Act 23:16-33 | ESV | STEP | Now the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush , so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul .

Acts 23:16-33

16 Now the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered ^athe barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul ^bthe prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” 19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20 And he said, ^c“The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who ^dhave bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”

Paul Sent to Felix the Governor

23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. ^{▼▼That is, 9 p.m.} 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to ^fFelix ^gthe governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:

26 “Claudius Lysias, to ^hhis Excellency the governor Felix, ⁱgreetings. 27 ^jThis man was seized by the Jews and ^kwas about to be killed by them ^lwhen I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, ^mhaving learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 And ⁿdesiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was being accused ^oabout questions of their law, but ^pcharged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 ^qAnd when it was disclosed to me ^rthat there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ^sordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”

31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to ^tthe barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. 33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him.