the Jewish reckoning, this would be about 9 or 10 p.m. It was evidently the object of the chiliarch to place the prisoner beyond the reach of an attack before daybreak. With this view, all, as well as the horsemen, were to be mounted.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
23. Two hundred soldiers Probably the largest body guard the now rescued apostle ever had.
Third hour At nine o’clock at night this little army, four hundred and seventy strong, horse, foot, and light-armed, prepared for every kind of ground, and every mode of attack, starting from Jerusalem, took the high ridge-road leading toward Sychem, and arrived as far as Gophna by midnight, as their first stopping place. Thence they took a Roman road, of which traces are still visible, slanting northwest-wardly, to Antipatris, where all but the horsemen, who were seventy strong, left to return to Jerusalem.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And he called to him two of the centurions, and said, “Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and two hundred spearmen (or packhorses), at the third hour of the night, and he bade them provide beasts, that they might set Paul on them, and bring him safe to Felix the governor.” ’
Then he called two centurions and told them to take a largish force and escort Paul to Caesarea, to the procurator Felix in the procurator’s palace. This force was to be comprise of two hundred soldiers, seventy cavalry and two hundred ‘dexialabous’ or (in A) ‘dexiabolous’ (we do not know the meaning of the first word. Possibly it signifies light-armed soldiers, or right handed bowmen or spearmen or slingers, or even pack horses so as to give the impression that the expedition had another purpose. Dexiabolous probably indicates right-handed slingers). This would deprive the fortress of a good proportion of its force for a short while, but the chief captain could not be sure how many men they might have to deal with if anything was suspected and they were waylaid. He was quite well aware of the excited state of the populace, which was continually in a state of ferment at this time, which could easily be roused to assist any attempt on a small force. He may, however, have also taken the opportunity of fulfilling another errand, hence the packhorses, and simply have brought that aim forward. Paul was also to be provided with a horse, and one for his luggage. They left at 21:00 hours that evening. Hopefully no one would suspect the reason for the departure. There was no reason why they should.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Paul is Sent to Felix the Governor In Act 23:23-35 we have the account of Paul being sent to Felix the governor.
Act 23:23 Comments Four hundred and seventy men seems to be more than enough men to safely escort Paul to Caesarea. However, this Roman captain understood how difficult the Jews were to manage when incited by religious issues. Therefore, he had the authority to make such a large scale escort, and he would not take any chance of having a Jewish mob threaten his men, or Paul, whom he knew was a Roman citizen.
Act 23:24 “And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on” – Comments – Paul was given this grand escort because it was now known that he was a Roman citizen.
“and bring him safe unto Felix the governor” Comments – Josephus records the appointment of Felix as procurator of Galilee, and Samaria, and Perea by Emperor Claudius ( Antiquities 20.7.1, Wars 2.12.8).
Act 23:26 Comments – Claudius Lysias is mentioned a number of times in the previous passage as the chief captain (Act 21:33; Act 21:37; Act 22:26-28). The EGT suggests that his Greek name was Lysias, and his Roman name Claudius, which may have been inferred upon him when he purchased his Roman citizenship (Act 22:28). [291]
[291] W. Robertson Nicoll, ed., The Expositor’s Greek Testament, vol. 2 (New York: George H. Doran Company, n.d.), 463.
Act 21:33, “Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.”
Act 21:37, “And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?”
Act 22:26, “When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.”
Act 23:31 Comments – The city of Antipatris is mentioned only one time in Scripture (Act 23:31). This city is also mentioned by Josephus on seven occasions ( Antiquities 13.15.1; 16.5.2, Wars 1.4.7; 1.21.9, 2.19.1, 9; 4.8.1 ). Easton says this city lay along “the great Roman road from Caesarea to Jerusalem.” Smith says i ts ancient name was Capharsaba, but it was rebuilt by Herod, who changed it to Antipatris, in honor of his father, Antipater. Easton says the proposed ruins of ancient Antipatris are identified today with the modern, Ras-el-Ain, where the springs of Aujeh, which are largest springs in Palestine, rise out of these foothills. Thus, it would have served as a refreshing stop along such a journey.
Act 23:33 Comments – The city of Caesarea was the capital of this part of the Roman Empire, just as Jerusalem was the capital of the Jewish nation.
Act 23:35 “And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s judgment hall” Comments – The Greek word “praetorium” ( ) (G4232) is translated “judgment hall” in the KJV in Act 23:35. The Enhanced Strong says this word is used 8 times in the New Testament, being translated in the KJV as, “judgment hall 4, hall of judgment 1, common hall 1, praetorium 1, palace 1.” The word “praetorium” is of Latin origin, and according to Lightfoot it properly means, “the general’s tent,” or “the head-quarters in a camp.” [292] BDAG says it originally referred to “the praetor’s tent in camp, with its surroundings,” but that this word was later used to refer to the residence of Roman governor, who presided over a province. The ISBE says that the Romans customarily seized the existing palaces of local kings or princes and made it into their official “praetorium.” According to BDAG, the “praetorium” mentioned in the Gospels where Jesus was tried refers either to Herod’s palace located in the western part of the city of Jerusalem, or “to the fortress Antonia” located “northwest of the temple area.” (see Mat 27:27, Mar 15:16, Joh 18:28 a,b, 33; Act 19:9) In Act 23:35 Paul’s trial would have taken place in Herod’s palace in Caesarea, which was used as the residence of the Roman governor. Thus, these palaces were used to hear disputes by the governor and pass judgment. Regarding the use of this word in Php 1:13, since Paul’s imprisonment is generally believed to be in Rome, Lightfoot supports the popular view that the word “praetorium” refers more specifically to “the imperial guard,” rather than to a building. Lightfoot believes that “in Rome itself a ‘praetorium’ would not have been tolerated.” He thus translates this word as “the imperial guards.” [293]
[292] J. B. Lightfoot, Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians (London: MacMillan and Co., c1868, 1903), 99.
[293] J. B. Lightfoot, Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians (London: MacMillan and Co., c1868, 1903), 101-102.
Fuente: Everett’s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures
Paul Brought to Caesarea.
The preparations for the journey:
v. 23. And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen three score and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
v. 24. and provide them beasts that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix, the governor.
v. 25. And he wrote a letter after this manner:
v. 26. Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent Governor Felix sendeth greeting.
v. 27. This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them; then came I with an army and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
v. 28. And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council;
v. 29. whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
v. 30. And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell. It is to the credit of Lysias that he chose the course which both justice and prudence dictated. By ignoring the information received he might have become an accomplice in the murder of Paul. By slaying the assassins as they were making their assault, he would have made the Jews his bitter enemies. But he acted quickly and prudently. He summoned two of the centurions in his command and ordered them to make ready for a march to Caesarea, have in readiness to march, about nine o’clock in the evening, two hundred men infantry, heavily armed soldiers, and seventy cavalry, and two hundred light-armed soldiers, javelin-throwers or lance-bearers. Saddle-animals were also to be provided, in order that they might set Paul on one of them, with a change, if necessary, and lead him safely down to Felix, the governor, who resided at Caesarea, the political capital of the province. If Lysias had only one thousand men in his command at Jerusalem, 760 infantry and 240 cavalry, he reduced his force considerably in order to provide a safe escort to Paul, but the gravity of the situation was fully appreciated by him, and he took his measures accordingly. He also wrote a letter to the governor as to the man higher in rank and the highest court in the province. This letter is interesting because colored by the understanding of Lysias, and because it naturally aims to place his own conduct in the most favorable light. Luke gives a summary of this letter. It opens with the usual complimentary, introductory greeting of the writer to the addressee. Lysias says of Paul, whom he mentions with respect, that he had been taken, laid hold on, by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, when he, appearing seemingly just in time with the soldiers under his command, had taken him away and thus rescued him. Here the fact that Lysias refers to the army would naturally imply that it took all the soldiers of the garrison to quell the disturbance, and would impress the governor with his circumspection. The same is true of the statement that he had done so after having learned that Paul was a Roman citizen. Here also the tribune, for the sake of emphasizing his zeal in the public service, strains the truth, for he found out only after the rescue that Paul was a Roman. The writer then continues to tell how he had earnestly wanted to find out the reason why they were accusing him, and had taken him into a meeting of their Synedrion. There he had found out only so much that he was accused concerning certain demands of the Jews’ law, but that he had committed no crime which merited death or even imprisonment. In the meantime he had been informed that some of them were plotting against this man, to take his life, wherefore he had sent to the governor without delay (again emphasizing his zeal), incidentally announcing to the accusers that they must bring their matter before the governor. The entire letter shows that Lysias was making every effort to impress Felix favorably, for in the great game of politics one never can tell just how much a good impression may be worth, and advancement was always welcome. Christians will make the application of such stories by remembering the Lord’s injunction to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, Mat 10:16.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Act 23:23 . ] some two ; see on Act 19:14 . Comp. Thuc. viii. 100. 5 : . Luk 7:19 . It leaves the exact number in uncertainty; Krger, Lev 16:4 .
So considerable a force was ordered, in order to be secure against any possible contingency of a further attempt.
] is, on account of the succeeding , to be understood of the usual Roman infantry ( , Herodian, i. 12. 19), milites gravis armaturae , distinguished also from the peculiar kind of light infantry afterwards mentioned as .
] a word entirely strange to ancient Greek, perhaps at that time only current colloquially, and not finding its way into the written language. It first occurs in Theophylactus Simocatta, [150] and then again in the tenth century in Constant. Porphyr. Themat . i. 1 (see Wetstein). At all events, it must denote some kind of force under the command of the tribune, and that a light-armed infantry, as the . are distinguished both from the cavalry and from the . That they were infantry, their great number also proves. It is safest to regard them as a peculiar kind of the light troops called rorarii or velites , and that either as jaculatores (javelin-throwers, Liv. Act 22:21 ) or funditores (slingers), for in Constant. Porphyr. ( . , , ) they are expressly distinguished from the sagittarii , or bowmen ( .), and from the targeteers, the peltastae (or cetrati , see Liv. xxxi. 36). Detailed grounds are wanting for a more definite decision. [151] The name . ( those who grasp with the right hand ) is very naturally explained from their kind of weapon, which was restricted in its use to the right hand (it was otherwise with the heavy-armed troops, and also with the bowmen and peltastae). This word has frequently been explained (following Suidas: ) halberdiers, life guardsmen (who protect the right side of the commander), to which, perhaps, the translation of the Vulgate (also Ath. and Sahidic): lancearios (from the spear which the halberdiers carried), is to be referred. Already the Coptic and Syriac p. translate stipatores . Meursius (in the Glossar .), on the other hand: military lictors (“Manum nimirum injiciebant maleficis”). But even apart from the passages of Theophyl. Simocatta, and Constant. Porphyr., of whom the latter particularly mentions the . alongside of the purely light-armed soldiers, and indeed alongside of mere ordinary soldiers: the great number of them is decisive against both views. For that the commander of a cohort should have had a body-guard, of which he could furnish two hundred men for the escort of a prisoner, is just as improbable, as that he should have had as many lictors at his disposal. On the whole, then, the reading in A (Syr. jaculantes dextra ; Erp. jaculatores ), approved by Grotius and Valckenaer, is to be considered as a correct interpretation, whether they be understood to be javelin-throwers or slingers.
] from this time (about nine in the evening) they were to have this force in readiness, because the convoy was to start, for the sake of the greatest possible security from the Jews, at the time of darkness and of the first sleep.
[150] In the seventh century. The passage in question, v. 1, is as follows: . . From this it only follows that they must have been a light-armed force.
[151] Ewald, p. 577, now explains it from , grasp of the sword ; holding that they were spiculatores cum lanceis (Sueton. Claud . 35); and that they carried their sword, not on the left, but on the right . But we do not see why this was necessary for the sake of using their spears by the right hand. The sword on the left side would, indeed, have been least a hindrance to them in the use of the spear. Earlier, Ewald took them to be slingers .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; (24) And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. (25) And he wrote a letter after this manner: (26) Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. (27) This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. (28) And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: (29) Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. (30) And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell. (31) Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. (32) On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: (33) Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. (34) And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; (35) I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s judgment hall.
I should not have thought it necessary to have detained the Reader at this place, but to remark to him how the Lord must have wrought, upon this chief captain’s mind, through fear for his own safety to provide for Paul’s. It appears from his letter to Felix, as here inserted, that he wanted to shew the governor what an high regard he had fur the Roman name, but he artfully concealed that he had bound Paul, while he tells him that he understood he was a Roman. And I pray the Reader yet further to observe, with what contempt he speaks of the accusations brought against Paul, which he called questions of their law. The resurrection of the dead, and a world to come, which Paul was called in question for, (see Act 23:6 ) was, in this poor heathen’s view, things of no moment! Reader! think of your mercies in Christ! Since the Son of God brought life and immortality to light through his Gospel, oh! how precious the thought, that these things are no longer questionable, 2Ti 1:10 . Oh! what unspeakable mercies hath Jesus brought his Church! And, oh! what distinguishing grace, when a soul is made the happy partaker of Christ, and all his mercies with him? Heb 3:14 . Reader! what saith your heart to both?
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
23 And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
Ver. 23. At the third hour of the night ] A well chosen season is the greatest advantage of any action, which, as it is seldom found in haste, so it is often lost in delay.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
23. ] some two : see reff., and Winer, edn. 6, 25. 2. b .
, the ordinary heavy-armed legionary soldiers: distinguished below from the and .
] This word has never been satisfactorily explained. Suidas, Phavorinus, Beza, Kuin., al, explain it : Meursius, in his Glossarium Grcobarbarum, a kind of military lictors , ; the Vulgate, lancearios (spearmen , E. V.): Meyer, a sort of light-armed troops, rorarii or velites , either jaculatores or funditores . He quotes a passage from Constantine Porphyrogenitus ( . , , ) where they are distinguished from bowmen and peltast, and derives the name from grasping the weapon with the right hand , which the peltast and bowmen could not be said to do. The reading of , ( jaculantes dextr Syr.), is apparently a correction.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 23:23 . See critical note; if we place before , Blass, Weiss, Knaben bauer take it of two centurions whom he could specially trust, see their notes in loco , and Blass, Gram. , p. 174. In Luk 7:19 the order is different, Blass compares Herman, Vis. , i., 4, 3, (but see on the other hand Page’s note, and Wendt, edit. 1899). : here only in Acts, but frequent in Luke’s Gospel, more so than in Matthew or Mark, in John only twice. On the aorist imperfect see Winer-Moulton, xliii., 3, “have immediately in readiness to march”. . .: milites gravis armatur . Blass brackets the first ., and before , so that . includes under it both and , see critical note. .: apparently a special class of light-armed soldiers (javelin-throwers, Livy, Act 22:21 , or slingers), Schrer, Jewish People , div. i., vol. ii., p. 56, E.T., who says that this much only is certain. The word only occurs elsewhere twice, and that in later Greek literature of the seventh and tenth century (see references in Grimm-Thayer, sub v. , and Meyer Wendt, in loco ), where they are distinguished from the and . Probably from and , grasping their weapons by the right hand, so here of those who carried their light weapon, a lance, in their right hand, Vulgate, lancearios . This is more probable than the derivation from , a sword-hilt, as if the word referred to spiculatores cum lanceis , who wore their swords fastened not on the left but on the right (so Ewald). Still more fanciful is the derivation of Egli who accented thus , and took the word to refer to those who were unable to use the right hand, Jdg 3:15 ; Jdg 20:16 , so “lefthanded” slingers. Others interpret as if the word meant military lictors who guarded captives bound by the right hand, but their large number here seems to conflict with such an interpretation (Grimm-Thayer), see the full notes of Meyer Wendt, 1888, 1899, and cf. Renan, Saint Paul , p. 532, Overbeck for various interpretations, and Winer-Schmiedel, p. 69. A reads (Syr. Pesh. jaculantes dextra , Ar e jaculatores ), which would be a correct interpretation if we understood the word of javelin-throwers or slingers. : about nine in the evening; the journey was to commence from that time, so that by daybreak Paul would be in safety, cf. Act 10:30 . The number of the escort was meant to guard against surprise.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
he called = having called.
two = certain (Greek. tis. App-123.) two.
saying = he said.
to = as far as. Greek. heos. About seventy miles.
Caesarea. See note on Act 8:40.
horsemen. Greek. hippeus. Only here and Act 23:32.
spearmen. Greek. dexiolabos. Only here. Some light-armed troops are meant.
at = from. Greek. apo. App-104. The third hour of the night was 9pm, and no one could pursue till the gates were open at 6am.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
23. ] some two: see reff., and Winer, edn. 6, 25. 2. b.
, the ordinary heavy-armed legionary soldiers: distinguished below from the and .
] This word has never been satisfactorily explained. Suidas, Phavorinus, Beza, Kuin., al, explain it :-Meursius, in his Glossarium Grcobarbarum,-a kind of military lictors, ;-the Vulgate, lancearios (spearmen, E. V.):-Meyer, a sort of light-armed troops, rorarii or velites,-either jaculatores or funditores. He quotes a passage from Constantine Porphyrogenitus ( . , , ) where they are distinguished from bowmen and peltast,-and derives the name from grasping the weapon with the right hand, which the peltast and bowmen could not be said to do. The reading of , (jaculantes dextr Syr.), is apparently a correction.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 23:23. , two hundred body-guards)[133] Whether we read , or from one very old MS., , the word expresses an unknown kind of soldiers; and concerning each of the two readings, Grotius has made a very few remarks. Therefore we may the more wonder that two hundred of them were in this case ordered to be got ready. An Arabic rendering, mentioned in Erpenius and Ludovicus de Dieu, has eighty. If other witnesses were added to this Arabian one, we might suppose that crept in from what goes before. At all events for too large a number of soldiers was put in motion against more than forty zealots.[134]
[133] Lit. satellites, who protect the right side of a person, from .-E. and T.
[134] BE read ; but A, . Vulg. and e have lanciarios; Syr. jaculantes dextr; Memph. and later Syr. stipatores.-E. and T.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
two centurions: Act 23:17
at: About nine o’clock in the evening, for the greater secrecy, and to elude the cunning, active malice of the Jews. Mat 14:25, Luk 12:38
Reciprocal: 2Sa 16:13 – cast dust Pro 24:11 – General Pro 27:10 – better Mat 8:5 – a centurion Mat 27:54 – the centurion Luk 7:8 – under Act 8:40 – Caesarea Act 10:1 – in Act 17:10 – the brethren Act 18:22 – Caesarea Act 21:8 – Caesarea Act 21:32 – took Act 23:31 – as Act 24:7 – the chief Act 24:11 – but
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
3
Act 23:23. This was a military escort to conduct Paul to Caesarea, the headquarters of the Roman government in Palestine. Altogether there were 470 military men in the escort, some of whom had special services to perform. The horsemen were included to continue the guarded journey after the others returned to Jerusalem (verse 32). This journey was begun at 9 P. M. according to our time.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 23:23. And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Csarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night. Four hundred and seventy soldiers seems to have been a large force to have guarded a single prisoner from the murderous design of forty Sicarii, but the disturbed uneasy state of the entire country must be borne in mind, and the Roman commander in Antonia was perplexed and alarmed about the whole matter. He suspected there was more in the charge against Paul than met the eye, and was anxious to deliver the accused safe into the hands of the superior authority at Csarea. The fact, too, of the Roman citizenship of the prisoner, whose death was evidently earnestly desired by the Jewish Sanhedrim, made him more cautious. This large and powerful escort was to set out in all secrecy, when it was dark, at the third hour of the night,that is, nine oclock in the evening,as Claudius Lysias desired, if possible, to avoid any collision with the zealots and their supporters in the supreme council. There is some doubt as to the meaning of the Greek word translated spearmen ), rendered in the Vulgate lancearios, as the term is never found in any Greek writings before the time of Constantine Porphyro-genitus, who makes use of it hundreds of years later to describe some light-armed troops. Some commentators, arguing from the meaning of the words with which the term is compounded, have supposed that they were a body-guard who protected the right side of the commanding officer, others that they were military lictors. Ewald suggests they were Arabian auxiliaries attached to the Roman forces in Juda, Arabia being famous for its slingers. On the whole, our English translation spearmen, which reproduces the Vulgate lancearii, is likely to be correct.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Paul Sent to Felix
The chief captain, whose name was Claudius Lysias, immediately called two centurions to him. He commanded them to ready 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen to escort Paul to Caesarea. Their departure time was the third hour of the night, or 9 p.m. They were also instructed to provide mounts for Paul and take him to the governor, Felix, who occupied much the same position as Pilate had in Christ’s day. Coffman reports, “The epitaph which history has written by his name is this: ‘With savagery and lust, he exercised the powers of a king with the disposition of a slave.'” Since we know Festus took his place in 59 A.D. and Paul was with him two years, we would conclude Paul was sent to him in 57 A.D.
Lysias, according to Luke, sent a letter to Felix. Luke reported the gist of its contents, noting that Lysias slightly embellished the story, as he told Felix that he learned Paul was a Roman and so saved him from the mob. He also wrote that, in his opinion, Paul had done nothing worthy of either prison or death. Since he had learned of the conspiracy to murder Paul, Lysias informed Felix that he sent the apostle to him and commanded the Jews to appear before the governor to present their case.
The soldiers took Paul and the letter and marched between 12 and 16 miles to Antipatris. The next day, the soldiers and spearmen returned to their barracks and the horsemen went with Paul to Caesarea, some 26 miles further north. They presented Paul to the governor, along with the letter. Felix asked what province Paul was from. After the apostle told him he was from Cilicia, he told him he would hear from him after his accusers came. Paul was then kept in Herod’s Praetorium, or palace ( Act 23:23-35 ).
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
Act 23:23-30. And he called two centurions In whom he could particularly confide; saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers Thus the chief captain prudently sends Paul away to Cesarea by night, under a strong guard, to the governor Felix. Provide them beasts If a change should be necessary; to set Paul on So we read of his riding once, but not by choice. And he wrote a letter, &c. To Felix on the occasion; which may be considered as a specimen of the Roman method of writing letters, and is certainly a model of brevity, simplicity, and perspicuity. This man was taken of the Jews Was seized by a multitude of them, who made a sudden insurrection on his account. Then came I with an army With a party of soldiers, and rescued him from their furious assault; having understood that he was a Roman True; but not before he rescued him. He here uses art.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
23-30. There were at least three lines of policy between which the chiliarch could have chosen. If he had been disposed to gratify the Jews, he might have given Paul up to their malice, without probability of being known to his superiors as accessory to the murder. If he had preferred to defy their power, and display his own, he might have sent him down to the Sanhedrim under a strong guard. Or if he desired to protect Paul, yet to avoid giving unnecessary offense to the Jews, he might send him away that night before their request was laid before him. It reflects credit upon his character that he chose the course which both justice and prudence dictated. (23) “And he called to him two of the centurions, and said, Make ready two hundred soldiers, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen, to go to Csarea at the third hour of the night, (24) and provide beasts, in order that they may mount Paul and take him to Felix the governor. (25) And he wrote a letter in this form: (26) Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix, greeting. (27) This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came with the soldiery and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. (28) And desiring to know the cause for which they accused him, I led him down into their Sanhedrim, (29) and found him accused concerning questions of their law, but having nothing laid to his charge worthy of dead or of bonds. (30) And it being disclosed to me that a plot against the man was about to be executed by the Jews, I immediately sent him to you, commanding his accusers to say before you what they have against him. Farewell.” But for one misrepresentation in this letter, there would be nothing discreditable to Lysias in this whole affair. He had acted like a just and prudent man in managing a difficult case; but in reporting to his superior, he so states the facts as to give himself credit to which he was not entitled. He states that his first rescue of Paul was prompted by the fact that he was a Roman citizen; whereas, in truth, he knew nothing of Paul’s citizenship till after he had seized him and had prepared to scourge him. Thus a motive was claimed which was not real, and a fault which he had committed was suppressed. When we remember, however, that it is a common fault with military commanders to make the most favorable reports of their achievements, we are not disposed to give Lysias a low rank among his compeers for veracity.
The statement that he had commanded Paul’s accusers to say before Felix what they had against him, was not strictly true; for, at the time of writing, he had given no such command. But it was not intended to deceive the governor; for he intended to issue the order before the letter could be received. When this order was issued, the Jews were bitterly disappointed, and the forty conspirators had a prospect of a good long fast. They naturally felt some ill-will toward Lysias, as we shall see manifested hereafter, for snatching their victim out of their hands.
The letter also shows, that though Lysias could not understand the exact nature of the charges against Paul, he knew that they had reference to the Jewish law, and was satisfied that what they accused him of was not worthy either of death or of imprisonment. Under this conviction, if he had not been constrained to send him away for safety, he would, probably, have released him.
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
Verse 23
To Caesarea; in order to remove him effectually from the scene of danger. The foot-soldiers were only to accompany him a part of the way, until he should have reached a safe distance from the city.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
The commander also realized that Paul’s enemies in Jerusalem would stop at nothing to see him dead. As long as Paul was in Jerusalem there was a danger of rioting. Consequently Claudius prepared to send him to the Roman provincial capital with a heavy guard under cover of night. The number of soldiers may have been 270 or 470 depending on the meaning of dexiolaboi, "spearmen." This word may refer to foot soldiers or to led horses. [Note: Longenecker, "The Acts . . .," p. 535; Neil, p. 231.] The question is whether there were 200 infantry and 70 cavalry, plus 200 spearmen or 200 extra horses. The third hour of the night was 9:00 p.m. This is the third time Paul left a city secretly at night (cf. Act 9:25; Act 17:10). Obviously Claudius Lysias did not want the assassination of a Roman citizen on his record, so he took precautions to protect Paul. Paul’s guards continued to treat him with the respect due a Roman citizen. The commander even provided horses for him to ride on.
"The size of the escort is not excessive, in view of the troubled times and Jewish fanaticism." [Note: Ibid.]