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Acts 23

And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.

And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.

Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.

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.

So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.

Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?

And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.

So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.

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;

And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.

And he wrote a letter after this manner:

Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.

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.

And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:

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.

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.

Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.

On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:

Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;

I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.

What does Acts 23:26 mean?

Explanation

The verse Acts 23:26, "Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting," appears within a context where Claudius Lysias, a Roman tribune and commander, is sending a letter to Felix the governor.

This verse serves as the formal opening of that letter, a common epistolary practice in the ancient world to begin with a polite salutation or greeting to the recipient.

The literal meaning conveys respect and acknowledges Felix's authority.

On a deeper level, it reflects the official and bureaucratic nature of communications within the Roman Empire.

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Historical Context

Within the context of Acts, this verse occurs when the Apostle Paul has been apprehended in Jerusalem due to controversies and disturbances regarding his teachings.

Paul asserts his Roman citizenship, thus compelling Claudius Lysias to transfer him to the higher authority of Governor Felix for a more formal examination and to protect him from a Jewish plot to kill him.

Felix was the Roman procurator of Judea from circa AD 52 to 58/59, and this letter was intended to explain the reasons for Paul's transfer and the complications surrounding his case.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse shows the intersection of the early Christian movement with the Roman legal and political systems.

From a Christian perspective, Paul's tribulations and the involvement of Roman authorities in his fate can be seen as part of divine providence and the spread of the Gospel.

It also shows that early Christianity was not immune to political influences and had to navigate within the established socio-political structures.

Practical Applications

The formal greeting can serve as a reminder of the importance of respect and proper conduct when interacting with authorities.

It also exemplifies the approach of being "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16) in dealings with governmental powers.

One might infer the importance of effective communication, diplomacy, and the recognition of social hierarchies.

Cross-References

Acts 23:33 - "Who, when they came to Caesarea and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him."
Acts 24:1-3 - "And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul."
Acts 23:24 - "And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor."

Language Study

The key phrase in this verse is "Claudius Lysias ... sendeth greeting." In the original Greek, the word for "greeting" is "χαίρειν" (chairein), which is a common form of greeting akin to saying "hello" or "greetings." The name "Claudius Lysias" is of Latin origin, indicating a Roman citizen's name, while "Felix" is a Roman cognomen, meaning "happy" or "fortunate."

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the cultural practices of the Roman Empire, formal letters often began with a greeting to the recipient, indicating both respect and the social standing of the person addressed.

This is similar to formal letter-writing conventions in other ancient cultures, such as those of Greece and Persia.

Religious interpretations from outside Christianity might not place much significance on this verse, viewing it primarily as a historical artifact rather than a source of spiritual insight.

Scientific Perspectives

There is no direct intersection with modern scientific understandings in this particular verse, as it is a straightforward statement within a historical and literary context.

However, forensic and archaeological disciplines may utilize such texts to understand more about the legal and administrative practices of the Roman Empire.

Commentaries

Commentators on the Book of Acts often note the formality and carefulness with which Roman letters were crafted, especially when communicating with superiors like governors.

They may analyze this verse to understand the social echelons of the time and the administrative concerns in governing a diverse and often restless province like Judea.

Experts might also discuss the prudence of Claudius Lysias in handling a complex situation involving Roman citizens and local religious unrest.

Acts 23

Acts 23

What does Acts 23:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 23:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?