The word rendered horses may either mean horses or mules; the reason that Paul was provided with more than one is not indicated. It may be that one was to carry Paul’s belongings, or it may be that an exchange horse was to be available when the first became tired.

Get him safely through to Governor Felix may be translated as “be sure that he arrives safely where Governor Felix is.”

Felix was governor of Palestine beginning in A.D. 52. Tacitus, the ancient Roman historian, characterized him as one who exercised the power of a king with the mind of a slave.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .