“and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” Acts 23:24

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A more literal translation would be, “And provide beasts, that, having set Paul upon, they might bring safely unto Felix the governor” (CG).

In the previous verse, the commander directed that soldiers, horsemen, and spearmen be readied to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night. Now, his words continue, saying, “And provide beasts.”

The word kténos is used. It simply means a beast, as in a beast of burden. It could be a horse, a donkey, or a camel. Being with the Romans, it was probably either a horse or a donkey. Paul would not have to walk the long trek to Caesarea because it next says, “that, having set Paul upon, they might bring safely unto Felix the governor.”

Being on an animal and surrounded by almost five hundred soldiers, there would be very little chance any harm would come to him. Once safely out of the local area, many of the soldiers would return to Jerusalem, but those continuing on would guarantee his safe passage and delivery to Felix. As for this governor named Felix, a short description from Adam Clarke will suffice –

“This Felix was a freed man of the Emperor Claudius, and brother of Pallas, chief favourite of the emperor. Tacitus calls him Antonius Felix; and gives us to understand that he governed with all the authority of a king, and the baseness and insolence of a quondam slave. … He had, according to Suetonius, in his life of Claudius, chap. 28, three queens to his wives; that is, he was married thrice, and each time to the daughter or niece of a king. Drusilla, the sister of Agrippa, was his wife at this time; see Acts 24:24. He was an unrighteous governor; a base, mercenary, and bad man: see Acts 24:2.”

Life application: Imagine how safe Paul was as he was carried out of Jerusalem on his way to Caesarea. It is certain that no harm would come to him. And more, he had the assurance of the Lord Himself that he would be taken to Rome to testify concerning the risen Christ.

With such security, and with such a guarantee from the mouth of the Lord, he would have had no concerns at all as he traveled along the road out of Jerusalem. We all have trials and troubles in this life, some of them are greater than we might be able to bear at the moment. And some of them will lead to our death or the death of those we love.

But this is not the end of the story for those who know Jesus. We may have uncertainty about the immediate prospects in our lives but let us be as certain as Paul was that we will make it to our final destination. The Lord has spoken, and the promise is sure –

“‘Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.’
5 Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’
6 Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:1-6

This is a promise from Jesus Christ, the risen Lord and the eternal God. Yes, trials and troubles are the hallmark of our walk in this fallen world, but safe passage to the New Jerusalem is guaranteed. Even if the ride getting there is a bit bumpy, we shall arrive safely and be granted an eternal inheritance that will outshine any temporary darkness and difficulty we now face. Be confident in this.

O God, we are grateful to You for the assurance we possess because of the wonderful and exalted work of Jesus Christ our Lord. Though our trials are many and this earthly life is often difficult, we are confident that what has been promised shall be delivered. Thank You, O God, for this wonderful surety we can hold onto. Amen.