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Acts 23:24

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 23:24 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and [he bade them] provide beasts, that they might set Paul thereon, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and [he bade them] provide beasts, that they might set Paul thereon, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
Acts 23:24 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
21Do not thou therefore yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, who have bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor to drink till they have slain him: and now are they ready, looking for the promise from thee.
22So the chief captain let the young man go, charging him, Tell no man that thou hast signified these things to me.
23And he called unto him two of the centurions, and said, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night:
24and [he bade them] provide beasts, that they might set Paul thereon, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
25And he wrote a letter after this form:
26Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix, greeting.
27This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be slain of them, when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.
← Acts 23:23Acts 23:25 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And provide them beasts, etc.] Horses or mules; the Syriac version reads in the singular number, “a beast”: and one being sufficient for Paul, here may be a change of number; the Arabic and Ethiopic versions leave out these words, but the following clause makes them necessary: that they may set Paul on; on the beast, or on one of the beasts provided; if more than one were provided, they might be for his companions, to go along with him: and bring him safe unto Felix the governor; this man, of a servant, was made a freed man by Claudius Caesar f1159, and by him appointed in the room of Cumanus governor of Judea f1160; he was the brother of Pallas, who had the chief management of affairs under…”
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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
“beasts . . . set Paul on--as relays, and to carry baggage. unto Felix, the governor--the procurator. See on Act 24:24-25.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And provide them beasts - One for Paul, and one for each of his attendants. The word translated “beasts” κτήνη ktēnē is of a general character, and may be applied either to horses, camels, or donkeys. The latter were most commonly employed in Judea. Unto Felix the governor - The governor of Judea. His place of residence was Caesarea, about 60 miles from Jerusalem. See the notes on Acts 8:40. His name was Antonius Felix. He was a freedman of Antonia, the mother of the Emperor Claudius. He was high in the favor of Claudius, and was made by him governor of Judea. Josephus calls him Claudius Felix. He had married three wives in succession that were of royal families, one of whom was Drusilla,…”
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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
“Provide beasts - If a change should be necessary, to set Paul on - So we read of his riding once; but not by choice. Acts 23:27”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:24 Antonius Felix was procurator (Governor) of Judea about AD 52–59, with responsibility for both military and civil affairs. Felix had a bad reputation (see 24:24-27) and was eventually recalled to Rome by Nero.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“beasts: Neh 2:12; Est 8:12; Luk 10:34 Felix: Act 23:26, Act 23:33-35, Act 24:3, Act 24:10, Act 24:22-27, Act 25:14 the governor: Mat 27:2; Luk 3:1 Acts 23:26”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification