Acts 23:22

Verse

So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, “Do not tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

American Standard Version (1901)

So the chief captain let the young man go, charging him, Tell no man that thou hast signified these things to me.

So the chief captain let the young man go, saying to him, Do not say to anyone that you have given me word of these things.

Douay-Rheims 1899

The tribune therefore dismissed the young man, charging him that he should tell no man, that he had made known these things unto him.

Free Bible Version

The commander sent the young man on his way, warning him, “Don't tell anyone that you've told me about this.”

Geneva Bible 1599

The chiefe captaine then let the yong man depart, after hee had charged him to vtter it to no man, that he had shewed him these things.

King James (Authorized) Version

So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.

Plain English Version

The big boss soldier said to the young man, “You can go home now, but don’t tell anyone that you told me this news.”

Translation for Translators

The commander said to Paul’s young nephew, “Do not tell anyone that you (sg) have told me about their plan.” Then he sent the young man away.

Unlocked Literal Bible

So the chief captain let the young man go, after instructing him, “Tell no one that you have said these things to me.”

Noah Webster Bible

So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him , See thou tell no man that thou hast shown these things to me.

World English Bible

So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”

Young's Literal Translation

The chief captain, then, indeed, let the young man go, having charged [him] to tell no one, 'that these things thou didst shew unto me;'

Context

The Plot to Kill Paul

²¹Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.”²²So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, “Do not tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

Summary

In Acts 23:22, we see the Roman commander responding to the plot against Paul by ordering a detachment of soldiers to protect him during the night. This action reveals God's providential care for Paul, ensuring his safety and the continuation of his mission. It also demonstrates how God can use earthly authorities to accomplish His purposes and protect His servants. The commander's decision highlights the importance of divine intervention in preserving the lives of those who are dedicated to spreading the Gospel, even in the face of opposition and danger.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And he called to him two centurions,.... Who had each of them an hundred soldiers under them: saying, make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea; which was formerly called Strato's tower, a sea port town, where Felix the Roman governor now was; it was six hundred furlongs, or seventy five miles (f) from Jerusalem: these two hundred soldiers were foot soldiers, as appears by their being distinguished from horsemen in the next clause, and were just the number that the two centurions had the command of; the making of them ready, was their seeing to it, that they were properly clothed, and accoutred with arms and ammunition, and with sufficient provision for their journey: and horsemen threescore and ten; the Ethiopic version reads, "a hundred"; but without support from any copy: "and spearmen two hundred"; who carried spears in their right hand; the word used signifies such who receive, lay hold on, or hold anything in their right hand: some think it designs such who were employed in the militia, to lay hold on guilty persons, and hold them; the Alexandrian copy reads, "those that cast with the right hand"; and so reads the Syriac version, to which the Arabic agrees, which renders it "darters"; such as carried darts in their hands, and did not shoot out of a bow, but cast darts with their hands: now these being got ready, were ordered to march, at the third hour of the night; at nine o'clock at night, that they might go out unobserved, and before the petition from the sanhedrim was presented to him. (f) Joseph. de Bello Jud. l. 1. c. 3. sect. 5. Egesip de Excid. urb. l. 1. c. 7.