Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

23:23-24 The entire Roman force in Jerusalem consisted of a single cohort of up to 1,000 soldiers. The importance that Lysias attached to his prisoner is evidenced by his sending approximately half the force to protect him.

23:24 Felix was governor of Judea a.d. 52-59. He was somewhat inept and had his share of weaknesses (see 24:24-27).

23:25-26 Lysias's letter follows standard Greek form: sender (Lysias), to recipient (Felix), followed by greetings (Gk. chairein). He gave Felix the deferential title Excellency (Gk. kratistos).

23:27 Lysias had no charges to list, other than that all complaints against Paul had to do with "their [Jewish] law" (v. 29) and not Roman law. Throughout the rest of Acts, all the Roman officials testify to Paul's innocence of any charges against him.

23:31 Antipatris was 35 of the 62 miles (56 of the 100 km) by road from Jerusalem to Caesarea (v. 33), a difficult but not impossible distance for soldiers to march in the cool of the night. Only the 70 "horsemen" (v. 32) continued to Caesarea. Antipatris (ancient Aphek in Sharon, identified with Tell Ras el-Ain) was rebuilt under Herod the Great in the first century b.c. and renamed for his father Antipater. Herodian-era shops, pavement, Roman coins, and a fortress have been uncovered in excavations at Aphek. On the city of Caesarea, see note on 8:40.

23:34 At this time Judea and Cilicia were both a part of the Roman province of Syria. Since Felix administered a portion of that province and Paul's home was within it, Felix determined that Paul's case was within his jurisdiction.

23:35 Herod's praetorium was one of his palaces and served as the quarters of the Roman governor.