Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 23:16

"But Paul`s sister`s son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the castle and told Paul." — Acts 23:16 (ASV)

We know nothing about Paul’s sister and his nephew (this is the only reference anywhere to Paul’s relatives), nor do we know how the young man learned of the plot. With his uncle in mortal danger, Paul’s nephew could not stand by without warning him. After all, in Judaism the saving and preservation of life takes precedence over everything else. As a Roman citizen under protective custody, Paul could receive visitors—among them his nephew. On hearing the warning, Paul asked one of the centurions to take his nephew to the commander.