Acts 23:12-25 – Plot to assassinate Paul uncovered

A group of more than 40 zealots, who had failed in their attempt to get rid of Paul earlier, were more determined to kill him for a second time. They came to the chief priests and the Sanhedrin, saying that they had made a solemn oath not to taste anything till they had killed Paul. Their plot was to get the Sanhedrin to request the commander to bring Paul from the barrack before the council, for a more thorough investigation. These 40 or more zealots had planned to assassinate Paul on the way.     

As providence would have it, Paul’s nephew heard about the plot. As an unconvicted prisoner, Paul was treated with some decorum. He was allowed visitors. So this son of his sister came to the barrack and informed him about the plot. Paul then redirected him to the commander. Calling a centurion, Paul informed him that his nephew had something to tell the commander. The centurion promptly carried out Paul’s instruction and brought Paul’s nephew to the commander.

Taking the nephew aside, the commander inquired of him privately. Paul sister’s son duly reported the plot of the Jews to the commander. On hearing it, the commander knew he had to do something. He first sent Paul’s nephew off with the instruction not to tell anyone that he had been notified.  Summoning two centurions, he ordered them to get ready two hundred soldiers. He intended to send Paul to Caesarea, to Felix the governor by night, heavily guarded by that 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen, 470 in all. Wanting to waste no time, the commander even made provision of horses or mules for Paul to ride to Caesarea. So Paul was sent to Felix the governor with a letter from the commander.  

The fact that Paul had a sister and a nephew was never mentioned anywhere else but here. And how the nephew came to know about the plot was also never mentioned. But this nephew’s appearance tells us that in God’s design, He always have people who are ready to assist His servant, be it the ministry or personal safety. Furthermore, it seems incongruous for Paul to get such attention from the Roman authority. While the Jews maliciously kept attacking him, he was constantly protected by the Romans. In seeking to protect his own interest, the commander was unwittingly protecting God’s servant. We can take heart that in our journey and service for and with God, He has people in place to ensure our safety. What blessed thought!