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Acts 23:2-35

Context
23:2 At that¹ the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near² Paul³ to strike⁴ him on the mouth. 23:3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!⁵ Do⁶ you sit there judging me according to the law,⁷ and in violation of the law⁸ you order me to be struck?” 23:4 Those standing near him⁹ said, “Do you dare insult¹⁰ God’s high priest?” 23:5 Paul replied,¹¹ “I did not realize,¹² brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You must not speak evil about a ruler of your people.’”¹³

23:6 Then when Paul noticed¹⁴ that part of them were Sadducees¹⁵ and the others Pharisees,¹⁶ he shouted out in the council,¹⁷ “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection¹⁸ of the dead!” 23:7 When he said this,¹⁹ an argument²⁰ began²¹ between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 23:8 (For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.)²² 23:9 There was a great commotion,²³ and some experts in the law²⁴ from the party of the Pharisees stood up²⁵ and protested strongly,²⁶ “We find nothing wrong²⁷ with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 23:10 When the argument became²⁸ so great the commanding officer²⁹ feared that they would tear Paul to pieces,³⁰ he ordered the detachment³¹ to go down, take him away from them by force,³² and bring him into the barracks.³³

23:11 The following night the Lord³⁴ stood near³⁵ Paul³⁶ and said, “Have courage,³⁷ for just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem,³⁸ so you must also testify in Rome.”³⁹

The Plot to Kill Paul

23:12 When morning came,⁴⁰ the Jews formed⁴¹ a conspiracy⁴² and bound themselves with an oath⁴³ not to eat or drink anything⁴⁴ until they had killed Paul. 23:13 There were more than forty of them who formed this conspiracy.⁴⁵ 23:14 They⁴⁶ went⁴⁷ to the chief priests⁴⁸ and the elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath⁴⁹ not to partake⁵⁰ of anything until we have killed Paul. 23:15 So now you and the council⁵¹ request the commanding officer⁵² to bring him down to you, as if you were going to determine⁵³ his case⁵⁴ by conducting a more thorough inquiry.⁵⁵ We are ready to kill him⁵⁶ before he comes near this place.”⁵⁷

23:16 But when the son of Paul’s sister heard about the ambush,⁵⁸ he came and entered⁵⁹ the barracks⁶⁰ and told Paul. 23:17 Paul called⁶¹ one of the centurions⁶² and said, “Take this young man to the commanding officer,⁶³ for he has something to report to him.” 23:18 So the centurion⁶⁴ took him and brought him to the commanding officer⁶⁵ and said, “The prisoner Paul called⁶⁶ me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.” 23:19 The commanding officer⁶⁷ took him by the hand, withdrew privately, and asked, “What is it that you want⁶⁸ to report to me?” 23:20 He replied,⁶⁹ “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council⁷⁰ tomorrow, as if they were going to inquire more thoroughly about him. 23:21 So do not let them persuade you to do this,⁷¹ because more than forty of them⁷² are lying in ambush⁷³ for him. They⁷⁴ have bound themselves with an oath⁷⁵ not to eat or drink anything⁷⁶ until they have killed him, and now they are ready, waiting for you to agree to their request.”⁷⁷ 23:22 Then the commanding officer⁷⁸ sent the young man away, directing him,⁷⁹ “Tell no one that you have reported⁸⁰ these things to me.” 23:23 Then⁸¹ he summoned⁸² two of the centurions⁸³ and said, “Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea⁸⁴ along with seventy horsemen⁸⁵ and two hundred spearmen⁸⁶ by⁸⁷ nine o’clock tonight,⁸⁸ 23:24 and provide mounts for Paul to ride⁸⁹ so that he may be brought safely to Felix⁹⁰ the governor.”⁹¹ 23:25 He wrote⁹² a letter that went like this:⁹³

23:26 Claudius Lysias to His Excellency Governor⁹⁴ Felix,⁹⁵ greetings. 23:27 This man was seized⁹⁶ by the Jews and they were about to kill him,⁹⁷ when I came up⁹⁸ with the detachment⁹⁹ and rescued him, because I had learned that he was¹⁰⁰ a Roman citizen.¹⁰¹ 23:28 Since I wanted to know¹⁰² what charge they were accusing him of,¹⁰³ I brought him down to their council.¹⁰⁴ 23:29 I found he¹⁰⁵ was accused with reference to controversial questions¹⁰⁶ about their law, but no charge against him deserved death or imprisonment.¹⁰⁷ 23:30 When I was informed¹⁰⁸ there would be a plot¹⁰⁹ against this man, I sent him to you at once, also ordering his accusers to state their charges¹¹⁰ against him before you.

23:31 So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders,¹¹¹ took¹¹² Paul and brought him to Antipatris¹¹³ during the night. 23:32 The next day they let¹¹⁴ the horsemen¹¹⁵ go on with him, and they returned to the barracks.¹¹⁶ 23:33 When the horsemen¹¹⁷ came to Caesarea¹¹⁸ and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented¹¹⁹ Paul to him. 23:34 When the governor¹²⁰ had read¹²¹ the letter,¹²² he asked¹²³ what province he was from.¹²⁴ When he learned¹²⁵ that he was from Cilicia,¹²⁶ 23:35 he said, “I will give you a hearing¹²⁷ when your accusers arrive too.” Then¹²⁸ he ordered that Paul¹²⁹ be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.¹³⁰

[23:2] ¹tn Grk “and” (δέ, de); the phrase “at that” has been used in the translation to clarify the cause and effect relationship.

[23:2] ²tn BDAG 778 s.v. παρίστημι/παριστάνω 2.b.α has “οἱ παρεστῶτες αὐτῷ those standing near him Ac 23:2.”

[23:2] ³tn Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[23:2] ⁴tn Or “hit” (‘strike’ maintains the wordplay with the following verse). The action was probably designed to indicate a rejection of Paul’s claim to a clear conscience in the previous verse.

[23:3] ⁵sn You whitewashed wall. This was an idiom for hypocrisy – just as the wall was painted on the outside but something different on the inside, so this person was not what he appeared or pretended to be (L&N 88.234; see also BDAG 1010 s.v. τοῖχος). Paul was claiming that the man’s response was two-faced (Ezek 13:10-16; Matt 23:27-28). See also Deut 28:22.

[23:3] ⁶tn Grk “And do.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.

[23:3] ⁷tn The law refers to the law of Moses.

[23:3] ⁸tn BDAG 769 s.v. παρανομέω has “παρανομῶν κελεύεις in violation of the law you order Ac 23:3.”

[23:4] ⁹tn The word “him” is not in the Greek text but is implied.

[23:4] ¹⁰tn L&N 33.393 has for λοιδορέω (loidorew) “to speak in a highly insulting manner – ‘to slander, to insult strongly, slander, insult.’”

[23:5] ¹¹tn Grk “said.”

[23:5] ¹²tn Or “know.”

[23:5] ¹³sn A quotation from Exod 22:28. This text defines a form of blasphemy. Paul, aware of the fact that he came close to crossing the line, backed off out of respect for the law.

[23:6] ¹⁴tn BDAG 200 s.v. γινώσκω 4 has “to be aware of someth., perceive, notice, realize”; this is further clarified by section 4.c: “w. ὅτι foll….Ac 23:6.”

[23:6] ¹⁵sn See the note on Sadducees in 4:1.

[23:6] ¹⁶sn See the note on Pharisee in 5:34.

[23:6] ¹⁷tn Grk “the Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).

[23:6] ¹⁸tn That is, concerning the hope that the dead will be resurrected. Grk “concerning the hope and resurrection.” BDAG 320 s.v. ἐλπίς 1.b.α states, “Of Israel’s messianic hope Ac 23:6 (ἐ. καὶ ἀνάστασις for ἐ. τῆς ἀν. [obj. gen] as 2 Macc 3:29 ἐ. καὶ σωτηρία).” With an objective genitive construction, the resurrection of the dead would be the “object” of the hope.

[23:7] ¹⁹tn The participle εἰπόντος (eiponto") has been translated temporally.

[23:7] ²⁰tn Or “a dispute” (BDAG 940 s.v. στάσις 3).

[23:7] ²¹tn Grk “there came about an argument.” This has been simplified to “an argument began”

[23:8] ²²tn BDAG 55 s.v. ἀμφότεροι 2 has “all, even when more than two are involved…Φαρισαῖοι ὁμολογοῦσιν τὰ ἀ. believe in them all 23:8.” On this belief see Josephus, J. W. 2.8.14 (2.163); Ant. 18.1.3 (18.14).

[23:9] ²³tn Or “clamor” (cf. BDAG 565 s.v. κραυγή 1.a, which has “there arose a loud outcry” here, and Exod 12:30).

[23:9] ²⁴tn Or “and some scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 4:5.

[23:9] ²⁵tn Grk “standing up.” The participle ἀναστάντες (anastante") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:9] ²⁶tn Grk “protested strongly, saying.” L&N 39.27 has “διαμάχομαι: to fight or contend with, involving severity and thoroughness – ‘to protest strongly, to contend with.’…‘some scribes from the party of the Pharisees protested strongly’ Ac 23:9.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant and has not been translated.

[23:9] ²⁷sn “We find nothing wrong with this man.” Here is another declaration of innocence. These leaders recognized the possibility that Paul might have the right to make his claim.

[23:10] ²⁸tn This genitive absolute construction with the participle γινομένης (ginomenhs) has been taken temporally (it could also be translated as causal).

[23:10] ²⁹tn Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). In Greek the term χιλίαρχος (ciliarco") literally described the “commander of a thousand,” but it was used as the standard translation for the Latin tribunus militum or tribunus militare, the military tribune who commanded a cohort of 600 men.

[23:10] ³⁰tn Grk “that Paul would be torn to pieces by them.” BDAG 236 s.v. διασπάω has “of an angry mob μὴ διασπασθῇ ὁ Παῦλος ὑπ᾿ αὐτῶν that Paul would be torn in pieces by them Ac 23:10.” The passive construction is somewhat awkward in English and has been converted to an equivalent active construction in the translation.

[23:10] ³¹tn Normally this term means “army,” but according to BDAG 947 s.v. στράτευμα, “Of a smaller detachment of soldiers, sing. Ac 23:10, 27.” In the plural it can be translated “troops,” but it is singular here.

[23:10] ³²tn Or “to go down, grab him out of their midst.”

[23:10] ³³tn Or “the headquarters.” BDAG 775 s.v. παρεμβολή 2 has “barracks/headquarters of the Roman troops in Jerusalem Ac 21:34, 37; 22:24; 23:10, 16, 32.”

[23:11] ³⁴sn The presence of the Lord indicated the vindicating presence and direction of God.

[23:11] ³⁵tn Grk “standing near Paul, said.” The participle ἐπιστάς (epistas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:11] ³⁶tn Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[23:11] ³⁷tn Or “Do not be afraid.”

[23:11] ³⁸map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[23:11] ³⁹sn Like Jesus went to Jerusalem, Paul would now go to Rome. This trip forms the concluding backdrop to Acts. This is the second notice about going to Rome (see Acts 19:21 for the first).

[23:12] ⁴⁰tn Grk “when it was day.”

[23:12] ⁴¹tn Grk “forming a conspiracy, bound.” The participle ποιήσαντες (poihsantes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:12] ⁴²tn L&N 30.72 has ‘some Jews formed a conspiracy’ Ac 23:12”; BDAG 979 s.v. συστροφή 1 has “Judeans came together in a mob 23:12. But in the last pass. the word may also mean – 2. the product of a clandestine gathering, plot, conspiracy” (see also Amos 7:10; Ps 63:3).

[23:12] ⁴³tn Or “bound themselves under a curse.” BDAG 63 s.v. ἀναθεματίζω 1 has “trans. put under a curse τινά someone…pleonastically ἀναθέματι ἀ. ἑαυτόν Ac 23:14…ἀ. ἑαυτόν vss. 12, 21, 13 v.l.” On such oaths see m. Shevi’it 3:1-5. The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in English and has not been translated.

[23:12] ⁴⁴tn The word “anything” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.

[23:13] ⁴⁵tn L&N 30.73 defines συνωμοσία (sunwmosia) as “a plan for taking secret action someone or some institution, with the implication of an oath binding the conspirators – ‘conspiracy, plot.’ …‘there were more than forty of them who formed this conspiracy’ Ac 23:13.”

[23:14] ⁴⁶tn Grk “who.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) was translated by the third person plural pronoun (“them”) and a new sentence begun in the translation.

[23:14] ⁴⁷tn Grk “going.” The participle προσελθόντες (proselqonte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:14] ⁴⁸sn They went to the chief priests. The fact that the high priest knew of this plot and did nothing shows the Jewish leadership would even become accomplices to murder to stop Paul. They would not allow Roman justice to take its course. Paul’s charge in v. 3 of superficially following the law is thus shown to be true.

[23:14] ⁴⁹tn Or “bound ourselves under a curse.” BDAG 63 s.v. ἀναθεματίζω 1 has “trans. put under a curse τινά someone…pleonastically ἀναθέματι ἀ. ἑαυτόν Ac 23:14…ἀ. ἑαυτόν vss. 12, 21, 13 v.l.” The pleonastic use ἀναθέματι ἀνεθεματίσαμεν (literally “we have cursed ourselves with a curse”) probably serves as an intensifier following Semitic usage, and is represented in the translation by the word “solemn.” On such oaths see m. Nedarim 3:1, 3.

[23:14] ⁵⁰tn This included both food and drink (γεύομαι [geuomai] is used of water turned to wine in John 2:9).

[23:15] ⁵¹tn Grk “the Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).

[23:15] ⁵²tn Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. 10.

[23:15] ⁵³tn Or “decide.” BDAG 227 s.v. διαγινώσκω has “ἀκριβέστερον τὰ περὶ αὐτοῦ to make a more thorough examination of his case Ac 23:15.”

[23:15] ⁵⁴tn Grk “determine the things about him.”

[23:15] ⁵⁵tn The expression “more thorough inquiry” reflects the comparative form of ἀκριβέστερον (akribesteron).

[23:15] ⁵⁶sn “We are ready to kill him.” Now those Jews involved in the conspiracy, along with the leaders as accomplices, are going to break one of the ten commandments.

[23:15] ⁵⁷tn The words “this place” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.

[23:16] ⁵⁸tn Or “plot” (BDAG 334 s.v. ἐνέδρα).

[23:16] ⁵⁹tn Grk “coming and entering…, he told.” The participles παραγενόμενος (paragenomeno") and εἰσελθών (eiselqwn) have been translated as finite verbs due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:16] ⁶⁰tn Or “the headquarters.” BDAG 775 s.v. παρεμβολή 2 has “barracks/headquarters of the Roman troops in Jerusalem Ac 21:34, 37; 22:24; 23:10, 16, 32.”

[23:17] ⁶¹tn Grk “calling…Paul said.” The participle προσκαλεσάμενος (proskalesameno") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:17] ⁶²sn See the note on the word centurion in 10:1.

[23:17] ⁶³tn Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. 10.

[23:18] ⁶⁴tn Grk “he”; the referent (the centurion) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[23:18] ⁶⁵tn Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. 10.

[23:18] ⁶⁶tn Grk “calling.” The participle προσκαλεσάμενος (proskalesameno") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:19] ⁶⁷tn Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. 10.

[23:19] ⁶⁸tn Grk “you have,” but the expression “have to report” in English could be understood to mean “must report” rather than “possess to report.” For this reason the nearly equivalent expression “want to report,” which is not subject to misunderstanding, was used in the translation.

[23:20] ⁶⁹tn Grk “He said.”

[23:20] ⁷⁰tn Grk “the Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).

[23:21] ⁷¹tn Grk “do not be persuaded by them.” The passive construction μὴ πεισθῇς αὐτοῖς (mh peisqh" autoi") has been converted to an active construction in the translation, and the phrase “to do this” supplied to indicate more clearly the object of their persuasion.

[23:21] ⁷²tn Grk “forty men of them.” In the expression ἐξ αὐτῶν ἄνδρες (ex autwn andre") “men” is somewhat redundant and has not been included in the English translation.

[23:21] ⁷³tn Grk “are lying in wait for him” (BDAG 334 s.v. ἐνεδρεύω); see also v. 16.

[23:21] ⁷⁴tn Grk “for him, who.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“who”) was translated by the third person plural pronoun (“they”) and a new sentence begun in the translation.

[23:21] ⁷⁵tn Or “bound themselves under a curse.” BDAG 63 s.v. ἀναθεματίζω 1 has “trans. put under a curse τινά someone… ἀ. ἑαυτόν vss. 12, 21, 13 v.l.”

[23:21] ⁷⁶tn The word “anything” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.

[23:21] ⁷⁷tn Grk “waiting for your approval,” “waiting for your agreement.” Since it would be possible to misunderstand the literal translation “waiting for your approval” to mean that the Jews were waiting for the commander’s approval to carry out their plot or to kill Paul (as if he were to be an accomplice to their plot), the object of the commander’s approval (their request to bring Paul to the council) has been specified in the translation as “their request.”

[23:22] ⁷⁸tn Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. 10.

[23:22] ⁷⁹tn BDAG 760 s.v. παραγγέλλω has “to make an announcement about someth. that must be done, give orders, command, instruct, direct of all kinds of persons in authority, worldly rulers, Jesus, the apostles…παραγγέλλειν w. an inf. and μή comes to mean forbid to do someth.: π. τινί w. aor. inf. Lk 5:14; 8:56; without the dat., which is easily supplied fr. the context Ac 23:22.” However, if the direct discourse which follows is to be retained in the translation, a different translation must be used since it is awkward to introduce direct discourse with the verb to forbid. Thus the alternative to direct was used.

[23:22] ⁸⁰tn On this verb, see BDAG 325-26 s.v. ἐμφανίζω 2. The term was frequently used of an official report to authorities. In modern terms, this was a police tip.

[23:23] ⁸¹tn Grk “And.” Since this represents a response to the reported ambush, καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the logical sequence.

[23:23] ⁸²tn Grk “summoning…he said.” The participle προσκαλεσάμενος (proskalesameno") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:23] ⁸³sn See the note on the word centurion in 10:1.

[23:23] ⁸⁴sn Caesarea was a city on the coast of Palestine south of Mount Carmel (not Caesarea Philippi). See the note on Caesarea in Acts 10:1. This was a journey of about 65 mi (just over 100 km).

[23:23] ⁸⁵tn Or “cavalrymen.”

[23:23] ⁸⁶tn A military technical term of uncertain meaning. BDAG 217 s.v. δεξιολάβος states, “a word of uncertain mng., military t.t., acc. to Joannes Lydus…and Theophyl. Sim., Hist. 4, 1 a light-armed soldier, perh. bowman, slinger; acc. to a scholion in CMatthaei p. 342 body-guard….Spearman Goodspd., NRSV; ‘security officer’, GDKilpatrick, JTS 14, ’63, 393f.”

[23:23] ⁸⁷tn Grk “from.”

[23:23] ⁸⁸tn Grk “from the third hour of the night.”

[23:24] ⁸⁹tn Grk “provide mounts to put Paul on.”

[23:24] ⁹⁰sn Felix the governor was Antonius Felix, a freedman of Antonia, mother of the Emperor Claudius. He was the brother of Pallas and became procurator of Palestine in a.d. 52/53. His administration was notorious for its corruption, cynicism, and cruelty. According to the historian Tacitus (History 5.9) Felix “reveled in cruelty and lust, and wielded the power of a king with the mind of a slave.”

[23:24] ⁹¹tn Grk “Felix the procurator.” The official Roman title has been translated as “governor” (BDAG 433 s.v. ἡγεμών 2).

[23:25] ⁹²tn Grk “writing.” Due to the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was begun here in the translation, supplying “he” (referring to the commanding officer, Claudius Lysias) as subject. The participle γράψας (grayas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:25] ⁹³tn Grk “having this form,” “having this content.” L&N 33.48 has “γράψσς ἐπιστολὴν ἔχουσαν τὸν τύπον τοῦτον ‘then he wrote a letter that went like this’ Ac 23:25. It is also possible to understand ἐπιστολή in Ac 23:25 not as a content or message, but as an object (see 6.63).”

[23:26] ⁹⁴tn Grk “Procurator.” The official Roman title has been translated as “governor” (BDAG 433 s.v. ἡγεμών 2).

[23:26] ⁹⁵sn Governor Felix. See the note on Felix in v. 24.

[23:27] ⁹⁶tn The participle συλλημφθέντα (sullhmfqenta) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. The remark reviews events of Acts 21:27-40.

[23:27] ⁹⁷tn Grk “and was about to be killed by them.” The passive construction has been converted to an active one in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[23:27] ⁹⁸tn Or “approached.”

[23:27] ⁹⁹tn Normally this term means “army,” but according to BDAG 947 s.v. στράτευμα, “Of a smaller detachment of soldiers, sing. Ac 23:10, 27.” In the plural it can be translated “troops,” but it is singular here.

[23:27] ¹⁰⁰tn In Greek this is a present tense retained in indirect discourse.

[23:27] ¹⁰¹tn The word “citizen” is supplied here for emphasis and clarity.

[23:28] ¹⁰²tn Or “determine.”

[23:28] ¹⁰³tn Grk “to know the charge on account of which they were accusing him.” This has been simplified to eliminate the prepositional phrase and relative pronoun δι᾿ ἣν (di’ }hn) similar to L&N 27.8 which has “‘I wanted to find out what they were accusing him of, so I took him down to their Council’ Ac 23:28.”

[23:28] ¹⁰⁴tn Grk “their Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).

[23:29] ¹⁰⁵tn Grk “whom I found.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) has been changed to a personal pronoun (“he”) and a new sentence begun in the translation at this point.

[23:29] ¹⁰⁶tn BDAG 428 s.v. ζήτημα states, “in our lit. only in Ac, w. the mng. it still has in Mod. Gk. (controversial) question, issue, argument…Ac 15:2; 26:3. ζ. περί τινος questions about someth.…18:15; 25:19. – In 23:29, since περί had already been used, the subj. of the discussion is added in the gen. ζ. τοῦ νόμου αὐτῶν.”

[23:29] ¹⁰⁷tn Grk “but having no charge worthy of death or imprisonment.” BDAG 273-74 s.v. ἔγκλημα 1 has “legal t.t.…ἔ. ἄξιον θανάτου ἢ δεσμῶν a charge deserving death or imprisonment 23:29.”

[23:30] ¹⁰⁸tn Grk “It being revealed to me.” The participle μηνυθείσης (mhnuqeish") has been taken temporally.

[23:30] ¹⁰⁹tn The term translated “plot” here is a different one than the one in Acts 23:16 (see BDAG 368 s.v. ἐπιβουλή).

[23:30] ¹¹⁰tn Grk “the things against him.” This could be rendered as “accusations,” “grievances,” or “charges,” but since “ordered his accusers to state their accusations” sounds redundant in English, “charges” was used instead.

[23:31] ¹¹¹tn BDAG 237-38 s.v. διατάσσω 2 has “κατὰ τὸ δ. αὐτοῖς in accordance w. their orders…Ac 23:31.”

[23:31] ¹¹²tn Grk “taking.” The participle ἀναλαβόντες (analabonte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:31] ¹¹³sn Antipatris was a city in Judea about 35 mi (55 km) northwest of Jerusalem (about halfway to Caesarea). It was mentioned several times by Josephus (Ant. 13.15.1 [13.390]; J. W. 1.4.7 [1.99]).

[23:32] ¹¹⁴tn Grk “letting.” The participle ἐάσαντες (easante") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:32] ¹¹⁵tn Or “cavalrymen.”

[23:32] ¹¹⁶tn Or “the headquarters.” BDAG 775 s.v. παρεμβολή 2 has “barracks/headquarters of the Roman troops in Jerusalem Ac 21:34, 37; 22:24; 23:10, 16, 32.”

[23:33] ¹¹⁷tn Grk “who, coming to Caesarea.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek construction, a new sentence was begun here in the translation. The relative pronoun (“who”) has been replaced with the referent (the horsemen) in the translation for clarity.

[23:33] ¹¹⁸sn Caesarea was a city on the coast of Palestine south of Mount Carmel (not Caesarea Philippi). See the note on Caesarea in Acts 10:1. It was about 30 mi (50 km) from Antipatris.

[23:33] ¹¹⁹tn BDAG 778 s.v. παρίστημι/παριστάνω 1.b has “present, represent – α. lit. τινά τινι someone to someone παρέστησαν τὸν Παῦλον αὐτῷ Ac 23:33.”

[23:34] ¹²⁰tn Grk “he”; the referent (the governor) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[23:34] ¹²¹tn Grk “having read.” The participle ἀναγνούς (anagnou") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:34] ¹²²tn The words “the letter” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.

[23:34] ¹²³tn Grk “and asking.” The participle ἐπερωτήσας (eperwthsa") has been translated as a finite verb and καί (kai) left untranslated due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:34] ¹²⁴sn Governor Felix asked what province he was from to determine whether he had legal jurisdiction over Paul. He could have sent him to his home province for trial, but decided to hear the case himself.

[23:34] ¹²⁵tn Grk “and learning.” The participle πυθόμενος (puqomeno") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[23:34] ¹²⁶sn Cilicia was a province in northeastern Asia Minor.

[23:35] ¹²⁷tn Or “I will hear your case.” BDAG 231 s.v. διακούω has “as legal t.t. give someone an opportunity to be heard in court, give someone (τινός) a hearing Ac 23:35”; L&N 56.13 has “to give a judicial hearing in a legal matter – ‘to hear a case, to provide a legal hearing, to hear a case in court.’”

[23:35] ¹²⁸tn Grk “ordering.” The participle κελεύσας (keleusas) has been translated as a finite verb and a new sentence begun here due to the length and complexity of the Greek sentence. “Then” has also been supplied to indicate the logical and temporal sequence.

[23:35] ¹²⁹tn Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[23:35] ¹³⁰sn Herod’s palace (Grk “Herod’s praetorium”) was the palace built in Caesarea by Herod the Great. See Josephus, Ant. 15.9.6 (15.331). These events belong to the period of a.d. 56-57.