11 But on the night immediately following , the Lord stood at his side and said , " Take courage ; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause e at Jerusalem , so you must witness at Rome also ."
12 When it was day , the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath , saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul . 13 There were more than forty who formed this plot . 14 They came to the chief priests and the elders and said , "We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul 15 "Now therefore , you and the Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case e by a more thorough investigation ; and we for our part are ready to slay him before he comes near the place." 16 But the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush , and he came and entered the barracks and told Paul . 17 Paul called one of the centurions to him and said , "Lead this young man to the commander , for he has something to report to him." 18 So he took him and led him to the commander and said , "Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to lead this young man to you since he has something to tell you." 19 The commander took him by the hand and stepping aside , began to inquire of him privately e , "What is it that you have to report to me? 20 And he said , " The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to the Council , as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him. 21 "So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you. 22 So the commander let the young man go , instructing him, "Tell no one that you have notified me of these things ."
23 And he called to him two of the centurions and said , "Get two hundred soldiers ready by the third hour of the night to proceed to Caesarea , with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen ." 24 They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to Felix the governor . 25 And he wrote a letter having this form : 26 "Claudius Lysias , to the most excellent governor Felix , greetings . 27 "When this man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be slain by them, I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman . 28 "And wanting to ascertain the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their Council ; 29 and I found him to be accused over questions about their Law , but under no accusation deserving death or imprisonment . 30 "When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man , I sent him to you at once , also instructing his accusers to bring charges against him before you." 31 So the soldiers , in accordance with their orders , took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris . 32 But the next day , leaving the horsemen to go on with him, they returned to the barracks . 33 When these had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor , they also presented Paul to him. 34 When he had read it, he asked from what province he was, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia , 35 he said , "I will give you a hearing after your accusers arrive also ," giving orders for him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 23:11-35
Commentary on Acts 23:6-11
(Read Acts 23:6-11)
The Pharisees were correct in the faith of the Jewish church. The Sadducees were no friends to the Scripture or Divine revelation; they denied a future state; they had neither hope of eternal happiness, nor dread of eternal misery. When called in question for his being a Christian, Paul might truly say he was called in question for the hope of the resurrection of the dead. It was justifiable in him, by this profession of his opinion on that disputed point, to draw off the Pharisees from persecuting him, and to lead them to protect him from this unlawful violence. How easily can God defend his own cause! Though the Jews seemed to be perfectly agreed in their conspiracy against religion, yet they were influenced by very different motives. There is no true friendship among the wicked, and in a moment, and with the utmost ease, God can turn their union into open enmity. Divine consolations stood Paul in the most stead; the chief captain rescued him out of the hands of cruel men, but the event he could not tell. Whoever is against us, we need not fear, if the Lord stand by us. It is the will of Christ, that his servants who are faithful, should be always cheerful. He might think he should never see Rome; but God tells him, even in that he should be gratified, since he desired to go there only for the honour of Christ, and to do good.
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.