Bible Strands
Acts 23:18
So the centurion took him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner sent and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The centurion delivers the young man to the military commander after Paul, identified as a prisoner, requested the transfer. This action directly fulfills Paul’s instruction in Acts 23:17 and sets up the commander’s private inquiry in Acts 23:19.
The words — παραλαβὼν (paralabōn) translates literally as "having taken," indicating the centurion’s immediate compliance with the request. ἤγαγεν (ēgagen) means "he brought him," emphasizing the physical transfer of the young man to the commander’s presence.
The thread — The designation of Paul as a prisoner recurs in Ephesians 3:1 and Ephesians 4:1, where the apostle consistently grounds his authority and appeals in his chains.
Why it lands — The text records a straightforward chain of custody from Paul to the centurion to the commander, showing how information moves through official channels. A reader must observe this procedural detail before inferring any theological significance about divine protection or strategic planning.
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
So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.
Cross-references
- Ephesians 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles...
- Acts 28:17 After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
- Ephesians 4:1 As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:
- Philemon 1:9 I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.
- Genesis 40:14 But when it goes well for you, please remember me and show me kindness by mentioning me to Pharaoh, that he might bring me out of this prison.
- Luke 7:40 But Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, Teacher,” he said.
- Acts 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
- Acts 27:1 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.