Acts 23:18

18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, "Paul 1the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you."

Acts 23:18 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 23:18

So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain
Immediately, without any more to do, without curiously inquiring into the thing, or examining the young man about it; which showed him to be a man of a good disposition, and ready to do a kind office, even to a prisoner:

and said, Paul the prisoner called me to him;
either vocally or by some gesture, beckoned him to him:

and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something
to say unto thee;
in which may be observed the apostle's manner of address to the centurion, on this occasion; it was by way of entreaty; he asked it as a favour of him, to introduce his nephew to the chief captain; and the honour and modesty of the centurion, he did not seek by any methods to get the secret out, either of Paul or the young man; but readily undertakes the affair, honourably performs it, acquaints the captain with the circumstances of it, tells him the young man had something to say to him, he could not tell what, and then departs.

Acts 23:18 In-Context

16 Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.
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.

Cross References 1

  • 1. See Ephesians 3:1
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.