23:23–24 No sooner had his nephew departed than preparations were made to remove Paul to Caesarea under armed guard. They were to leave that night about the “third hour” (nine o’clock), and the guard would comprise two hundred soldiers [with their centurions], seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen (v. 23). This would represent about half the garrison and is regarded by some as a far larger force than was warranted. Luke is accused of exaggeration. All of this gives added interest to the interpretation of the word rendered “spearmen.” It is found only twice elsewhere in all of ancient Greek literature—and then in writings much later than Acts (the seventh and tenth centuries)—and it is by no means certain that it means “spearmen.” The derivation suggests that has to do with taking hold…