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Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary (4 vols)

Acts 23:25,26

Acts 23:25-26. He wrote a letter after this manner: Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. This was in strict accordance with the Roman law, which directed a subordinate official, in sending a prisoner to the higher authority for trial, to send a written statement, termed an ‘elogium,' of the whole case. On this occasion, the ‘elogium' was rather a letter in favour of Paul than a formal accusation. ‘The most excellent' (τω ͂ͅ κρατι ́ στω ͅ) was the official title which was usually given to a governor holding the office of Felix. Tertullus the orator thus addresses the procurator in court (chap. Acts 24:3), and Paul, Festus (chap. Acts 26:25). In his dedication of the Gospel, Luke prefixes the same title to Theophilus (Luke 1:3).

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See also Acts 23:25,26 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Acts 23:25. _HE WROTE A LETTER AFTER THIS MANNER_] It appears that this was not only the _substance_ of the letter, but the _letter_ _itself_: the whole of it is so perfectly formal as to prove...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE STRATEGY OF PAUL (Acts 23:1-10)...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    The commander wrote a letter to the following effect, "Claudius Lysias to his excellency Felix, the governor--greetings! When this man was seized by the Jews and when he was going to be murdered by th...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    AND HE WROTE. Having written. AFTER THIS MANNER. having (Greek. _periecho,_ but texts read _echo)_ this form (Greek. _tupos,_ Acts 7:43)....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _a letter after this manner_ [_Rev. Ver._ FORM]. As both the writer and receiver of the letter were Romans, it is most likely that Latin would be the language of the original, and that St Luke has giv...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ἘΠΙΣΤΟΛῊΝ ἜΧΟΥΣΑΝ ΤῸΝ ΤΎΠΟΝ ΤΟΥ͂ΤΟΝ, _a letter after this form_. As both the writer and receiver of the letter were Romans, it is most likely that Latin was the language in which it was written, and t...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    PAUL IS CHEERED BY A VISION. THE JEWS CONSPIRE TO KILL HIM...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _CLAUDIUS LYSIAS'S LETTER TO FELIX -- ACTS 23:25-35:_ Claudius Lysias wrote a letter in which he sent greetings to Felix and somewhat explained Paul's situation. He explained how that Paul was taken b...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΓΡΆΨΑΣ _aor. act. part. (conymcme.)_ от ΓΡΆΦΩ (G1125) писать, ΈΧΟΥΣΑΝ _praes. act. part. (adj.) от_ ΕΧΩ (G2192) иметь, ΤΎΠΟΣ (G5179) отпечаток, копия, репродукция. Значение копий писем, вероятно, за...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    g. The plot for Paul's life and his escape. Acts 23:12-30. Acts 23:12 And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink...

  • Combined Bible Commentary

    See notes on verse 23...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    And he wrote a letter after this manner: AND HE WROTE A LETTER AFTER THIS MANNER:...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    10 The captain was more concerned that a Roman citizen should not be injured than to get their report, and so sends his soldiers to rescue him a second time from their clutches. It was well that he wa...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    ST. PAUL SENT TO CÆESAREA 1. St. Paul often asserts his good conscience before God and man: see Acts 22:3; Acts 24:16....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    ST. PAUL IS SENT TO CÆSAREA....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE ACTS _MARION ADAMS_ CHAPTER 23 PAUL SPEAKS TO THE *SANHEDRIN, 23:1-11 V1 Paul looked straight at the *Sanhedrin. He said, ‘My brothers, my conscience feels good about how...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    περιέχουσαν, see critical note above. τύπον : “form,” R.V., a précis or summary of the contents of a letter, 3Ma 3:30. Such a letter would be called _elogium_, Alford, _in loco_, Renan, _Saint Paul_,...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    SENT TO A ROMAN TRIBUNAL Acts 23:25 Antipatris was forty-two miles from Jerusalem. The escort and their prisoner made the forced march in a night. Next day the legionaries marched back to Jerusalem w...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    By action of the Roman governor, Paul was arraigned before the Jewish Sanhedrin. Hardly had he commenced before he was interrupted and insulted. It was a most trying ordeal for the apostle. It is easi...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    Paul Sent to Felix The chief captain, whose name was Claudius Lysias, immediately called two centurions to him. He commanded them to ready 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen to escort Paul to...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    This verse is omitted in the Greek. Antipatris was a pleasant city on the Mediterranean sea, situated at equal distance, about 24 miles, between Joppe and Cæsarea, on the way from Jerusalem to this la...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    THE CONSPIRACY AND DELIVERANCE 11-35. That mighty vision was the secret of Paul's redoubtable courage and sanctified versatility. He knew he was to “see Rome.” God's heroes are immortal until the last...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; (24) And pr...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    The closing Chapter s from 21 to the end of the book are devoted to an episode full of interest and profit Paul's course from Jerusalem to Rome. And here we find ourselves in an atmosphere considerabl...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    − 25._And he wrote a letter. _First, we must briefly admonish the readers who have not been conversant in histories, that this Felix was brother to Pallas, who being Caesar’s freeman, became equal wit...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Paul addresses the council with the gravity and dignity of an upright man accustomed to walk with God. It is not a testimony borne to them for their good; but the appeal of a good conscience to their...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    AND HE WROTE A LETTER AFTER THIS MANNER. The chief captain wrote a letter to Felix the governor, the form and sum of which were as follow; this letter he sent by one of the centurions to him....

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    And he wrote a letter after this manner: Ver. 25. _And he wrote a letter_] Gr. an epistle, _cuius ornamentum est ornamentis carere, _ saith Politian....

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _And he called two centurions_ In whom he could particularly confide; _saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers_ Thus the chief captain prudently sends Paul away to Cesarea by night, under a strong gua...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    AND HE WROTE A LETTER AFTER THIS MANNER:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    PAUL BROUGHT TO CAESAREA. The preparations for the journey:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    In this hearing the chief captain did not take the place of an adjudicator, nor was there any other judicial authority present to keep order. Paul then takes advantage of the occasion to speak earnest...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    HE WROTE A LETTER IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER: 26 Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings. 27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    "Having this form": This seems to suggest that Luke is simply giving us the general outline of the letter and not the entire contents....

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    25-35 God has instruments for every work. The natural abilities and moral virtues of the heathens often have been employed to protect his persecuted servants. Even the men of the world can discern bet...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    It is not certain whether the following words were the letter itself, or only the sum or contents of the letter....

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Acts 23:25 wrote G1125 (G5660) letter G1992 in G4023 (G5723) following G5126 manner G5179...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    PAUL IN THE HANDS OF THE ‘MOST EXCELLENT' FELIX (23:25-35). The ‘most excellent' Felix, to whom Paul was being taken, was a freedman who had been appointed as procurator, a most unusual situation. Pro...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘And he wrote a letter after this form:' The chief captain sent with the force that was taking Paul a letter to Felix. ‘After this form' may suggest that Luke was not sure of the contents, but hazarde...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    AND HE WROTE (γραψας). First aorist active participle of γραφω, agreeing with the subject (Lysias) of ειπεν (said) back in verse Acts 23:23 (beginning).AFTER THIS FORM (εχουσαν τον τυπον τουτον)....

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Paul before the Sanhedrin. The conspiracy to kill Paul and its defeat. Paul sent to Felix. CHARACTERS: God, Jesus, Paul, Ananias, Pharisees, Sadduces, Paul's sister's son, centurion, chief...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Acts 23:2. _Smite him on the mouth._ Ananias the highpriest commanded this, when he heard Paul profess a good conscience, and determined to persevere in preaching Christ. So Ahab commanded Micaiah to...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    THEN THE COMMANDER WROTE A LETTER. Roman law said that when a prisoner was sent up the chain of command, a letter had to go along giving the charges against him. CLAUDIUS LYSIAS is the Roman commander...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _So the chief captain then let the young man depart._ VARIED DUTIES I. Paul’s nephew could do nothing. He was therefore told to hold his tongue--a very necessary duty sometimes. There is a time to sp...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul._ Paul in the castle at Jerusalem On two other occasions a special Divine encouragement was given to Paul similar to t...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 23:25 Lysias’s letter follows standard Greek form: sender (LYSIAS), to recipient (FELIX), followed by GREETINGS....

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 23:23. TWO.—Not one or two (Howson), but _some_ or certain _two—i.e._, two or three (Hackett) of the centurions. Compare “some two of the disciples” (Luke 7:19). SOLDIERS.—Heav...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION ACTS 23:1 _Looking steadfastly on _for _earnestly beholding, _A.V.; _brethren _for _men and brethren, _A.V._; I have lived before God, _etc., for _I have lived, _etc., _before God, _A.V. L...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    And so Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day (Acts 23:1). Paul was indeed a remarkable man. As Paul is writing to...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    After this manner [π ε ρ ι ε χ ο υ σ α ν τ ο ν τ υ π ο ν τ ο υ τ ο ν]. Lit., containing this form or type. See on it is contained, 1 Peter 2:6....

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    The chief captain Lysias having sent St. Paul under. strong guard to Cesarea by night, where Felix the Roman governor resided, he writes. letter to acquaint Felix with the accusation laid to the priso...

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Old Testament