He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.

World English Bible · Public Domain

Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    And he commaunded an vndercaptayne to kepe Paul and that he shuld have rest and that he shuld forbyd none of his aquayntauce to minister vnto him or to come vnto him.

  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    Then hee commanded a Centurion to keepe Paul, and that he should haue ease, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister vnto him, or to come vnto him.

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Cross-references (8)

Passages linked to Acts 24:23 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.

  • Acts 27:3 The next day, we touched at Sidon. Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him permission to go to his friends and refresh himself.
  • Acts 28:16 When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
  • Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
  • Acts 21:8-14 On the next day, we who were Paul’s companions departed, and came to Caesarea. We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. As we stayed there some days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming to us and taking Paul’s belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘So the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” When we heard these things, both we and the people of that place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The Lord’s will be done.”
  • Acts 23:16 But Paul’s sister’s son heard they were lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul.
  • Acts 23:35 “I will hear you fully when your accusers also arrive.” He commanded that he be kept in Herod’s palace.
  • Acts 24:26 Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often and talked with him.
  • Acts 28:31 preaching God’s Kingdom, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

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Explain this verse (15 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 23. When Felix. It appeareth that Felix (though he…

23. When Felix. It appeareth that Felix (though he pronounced nothing concerning the matter) did perceive that Paul was burdened with no fault of his own, but with the malice of the priests. For when Luke saith that the matter was deferred until the coming of Lysias, he putteth in this instead of a reason, that the ruler did perfectly know those things which did appertain unto the way, by which words, I think, is signified, either that through long experience he had been acquainted with the conditions of the priests, and knew full well how they were wont to behave themselves; or else that he saw by these things which had been spoken on both sides how frivolous the accusation was, which is confirmed by the courteous and remiss usage of Paul; for he putteth a centurion in trust with him, that he may have the more liberty. Others had rather read it in one text in the person of Felix: when Lysias, who doth better know the truth of this matter, is come, I will then give judgment. But they let [draw] and gather this racked sense from a reason which is scarce firm. They say that this word way is nowhere taken for the doctrine of the law without some addition. But I do not interpret it of the law, but of those sects whereof no strangers were ignorant. No man did doubt but that the Pharisees did hold the immortality of the soul. Therefore, seeing it was a thing so common, no marvel if Felix do acquit Paul. Furthermore, it were hard to take way for the knowledge of the fact. And I see not how this can hang together, that the governor doth confess that Lysias was more expert in the law than he. But his innocency is made more famous and evident by this, because a profane man did straightway give such a prejudice thereof that he did suffer him to be visited and holpen by his friends, being, as it were, exempted from the order of prisoners. Also, we gather by this that Paul’s companions and the residue of the Church had not forsaken him. For to what end had it been to grant liberty to his friends and acquaintance to have access unto him unless they had been present, had showed themselves to be careful for him, and had been desirous to do their duty? Therefore, let us learn by this example, that so long as we may, and are able, we must not defraud the martyrs of Christ of any manner of comfort whilst they labor for the gospel.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain God is a most faithful keeper of his servants,…
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul,…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain To let him have liberty; not so confined as…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain And after certain days,.... Some days after this trial:
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain He commanded the centurion to let him have liberty…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 23. He commanded a centurion to keep Paul]…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain And he commanded ... - It is evident from…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 23. Keep Paul—(Note Act_23:25.)
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 23. And he commanded a centurion] The Greek noun…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (23) And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul.—More…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Gave order to the for commanded, A.V.; that he…
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain 23. When the Jews were dismissed, if Felix had…
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain Paul Retained a Prisoner.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 24:23 It was in keeping with the proper treatment…

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