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Text -- Acts 21:31 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
21:31 While they were trying to kill him, a report was sent up to the commanding officer of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · Jerusalem the capital city of Israel,a town; the capital of Israel near the southern border of Benjamin


Dictionary Themes and Topics: TERTULLUS | ROMAN EMPIRE AND CHRISTIANITY, 2 | Minister | Lysias, Claudius | LYSIAS CLAUDIUS | LYCIA | John | Intolerance | Fraternity | FELIX; ANTONIUS | Detachment of Soldiers | Claudius Lysias | Claudius | COHORT | CAPTAIN | Bands | BAND | ARMY | ANTONIA | ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, 13-OUTLINE | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Combined Bible , Maclaren , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Act 21:31 - -- As they were seeking to kill him ( zētountōn autōn ). Genitive absolute of zēteō , to seek, without autōn (they). This was their real p...

As they were seeking to kill him ( zētountōn autōn ).

Genitive absolute of zēteō , to seek, without autōn (they). This was their real purpose.

Robertson: Act 21:31 - -- Tidings ( phasis ). From phainō , to show. Old word for the work of informers and then the exposure of secret crime. In lxx. Here only in the N.T.

Tidings ( phasis ).

From phainō , to show. Old word for the work of informers and then the exposure of secret crime. In lxx. Here only in the N.T.

Robertson: Act 21:31 - -- Came up ( anebē ). Naturally in the wild uproar. The Roman guard during festivals was kept stationed in the Tower of Antonia at the northwest corne...

Came up ( anebē ).

Naturally in the wild uproar. The Roman guard during festivals was kept stationed in the Tower of Antonia at the northwest corner of the temple overlooking the temple and connected by stairs (Act 21:35).

Robertson: Act 21:31 - -- To the chief captain ( tōi chiliarchōi ). Commander of a thousand men or cohort (Mar 15:16). His name was Claudius Lysias.

To the chief captain ( tōi chiliarchōi ).

Commander of a thousand men or cohort (Mar 15:16). His name was Claudius Lysias.

Robertson: Act 21:31 - -- Of the band ( tēs speirēs ). Each legion had six tribunes and so each tribune (chiliarch) had a thousand if the cohort had its full quota. See no...

Of the band ( tēs speirēs ).

Each legion had six tribunes and so each tribune (chiliarch) had a thousand if the cohort had its full quota. See note on Act 10:1; and note on Act 27:1. The word is the Latin spira (anything rolled up). Note the genitive speirēs instead of speiras (Attic).

Robertson: Act 21:31 - -- Was in confusion ( sunchunnetai ). Present passive indicative of sunchunnō (see Act 21:27, sunecheon ). This is what the conspirators had desire...

Was in confusion ( sunchunnetai ).

Present passive indicative of sunchunnō (see Act 21:27, sunecheon ). This is what the conspirators had desired.

Vincent: Act 21:31 - -- Chief captain ( χιλιάρχῳ ) A commander of a thousand men. See on Mar 6:21; and on centurion, Luk 7:2.

Chief captain ( χιλιάρχῳ )

A commander of a thousand men. See on Mar 6:21; and on centurion, Luk 7:2.

Vincent: Act 21:31 - -- Band ( σπείρης ) Or cohort. See on Mar 15:16. These troops were quartered in the tower of Antonia, which was at the northwestern corne...

Band ( σπείρης )

Or cohort. See on Mar 15:16. These troops were quartered in the tower of Antonia, which was at the northwestern corner of the temple-area, and communicated with the temple-cloisters by staircases.

Wesley: Act 21:31 - -- It was a rule among the Jews, that any uncircumcised person who came into the inner temple, might be stoned without farther process. And they seemed t...

It was a rule among the Jews, that any uncircumcised person who came into the inner temple, might be stoned without farther process. And they seemed to think Paul, who brought such in thither, deserved no better treatment.

Wesley: Act 21:31 - -- A cohort or detachment of soldiers, belonging to the Roman legion, which lodged in the adjacent castle of Antonia, were stationed on feast days near t...

A cohort or detachment of soldiers, belonging to the Roman legion, which lodged in the adjacent castle of Antonia, were stationed on feast days near the temple, to prevent disorders. It is evident, Lysias himself was not present, when the tumult began. Probably he was the oldest Roman tribune (or colonel) then at Jerusalem. And as such he was the commanding officer of the legion quartered at the castle.

JFB: Act 21:31 - -- Literally, "went up," that is, to the fortress of Antonia, where the commandant resided. See on Act 21:32. This part of the narrative is particularly ...

Literally, "went up," that is, to the fortress of Antonia, where the commandant resided. See on Act 21:32. This part of the narrative is particularly graphic.

Clarke: Act 21:31 - -- The chief captain of the band - The Roman tribune, who had a troop of soldiers under him, which lodged in general in the castle of Antonia, which wa...

The chief captain of the band - The Roman tribune, who had a troop of soldiers under him, which lodged in general in the castle of Antonia, which was built at the angle where the northern and western porticoes of the outer court of the temple were joined together. This castle was built by John Hyrcanus, high priest of the Jews: it was at first called Baris, and was the royal residence of the Asmoneans, as long as they reigned in Jerusalem. It was beautified by Herod the Great, and called Antonia, in honor of his friend Mark Antony. By this castle the temple was commanded, as it stood on higher ground. Josephus describes this castle, War, b. v. chap. 5, sec. 8, "as having four towers, from one of which the whole temple was overlooked; and that one of the towers was joined to the porticoes of the temple, and had a double pair of stairs from it, by which soldiers in the garrison were used to come down with their arms to the porticoes, on the festival days, to keep the people quiet; for, as the temple was a guard to the city, so this castle was a guard to the temple.""It seems, therefore,"says Bp. Pearce, "to me very plain, that the place where the Jews were about to kill Paul was the court of the Gentiles, the porticoes being there; and that the chief captain came down there to his rescue."The name of this chief captain, or tribune, was Claudius Lysias, as we learn from Act 23:26.

Calvin: Act 21:31 - -- 31.As they sought to kill him Assuredly the force of Satan appeareth therein, in that he driveth the people headlong into such rage, that when they h...

31.As they sought to kill him Assuredly the force of Satan appeareth therein, in that he driveth the people headlong into such rage, that when they have shut the doors of the temple, being not content with mean punishment, they conspire to put Paul to death. We must thus think with ourselves that Satan doth prick forward the enemies of godliness, lest their rage, how cruel and troublesome soever it be, trouble us. On the other side appeareth the wonderful goodness of God, when as he raiseth up the chief captain at a sudden, that he may deliver Paul from death. He himself thought upon no such thing, but he came to appease the tumult which was raised among the people; but the Lord showeth a more evident token of his providence, because Paul’s life was delivered from such present danger without man’s counsel. Thus doth he suffer the faithful not only to labor, but to be almost oppressed, that he may deliver them from death more wonderfully. Luke calleth him the chief captain [tribune] of the band − 491 improperly, seeing every chief captain was set over a thousand, which cloth also appear by the text, where he saith that the chief captain took with him under captains? − 492

TSK: Act 21:31 - -- as : Act 22:22, Act 26:9, Act 26:10; Joh 16:2; 2Co 11:23-33 chief : Act 23:17, Act 24:7, Act 24:22, Act 25:23; Joh 18:12 that all : Act 21:38, Act 17:...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Act 21:31 - -- And as they went about to kill him - Greek: they seeking to kill him. This was evidently done in a popular tumult, as had been done in the case...

And as they went about to kill him - Greek: they seeking to kill him. This was evidently done in a popular tumult, as had been done in the case of Stephen, Acts 7: They could not pretend that they had a right to do it by law.

Tidings came - The news, or rumour came; he was told of it.

The chief captain of the band - This band or body of Roman soldiers was stationed in the castle Antonia, on the north of the temple. This was built by John Hyrcanus, high priest of the Jews, and was by him called Baris. It was beautified and strengthened by Herod the Great, and was called Antonia in honor of his friend, Mark Antony. Josephus describes this castle as consisting of four towers, one of which overlooked the temple, and which he says was 70 cubits high ( Jewish Wars , book 5, chapter 5, section 8). In this castle a guard of Roman soldiers was stationed to secure the temple and to maintain the peace. The commander of this cohort is here called "the chief captain."Reference is made to this guard several times in the New Testament, Mat 27:65-66; Joh 18:12; Act 5:26. The word translated "chief captain"denotes properly "one who commanded 1,000 men."The band σπεῖρα speira was the tenth part of a legion, and consisted sometimes of four hundred and twenty-five soldiers, at others of five hundred, and at others of six hundred, according to the size of the legion. The name of this captain was Claudius Lysias, Act 23:26.

In an uproar - That the whole city was in commotion.

Poole: Act 21:31 - -- The chief captain the commander-in-chief over all the soldiers there; or one that had the command over a thousand. At the three great feasts there wa...

The chief captain the commander-in-chief over all the soldiers there; or one that had the command over a thousand. At the three great feasts there was usually a considerable number of soldiers at Jerusalem; the confluence from all parts being then so great, and the Jews so impatient of any yoke or government, the Romans durst not trust such multitudes without some check upon them. Thus at the passover, when they took and crucified our Saviour, these soldiers were made use of, Joh 18:12 .

Gill: Act 21:31 - -- And as they went about to kill him,.... In the manner as zealots did, without bringing him before any court of judicature, without any charge, trial, ...

And as they went about to kill him,.... In the manner as zealots did, without bringing him before any court of judicature, without any charge, trial, and condemnation:

tidings came unto the chief captain of the band; the Roman band of soldiers, who were placed near the temple, to keep the peace of the city, and persons in order; and who were more especially needful, at such a time as the feast of Pentecost, when there was such a great concourse of people in the city, and indeed always were in arms at such times b; this chief captain was Claudius Lysias, as appears from Act 23:26 to him the report of the disturbance was brought; or as it is in the Greek text, the "fame ascended" to him; who very likely might be in the tower of Antonia, which joined to the temple:

that all Jerusalem was in an uproar; or in confusion, and therefore it became him, as a Roman officer, to take care to quell it, lest it should issue in sedition and rebellion.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Act 21:31 BDAG 953 s.v. συγχέω has “Pass. w. act.force be in confusion…ὅλη συγχ ...

Geneva Bible: Act 21:31 ( 6 ) And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. ( 6 ) God finds some ...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Act 21:1-40 - --1 Paul calls at the house of Philip, whose daughters prophesy.10 Agabus, foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem, he will not be dissuaded fro...

Combined Bible: Act 21:31 - --For the second time in his history the Roman authorities came to Paul's rescue from the hands of his countrymen. (31) " And as they were seeking to ki...

Maclaren: Act 21:27-39 - --Paul In The Temple And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people...

MHCC: Act 21:27-40 - --In the temple, where Paul should have been protected as in a place of safety, he was violently set upon. They falsely charged him with ill doctrine an...

Matthew Henry: Act 21:27-40 - -- We have here Paul brought into a captivity which we are not likely to see the end of; for after this he is either hurried from one bar to another, o...

Barclay: Act 21:27-36 - --It so happened that Paul's compromise led to disaster. It was the time of Pentecost. Jews were present in Jerusalem from all over the world and cert...

Constable: Act 9:32--Rom 1:1 - --III. THE WITNESS TO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH 9:32--28:31 Luke next recorded the church's expansion beyond...

Constable: Act 19:21--Rom 1:1 - --D. The extension of the church to Rome 19:21-28:31 "The panel is introduced by the programmatic statemen...

Constable: Act 21:17--23:33 - --2. Ministry in Jerusalem 21:17-23:32 The events that transpired in Jerusalem when Paul visited t...

Constable: Act 21:27-36 - --The riot in the temple 21:27-36 21:27-28 The Jews from Asia, possibly from Ephesus, were obviously unbelievers. They charged Paul with the same kind o...

College: Act 21:1-40 - --ACTS 21 13. The Stops at Cos, Rhodes, and Patara (21:1-2) 1 After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Cos...

McGarvey: Act 21:31-34 - --31-34. For the second time in his history the Roman authorities came to Paul's rescue from the hands of his countrymen. (31) " And as they were seekin...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES By Way of Introduction But for the Acts we should know nothing of the early apostolic period save what is told in the Epi...

JFB: Acts (Book Introduction) THIS book is to the Gospels what the fruit is to the tree that bears it. In the Gospels we see the corn of wheat falling into the ground and dying: in...

JFB: Acts (Outline) INTRODUCTION--LAST DAYS OF OUR LORD UPON EARTH--HIS ASCENSION. (Act 1:1-11) RETURN OF THE ELEVEN TO JERUSALEM--PROCEEDINGS IN THE UPPER ROOM TILL PEN...

TSK: Acts (Book Introduction) The Acts of the Apostles is a most valuable portion of Divine revelation; and, independently of its universal reception in the Christian church, as an...

TSK: Acts 21 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Act 21:1, Paul calls at the house of Philip, whose daughters prophesy; Act 21:10, Agabus, foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem...

Poole: Acts 21 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 21

MHCC: Acts (Book Introduction) This book unites the Gospels to the Epistles. It contains many particulars concerning the apostles Peter and Paul, and of the Christian church from th...

MHCC: Acts 21 (Chapter Introduction) (Act 21:1-7) Paul's voyage towards Jerusalem. (Act 21:8-18) Paul at Cesarea. The prophecy of Agabus, Paul at Jerusalem. (Act 21:19-26) He is persuad...

Matthew Henry: Acts (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Acts of the Apostles We have with an abundant satisfaction seen the foundation of our holy religion...

Matthew Henry: Acts 21 (Chapter Introduction) We have, with a great deal of pleasure, attended the apostle in his travels throughout the Gentile nations to preach the gospel, and have seen a gr...

Barclay: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES A Precious Book In one sense Acts is the most important book in the New Testament. It is the simple truth t...

Barclay: Acts 21 (Chapter Introduction) No Retreat (Act_21:1-16) Compromise In Jerusalem (Act_21:17-26) A Slanderous Charge (Act_21:27-36) Facing The Fury Of The Mob (Act_21:37-40)

Constable: Acts (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title "Acts of the Apostles" is very ancient. The Anti-Marcioni...

Constable: Acts (Outline) Outline I. The witness in Jerusalem 1:1-6:7 A. The founding of the church 1:1-2:46 ...

Constable: Acts Acts Bibliography Albright, William Foxwell. The Archaeology of Palestine. 1949. Revised ed. Pelican Archaeolog...

Haydock: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. INTRODUCTION. St. Luke, who had published his gospel, wrote also a second volume, which, from the first ages, hath bee...

Gill: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ACTS This book, in some copies, is called, "The Acts of the holy Apostles". It contains an history of the ministry and miracles of ...

College: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION As early as the second century the title "The Acts of the Apostles" was given to this document. Before that time the work probably circu...

College: Acts (Outline) OUTLINE I. THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM - 1:1-8:1a A. INTRODUCTION OF THE BOOK - 1:1-3 B. THE COMMISSIONING OF THE APOSTLES - 1:4-8 C. THE ASCENSI...

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