God’s Word Translation
Acts 24:23
23Felix ordered the sergeant to guard Paul but to let him have some freedom and to let his friends take care of his needs.
Acts 24:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
- New International Version (NIV)He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.
- New King James Version (NKJV)So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.
Context of Acts 24:23
21They could accuse me of only one thing. As I stood among them, I shouted, ‘I’m being tried in front of you because ⌞I believe that⌟ the dead will come back to life.’ ” 22Felix knew the way ⌞of Christ⌟ rather well, so he adjourned the trial. He told them, “When the officer Lysias arrives, I’ll decide your case.” Felix ordered the sergeant to guard Paul but to let him have some freedom and to let his friends take care of his needs. 24Some days later Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul discussed the subjects of God’s approval, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and said, “That’s enough for now. You can go. When I find time, I’ll send for you again.”
Read all of Acts 24Acts 24:23 word by word
διαταξάμενος τῷ ἑκατοντάρχῃ τηρεῖσθαι αὐτὸν, ἔχειν τε ἄνεσιν καὶ μηδένα κωλύειν τῶν ἰδίων αὐτοῦ ὑπηρετεῖν αὐτῷ.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Andτεte · and/bothG5037
- he commandedδιατάσσωdiatassō · to directG1299
- a centurionἑκατόνταρχοςhekatontarchēs hekatontarchos · centurionG1543
- to keepτηρέωtēreō · to keep: guardG5083
- PaulΠαῦλοςPaulos · PaulG3972
- to letἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
- libertyἄνεσιςanesis · restG425
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- that he should forbidκωλύωkōluō · to preventG2967
- noneμηδείςmēdeis mēdemia mēden · nothingG3367
- of hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- acquaintanceἴδιοςidios · one's own/privateG2398
- to ministerὑπηρετέωhupēreteō · to serveG5256
- orἤē · orG2228
- come untoπροσέρχομαιproserchomai · to come near/agreeG4334
Cross-references for Acts 24:23
- Acts 24:26At the same time, Felix was hoping that Paul would give him some money. For that reason, Felix would send for Paul rather often to have friendly conversations with him.
- Acts 27:3The next day we arrived at the city of Sidon. Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to visit his friends and receive any care he needed.
- Acts 28:16After our arrival, Paul was allowed to live by himself, but he had a soldier who guarded him.
- Proverbs 16:7When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
- Acts 21:8The next day we went to Philip’s home in Caesarea and stayed with him. He was a missionary and one of the seven men who helped the apostles.
Commentaries on Acts 24:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23He commanded a centurion to keep Paul - He gave him into the custody of a captain, by whom he was most likely to be well used: and to let him have liberty; he freed him from the chains with which he was bound to the soldiers, his keepers. See on Acts 21:33; (note). And that he should forbid none of his acquaintance, , of his own people, his fellow apostles, and the Christians in general, to minister or come unto him; to furnish him with any of the…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23And he commanded - It is evident from this verse that Felix was disposed to show Paul all the favors that were consistent with his safe keeping. He esteemed him to be a persecuted man, and doubtless regarded the charges against him as entirely malicious. What was Felix‘s motive in this cannot be certainly known. It is not improbable, however, that he detained him: (1)To gratify the Jews by keeping him in custody as if he were guilty, and, (2)That he…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 22-27Verses 22-27 The apostle reasoned concerning the nature and obligations of righteousness, temperance, and of a judgment to come; thus showing the oppressive judge and his profligate mistress, their need of repentance, forgiveness, and of the grace of the gospel. Justice respects our conduct in life, particularly in reference to others; temperance, the state and government of our souls, in reference to God. He who does not exercise himself in these, has…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23Proper treatment of a Roman citizen involved giving him some freedom and allowing his friends to visit and care for him.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22-2322-23. having more perfect knowledge of that--"the" way--(See on Ac 19:23; and Ac 24:14). When Lysias ... shall come ... I will how, &c.--Felix might have dismissed the case as a tissue of unsupported charges. But if from his interest in the matter he really wished to have the presence of Lysias and others involved, a brief delay was not unworthy of him as a judge. Certainly, so far as recorded, neither Lysias nor any other parties appeared again in the…Read the comment
Topics related to Acts 24:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Acts 24
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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