Acts 23:17
What does Acts 23:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 23:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 23:17 means
Paul summons a centurion and asks that his nephew be brought to the chief captain, explaining he has something to report. Paul’s response is prudent and lawful. He trusts the God who promised his safety and also uses the means at hand—Roman authority—to secure it. The centurion’s approachability suggests that Paul is treated with measured respect. Paul neither panics nor tries to orchestrate a private escape; he keeps within the legal process. This shows how faith and wisdom work together. The servant of Christ acts responsibly under civil structures that, in this case, serve as instruments of divine protection.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Paul sent for a captain and said, Take this young man to your chief, for he has news for him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Paul having called near one of the centurions, said, `This young man lead unto the chief captain, for he hath something to tell him.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Paul, calling to him one of the centurions, said: Bring this young man to the tribune: for he hath some thing to tell him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Paul, having called one of the centurions, said, Take this youth to the chiliarch, for he has something to report to him.
Context
Having learned of the plot, Paul immediately engages Roman protections by appealing to a centurion. The chain of events now moves quickly, with military discipline facilitating the flow of critical information. The centurion cooperates and brings the young man to the chief captain. This sequence highlights Paul’s standing and the seriousness with which the Romans take security risks. The focus now shifts to the commander’s private hearing of the report and his subsequent strategy to counter the ambush and move Paul to a safer jurisdiction.
v.16But Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the castle and told Paul.
v.17This passage
v.18So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and saith, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and asked me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say to thee.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 8:8
And the centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed.
- Acts 22:26
And when the centurion heard it, he went to the chief captain and told him, saying, What art thou about to do? for this man is a Roman.
- Acts 23:23
And he called unto him two of the centurions, and said, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Cæsarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night:
- Proverbs 22:3
A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
- Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
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