Acts 23:32Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

As if he were some king, Paul was escorted by such a multitude of armed men, and at night besides, because they feared an attack by the unruly people. After leading him out of the city, they left him. The commander would not have sent him under such a strong guard unless he himself recognized his innocence and saw the Jews' resolve to murder him.

The Jews were greatly angered that the Roman official was not wholly on their side. They were also angered that the trial of Paul had not fulfilled their desire to deliver the apostle to death.

Then certain fanatics from among them, forty men in number, took a vow neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

To carry out their murderous design, they told the high priest and the other members of the Sanhedrin to ask the commander to bring Paul before them again for trial. During his journey to the Sanhedrin, they intended to kill him.

But their design was discovered, and Paul’s nephew brought it to the commander’s attention.

On the next day: the journey, as is evident, was made very hastily for the prisoner's safety. "Leaving the horsemen to go on": beyond Antipatris toward Caesarea, the residence of the procurator, there was already less danger for Paul from his enemies. Therefore his further escort consisted only of cavalry soldiers.

Paul’s journey under a great escort took place at night, partly from necessity and partly because night travel in that country was convenient. There was bright starlight, perhaps even moonlight, and the usual night coolness.

This was pleasant both for the horsemen and especially for the infantry, of whom there were then more than four hundred.

That same night they all came to the first city on the road, Antipatris, so named in honor of Antipater, the father of Herod I.

Because of the danger, the journey of fifty versts was made very hastily. On the next day it became clear that no attack on Paul was now possible.

Therefore all four hundred infantrymen returned to the fortress, while the horsemen escorted Paul to Caesarea. There they presented him to Felix together with the letter.