Paragraph 23:31–35

23:31a

So: This conjunction indicates that the story resumes from 23:24. The letter ended at 23:30. Consider how to indicate that the story resumes here.

followed their orders: This phrase in Greek is literally “according to the thing commanded them.” It indicates they obeyed the orders of the commander. The Berean Standard Bible here has that meaning. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

as ordered (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
obeyed the commander’s orders (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
did what they were told (New Century Version)

23:31b

brought Paul: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as brought means “take up” or “take along.” It indicates that the soldiers got Paul ready for the journey. They took him out of the room he was in and gave him a horse to ride. Paul got on the horse to go with them. For example:

They got Paul (Good News Translation)
-or-
They led Paul ⌊out to his horse⌋

23:31c

to Antipatris: The journey from Jerusalem to Antipatris is about 68 kilometers (42 miles) in a generally northwest direction. The journey also starts in the Judean hills at 760 meters (2,500 feet) in elevation and ends near sea level. It would take soldiers about sixteen hours to travel this distance on foot. The horsemen and Paul traveled with the soldiers who walked.

Antipatris: Antipatris was a city. For example:

the city of Antipatris (Contemporary English Version)

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