Acts 23:27
New International Version
This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him, but I came with my troops and rescued him, for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen.

New Living Translation
“This man was seized by some Jews, and they were about to kill him when I arrived with the troops. When I learned that he was a Roman citizen, I removed him to safety.

English Standard Version
This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen.

Berean Standard Bible
This man was seized by the Jews, and they were about to kill him when I came with my troops to rescue him. For I had learned that he is a Roman citizen,

Berean Literal Bible
This man having been seized by the Jews and being about to be killed by them, having come up with the troop, I rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

New American Standard Bible
When this man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, after learning that he was a Roman.

NASB 1995
“When this man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be slain by them, I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

NASB 1977
When this man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be slain by them, I came upon them with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

Legacy Standard Bible
“When this man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be slain by them, I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

Amplified Bible
This man was seized [as a prisoner] by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, when I came upon him with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen.

Christian Standard Bible
When this man had been seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, I arrived with my troops and rescued him because I learned that he is a Roman citizen.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When this man had been seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, I arrived with my troops and rescued him because I learned that he is a Roman citizen.

American Standard Version
This 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.

Contemporary English Version
Some Jews grabbed this man and were about to kill him. But when I found out that he was a Roman citizen, I took some soldiers and rescued him.

English Revised Version
This 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Jews had seized this man and were going to murder him. When I found out that he was a Roman citizen, I went with my soldiers to rescue him.

Good News Translation
The Jews seized this man and were about to kill him. I learned that he is a Roman citizen, so I went with my soldiers and rescued him.

International Standard Version
This man had been seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I went with the guard and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen.

Majority Standard Bible
This man was seized by the Jews, and they were about to kill him when I came with my troops to rescue him. For I had learned that he is a Roman citizen,

NET Bible
This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him, when I came up with the detachment and rescued him, because I had learned that he was a Roman citizen.

New Heart English Bible
"This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

Webster's Bible Translation
This man was taken by the Jews, and would have been killed by them: then I came with a body of soldiers, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

Weymouth New Testament
This man Paul had been seized by the Jews, and they were on the point of killing him, when I came upon them with the troops and rescued him, for I had been informed that he was a Roman citizen.

World English Bible
“This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
This man having been taken by the Jews, and being about to be killed by them—having come with the army, I rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman;

Berean Literal Bible
This man having been seized by the Jews and being about to be killed by them, having come up with the troop, I rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman.

Young's Literal Translation
This man having been taken by the Jews, and being about to be killed by them -- having come with the soldiery, I rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman;

Smith's Literal Translation
This man having been taken by the Jews, and being about to be killed by them: having stood with an army, I took him away, having learned that he is a Roman.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
This man being taken by the Jews, and ready to be killed by them, I rescued coming in with an army, understanding that he is a Roman:

Catholic Public Domain Version
This man, having been apprehended by the Jews and being about to be put to death by them, I rescued, overwhelming them with soldiers, since I realized that he is a Roman.

New American Bible
This man, seized by the Jews and about to be murdered by them, I rescued after intervening with my troops when I learned that he was a Roman citizen.

New Revised Standard Version
This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, but when I had learned that he was a Roman citizen, I came with the guard and rescued him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
This man was seized by the Jews who intended to kill him: but I intervened with Roman soldiers and rescued him, when I understood he was a Roman citizen.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“The Judeans seized this man so as to kill him, and I helped with the Romans and saved him when I learned that he is a Roman.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
This man was taken by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them. Then I went with soldiers, and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

Godbey New Testament
This man, having been taken by the Jews, and being about to be put to death by them, having interposed with my army, I took out of their hands, having learned that he is a Roman:

Haweis New Testament
This person had been seized by the Jews, and was ready to be slain by them: but coming on them with the guard, I rescued him out of their hands, having understood that he was a Roman citizen.

Mace New Testament
The Jews having seiz'd this man, were just upon the point to dispatch him, when I march'd with a body to his rescue;

Weymouth New Testament
This man Paul had been seized by the Jews, and they were on the point of killing him, when I came upon them with the troops and rescued him, for I had been informed that he was a Roman citizen.

Worrell New Testament
This man having been arrested by the Jews, and being about to be killed by them, I, going down with the army, rescued; having heard that he was a Roman.

Worsley New Testament
This man being seized by the Jews, and about to be killed by them, I came upon them with some soldiers and rescued him: for I understand that he is a Roman.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul Sent to Felix
26Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings. 27This man was seized by the Jews, and they were about to kill him when I came with my troops to rescue him. For I had learned that he is a Roman citizen, 28and since I wanted to understand their charges against him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin.…

Cross References
Acts 21:31-33
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. / The commander came up and arrested Paul, ordering that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.

Acts 22:25-29
But as they stretched him out to strap him down, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it lawful for you to flog a Roman citizen without a trial?” / On hearing this, the centurion went and reported it to the commander. “What are you going to do?” he said. “This man is a Roman citizen.” / The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes,” he answered. ...

Acts 24:7-9
but Lysias the commander came with great force and took him out of our hands, / By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.” / The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.

Acts 25:10-12
Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. / If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” / Then Festus conferred with his council and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Acts 26:31-32
On their way out, they said to one another, “This man has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.” / And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Acts 28:17-18
After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. / They examined me and wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.

Romans 13:1-4
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...

1 Peter 2:13-14
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

John 18:12-14
Then the band of soldiers, with its commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him. / They brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. / Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be better if one man died for the people.

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!” ...

Matthew 27:1-2
When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death. / They bound Him, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.

Luke 23:1-4
Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate. / And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.” / So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. ...

Mark 15:1-5
Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin devised a plan. They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate. / So Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. / And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things. ...

Daniel 6:14-16
As soon as the king heard this, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel, and he labored until sundown to rescue him. / Then the men approached the king together and said to him, “Remember, O king, that by the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or ordinance established by the king can be changed.” / So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!”

Esther 8:8-10
Now you may write in the king’s name as you please regarding the Jews, and seal it with the royal signet ring. For a decree that is written in the name of the king and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked.” / At once the royal scribes were summoned, and on the twenty-third day of the third month (the month of Sivan), they recorded all of Mordecai’s orders to the Jews and to the satraps, governors, and princes of the 127 provinces from India to Cush—writing to each province in its own script, to every people in their own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language. / Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes and sealed it with the royal signet ring. He sent the documents by mounted couriers riding on swift horses bred from the royal mares.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

was taken.

Acts 23:10
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.

Acts 21:31-33
And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar…

Acts 24:7
But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

having.

Acts 22:25-29
And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? …

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Army Arrested Body Citizen Danger Informed Jews Kill Killed Killing Learned Military Paul Point Rescued Roman Seized Slain Soldiers Troops Understood
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Army Arrested Body Citizen Danger Informed Jews Kill Killed Killing Learned Military Paul Point Rescued Roman Seized Slain Soldiers Troops Understood
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.














This man
The phrase "This man" refers to the Apostle Paul, a central figure in the New Testament. Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was a zealous Pharisee who converted to Christianity after a dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. His transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted apostle underscores the power of divine grace and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. In the context of Acts 23, Paul is under threat due to his bold proclamation of the Gospel, highlighting the cost of discipleship and the courage required to stand for one's faith.

was seized by the Jews
The phrase "was seized by the Jews" indicates the hostility Paul faced from his own people. The Jewish leaders were often in opposition to Paul's message, which they saw as a threat to their religious traditions and authority. The Greek word for "seized" (συλλαμβάνω, sullambanō) implies a forceful and aggressive action, reflecting the intensity of the opposition against Paul. This hostility is a recurring theme in Acts, illustrating the spiritual warfare that accompanies the spread of the Gospel.

and they were about to kill him
This phrase reveals the severity of the situation Paul was in. The Jewish leaders' intent to kill Paul demonstrates the extreme measures they were willing to take to silence the message of Christ. Historically, this reflects the tension between the early Christian movement and the established Jewish religious order. The willingness to resort to violence underscores the spiritual blindness and hardness of heart that can occur when individuals reject the truth of the Gospel.

but I came with my troops and rescued him
The speaker here is Claudius Lysias, the Roman commander. His intervention is a pivotal moment, showcasing God's providential care over Paul. The Greek word for "rescued" (ἐξαιρέω, exaireō) conveys the idea of deliverance from danger, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture as God repeatedly delivers His people from peril. This act of rescue not only preserves Paul's life but also ensures the continuation of his mission to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles.

for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen
The revelation of Paul's Roman citizenship is crucial. Roman citizenship was a privileged status that afforded certain legal protections, including the right to a fair trial. In the historical context of the Roman Empire, citizenship was a significant advantage, and Paul's use of this status demonstrates his wisdom and resourcefulness. This aspect of the narrative highlights the intersection of divine sovereignty and human agency, as God uses Paul's citizenship to further His purposes and protect His servant.

(27) Then came I with an army.--Better, with my troops. The chief captain ingeniously colours his statement so as to claim credit for having rescued a Roman citizen, though, as a matter of fact, he did not discover that he was a citizen until he was on the point of scourging him without a trial. That fact, of course, is passed over without a word.

Verse 27. - Seized by for taken of, A.V.; was about to be slain for should have been killed, A.V.; when I came for then came I, A.V.; upon them with the soldiers for with an army, A.V.; learned for understood, A.V. The soldiers (τὸστράτευμα, as ver. 10). The army of the A.V. is out of place. Having learned, etc. Lysias departs here from strict truth, wishing, no doubt, to set off his zeal in defense of a Roman citizen, and also to anticipate any unfavorable report that Paul might give as to his threatened scourging.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
This
τοῦτον (touton)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

man
ἄνδρα (andra)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.

was seized
συλλημφθέντα (syllēmphthenta)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4815: From sun and lambano; to clasp, i.e. Seize; specially, to conceive; by implication, to aid.

by
ὑπὸ (hypo)
Preposition
Strong's 5259: A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Jews,
Ἰουδαίων (Ioudaiōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

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.

were about
μέλλοντα (mellonta)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3195: A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something.

to kill [him]
ἀναιρεῖσθαι (anaireisthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 337: From ana and haireomai; to take up, i.e. Adopt; by implication, to take away, i.e. Abolish, murder.

when I came
ἐπιστὰς (epistas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2186: To stand by, be urgent, befall one (as of evil), be at hand, impend. From epi and histemi; to stand upon, i.e. Be present.

with
σὺν (syn)
Preposition
Strong's 4862: With. A primary preposition denoting union; with or together.

[my]
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative 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.

troops
στρατεύματι (strateumati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4753: An army, detachment of troops. From strateuomai; an armament, i.e. a body of troops.

to rescue [him].
ἐξειλάμην (exeilamēn)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1807: From ek and haireomai; actively, to tear out; middle voice, to select; figuratively, to release.

For I had learned
μαθὼν (mathōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3129: Prolongation from a primary verb, another form of which, matheo, is used as an alternate in certain tenses; to learn.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

he is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

a Roman citizen,
Ῥωμαῖός (Rhōmaios)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4514: Roman; subst: a Roman citizen. From Rhome; Romaean, i.e. Roman.


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NT Apostles: Acts 23:27 This man was seized by the Jews (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 23:26
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