Acts 23:27 Meaning and Explanation
“This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Lysias reports that he rescued Paul, a Roman citizen, from men about to kill him.
What Does Acts 23:27 Mean?
The letter retells the temple riot (Acts 21:30-33) with a flattering edit: Lysias implies he rescued Paul because he knew him to be a Roman, when in fact he had arrested him, chained him, and nearly scourged him before learning of his citizenship (Acts 22:24-29).
The commander burnishes his record, as men writing to superiors often do. Luke lets the spin stand beside the fuller story he has already told — a quiet schooling in how to read human reports. Yet the letter's core is true and serves God's purpose: Paul is innocent, and Rome's own officers are beginning to say so.
Acts 23:27 in the Original Language
exaireo (ἐξαιρέω), 'rescued' -- to take out of danger, to deliver.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 23:27
What does Acts 23:27 mean?
Lysias reports that he rescued Paul, a Roman citizen, from men about to kill him.