17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” 19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”
Paul Sent to Felix the Governor
23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:
26 “Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. 27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”
31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. 33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod’s praetorium.
POINTS OF INTEREST
- v17-22. This young man displayed courage and obedience and was ultimately used by God in His plan to protect Paul’s life. It is easy to overlook children but God can use anyone of any age (Matthew 18:2-6) who are willing to submit to Him.
- v29-30. The commander appears to be convinced that despite the Sanhedrin maintaining that Paul had broken Jewish law, that Paul had not actually broken Roman law to warrant imprisonment or death. He would have probably let Paul go if not for hearing that there was a plot to kill Paul, and Paul would not have had an opportunity to travel to Rome to testify about His faith. Our Lord God can wondrously use seemingly negative events to fulfil His purpose – Praise Him whose thoughts are above ours!
- v31. The scene can be imagined to comprise of a somewhat small Jewish man probably with poor eyesight and other physical infirmities, travelling on horseback in the midst of 400 burly tough Roman foot soldiers and 70 soldiers riding horses. It must have looked pretty strange! I doubt Paul looked like the normal VIPs they would usually escort.
submitted by Ashley Liew
PRAYING IN FAITH
For Yourself
Ask God to convict you if pride is getting in the way of you fully submitting to His authority and Lordship, and repent so that you can be lovingly restored in your relationship with Him. .
For your Five
Pray that the Holy Spirit will help all of you see past the sometimes frustrating and defeating events in life that God remains faithful and that His ways and thoughts are above ours.
For Our Church
Pray that God will guide us as a church to see that all our members, no matter young or old, can be used powerfully by God.