18 So he took him to the chief captain and said, Paul, the prisoner, made a request to me to take this young man to you, for he has something to say to you. 19 And the chief took him by the hand and, going on one side, said to him privately, What is it you have to say to me? 20 And he said, The Jews are in agreement together to make a request to you for Paul to be taken, on the day after this, into the Sanhedrin, to be questioned in greater detail. 21 But do not give way to them, for more than forty of them are waiting for him, having taken an oath not to take food or drink till they have put him to death: and now they are ready, waiting for your order. 22 So the chief captain let the young man go, saying to him, Do not say to anyone that you have given me word of these things.
23 And he sent for two captains and said, Make ready two hundred men, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, to go to Caesarea, at the third hour of the night: 24 And get beasts so that they may put Paul on them, and take him safely to Felix, the ruler. 25 And he sent a letter in these words: 26 Claudius Lysias, to the most noble ruler, Felix, peace be with you. 27 This man was taken by the Jews, and was about to be put to death by them, when I came on them with the army and took him out of danger, having knowledge that he was a Roman. 28 And, desiring to get at the reason for their attack on him, I took him down to their Sanhedrin: 29 Then it became clear to me that it was a question of their law, and that nothing was said against him which might be a reason for prison or death. 30 And when news was given to me that a secret design was being made against the man, I sent him straight away to you, giving orders to those who are against him to make their statements before you. 31 So the armed men, as they were ordered, took Paul and came by night to Antipatris. 32 But on the day after, they sent the horsemen on with him, and went back to their place: 33 And they, when they came to Caesarea, gave the letter to the ruler, and took Paul before him. 34 And after reading it, he said, What part of the country do you come from? And, hearing that he was from Cilicia, 35 I will give hearing to your cause, he said, when those who are against you have come. And he gave orders for him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 23:18-40
Commentary on Acts 23:12-24
(Read Acts 23:12-24)
False religious principles, adopted by carnal men, urge on to such wickedness, as human nature would hardly be supposed capable of. Yet the Lord readily disappoints the best concerted schemes of iniquity. Paul knew that the Divine providence acts by reasonable and prudent means; and that, if he neglected to use the means in his power, he could not expect God's providence to work on his behalf. He who will not help himself according to his means and power, has neither reason nor revelation to assure him that he shall receive help from God. Believing in the Lord, we and ours shall be kept from every evil work, and kept to his kingdom. Heavenly Father, give us by thy Holy Spirit, for Christ's sake, this precious faith.
Commentary on Acts 23:25-35
(Read Acts 23:25-35)
God has instruments for every work. The natural abilities and moral virtues of the heathens often have been employed to protect his persecuted servants. Even the men of the world can discern between the conscientious conduct of upright believers, and the zeal of false professors, though they disregard or understand not their doctrinal principles. All hearts are in God's hand, and those are blessed who put their trust in him, and commit their ways unto him.