And he called for two centurions, saying, "Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night; and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor." He wrote a letter in the following manner: Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings. This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council. I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains. And when it was told me that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him immediately to you, and also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him. Farewell. Acts 23:23-30

Because of Paul’s Roman citizenship, the Roman authorities were responsible to get Paul back to Caesarea for the Roman governor, Felix, to hear Paul’s case. Ironically, the Roman authorities previously had to rescue Paul from the Jewish mob. But at this point Paul’s safety depended on his departure from Jerusalem and return to Caesarea.

Don’t miss the size of the detachment of soldiers needed to transport Paul: “two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen”! Note also that the trip to Caesarea was planned to be under cover of darkness. Obviously, the Jewish threat was formidable.

Another point to note is that the letter to Felix makes it clear that from the vantage point of the Roman authorities, Paul was innocent of any wrongdoing that would warrant imprisonment, much less, death. From this let us be instructed that guilt is not the only reason to be in trouble—either with popular opinion (the Jews), or the law (the Roman authorities). But either way, God is in control. When we forget this, we may be tempted to despair. When we remember this, we may have the Lord’s peace.