Acts 23:16-22 16Now, when the son of Paul’s sister heard of the ambush, after going and entering the barracks, he reported to Paul. 17So calling one of the centurions, Paul said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” 18So taking him along, he brought him to the tribune and said, “The prisoner Paul, calling me, asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” 19So, taking him by the hand and taking him aside, the tribune asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20And he said, “The Jews have agreed in order to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire something more closely about him. 21Therefore, do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath no longer to eat nor drink till they have killed him, and now they are ready, waiting for your agreement.” 22So the tribune then dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”
The plot thickens with this next episode. Paul’s nephew had somehow heard of the Jews’ plot against his uncle. Verse 16 contains several historical clues about Paul’s family and background. Besides Paul’s general references to his father being a Pharisee, this is the only mention of his other family members. With a sister in Jerusalem, it could be possible that Paul’s whole family had migrated from Tarsus to Jerusalem at some point, including his sister. The age of his nephew is unknown. The word for young man (neanian) could refer to a teenager. Somehow, the nephew was granted access to Paul, which may not have been difficult, given that Paul had certain privileges as a Roman citizen. God used the bravery of this young man to save his uncle Paul.
Paul believed his nephew and called one of the Roman officers, asking for his nephew to talk with the tribune. There was a lot of trust going on in this whole scene, and at the center of it all was Paul’s nephew. No reason is given why the tribune talked to the nephew in private, but the nature of the conspiracy called for caution and secrecy, lest the Jewish leaders and conspirers catch on and create more problems. The nephew knew all the details of the plot. He must have had access somehow to the Sanhedrin, or perhaps a sympathizer in the council informed him. The tribune must have believed the nephew because the plans changed dramatically in the next passage. Paul’s nephew is a good example of bravery and courage in the midst of the major leaders in Jerusalem at that time. Never underestimate what young people can do.