Acts 23:19
What does Acts 23:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 23:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 23:19 means
The chief captain takes the young man by the hand and privately inquires about his message. This gentle, personal gesture signals care and a desire to put the youth at ease. It also reflects the commander’s prudence—sensitive intelligence requires discretion. By hearing the report privately, he protects both the source and the integrity of the response plan. The scene reveals a contrast: while conspirators traffic in deceit for murder, the Roman officer uses secrecy to shield life and uphold order. Such common grace serves God’s purposes, preserving His servant without compromising justice or truth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the chief captain took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, What is it that thou hast to tell me?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the chief captain took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, What is it that thou hast to tell me?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the chief took him by the hand and, going on one side, said to him privately, What is it you have to say to me?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the chief captain having taken him by the hand, and having withdrawn by themselves, inquired, `What is that which thou hast to tell me?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the tribune, taking him by the hand, went aside with him privately and asked him: What is it that thou hast to tell me?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the chiliarch having taken him by the hand, and having gone apart in private, inquired, What is it that thou hast to report to me?
Context
With the centurion’s introduction complete, the commander now seeks details in a private setting. This step underscores the gravity of the threat and the need to verify it carefully. The youth will now reveal the conspirators’ plan in full. The commander, recognizing the danger and the timing, will act decisively to preempt the ambush. This private interview thus becomes the pivot from intelligence-gathering to operational countermeasures that will escort Paul safely out of Jerusalem under heavy guard.
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.
v.19This passage
v.20And he said, The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul to-morrow unto the council, as though thou wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 8:23
And he took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, Seest thou aught?
- Esther 5:3
Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be given thee even to the half of the kingdom.
- Nehemiah 2:4
Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
- Esther 7:2
And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.
- Jeremiah 31:32
not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith Jehovah.
- Mark 9:27
But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose.
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