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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Acts 23:31 - 23:35
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_23:31-35
31So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32But the next day, leaving the horsemen to go on with him, they returned to the barracks. 33When these had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34When he had read it, he asked from what province he was, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35he said, "I will give you a hearing after your accusers arrive also," giving orders for him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium.
Act_23:31 "brought him by night to Antipatris" This city was built by Herod the Great and named after his father, Antipater II. This was a very long march of possibly 30-40 miles. The exact site of the city is uncertain. The reason the foot soldiers returned (cf. Act_23:32) at this point is because
1. this was primarily a Gentile area
2. the topography was open and flat, so there was little danger of surprise attack
Act_23:33 "the governor" This is literally "procurator." Luke is very precise in his titles for local and Roman officials.
Act_23:34 "asked from what province he was" This was to ascertain jurisdiction. Since Paul was also from an Imperial Province Felix could try the case. There were three divisions of jurisdiction in the Roman Empire:
1. Imperial (Caesar)
2. Senatorial
3. local (like the Herods)
Act_23:35 "after your accusers arrive" This should have been the Jews from Asia who accused Paul in the Temple of bringing a Gentile into the restricted Jewish area. The fact that they did not appear should have resulted in a dismissal of the charges. But, as often happens, local politics affects justice!
▣ "kept in Herod's Praetorium" The Romans were kind to Paul while he was in their custody (cf. Act_24:23). Paul stayed in a palace built by Herod the Great, which had previously been used for his personal residence, but now had become Roman Headquarters.
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