Acts 23:17

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 23:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Paul called unto him one of the centurions, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain; for he hath something to tell him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Paul called unto him one of the centurions, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain; for he hath something to tell him.
Acts 23:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17And Paul called unto him one of the centurions, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain; for he hath something to tell him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, etc.] For under this chief captain there must have been ten of them, if the company of which he was captain consisted of a thousand men, as his title chief captain or chiliarch imports; for a centurion was over an hundred men, as his title signifies; perhaps this might be the same, as in (<442225>Acts 22:25,26) and said, bring this young man to the chief captain: which was a very prudential step, not to let the centurion into the secret, but to desire him to introduce the young man to the chief captain; for had he trusted the centurion with it, he might not have acquainted his officer with it, but have informed the liers in wait of it: now…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then Paul called one of the centurions--Though divinely assured of safety, he never allows this to interfere with the duty he owed to his own life and the work he had yet to do. (See on Act 27:22-25; Act 27:31).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Called one of the centurions - Who might at that time have had special charge of the castle, or been on guard. Paul had the most positive divine assurance that his life would be spared, and that he would yet see Rome; but he always understood the divine promises and purposes as being consistent with his own efforts, and with all proper measures of prudence and diligence in securing his own safety. He did not rest merely on the divine promises without any effort of his own, but he took encouragement from those promises to put forth his own exertions for security and for salvation. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Paul - Though he had an express promise of it from Christ, was not to neglect any proper means of safety. Acts 23:19”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“one: Act 23:23, Act 22:26; Pro 22:3; Mat 8:8, Mat 8:9, Mat 10:16 Acts 23:18”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification