Acts 23:26

26 Claudius Lysias to the best Felix, president, health.

Acts 23:26 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 23:26

Claudius Lysias, unto the most excellent Governor Felix,
&c.] This is the inscription of the letter, and by it we learn the name of the chief captain, so often spoken of in this and the two preceding chapters, which was Claudius Lysias; the first of these names is a Roman one, and which he might take from the Emperor Claudius, for he was not a Roman born; and the latter seems to be a Greek name, and was his proper name, and, he himself very likely was a Greek, since he purchased his freedom with money; one of this name was Archon of Athens ^F16; and another is reckoned by Cicero ^F17, among the famous orators of Greece, and is often cited by Harpocratian ^F18; one of Antiochus's noblemen, and who was of the blood royal, and acted as a general against the Jews, was of this name ^F19.

``So he left Lysias, a nobleman, and one of the blood royal, to oversee the affairs of the king from the river Euphrates unto the borders of Egypt:'' (1 Maccabees 3:32)

The chief captain calls Felix the governor

the most excellent,
which was a title of honour that belonged to him as a governor; the same is given to Theophilus, ( Luke 1:3 ) sendeth greeting; or wishes all health and prosperity.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 Fabrieii Bibliograph. Antiqu. p. 213.
F17 De Claris Orator. vel Brutus, c. 32.
F18 Lex Decem Orator.
F19 1 Maccab. iii. 32.

Acts 23:26 In-Context

24 And make ye ready an horse, for Paul to ride on, to lead him safe to Felix, the president [+And make ye ready juments, or horses, that they putting Paul upon, should lead him safe to Felix, president/that they should set Paul above, and should lead him safe to Felix, president]. For the tribune dreaded, lest the Jews would take him by the way, and slay him, and afterward he might be challenged, as he had taken money.

25 [And] He wrote to him an epistle, containing these things.

26 Claudius Lysias to the best Felix, president, health.

27 This man that was taken of the Jews, and began to be slain, I came upon them with mine host, and delivered him from them, when I knew that he was a Roman. [+This man taken of Jews, and beginning to be slain of them, I came above with company, and delivered, for it was known that he is a Roman.]

28 And I would know the cause, which they putted against him; and I led him to the council of them. [And I willing to know the cause, which they put against him, led him into the council of them.]