Bible Strands
Acts 23:17
Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul, held as a prisoner, summons a Roman centurion immediately after his nephew arrives with urgent intelligence about an assassination plot. He directs the officer to escort the young informant to the military commander for a private report.
The words — προσκαλεσάμενος (proskalesamenos) literally means "having called to [him]," indicating Paul deliberately initiates a controlled communication with a specific guard. ἔφη (ephē) translates as "he was saying," marking the direct speech that follows the summons.
The thread — The covert relay of warning information aligns with the prudent danger-avoidance principle in Proverbs 22:3 and the strategic shrewdness commanded in Matthew 10:16. The centurion's compliance in delivering a prisoner's message mirrors the authority dynamic described in Matthew 8:8.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to observe how divine preservation functions through ordinary chains of command and timely human discretion. It demands that believers recognize how God uses practical, unembellished communication to intercept hidden threats before they execute.
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
Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 22:3 The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
- Matthew 8:8 The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
- Matthew 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
- Acts 22:26 On hearing this, the centurion went and reported it to the commander. “What are you going to do?” he said. “This man is a Roman citizen.”
- Acts 23:23 Then he called two of his centurions and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea in the third hour of the night.