Devine Scripture

Acts 23:16

What does Acts 23:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 23:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 23:16 means

Paul’s sister’s son learns of the ambush and reports it to Paul in the fortress. This simple note highlights God’s providence through ordinary means—family ties and timely information. The young man’s access to Paul suggests the Romans are not isolating him completely, treating him as a protected detainee rather than a condemned criminal. Courage and loyalty mark the nephew’s action; he risks involvement to save Paul. God often works through quiet, human channels to overturn loud, violent schemes. The rescue begins not with a miracle in the street but with a whispered warning in the barracks, proving the Lord’s promise is already being fulfilled.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the castle and told Paul.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the castle and told Paul.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But Paul's sister's son had word of their design, and he came into the army building and gave news of it to Paul.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the son of Paul's sister having heard of the lying in wait, having gone and entered into the castle, told Paul,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Which when Paul's sister's son had heard, of their lying in wait, he came and entered into the castle and told Paul.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But Paul's sister's son, having heard of the lying in wait, came and entered into the fortress and reported [it] to Paul.

Context

After plotting in secret, the conspirators are suddenly exposed to Paul through his nephew’s report. This discovery turns the narrative from danger to decisive countermeasures. Paul retains presence of mind and respects Roman procedure. He will call a centurion and request that the young man be taken to the chief captain. The next verses depict a rapid, respectful chain-of-command response, illustrating both Roman order and the credibility Paul enjoys as a Roman citizen, which together will dismantle the conspirators’ plan.

v.15Now therefore do ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you, as though ye would judge of his case more exactly: and we, before he comes near, are ready to slay him.

v.16This passage

v.17And Paul called unto him one of the centurions, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain; for he hath something to tell him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:19

    For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He that taketh the wise in their craftiness:

  • Job 5:13

    He taketh the wise in their own craftiness; And the counsel of the cunning is carried headlong.

  • Acts 23:10

    And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the castle.

  • Lamentations 3:37

    Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

  • Acts 23:32

    But on the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:

  • Acts 21:34

    And some shouted one thing, some another, among the crowd: and when he could not know the certainty for the uproar, he commanded him to be brought into the castle.

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