Acts 23:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?"

NIV: The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, "What is it you want to tell me?"

NASB: The commander took him by the hand, and stepping aside, began to inquire of him privately, 'What is it that you have to report to me?'

CSB: The commander took him by the hand, led him aside, and inquired privately, "What is it you have to report to me?"

NLT: The commander took his hand, led him aside, and asked, 'What is it you want to tell me?'

KJV: Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?

NKJV: Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

The term "tribune" is a title for different offices. The Tribuni militum oversaw administration and logistics in a military unit and could be called to lead troops in battle. When stationed in a city, his responsibility was to protect the underclass from exploitation by the magistrates. This tribune is stationed at the barracks at the Antonia Fortress on the northern edge of the temple mount in Jerusalem. The position of tribune was a one-year career-broadening assignment, often for young senators.

For the past several days, this tribune has been trying to figure out why a mob of Jews grabbed a man, dragged him out of the temple, and nearly killed him (Acts 21:30–34). His latest attempt was to ask the Jewish ruling council—the Sanhedrin—but they tried to kill his prisoner, as well (Acts 23:1–10). Now a centurion brings a teenage boy into his office with a private message (Acts 23:17–18).

The tribune's prisoner is Paul, and the young man is his nephew. The Jews at the temple tried to kill Paul because they thought he'd brought a Gentile into the temple (Acts 21:27–31). The Sanhedrin tried to dismember him because he set the Pharisees against the Sadducees (Acts 23:1–10). Paul's nephew is there because he overheard a plot between forty Jews and the Sanhedrin to kill Paul (Acts 23:12–16).

The tribune still doesn't understand the nuances of why everyone is angry with Paul, but he knows he's in over his head. He sends Paul to the governor's capital on the coast with a large military escort, his compliments, and a request that the governor take over the case (Acts 23:23–30).

Acts 23:12–22 shows Paul just how unwelcoming Jerusalem can be. False accusations and old religious-political differences have conspired to keep him incarcerated in the Roman barracks. Forty men gain the approval of the Sanhedrin to murder Paul. But Paul's nephew hears of their plan and tells the Roman tribune. The tribune swears him to secrecy as he makes plans for Paul to go to the governor: a man with higher legal authority and a larger army.

Acts 23 continues the tribune's attempt to discover why a mob of Jews suddenly turned violent and attacked Paul (Acts 21:27–33). He takes Paul to the Sanhedrin to see if they understand what his crime is. Paul barely begins his story when he is slapped for impudence. He disrespects the high priest and starts a fight between the Pharisees and Sadducees. The next day, a group of forty Jews invite the Sanhedrin to help them murder Paul. Paul's nephew reports the plot to the tribune who gives up and sends Paul to the governor. The governor awaits Paul's accusers for trial.

Jews from near Ephesus accused Paul of bringing a Gentile into the temple and incited a crowd to attack him. The tribune saved Paul but couldn't uncover the reason for the violence; most of the mob didn't know, and Paul was a Roman citizen, so the tribune couldn't beat the truth out of him (Acts 21—22). When the Sanhedrin would rather murder Paul than talk to him, the tribune sends Paul to the governor. The governor holds Paul without charges for so long he invokes his right to a trial before Caesar. The governor agrees, and Paul finally gets to Rome (Acts 24—28).

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.