Acts 23:31
What does Acts 23:31 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 23:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 23:31 means
The soldiers obey orders, taking Paul by night to Antipatris. This waypoint marks significant progress away from Jerusalem’s danger. The darkness shields the movement, while the disciplined column deters attack. Obedience and timing matter: prompt action prevents the conspirators from adapting. Luke’s brief report underscores reliability—Roman forces carry out commands efficiently, becoming instruments of the protection God promised Paul. Each step places him closer to the governor’s oversight and farther from the reach of the oath-bound assassins, who depend on proximity and surprise for their plan to succeed.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So the armed men, as they were ordered, took Paul and came by night to Antipatris.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Then, indeed, the soldiers according to that directed them, having taken up Paul, brought him through the night to Antipatris,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then the soldiers, according as it was commanded them, taking Paul, brought him by night to Antipatris.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The soldiers therefore, according to what was ordered them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris,
Context
With the letter dispatched, the narrative follows the escort’s journey. The move to Antipatris splits the transfer into stages, reflecting the practical realities of travel and security. In the next verse, foot soldiers will return to Jerusalem while the mounted troops continue. This change indicates reduced risk outside Jerusalem’s immediate sphere and accelerates the final leg to Cæsarea, where Paul will be presented to Felix along with the commander’s letter.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 7:8
For I also am a man set under authority, having under myself soldiers: and I say to this one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
- 2 Timothy 2:3
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
- 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:
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