Acts 23:34
What does Acts 23:34 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 23:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 23:34 means
Felix reads the letter, then asks what province Paul is from. Learning he is of Cilicia, Felix confirms jurisdiction. This brief exchange underscores Roman concern for proper legal venue. Felix’s question is not trivial; it ensures that the case is heard by the appropriate official. Finding that Cilicia falls within his competence or cooperation, he agrees to proceed. This procedural check again shows that, in God’s providence, Paul’s fate will be handled within orderly structures, not left to the fury of conspirators or the whims of a crowd. Justice requires both information and the right forum.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he was of Cilicia,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he was of Cilicia,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And after reading it, he said, What part of the country do you come from? And, hearing that he was from Cilicia,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the governor having read <FI>it<Fi> , and inquired of what province he is, and understood that <FI>he is<Fi> from Cilicia;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when he had read it and had asked of what province he was and understood that he was of Cilicia:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And having read [it], and asked of what eparchy he was, and learned that [he was] of Cilicia,
Context
After receiving the letter and the prisoner, Felix follows standard protocol: assess the case and confirm jurisdiction. With Paul’s province established, the governor is ready to schedule a proper hearing. The next and final verse records his decision to wait for the accusers to arrive and to keep Paul in secure quarters in the interim. This sets the stage for the next chapter’s formal accusations and Paul’s reasoned defense under Roman authority.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 8:9
Then were the king’s scribes called at that time, in the third month, which is the month Sivan, on the three and twentiethday thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the satraps, and the governors and princes of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, a hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
- Acts 15:41
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
- Acts 6:9
But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue calledthe synagogueof the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.
- Daniel 6:1
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty satraps, who should be throughout the whole kingdom;
- Acts 25:1
Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Cæsarea.
- Luke 23:6
But when Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man were a Galilæan.
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