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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Acts 23:24 - 23:24
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Provide beasts (ktenē parastēsai). Change from direct to indirect discourse just the opposite of that in Act 23:22.
Beasts (ktēnē). For riding as here or for baggage. See note on Luk 10:34. Asses or horses, but not war-horses. Since Paul was chained to a soldier, another animal would be required for baggage. It was also seventy miles and a change of horses might be needed. The extreme precaution of Lysias is explained in some Latin MSS. as due to fear of a night attack with the result that he might be accused to Felix of bribery. Luke also probably accompanied Paul.
To bring safe (hina diasōsōsin). Final clause with hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of diasōzō, old verb, to save through (dia) to a finish. Eight times in the N.T. (Mat 14:36; Luk 7:3; Act 23:24; Act 27:43, Act 27:44; Act 28:1, Act 28:4; 1Pe 3:20).
Unto Felix the governor (pros Phēlika ton hēgemona). Felix was a brother of Pallas, the notorious favourite of Claudius. Both had been slaves and were now freedmen. Felix was made procurator of Judea by Claudius a.d. 52. He held the position till Festus succeeded him after complaints by the Jews to Nero. He married Drusilla the daughter of Herod Agrippa I with the hope of winning the favour of the Jews. He was one of the most depraved men of his time. Tacitus says of him that “with all cruelty and lust he exercised the power of a king with the spirit of a slave.” The term “governor” (hēgemōn) means “leader” from hēgeomai, to lead, and was applied to leaders of all sorts (emperors, kings, procurators). In the N.T. it is used of Pilate (Mat 27:2), of Felix, (Act 23:24, Act 23:26, Act 23:33; Act 24:1), of Festus (Act 26:30).