Acts 23:19

19 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside, and asked, “What do you need to tell me?”

Acts 23:19 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 23:19

Then the chief captain took him by the hand
Some have thought that the reason of this was, that he expected that the young man had brought him a present in his hand, from Paul; but this is to represent him as a sordid mercenary man, which ought not to be said, without sufficient proof; rather this should be considered as an instance of civility and humanity, and what showed him to be a man of breeding and good manners; and might be done partly out of respect to Paul, and partly to encourage the young man to use freedom in the account he was about to give him:

and went with him aside privately;
concluding by his coming from Paul, and perceiving by the account of the centurion, that he had a secret to communicate to him; wherefore it was acting a wise and prudent part to take him into a private room, and hear what he had to say:

and asked him, what is that thou hast to tell me?
thereby giving the young man an opportunity, and encouraging him to relate the secret to him.

Acts 23:19 In-Context

17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.”

18 So the centurion took him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner sent and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”

19 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside, and asked, “What do you need to tell me?”

20 He answered, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of acquiring more information about him.

21 Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.”