Acts 23:10
And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
Original Language Analysis
Πολλῆς
a great
G4183
Πολλῆς
a great
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
1 of 27
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
γενομένης
when there arose
G1096
γενομένης
when there arose
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
3 of 27
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
στάσεως
dissension
G4714
στάσεως
dissension
Strong's:
G4714
Word #:
4 of 27
a standing (properly, the act), i.e., (by analogy) position (existence); by implication, a popular uprising; figuratively, controversy
εὐλαβηθεὶς
fearing
G2125
εὐλαβηθεὶς
fearing
Strong's:
G2125
Word #:
5 of 27
to be circumspect, i.e., (by implication) to be apprehensive; religiously, to reverence
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χιλίαρχος
the chief captain
G5506
χιλίαρχος
the chief captain
Strong's:
G5506
Word #:
7 of 27
the commander of a thousand soldiers ("chiliarch"; i.e., colonel
μὴ
lest
G3361
μὴ
lest
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
8 of 27
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
διασπασθῇ
should have been pulled in pieces
G1288
διασπασθῇ
should have been pulled in pieces
Strong's:
G1288
Word #:
9 of 27
to draw apart, i.e., sever or dismember
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλος
Paul
G3972
Παῦλος
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
11 of 27
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
ὑπ'
of
G5259
ὑπ'
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
12 of 27
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
αὐτῶν
him
G846
αὐτῶν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στράτευμα
the soldiers
G4753
στράτευμα
the soldiers
Strong's:
G4753
Word #:
16 of 27
an armament, i.e., (by implication) a body of troops (more or less extensive or systematic)
αὐτῶν
him
G846
αὐτῶν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
20 of 27
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
αὐτῶν
him
G846
αὐτῶν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
22 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἄγειν
to bring
G71
ἄγειν
to bring
Strong's:
G71
Word #:
23 of 27
properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce
εἰς
him into
G1519
εἰς
him into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
25 of 27
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Historical Context
The Fortress Antonia's proximity to the temple courts allowed rapid Roman response to disturbances. The commander's repeated interventions showed Roman concern for maintaining order during volatile festival periods.
Questions for Reflection
- How has God used unexpected sources to protect you from danger, even when danger came from religious people?
- What comfort comes from knowing God's sovereignty extends even over hostile authorities and circumstances?
Analysis & Commentary
The violence grew so intense that the chief captain feared Paul would be 'pulled in pieces' by the disputing parties. Roman military intervention again preserved Paul's life, demonstrating how God uses secular authority to protect His servants. The Greek 'diaspao' (torn asunder) suggests Paul faced literal dismemberment from the frenzied religious leaders.