Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 23:32
On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
32. On the morrow ] The original has a conjunction which the Rev. Ver. represents by “But.” These men would return to Jerusalem again on the day of the intended plot.
they left the horsemen to go with him ] Now that they were far away from Jerusalem and in no fear of a surprise, seventy horsemen were guard enough for the remainder of the way. But it may give us some idea of the dangerous state of the country at the time when we consider that the chief captain thought it needful to send with this one prisoner a guard of 470 soldiers. We may also form some idea of what the garrison in Jerusalem must have been when so many men could be detached at a moment’s notice.
and returned to the castle ] Apparently coming back as quickly as it was possible for them to do so. As the road was one much travelled they were probably able to obtain a change of horses here and there.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
They left the horsemen – As they were then beyond the danger of the conspirators, the soldiers who had guarded them thus far returned to Jerusalem.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 32. On the morrow they left the horsemen] Being now so far from Jerusalem, they considered Paul in a state of safety from the Jews, and that the seventy horse would be a sufficient guard; the four hundred foot, therefore, returned to Jerusalem, and the horse went on to Caesarea with Paul. We need not suppose that all this troop did reach Antipatris on the same night in which they left Jerusalem; therefore, instead of, they brought him by night to Antipatris, we may understand the text thus-Then the soldiers took Paul by night, and brought him to Antipatris. And the thirty-second verse need not to be understood as if the foot reached the castle of Antonia the next day, (though all this was possible,) but that, having reached Antipatris, and refreshed themselves, they set out the same day, on their march to Jerusalem; on the morrow they returned, that is, they began their march back again to the castle. See Clarke on Ac 24:1.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The footmen returned to the castle or fort of Antonia in Jerusalem, from whence they did set out, there being no fear of any such design upon Paul at that distance from Jerusalem, which the horsemen might not easily avoid.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
32. On the morrow theytheinfantry.
left the horsementhemselvesno longer needed as a guard. The remaining distance was abouttwenty-five or twenty-six miles.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him,…. That is, the two hundred soldiers, and the two hundred spearmen, who were all on foot, left the seventy horsemen to conduct Paul to Caesarea; for being come to Antipatris, all danger from the Jews was over:
and returned to the castle; the castle Antonia in Jerusalem, from whence they set out.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
On the morrow. After arriving at Antipatris.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “On the morrow,” (te de epaurion) “Then on the following day,” after their long and rapid night flight or (escape) from Jerusalem, Act 23:31. If they traveled at night only, leaving at nine o’clock, it is likely that they took two nights to travel to reach Antipatris, and it was on the next day, after their second night of travel, that:
2) “They left the horsemen to go with him,” (easantes tous hippeis aperchesthai sun auto) “They allowed the horsemen to depart in company with him;” the 70 cavalry men to escort him the remainder of the journey into Caesarea, Act 23:23. It was evidently the judgement of the centurion in charge of Paul, and the soldiers, that Paul was beyond likely surprise attack, that the cavalry alone could not handle alone.
3) “And returned to the castle: (hupestrepsen ten parembolen) “Then they returned to the castle or fort,” of Antonio, back in Jerusalem. The “they” who returned to the castle-fort-barracks, refers to the four hundred foot-soldiers, Act 23:23; Act 23:31.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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32. And the next day. Though Luke did not express before that the soldiers were commanded to return before they came at their way’s end, yet it is certain, that they were appointed to accompany him only unto that place where the chief captain thought Paul would be safe; for he went out privily in the night. And the chief captain knew that so soon as they had finished some part of their journey, there was no farther danger, because the adversaries could have no hope to overtake him; and that it was no point of wisdom − (561) to send part of the garrison far away.
(561) −
“
Tutum… non esse,” it was not safe.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
32. The morrow After their arrival at Antipatris, being forty miles from Jerusalem, and twenty-six miles yet to Cesarea. At this distance from Jerusalem, all danger of attack from the Jewish conspirators having ceased, the infantry return home, leaving Paul in charge of the cavalry escort. Luke’s narrative no more visits Jerusalem.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘But on the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the fortress, and they, when they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him.’
From that point on the full escort was seen as no longer needed and the cavalrymen carried on with Paul, while the infantry returned to the fortress. Once the cavalry reached Caesarea they handed over the letter, and Paul as well.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
Ver. 32. And returned to the castle ] Whereof see Act 21:34 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
32. ] As they had now the lesser half of their journey before them, and that furthest removed from Jerusalem. The appear to have gone back with tbe soldiers.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 23:32 . .: not necessarily the morrow after they left Jerusalem, but the morrow after they arrived at Antipatris. In this interpretation might be taken to mean by night in distinction to by day , so that they may have occupied two nights on the road, see Hackett’s note, in loco . , Lucan, see Act 27:32 ; Act 27:40 ; Act 28:4 . , here “to the castle” A. and R.V., the barracks in Antonia. , Lucan (Friedrich, p. 8), cf. Act 1:12 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
left. Greek. eao. Generally translated “suffer” in the sense of “permit”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
32. ] As they had now the lesser half of their journey before them, and that furthest removed from Jerusalem. The appear to have gone back with tbe soldiers.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Reciprocal: Act 24:11 – but
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Act 23:32. On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle. That is to say, on the morrow after they arrived at Antipatris. Here the foot-soldiers returned to the Jerusalem garrison. As the prisoner had been escorted forty miles from Jerusalem, there was no longer anything to dread from the Sicarii of the plot, and the party of seventy horse were an amply sufficient guard for the remaining twenty-six miles. These were, we read, safely travelled, and Paul was presented to the procurator Felix at Csarea.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 31
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
Verse 32
And returned; as the prisoner was now so far from the city as to be out of immediate danger.