Acts 23:22

So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, “Do not tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The Roman commander addresses the young informant who just delivered the assassination plot, dismissing him immediately after receiving the warning. This exchange occurs between the conspirators' oath in Acts 23:21 and the commander's order to mobilize troops in Acts 23:23.

The words — παραγγεῖλας (parangeilas) translates literally as “having instructed” or “having given orders,” indicating a direct command rather than a suggestion. χιλίαρχος (chiliarchos) identifies the speaker as the Roman tribune, establishing his official authority to issue binding directives.

The thread — The text records a tactical secrecy order, echoing Joshua 2:14 where spies swear to conceal their mission and Mark 1:44 where Jesus commands silence over a healed man. In each instance, the prohibition on reporting serves a specific operational or theological purpose.

Why it lands — The passage first states that the commander enforces confidentiality to protect the informant and secure Paul’s transfer. It then requires the reader to recognize how divine preservation frequently utilizes pragmatic, human administrative measures rather than supernatural intervention.

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

ὉHo<the>μὲνmenIndeed οὖνountherefore χιλίαρχοςchiliarchos[the] commander ἀπέλυσενapelusendismissed τὸνtonthe νεανίσκονneaniskonyoung man παραγγείλαςparangeilashaving instructed [him]μηδενὶmēdeniNo one ἐκλαλῆσαιeklalēsaito tell ὅτιhotithat ταῦταtautathese things ἐνεφάνισαςenephanisasyou reported πρόςprosto με.¶meme.

King James Version

So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.

Cross-references

Joshua 2:14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men agreed. “If you do not report our mission, we will show you kindness and faithfulness when the LORD gives us the land.”
Mark 1:44 “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”