ACC ~ Acts 23 v16 - 22

OVERVIEW:

This part of the story could have been reduced, but its details give the impression that Luke had access to primary witnesses. Modern commentators usually ask how Paul’s nephew could have had such easy access to a prisoner, especially at such a troubled moment, and they wonder, then, why Luke does not mention the Jerusalem community caring for Paul. The import of the passage, however, is that Jesus’ words to Paul come to fulfillment through human circumstances. Chrysostom, our only witness from the Fathers here, is most keen, as usual, to make this sequence of events clear.

23:16 | The Son of Paul’s Sister Heard of Their Ambush

THE HUMAN NATURE OF THE EVENTS. CHRYSOSTOM: Again human forethought is saved. See, Paul allowed nobody to learn of this, not even the centurion, so that the matter might not be divulged. Instead, the centurion took him and brought him to the tribune. The tribune rightly ordered that he be hidden, so that the matter would remain secret. Then he told the centurions what had to be done. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 23.17-21.

23:17 | Take This Young Man to the Tribune

PAUL DID NOT ABANDON ACTION BECAUSE HE BELIEVED. CHRYSOSTOM: Even after appearing to him, [Paul] again allows him to be saved by human means. And what happens? Paul was not thrown into confusion; he did not say, “So I have been deceived by Christ.” Instead, he believed. Indeed, because he believed, he did not sleep and did not give up the abilities that human wisdom had given him. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 49.