Acts 23:31-35

Acts 23:

31-35 Paul sent to Felix in Cæsarea

Verse 31: The nighttime leg of the trip brings Paul to Antipatris, a city built by Herod the Great during the first century BC.[1] It was named in honor of Herod’s father, Antipater. It was located on the Roman road from Jerusalem to Cæsarea, roughly halfway – about 30 miles northeast from Jerusalem and about 30 miles southwest from Cæsarea.

Verse 32-33: On the next day, the soldiers turned back to their place in Jerusalem, while the horsemen went on with Paul to Cæsarea. This might serve as a diversionary tactic, but most likely is that many soldiers were unnecessary for the rest of the trip once they had created separation between themselves and the plotters at Jerusalem. Upon arrival at Cæsarea, they delivered the letter and the prisoner to Felix.

Verse 34-35: Felix read the letter, then inquired of Paul his citizenship. Paul was of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and so Felix was satisfied that he was in the right jurisdiction. Apparently this was so, since, even though the disturbance occurred in Jerusalem, Paul was a citizen of a Roman province. Felix ordered that Paul be kept over in Herod’s judgment hall until his accusers could also come for the hearing.

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[1] This is now the site of the Tel Afek National Park in Israel.