Acts 23:10
New International Version
The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.

New Living Translation
As the conflict grew more violent, the commander was afraid they would tear Paul apart. So he ordered his soldiers to go and rescue him by force and take him back to the fortress.

English Standard Version
And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

Berean Standard Bible
The dispute grew so violent that the commander was afraid they would tear Paul to pieces. He ordered the soldiers to go down and remove him by force and bring him into the barracks.

Berean Literal Bible
And great dissension arising, the commander, having feared lest Paul should be torn to pieces by them, commanded the troop, having gone down, to take him by force from their midst and to bring him into the barracks.

King James Bible
And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

New King James Version
Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.

New American Standard Bible
And when a great dissension occurred, the commander was afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, and he ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.

NASB 1995
And as a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.

NASB 1977
And as a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.

Legacy Standard Bible
And as a great dissension was developing, because the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them, he ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.

Amplified Bible
And as the dissension became even greater, the commander, fearing that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, ordered the troops to go down and forcibly take him from them, and bring him to the barracks.

Christian Standard Bible
When the dispute became violent, the commander feared that Paul might be torn apart by them and ordered the troops to go down, take him away from them, and bring him into the barracks.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the dispute became violent, the commander feared that Paul might be torn apart by them and ordered the troops to go down, rescue him from them, and bring him into the barracks.

American Standard Version
And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the castle.

Contemporary English Version
The argument became fierce, and the commander was afraid that Paul would be pulled apart. So he ordered the soldiers to go in and rescue Paul. Then they took him back into the fortress.

English Revised Version
And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the castle.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The quarrel was becoming violent, and the officer was afraid that they would tear Paul to pieces. So the officer ordered his soldiers to drag Paul back to the barracks.

Good News Translation
The argument became so violent that the commander was afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces. So he ordered his soldiers to go down into the group, get Paul away from them, and take him into the fort.

International Standard Version
The quarrel was becoming violent, and the tribune was afraid that they would tear Paul to pieces. So he ordered the soldiers to go down, take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.

Majority Standard Bible
The dispute grew so violent that the commander was afraid they would tear Paul to pieces. He ordered the soldiers to go down and remove him by force and bring him into the barracks.

NET Bible
When the argument became so great the commanding officer feared that they would tear Paul to pieces, he ordered the detachment to go down, take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.

New Heart English Bible
When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul would have been pulled in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

Weymouth New Testament
But when the struggle was becoming violent, the Tribune, fearing that Paul would be torn to pieces by the people, ordered the troops to go down and take him from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

World English Bible
When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them and bring him into the barracks.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and a great dissension having come, the chief captain having been afraid lest Paul may be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the army, having gone down, to seize him out of their midst, and to bring [him] into the stronghold.

Berean Literal Bible
And great dissension arising, the commander, having feared lest Paul should be torn to pieces by them, commanded the troop, having gone down, to take him by force from their midst and to bring him into the barracks.

Young's Literal Translation
and a great dissension having come, the chief captain having been afraid lest Paul may be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiery, having gone down, to take him by force out of the midst of them, and to bring him to the castle.

Smith's Literal Translation
And there being much dissension, the captain of a thousand, having dreaded lest Paul be torn asunder by them, commanded the army, having gone down, to snatch him from the midst of them, and bring into the camp.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when there arose a great dissension, the tribune fearing lest Paul should be pulled in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And since a great dissension had been made, the tribune, fearing that Paul might be torn apart by them, ordered the soldiers to descend and to seize him from their midst, and to bring him into the fortress.

New American Bible
The dispute was so serious that the commander, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, ordered his troops to go down and rescue him from their midst and take him into the compound.

New Revised Standard Version
When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And because there was a great disturbance among them, the chief captain, fearing that they might tear Paul to pieces, sent Roman soldiers to go and seize him from among them and bring him into the castle.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when there was a great uproar among them, the Chiliarch was afraid lest they would tear Paulus apart, and he sent Romans to go snatch him from their midst and bring him to the encampment.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And when there arose a great dissension, the officer, fearing that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the fortress.

Godbey New Testament
And the dissension being great, the chiliarch fearing lest Paul may be torn to pieces by them, commanded the army, having gone down, to take him from their midst, and lead him into the castle.

Haweis New Testament
Then a great tumult arising, the tribune, apprehensive that Paul might be pulled in pieces by them, commanded the guard to go down, and take him by force from the midst of them, and bring him into the fortress.

Mace New Testament
but the tumult growing worse, the tribune apprehensive that Paul might be torn to pieces among them, order'd detachment to secure him by force of arms, and bring him to the castle.

Weymouth New Testament
But when the struggle was becoming violent, the Tribune, fearing that Paul would be torn to pieces by the people, ordered the troops to go down and take him from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

Worrell New Testament
And, when a great dissension was arising, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul might be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers, going down, to take him by force out of their midst, and lead him into the castle.

Worsley New Testament
But as there arose much contention, the tribune fearing least Paul should be torn in pieces by them, ordered a party of soldiers to go down, and take him by force out of the midst of them, and to bring him into the castle.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul Before the Sanhedrin
9A great clamor arose, and some scribes from the party of the Pharisees got up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 The dispute grew so violent that the commander was afraid they would tear Paul to pieces. He ordered the soldiers to go down and remove him by force and bring him into the barracks. 11The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.”…

Cross References
Acts 21:30-36
The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. / While they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman regiment received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil. / Immediately he took some soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. ...

Acts 22:24
the commander ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. He directed that Paul be flogged and interrogated to determine the reason for this outcry against him.

Acts 19:29-31
Soon the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia. / Paul wanted to go before the assembly, but the disciples would not allow him. / Even some of Paul’s friends who were officials of the province of Asia sent word to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre.

Acts 24:7
but Lysias the commander came with great force and took him out of our hands,

Acts 25:3
to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.

Acts 9:23-25
After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, / but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him. / One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.

Acts 14:5-6
But when the Gentiles and Jews, together with their rulers, set out to mistreat and stone them, / they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region,

Acts 17:5-10
The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. / But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!” ...

Acts 18:12-17
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat. / “This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said. / But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint. ...

Acts 27:42-43
The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners so none of them could swim to freedom. / But the centurion, wanting to spare Paul’s life, thwarted their plan. He commanded those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.

2 Corinthians 11:32-33
In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me. / But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his grasp.

Matthew 27:24
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”

John 7:43-44
So there was division in the crowd because of Jesus. / Some of them wanted to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him.

John 19:12-16
From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.” / When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew is Gabbatha. / It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” ...

2 Kings 11:1-3
When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs. / But Jehosheba daughter of King Joram, the sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the sons of the king who were being murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah, and he was not killed. / And Joash remained hidden with his nurse in the house of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.


Treasury of Scripture

And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

fearing.

Acts 23:27
This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

Acts 19:28-31
And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians…

Acts 21:30-36
And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut…

to take.

Acts 22:24
The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

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Afraid Argument Barracks Captain Castle Chief Commanded Commander Commanding Dissension Fearing Force Great Officer Ordered Paul Pieces Pulled Soldiers Struggle Torn Tribune Troops Violent
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Acts 23
1. As Paul pleads his cause,
2. Ananias commands them to strike him.
7. Dissension among his accusers.
11. God encourages him.
14. The Jews' vow to kill Paul,
20. is declared unto the chief captain.
27. He sends him to Felix the governor.














The dispute grew so violent
The phrase "The dispute grew so violent" indicates an escalation of conflict. The Greek word for "dispute" is "στάσις" (stasis), which can mean a standing or a faction, often used to describe a riot or insurrection. This reflects the intense division and chaos among the Jewish leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees, over theological differences, particularly concerning the resurrection. Historically, this mirrors the frequent and intense religious debates of the time, which often led to public disorder.

that the commander was afraid
The "commander" here is the Roman tribune, Claudius Lysias. The Greek word for "afraid" is "φοβέω" (phobeo), which means to fear or be alarmed. This highlights the seriousness of the situation, as Roman officials were tasked with maintaining peace and order. The fear of the commander underscores the potential for violence and the precariousness of Paul's situation, reflecting the broader tension between Roman authority and Jewish autonomy.

they would tear Paul to pieces
The imagery of "tear Paul to pieces" is vivid and dramatic. The Greek verb "διασπάω" (diaspao) means to tear apart or rend. This phrase illustrates the extreme hostility and physical danger Paul faced. It also symbolizes the spiritual and ideological tearing within the Jewish community, as Paul's message of the Gospel was a point of contention that threatened to disrupt traditional beliefs.

He ordered the troops to go down
The "troops" refer to the Roman soldiers under the commander's authority. The Greek word "καταβαίνω" (katabaino) means to go down or descend, indicating the physical movement of the soldiers from the Antonia Fortress to the temple area. This action demonstrates the Roman commitment to maintaining order and protecting individuals, even those like Paul, who were seen as agitators by some.

and remove him from their midst
The phrase "remove him from their midst" signifies a strategic extraction. The Greek word "ἁρπάζω" (harpazo) means to seize or snatch away, often used in contexts of rescue or deliverance. This reflects God's providential care over Paul, ensuring his safety amidst human conflict. It also serves as a metaphor for divine intervention, where God often rescues His servants from perilous situations.

and bring him into the barracks
The "barracks" refers to the Antonia Fortress, a military installation adjacent to the temple in Jerusalem. The Greek word "στρατόπεδον" (stratopedon) means a camp or barracks. This location provided a place of refuge and protection for Paul. Historically, the barracks were a symbol of Roman power and authority, yet in this context, they become a sanctuary for Paul, illustrating how God can use secular means to fulfill His purposes.

(10) The chief captain, fearing . . .--We may well believe that the priest who had been rebuked as a "whited wall" would not willingly forego his revenge. He, and the Sadducees generally, would now be able to assume the position of being more devoted defenders of the Law and of the Temple than the Pharisees themselves. The fear of the chiliarch was naturally heightened by his knowledge that he was responsible for the life of a Roman citizen. In the barracks of the fortress, as before, probably in the self-same guardroom as that which had witnessed our Lord's sufferings at the hands of Pilate's soldiers, the prisoner would at least be in safety.

Verse 10. - Be torn for have been pulled, A.V.; by for of, A.V.; take for to take, A.V.; bring for to bring, A.V. A great dissension; στάσεως, as in Acts 15:2. and above, ver. 7. The state of things here described is exactly what the pages of Josephus and of Tacitus disclose as to the combustible state of the Jewish mind generally just before the commencement of the Jewish war. The Roman power was the one element of quiet and order. The tower of Antonia was the one place of safety in Jerusalem.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[The] dispute
στάσεως (staseōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4714: From the base of histemi; a standing, i.e. position; by implication, a popular uprising; figuratively, controversy.

grew
γινομένης (ginomenēs)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

so violent
πολλῆς (pollēs)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

[that] the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

commander
χιλίαρχος (chiliarchos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5506: A commander of a thousand men, a military tribune. From chilioi and archo; the commander of a thousand soldiers

was afraid
φοβηθεὶς (phobētheis)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5399: From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere.

they
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

would tear Paul to pieces.
διασπασθῇ (diaspasthē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1288: To tear apart, burst. From dia and spao; to draw apart, i.e. Sever or dismember.

He ordered
ἐκέλευσεν (ekeleusen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2753: To command, order, direct, bid. From a primary kello; 'hail'; to incite by word, i.e. Order.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

soldiers
στράτευμα (strateuma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4753: An army, detachment of troops. From strateuomai; an armament, i.e. a body of troops.

to go down
καταβὰν (kataban)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2597: To go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend. From kata and the base of basis; to descend.

[and] remove him by force
ἁρπάσαι (harpasai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 726: To seize, snatch, obtain by robbery. From a derivative of haireomai; to seize.

and
τε (te)
Conjunction
Strong's 5037: And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.

bring [him]
ἄγειν (agein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 71: A primary verb; properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, go, pass, or induce.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

barracks.
παρεμβολήν (parembolēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3925: From a compound of para and emballo; a throwing in beside, i.e., battle-array, encampment or barracks.


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NT Apostles: Acts 23:10 When a great argument arose the commanding (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 23:9
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