Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” And he wrote a letter to this effect:
“Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”
So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
Comment: Claudius Lysias was the Tribune’s name – a real person. We read an official, factual, straight to the point missive. But there seems a bit of an overkill of the protection orders. He’s been warned about 40 planning to kill Paul even if it cost there own lives. He sends 2 captains with their 200 foot soldiers, presumably with shields and swords, 70 men on horseback and another 200 spearmen.
And he doesn’t wait for the ambushers to get well organized. Instead of having the trial in Jerusalem he sent Paul off to Antipatris, a town on the way to Caesarea, where very powerful judges sat. That first stage was about 65 Km. The Tribune’s letter explained the situation clearly, and underlined Paul’s rights as a Roman Citizen.
Prayer: The Bible tells us that You care for Your people. Although that doesn’t mean that we have no rough patches in life, we thank You for being in control.
As I read it! 