Acts 23:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The providence of God arranged that they did not know the young man would overhear. And again human care is observed. See: Paul allows no one to learn this, not even the centurion, lest the matter become public. But the centurion took the young man and brought him to the tribune. The tribune rightly orders the matter concealed, so that no one would know it. Then he tells the centurions what must be done. See, even after this appearance the Lord allows Paul again to be saved in a human way. It is worthy of wonder that Paul was not troubled and did not say, 'What does this mean? Have I been deceived by Christ?' No, he neither thought nor felt anything of the sort. He only believed. Yet while believing, he did not sleep. He did not fail to do what could be done with the help of human wisdom.

Again Paul is saved through human foresight. He leaves everyone, even the centurion, in ignorance, so that the matter may not be exposed. Paul should not be condemned because he feared danger. This only testifies to the weakness of his nature, for he was a man. It should rather be to the praise of his will. Though he feared blows and death, because of that fear he did nothing unworthy of himself.

The Jews were greatly angered that the Roman official was not entirely on their side. They were also angered that Paul's trial had not fulfilled their desire to hand the Apostle over to death. Then certain fanatics from among them, forty in number, vowed neither to drink nor eat until they had killed Paul. To carry out their murderous design, they told the high priest and the other ranks of the Sanhedrin to ask the tribune to bring Paul to them again for trial. During his journey to the Sanhedrin, they intended to kill him. But their design was discovered and brought to the tribune's knowledge by Paul's nephew. The tribune continued to respect and protect Paul as a Roman citizen.

'Calling one of the centurions.' In order not to spread the matter and to keep it as secret as possible, the Apostle does not tell the centurion about it. Instead, he asks that his nephew be taken directly to the tribune. Thus only three knew of the plot against his life: Paul himself, his nephew, and the tribune (v. 22). 'It is worthy of wonder that Paul was not troubled, when he heard of the plot against him, and did not say, What does this mean? Is what Christ said to me true? (v. 11). No, he neither thought nor felt anything of the sort. He only believed. Yet while believing, he did not sleep. He did not fail to do what could be done with the help of human wisdom' (Chrysostom). 'Taking him by the hand' means in a friendly manner. He then withdrew aside so that no one would hear and the secret would be preserved.

The overthrow of the plot of the forty was certainly accomplished according to God's providence. St. John Chrysostom bears witness to this, saying: 'The Lord arranged that he, either Paul or his relative, learned of their plot. By the fact that they could say nothing against Paul, and by making their plot secretly, they exposed themselves and showed that they were nothing. After Paul's departure, the chief priests probably came with a request to the tribune and returned in shame, without success. And see what deceit: the chief priests themselves were as though placed under necessity.