ACT 21:37-40

Paul Addresses the Crowd

37As he was about to be brought into the barracks, Paul said to the commander, "Am I permitted to say something to you?" He said, "Do you know Greek?

38Then you are not the Egyptian who stirred up revolt some time ago and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?"

39But Paul said, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people."

40And when he had given permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying,

In the world it was spoken into

In this scene, Paul is being taken into the Roman barracks by a Roman tribune , a high-ranking officer commanding a cohort of soldiers. The tribune initially mistakes Paul for the Egyptian rebel leader who had recently stirred up a revolt in the wilderness, gathering thousands of followers, including the Sicarii , a group of Jewish assassins known for their violent tactics. This confusion reflects the tense political climate in Jerusalem, where Roman authorities were on high alert for insurrectionists. Paul clarifies his identity as a Jew from Tarsus, a significant city in Cilicia, emphasizing his Roman citizenship and cultural fluency in Greek. His request to address the crowd underscores his strategic use of his dual identity—both Jewish and Roman—to navigate this volatile situation. The stairs where Paul stands were likely part of the Antonia Fortress, a Roman military structure adjacent to the Temple, symbolizing the intersection of Roman power and Jewish religious life.

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How other translations render this

ACT 21:37

KJV: And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
BSB: As they were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied.
Koinōnos: As he was about to be brought into the barracks, Paul said to the commander, "Am I permitted to say something to you?" He said, "Do you know Greek?

ACT 21:38

KJV: Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?
BSB: “Arenʼt you the Egyptian who incited a rebellion some time ago and led four thousand members of the ‘Assassins’ into the wilderness?”
Koinōnos: Then you are not the Egyptian who stirred up revolt some time ago and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?

ACT 21:39

KJV: But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.
BSB: But Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Now I beg you to allow me to speak to the people.”
Koinōnos: But Paul said, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.

ACT 21:40

KJV: And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,
BSB: Having received permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. A great hush came over the crowd, and he addressed them in Hebrew:
Koinōnos: And when he had given permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying,

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

ACT 21:37

barracks:The word translated 'barracks' here refers to a fortified military camp or a permanent garrison, not just a building for soldiers.
commander;:The term used here for 'commander' specifically denotes a military officer in charge of a thousand men, often the commandant of a garrison.

ACT 21:38

having led a revolt:The word translated 'having led a revolt' carries the sense of stirring up trouble, causing disorder, or unsettling a region, not just a single act of rebellion.
Assassins?:The term translated 'Assassins' refers to a specific group of Jewish zealots known for carrying daggers (sicae) and committing political murders in broad daylight.