Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. New Living Translation When they arrived in Caesarea, they presented Paul and the letter to Governor Felix. English Standard Version When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. Berean Standard Bible When the horsemen arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul to him. Berean Literal Bible those having entered into Caesarea and having delivered the letter to the governor, also presented Paul to him. King James Bible Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. New King James Version When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. New American Standard Bible When these horsemen had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. NASB 1995 When these had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. NASB 1977 And when these had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. Legacy Standard Bible When these had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. Amplified Bible When these [horsemen] reached Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor, and also presented Paul to him. Berean Annotated Bible When the horsemen arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter {epistolēn} to the governor and presented Paul (humble) to him. Christian Standard Bible When these men entered Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. Holman Christian Standard Bible When these men entered Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. American Standard Version and they, when they came to Cæsarea and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him. Contemporary English Version When they came to Caesarea, they gave the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. English Revised Version and they, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him. GOD'S WORD® Translation When the soldiers arrived in the city of Caesarea with Paul, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. Good News Translation They took him to Caesarea, delivered the letter to the governor, and turned Paul over to him. International Standard Version When these men came to Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. NET Bible When the horsemen came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. New Heart English Bible When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. Webster's Bible Translation Who, when they came to Cesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. Weymouth New Testament and, the cavalry having reached Caesarea and delivered the letter to the Governor, they brought Paul also to him. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen the horsemen arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul to him. World English Bible When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionthose having entered into Caesarea, and delivered the letter to the governor, also presented Paul to him. Berean Literal Bible those having entered into Caesarea and having delivered the letter to the governor, also presented Paul to him. Young's Literal Translation those having entered into Caesarea, and delivered the letter to the governor, did present also Paul to him. Smith's Literal Translation Who having come into Cesarea and given up the letter to the leader, they also placed Paul before him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWho, when they were come to Caesarea, and had delivered the letter to the governor, did also present Paul before him. Catholic Public Domain Version And when they had arrived at Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul before him. New American Bible When they arrived in Caesarea they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul to him. New Revised Standard Version When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd they brought him to Cæs-a-re’a, and delivered the letter to the governor, and also presented Paul before him. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And they brought him to Caesarea and gave the letter to the Governor and presented Paulus before him. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentWhen they came to Caesarea, and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. Godbey New Testament Who, having come into Caesarea, and delivered the letter to the governor, also committed Paul to him. Haweis New Testament So when they came to Cæsarea, and had delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also to him. Mace New Testament who upon their arrival at Cesarea, delivered the letter to the governour, and presented Paul to him. Weymouth New Testament and, the cavalry having reached Caesarea and delivered the letter to the Governor, they brought Paul also to him. Worrell New Testament who, indeed, coming to Caesarea, and delivering the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him. Worsley New Testament who, when they came into Cesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Paul Sent to Felix…32The next day they returned to the barracks and let the horsemen go on with him. 33When the horsemen arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul to him. 34The governor read the letter and asked what province Paul was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,… Cross References When the horsemen arrived in Caesarea, Acts 18:22 When Paul had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church at Jerusalem. Then he went down to Antioch. Acts 10:24-25 The following day he arrived in Caesarea, where Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. / As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet to worship him. Acts 21:8 Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven. they delivered the letter to the governor Ezra 8:36 They also delivered the king’s edicts to the royal satraps and governors of the region west of the Euphrates, who proceeded to assist the people and the house of God. Nehemiah 2:7-9 I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors west of the Euphrates, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. / And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests. / Then I went to the governors west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me. Esther 3:12-13 On the thirteenth day of the first month, the royal scribes were summoned and the order was written exactly as Haman commanded the royal satraps, the governors of each province, and the officials of each people, in the script of each province and the language of every people. It was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the royal signet ring. / And the letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month. and presented Paul to him. Acts 25:6-7 After spending no more than eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he sat on the judgment seat and ordered that Paul be brought in. / When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove. Matthew 27:2 They bound Him, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor. John 18:28 Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover. Acts 21:31-33 While they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman regiment received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil. / Immediately he took some soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. / The commander came up and arrested Paul, ordering that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. Acts 22:24-30 the commander ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. He directed that Paul be flogged and interrogated to determine the reason for this outcry against him. / But as they stretched him out to strap him down, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it lawful for you to flog a Roman citizen without a trial?” / On hearing this, the centurion went and reported it to the commander. “What are you going to do?” he said. “This man is a Roman citizen.” … Acts 24:1-9 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul. / When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation. / In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. … Acts 25:1-5 Three days after his arrival in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, / where the chief priests and Jewish leaders presented their case against Paul. They urged Festus / to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. … Acts 9:15-16 “Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel. / I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.” Acts 26:30-32 Then the king and the governor rose, along with Bernice and those seated with them. / On their way out, they said to one another, “This man has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.” / And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.” Acts 28:16 When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him. Treasury of Scripture Who, when they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him. delivered. Acts 23:25-30 And he wrote a letter after this manner: … presented. Acts 28:16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. Jump to Previous Arrived Caesarea Caesare'a Cavalry Cesarea Delivered Entered Epistle Governor Handed Letter Paul Present Presented Reached RulerJump to Next Arrived Caesarea Caesare'a Cavalry Cesarea Delivered Entered Epistle Governor Handed Letter Paul Present Presented Reached RulerActs 23 1. As Paul pleads his cause,2. Ananias commands them to strike him. 7. Dissension among his accusers. 11. God encourages him. 14. The Jews' vow to kill Paul, 20. is declared unto the chief captain. 27. He sends him to Felix the governor. When the horsemen arrived in Caesarea Caesarea was a significant port city on the Mediterranean coast, built by Herod the Great and named in honor of Caesar Augustus. It served as the Roman administrative capital of Judea. The arrival of the horsemen here signifies the importance of the mission, as Caesarea was a hub of Roman political and military power. This location is also where Peter baptized Cornelius, the first Gentile convert, marking a pivotal moment in the spread of the Gospel (Acts 10). they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul to him Persons / Places / Events 1. PaulThe apostle who is being transported under Roman guard to Caesarea for his protection and to stand trial before the governor. 2. Horsemen Roman soldiers tasked with safely escorting Paul to Caesarea, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the protection afforded to Paul. 3. Caesarea A significant Roman city and the administrative center of Judea, where Paul is brought to stand trial before the governor. 4. Governor The Roman official in Caesarea, who is responsible for hearing Paul's case. At this time, the governor is Antonius Felix. 5. The Letter A document from the Roman commander, Claudius Lysias, explaining the circumstances of Paul's arrest and the need for his transfer to Caesarea. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in TrialsEven in difficult circumstances, God is in control, using situations for His purposes, as seen in Paul's journey to Caesarea. Protection and Provision God provides protection and resources, sometimes through unexpected means, such as Roman soldiers, to accomplish His will. Faithfulness in Witness Paul remains faithful to his calling, using every opportunity, even trials, to witness for Christ. Courage in Adversity Believers are encouraged to stand firm in their faith, trusting God amidst adversity, as Paul did. Divine Appointments God orchestrates encounters and situations for His purposes, as seen in Paul's presentation before the governor. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 23:33?2. How does Acts 23:33 demonstrate God's sovereignty in Paul's journey to Rome? 3. What role did the Roman soldiers play in fulfilling God's plan in Acts 23:33? 4. How can we trust God's protection like Paul did in Acts 23:33? 5. Compare Acts 23:33 with Psalm 91:11 about God's protection through others. 6. How can we apply Paul's trust in God's plan to our daily lives? 7. How does Acts 23:33 reflect the historical accuracy of Paul's journey to Rome? 8. What archaeological evidence supports the events described in Acts 23:33? 9. How does Acts 23:33 demonstrate God's providence in Paul's mission? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 23? 11. Acts 23 - Are the Roman legal procedures and the role of the commander, Claudius Lysias, accurately portrayed compared to known historical records? 12. Acts 23:2-5 - Why would Paul insult the high priest if he claimed to follow Jewish law and respect its leaders? 13. Acts 23:6-7 - Did Paul use his Pharisee identity just to create division, and is there historical evidence supporting such a reaction from the council? 14. Why do the charges against Paul in Acts 25:7 remain vague, and how does this ambiguity align or conflict with other New Testament accounts of similar trials? What Does Acts 23:33 Mean When the horsemen arrived in Caesarea• God’s providence is on full display. The forty-plus assassins in Jerusalem (Acts 23:12–15) could not touch Paul once he was placed under Roman protection (Psalm 34:7). • Caesarea was the provincial capital; reaching it meant Paul was now under the jurisdiction of Governor Felix, not the volatile Sanhedrin (Acts 24:22–23). • The journey fulfilled Jesus’ promise that Paul would “testify about Me in Rome” (Acts 23:11; compare Acts 19:21). Every mile ridden by the mounted escort moved that promise forward. they delivered the letter to the governor • The hand-delivered report from Claudius Lysias (Acts 23:26–30) set the legal stage. God used a Roman commander’s sense of duty to safeguard His apostle (Proverbs 21:1). • Roman law required written charges before trial (Acts 25:16), foreshadowing how Paul would later appeal to Caesar (Acts 25:11–12). • This orderly process contrasts with the mob violence in Jerusalem (Acts 21:30–32), showing that even secular authorities can be instruments for justice (Romans 13:3–4). and presented Paul to him • Paul now stands before Felix, chained yet chosen (Ephesians 6:20). His circumstances change, but his mission remains: proclaim Christ (Philippians 1:12-13). • Personal presentation underscores accountability. Just as Paul faced Felix, every believer will stand before Christ’s judgment seat (2 Corinthians 5:10). • The scene readies us for Paul’s defense in Acts 24, where truth and integrity will outshine accusations, echoing Jesus before Pilate (John 18:37). summary Acts 23:33 captures a quiet but crucial transition. God’s sovereign hand guided horsemen, letters, and legal protocols to bring Paul safely into Roman custody. The verse reminds us that no plot can overturn God’s purposes, no earthly authority operates outside His control, and every new setting is an opportunity to bear witness to the gospel. Verse 33. - And they for who, A.V.; letter for epistle, A.V. Presented Paul; πάρεστησαν. This is a word particularly used of setting any one before a judge (see Romans 14:10, and the subscription of 2 Timothy, Ὅτε ἐκ δευτέρου παρέστη Πῦλος τῷ Καίσαρι Νέρωνι).Parallel Commentaries ... Greek [When the horsemen]οἵτινες (hoitines) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3748: Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever. arrived εἰσελθόντες (eiselthontes) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter. in εἰς (eis) Preposition Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. Caesarea, Καισάρειαν (Kaisareian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 2542: From Kaisar; Caesaria, the name of two places in Palestine. they delivered ἀναδόντες (anadontes) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 325: To send up, deliver, hand over, yield. From ana and didomi; to hand over. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. letter ἐπιστολὴν (epistolēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 1992: A letter, dispatch, epistle, message. From epistello; a written message. to the τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. governor ἡγεμόνι (hēgemoni) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 2232: From hegeomai; a leader, i.e. Chief person of a province. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. presented παρέστησαν (parestēsan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 3936: Or prolonged paristano from para and histemi; to stand beside, i.e. to exhibit, proffer, recommend, substantiate; or to be at hand, aid. Paul Παῦλον (Paulon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle. to him. αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. Links Acts 23:33 NIVActs 23:33 NLT Acts 23:33 ESV Acts 23:33 NASB Acts 23:33 KJV Acts 23:33 BibleApps.com Acts 23:33 Biblia Paralela Acts 23:33 Chinese Bible Acts 23:33 French Bible Acts 23:33 Catholic Bible NT Apostles: Acts 23:33 When they came to Caesarea and delivered (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
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