Acts 23:18
What does Acts 23:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 23:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 23:18 means
The centurion brings the young man to the chief captain, noting that “Paul the prisoner” asked for this meeting. Even in custody, Paul’s word carries weight. The Roman officer receives the report through proper channels, signaling an orderly process and a willingness to hear. The phrase “Paul the prisoner” acknowledges his status yet does not strip him of agency; he can request and be heard. This balance reflects Roman justice at its better moments. The scene adds dignity to Paul and credibility to the warning. The transparency strengthens the case for decisive protective action, which the commander is about to take.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So he took him to the chief captain and said, Paul, the prisoner, made a request to me to take this young man to you, for he has something to say to you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862He indeed, then, having taken him, brought him unto the chief captain, and saith, `The prisoner Paul, having called me near, asked <FI>me<Fi> this young man to bring unto thee, having something to say to thee.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he, taking him, brought him to the tribune and said: Paul, the prisoner, desired me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath some thing to say to thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He therefore, having taken him with [him], led him to the chiliarch, and says, The prisoner Paul called me to [him] and asked me to lead this youth to thee, who has something to say to thee.
Context
The message now stands before the highest Roman authority in the scene. With the centurion’s endorsement, the young man gains immediate access. The chief captain must determine the reliability of the report and the best response. In the following verse, he will draw the youth aside privately, underscoring the sensitivity of the information. This careful handling marks a turning point: the conspiracy is no longer secret, and the Roman apparatus will move to frustrate it completely, fulfilling the Lord’s promise to preserve Paul for future witness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 4:1
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called,
- Ephesians 3:1
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,—
- Acts 16:25
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them;
- Philemon 1:9
yet for love’s sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:
- Genesis 40:14
But have me in thy remembrance when it shall be well with thee, and show kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:
- Acts 28:17
And it came to pass, that after three days he called together those that were the chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said unto them, I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans:
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