Jews Plot To Kill Paul; Acts 23:12 – 22 Part 3

Church History: Date: A.D.57 – 59

The young man had information of something that concerned the honor of the government. The centurion honored his request. He did not send a common soldier with him, but went himself to keep insure the young man’s safety, to recommend his errand to the chief captain, and to show his respect to Paul: "Paul the prisoner (this was his title now) called me to him, and asked me to bring this young man to you; what he has to tell you I don’t know, but he has something to say to you." The chief captain received the information with a great deal of amiability and tenderness. He took the young man by the hand, as a friend or father, to encourage him, that he might not be afraid, but that he be assured of a favorable audience. He took him aside privately and asked him, "What is it that you have to tell me? Tell me how I can help Paul." It is probable that the chief captain was the more obliging in this case because he was sensible he had put himself into an awkward position in binding Paul, against his privilege as a Roman citizen, which he was willing now to atone for.

The young man delivered his message to the chief captain very readily and handsomely."The Jews" (he does not say who, lest he should invidiously reflect upon the chief priests and the elders; and his business was to save his uncle's life, not to accuse his enemies) "have agreed to request you to bring down Paul tomorrow morning into the council, presuming that, being so short a distance, that you would send him without a guard. They would have you do this on the pretense that they have questions for him. Please don’t do this. There is reason to believe that there will lie in wait for him more than forty men, who have vowed to kill him. They will be here soon to make their request, but I have happily gotten here ahead of them." The captain dismissed the young man with a charge of secrecy: be sure that you don’t tell anyone that you have told me these things.

The favors of great men are not always to be boasted of; and not fit to be employed in business. If it should be known that the chief captain had this information brought to him, perhaps they would compass and imagine the death of Paul some other way; "therefore keep it private.