Acts 23:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Again he is saved through human assistance. Look: Paul reveals this to no one, not even to the centurion, so that it may not become known.

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 centurion’s presentation of Paul’s kinsman to the tribune is remarkable for its simplicity and naturalness. The author of Acts was evidently interested in every detail of this matter, especially in the kindly attention that Roman authority sometimes showed to defenders of innocent sufferers.

Since the Apostle Paul wished the disclosure of the treacherous murder being prepared against him to proceed secretly, the commander also, as if by some prompting, received his kinsman privately and gave him the opportunity to speak in secret.