Acts 23:17

17 And Paul called to him one of the centurions, and said, Lead this young man to the tribune, for he hath something to show to him.

Acts 23:17 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 23:17

Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him
For under this chief captain there must have been ten of them, if the company of which he was captain consisted of a thousand men, as his title chief captain or chiliarch imports; for a centurion was over an hundred men, as his title signifies; perhaps this might be the same, as in ( Acts 22:25 Acts 22:26 )

and said, bring this young man to the chief captain:
which was a very prudential step, not to let the centurion into the secret, but to desire him to introduce the young man to the chief captain; for had he trusted the centurion with it, he might not have acquainted his officer with it, but have informed the liers in wait of it: now though the apostle was assured by Christ that he should not die at Jerusalem, but should bear witness of him at Rome, and though he did not distrust the truth of Christ's words, but most firmly believed them; yet he thought it his duty to make use of the means, which providence had put in his way, for his preservation and safety; the Ethiopic version reads, "bring this young man by night to the chief captain"; that so he might not be seen, and observed to have carried any intelligence to him:

for he hath a certain thing to tell him;
which was of some moment and importance, and proper for him to know.

Acts 23:17 In-Context

15 Now therefore make ye known to the tribune, with the council, that he bring him forth to you, as if ye should know something more certainly of him; and we be ready to slay him, before that he come [nigh].

16 And when the son of Paul's sister had heard the ambush, he came, and entered into the castles, and told to Paul. [Which thing when the son of Paul's sister had heard the ambush, or treason, he came, and entered into the castles, and told Paul.]

17 And Paul called to him one of the centurions, and said, Lead this young man to the tribune, for he hath something to show to him.

18 And he took him, and led to the tribune, and said, Paul, that is bound, prayed me to lead to thee this young man, that hath something to speak to thee.

19 And the tribune took his hand, and went with him asides half, and asked him, What thing is it, that thou hast to show to me