A.T. Robertson Commentary Acts 23:19

"And the chief captain took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, What is it that thou hast to tell me?" — Acts 23:19 (ASV)

Took him by the hand (επιλαβομενος της χειρος αυτου). Kindly touch in Lysias, ut fi-

duciam adolescentis confirmaret (Bengel). Note genitive with the second aorist middle (indirect, to himself) of επιλαμβανω as in Lu 8:54 with κρατησας which see. How old the young man (νεανιας) was we do not know, but it is the very word used of Paul in 7:58 when he helped in the killing of Stephen, a young man in the twenties probably. See also 20:9 of Eutychus. He is termed νεανισκος in verse 22.

Asked him privately (κατ' ιδιαν επυνθανετο). Imperfect middle, began to ask (inchoative).