The context

(1) The plot to kill Paul was uncovered. (2) It was Paul’s nephew who informed the commander about this. (3) The commander decided to transfer Paul to Caesarea immediately. (4) The escort consisted of 200 infantrymen, 70 cavalrymen, and 200 spearmen. (5) The commander prepared a letter addressed to the governor. (6) Departing from Jerusalem marked the beginning of Paul’s journey to Rome.

From Jerusalem to Caesarea

“So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. But on the next day they let the horsemen go on with him, and they returned to the barracks.” (1) The first stage of the journey was the transfer from Jerusalem to Antipatris. (a) Antipatris was a town located about 37 miles (60 km) northwest of Jerusalem, formerly known as Kfar Saba. Herod the Great renamed it Antipatris in honor of his father. Today, the town has reverted to its original name, Kfar Saba. (b) The soldiers traveled through the night. The route took them from the hills of Judea to the Shephelah (lowlands) and then to Antipatris. Along the way, they had to pass through forested areas, where they were at risk of ambush. Therefore, they moved quickly and reached Antipatris by dawn. (2) The second stage of the journey was the transfer from Antipatris to Caesarea. (a) The distance to Caesarea was about 28 miles (45 km). At this point, the terrain became flat, eliminating the risk of ambush. Additionally, the region had a lower Jewish population, making it a safer area. (b) Upon reaching Antipatris, 400 soldiers returned to Jerusalem. The remaining 70 cavalrymen escorted Paul the rest of the way to Caesarea. (3) They completed three tasks: (a) They arrived in Caesarea. (b) They delivered the commander’s letter to the governor. (c) They handed Paul over to the governor. (4) The governor at that time was Antonius Felix. (a) He served as the governor of Judea from 52 AD to 59 AD. (b) He was the first freedman to become a Roman provincial governor and was known for his ruthless political methods, including three strategic marriages. (c) The historian Tacitus wrote, “Felix exercised the power of a king with the spirit of a slave.” Paul would soon face the corrupt governor Felix in Caesarea. As a result, he would be held there for two years. This was not what Paul had desired, but there is a spiritual lesson in this: everything happens in God’s timing. Even when the path of refuge seems invisible, God’s work continues to move forward.