Paul called one of the centurions to himself and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to report to him.”
Parallel translations
- WEB Paul summoned one of the centurions, and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.”
- KJV 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.
- BSB Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.”
- NKJV Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.”
- NLT Paul called for one of the Roman officers and said, “Take this young man to the commander. He has something important to tell him.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul calls a centurion and asks him to take the young man to the commander with information. Paul prudently works through proper channels for protection.
Overview
Paul neither panics nor presumes on God's promise by inaction; he uses lawful means to address the danger. Trust in God's sovereignty does not exclude responsible, wise action (compare Proverbs 22:3). Paul's measured response shows faith and prudence working together.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Prov 22:3A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
- Matt 8:8–9The centurion answered, “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
- Matt 10:16“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
- Acts 23:23He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen, and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night.”
- Acts 22:26When the centurion heard it, he went to the commanding officer and told him, “Watch what you are about to do, for this man is a Roman!”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 23:17 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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