Acts 21 29

Acts 21:29 kjv

(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

Acts 21:29 nkjv

(For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

Acts 21:29 niv

(They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)

Acts 21:29 esv

For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

Acts 21:29 nlt

(For earlier that day they had seen him in the city with Trophimus, a Gentile from Ephesus, and they assumed Paul had taken him into the Temple.)

Acts 21 verses

Acts 21 29 Meaning

This verse describes a significant event in the ministry of the Apostle Paul. It details the unrest that broke out in Jerusalem when certain believers from Asia recognized Paul. They accused him of bringing Trophimus, an Ephesian Gentile, into the inner court of the Temple, an action considered a defilement for Jews. This misunderstanding led to public outcry and physical seizure of Paul by the crowd.

Acts 21 29 Context

At this point in Acts, Paul has just arrived in Jerusalem after concluding his third missionary journey. He is accompanied by some Gentiles and intends to worship at the Temple. According to Jewish law, the inner courts of the Temple were restricted to Jews and specifically to Jewish men. Gentiles were permitted only in the outer court, the Court of the Gentiles. The accusation that Paul brought Trophimus, a Gentile, into this restricted area was extremely serious to devout Jews. It was seen as a direct violation of the Temple's sanctity and a desecration of their holy place, igniting intense anger and alarm within the observant Jewish community present. This event highlights the ongoing tension between the universality of the Gospel and the entrenched religious practices and sensitivities of Judaism, even within the Christian movement.

Acts 21 29 Word Analysis

• ἀναστάντες (anastantes): This is the aorist participle of ἀνίστημι (anistēmi), meaning "to rise up," "to stand up," or "to stand again." Here, it signifies an immediate and forceful action of standing up in response to something. It conveys a sense of being aroused to action.

• οἱ ἀπὸ τῆς Ἀσίας (hoi apo tēs Asias): Literally "those from Asia." This refers to specific Jewish believers or individuals from the Roman province of Asia (modern-day western Turkey) who were present in Jerusalem and recognized Paul. They are portrayed as those who stirred up the commotion.

• ἴδοντες (idontes): The aorist participle of ὁράω (horaō), meaning "to see." It signifies that their seeing Paul was the catalyst for their subsequent actions. It implies a direct observation that triggered their reaction.

• τὸν Παῦλον (ton Paulon): "Paul." The accusative case indicates Paul is the direct object of their seeing.

• ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ (en tō hierō): "In the Temple." The dative case with the definite article specifies the location. This phrase pinpoints the scene of the incident, emphasizing that it occurred within the sacred precincts of the Jerusalem Temple.

• καὶ ἀνέκραξαν (kai anekraxan): "And they cried out." ἀνακράζω (anekrazo) means "to cry out loudly" or "to exclaim." This signifies a public outburst of vocal protest or accusation, drawing attention to Paul and their perceived grievance.

• τὸν παρελθόντα (ton parelthonta): The aorist participle of παρέρχομαι (parerchomai), meaning "to go by," "to pass by," or "to go through." It implies that Trophimus had passed through a certain area.

• μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ (met' autou): "With him." Indicating that Trophimus was accompanied by Paul.

• εἰς τὸ ἱερόν (eis to hieron): "Into the Temple." This phrase is crucial. It clarifies that the accusation was specifically about Trophimus entering a part of the Temple prohibited to Gentiles, thus the focus of the accusation. The context strongly suggests Trophimus was brought into an area beyond the Court of the Gentiles.

• συγχέοντες (syncheontes): The present participle of συγκέω (syncheō), meaning "to pour together," "to confuse," or "to stir up a tumult." This word vividly describes the state of chaos and agitation they caused. It conveys the idea of creating disorder and widespread confusion among the people.

• τὸ πλῆθος (to plēthos): "The crowd." Referring to the general populace present at the Temple, who were then incited by the accusations.

Acts 21 29 Bonus Section

The specific accusation, "bringing Trophimus into the Temple," is potent because of the detailed segregation within the Temple complex. There was the Court of the Gentiles, the Court of Women, the Court of Israel, and the inner sanctuary itself. Entrance into any of these courts was regulated by strict purity laws. The Eastern Gate, often called the Nicanor Gate, separated the Court of Women from the Court of Israel, and a low wall or balustrade with inscriptions warned Gentiles not to proceed further, under penalty of death. While the text in Acts 21:29 is vague about which part of the Temple Paul and Trophimus were in, the mob's reaction suggests they believed Paul had transgressed a line beyond the common Court of the Gentiles. This highlights the literal interpretation of the Law held by many, contrasting with the more spiritual interpretation of Temple symbolism offered in the New Testament, particularly the concept of Christ as the true Temple (John 2:19-21) and believers being part of that living temple (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Acts 21 29 Commentary

This verse encapsulates the intense religious zeal and suspicion that characterized Jewish society in Jerusalem, even concerning the sacred space of the Temple. The accusation leveled against Paul, while possibly based on a misunderstanding or an exaggeration of Trophimus’ presence (Paul might have been merely in the Court of the Gentiles, a space accessible to both Jews and Gentiles), struck at the heart of Jewish identity and Law. For them, the sanctity of the Temple, with its prescribed boundaries, was paramount. Paul's ministry to the Gentiles and his breaking down of religious barriers, as highlighted in his own writings (Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 2:11-15), was seen by some Jews as an affront to God and their traditions. The ensuing chaos shows how deeply these religious sensibilities were felt and how quickly popular sentiment could turn against someone perceived as a transgressor. This incident sets the stage for Paul's arrest and subsequent ministry within Roman custody, fulfilling prophecies about his witness in Jerusalem and beyond (Acts 23:11). The dynamic illustrates the deep cultural and religious divides that the early Church had to navigate as it preached a message of universal salvation in Christ.