Acts 23:10

φοβηθεὶς for εὐλαβηθεὶς with אABCE. Vulg. ‘timens.’

10. ὁ χιλίαρχος, the chief captain. He must have been in some position where he could watch all the proceedings, though we can hardly think that he was presiding in the Sanhedrin.

μὴ διασπασθῆ, lest he should be pulled in pieces. The Pharisees had constituted themselves protectors of the Apostle, and so the possession of his person had become the object of a struggle between them and their opponents, διασπάω is frequently used in the LXX. of wild beasts tearing their prey in pieces. For the Apostle’s position among the assembly cf. Acts 22:30 on εἰς αὐτούς. He was evidently where the people could lay hands on him (cf. ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν, below in this verse).

ἐκέλευσεν τὸ στράτευμα καταβὰν κ.τ.λ., he commanded the soldiers to go down, &c. They were in the tower of Antonia, overlooking the Temple-precincts, and so were ready to interfere in the struggle as soon as they were hidden. They were in considerable numbers, for στράτευμα is properly an army, as the A.V. renders in Acts 23:27 below. Jerusalem was at this time in such an excited state that the presence of a large Roman force was necessary.