Acts 23:27
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.
Original Language Analysis
Τὸν
G3588
Τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συλληφθέντα
was taken
G4815
συλληφθέντα
was taken
Strong's:
G4815
Word #:
4 of 22
to clasp, i.e., seize (arrest, capture); specially, to conceive (literally or figuratively); by implication, to aid
ὑπ'
of
G5259
ὑπ'
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
5 of 22
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 (
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μέλλοντα
should
G3195
μέλλοντα
should
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
9 of 22
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
ἀναιρεῖσθαι
have been killed
G337
ἀναιρεῖσθαι
have been killed
Strong's:
G337
Word #:
10 of 22
to take up, i.e., adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e., abolish, murder
ὑπ'
of
G5259
ὑπ'
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
11 of 22
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 (
αὐτὸν,
him
G846
αὐτὸν,
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 22
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
ἐπιστὰς
then came I
G2186
ἐπιστὰς
then came I
Strong's:
G2186
Word #:
13 of 22
to stand upon, i.e., be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literal)
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
14 of 22
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στρατεύματι
an army
G4753
στρατεύματι
an army
Strong's:
G4753
Word #:
16 of 22
an armament, i.e., (by implication) a body of troops (more or less extensive or systematic)
ἐξειλόμην
and rescued
G1807
ἐξειλόμην
and rescued
Strong's:
G1807
Word #:
17 of 22
actively, to tear out; middle voice, to select; figuratively, to release
αὐτὸν,
him
G846
αὐτὸν,
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 22
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
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
20 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Historical Context
Roman military officers faced severe penalties for mistreating citizens. Lysias's revision protected his career while accurately reporting the essential facts of Jewish plots and Paul's innocence of Roman crimes.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God accomplish His purposes even through people's mixed or self-interested motives?
- What does this teach about trusting God's sovereignty rather than requiring perfect human instruments?
Analysis & Commentary
Lysias's account distorts the sequence - he didn't rescue Paul knowing he was Roman but discovered his citizenship after the arrest (Acts 22:25-29). This face-saving revision shows how even God's instruments have mixed motives. Yet divine providence used Lysias's self-interested report to advance Paul's case, demonstrating how God accomplishes His purposes through flawed human actions.