Bible Strands
Acts 22:30
The next day the commander, wanting to learn the real reason Paul was accused by the Jews, released him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul down and had him stand before them.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The commander acts on the day after Paul's initial detention, having just unbound him upon learning of his Roman citizenship. He releases Paul from his bonds and summons the chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin to convene.
The words — The text highlights ἐπαύριον (epaurion), meaning "next day," and γνῶναι (gnōnai), meaning "to know." These terms frame the commander's deliberate delay and his procedural aim to ascertain the specific charges.
The thread — This procedural hearing parallels the commander's later report in Acts 23:28, where he similarly states his intent to understand the accusations before bringing Paul before the council. The sequence also contrasts with the initial arrest in Acts 21:33, where Paul was bound with two chains before his citizenship was known.
Why it lands — The passage requires a reader to observe how Roman legal procedure operates independently of religious jurisdiction. It demands recognition that institutional authority seeks documented certainty before proceeding with a trial.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.
Cross-references
- Acts 23:28 and since I wanted to understand their charges against him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin.
- Acts 21:33 The commander came up and arrested Paul, ordering that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.
- Acts 5:21 At daybreak the apostles entered the temple courts as they had been told and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles.
- Acts 21:11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’”
- Acts 22:5 as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.
- Acts 23:15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him down to you on the pretext of examining his case more carefully. We are ready to kill him on the way.”
- Acts 26:29 “Short time or long,” Paul replied, “I wish to God that not only you but all who hear me this day may become what I am, except for these chains.”
- Matthew 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.
- Matthew 10:17 But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues.
- Matthew 27:2 They bound Him, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.