Acts 21 30

Acts 21:30 kjv

And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

Acts 21:30 nkjv

And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut.

Acts 21:30 niv

The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut.

Acts 21:30 esv

Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.

Acts 21:30 nlt

The whole city was rocked by these accusations, and a great riot followed. Paul was grabbed and dragged out of the Temple, and immediately the gates were closed behind him.

Acts 21 verses

Acts 21 30 Meaning

Acts 21:30 describes a rapid and tumultuous eruption of violence and chaos in Jerusalem. The entire city's population was roused, coming together in an unruly mob. Their immediate action was to seize the Apostle Paul, forcefully dragging him out of the Temple precincts. This action was followed by the swift shutting of the Temple doors, isolating Paul outside and sealing off the sacred area from the perceived defilement or continued disturbance. This verse marks the climactic escalation of hostility against Paul, rooted in false accusations of profaning the Temple.

Acts 21 30 Context

Acts chapter 21 chronicles Paul's final journey to Jerusalem, despite repeated warnings from prophets like Agabus (Acts 21:10-14) about the suffering awaiting him there. Upon arrival, Paul purified himself according to Jewish custom and even funded others to do the same (Acts 21:23-26) to demonstrate his respect for the Law and refute rumors that he taught Jews to abandon Moses. However, his presence in the Temple complex, specifically his prior association with Trophimus, an Ephesian Gentile (Acts 21:29), led certain Jews from Asia to falsely accuse him of bringing a Gentile into the inner Temple courts, a capital offense. This verse (21:30) is the immediate outcome of these incendiary accusations, initiating Paul's arrest and subsequent trials, ultimately leading to his journey to Rome. Historically, Jerusalem at this time was a tinderbox, frequently on edge due to Roman occupation and fervent Jewish nationalistic and religious sentiments, making such a mob action plausible and dangerously rapid. The Temple Mount was not just a religious site but a place where political tensions often flared.

Acts 21 30 Word analysis

• καὶ (kai): "And". Connects this verse directly to the preceding events of agitation and false accusations.
• πᾶσα (pasa): "all". Signifies the universality of the commotion, not just a small faction, but the entire city was affected or implicated.
• ἡ (hē): "the".
• πόλις (polis): "city". Refers to Jerusalem, emphasizing the widespread nature of the uproar beyond just those present in the Temple. It implies public, open hostility.
• συνεχύθη (synechythē): "was stirred up," or "was thrown into confusion/turmoil." From συγχέω (sygcheō), meaning to mix up, to confound, to throw into disorder. This strong verb describes not just agitation but a deep unsettling, indicating profound disturbance and chaos that affected everyone.
• ἔδραμεν (edramen): "ran." The aorist tense implies swift, decisive action. The crowd acted quickly, without deliberation.
• τε (te): "and".
• ὁ (ho): "the".
• λαός (laos): "people" or "multitude." Signifies the general populace, not just a specific religious or political group, highlighting a popular uprising.
• ἐπέλαβον (epelabon): "they took hold," or "seized." From ἐπιλαμβάνομαι (epilambanomai), to lay hold of, to take. It conveys a firm, aggressive grasp.
• τὸν (ton): "the".
• Παῦλον (Paulon): "Paul." The object of their violent wrath.
• καὶ (kai): "and".
• εἷλκον (heilkon): "dragged." The imperfect tense indicates a continuous action, emphasizing the brutality and disrespect shown as Paul was physically hauled away. This was not a gentle escort.
• αὐτὸν (auton): "him." Referring to Paul.
• ἔξω (exō): "out," or "outside." Indicates removal from the sacred precinct.
• τοῦ (tou): "the".
• ἱεροῦ (hierou): "temple." Refers specifically to the broader Temple complex (ἱερόν, hieron), not necessarily the inner sanctuary (ναός, naos), but a sacred space nonetheless. The accusation was bringing a Gentile beyond the Court of the Gentiles.
• καὶ (kai): "and".
• εὐθέως (eutheōs): "forthwith," or "immediately." Highlights the instantaneous nature of the following action, emphasizing urgency and determination.
• ἐκλείσθησαν (ekleisthēsan): "were shut" or "were closed." Aorist passive indicative. The doors were forcefully closed by someone (presumably the Temple guards or others to contain the riot or protect the Temple). This act could be for various reasons: to prevent Paul from re-entering, to prevent the mob from further profaning the holy space by rioting inside, or to protect the sacred area from the defilement already attributed to Paul.
• αἱ (hai): "the".
• θύραι (thyrai): "doors." Specifically the doors leading into the inner courts of the Temple.

Words-group analysis:

• "And all the city was stirred up": This phrase captures the widespread panic and agitation. "All the city" (πᾶσα ἡ πόλις) suggests a communal, uncontrollable fervor, indicating a public uprising rather than a clandestine plot. The passive voice "was stirred up" implies the confusion and disturbance spread rapidly, catching everyone in its current.
• "and the people ran together": (ἔδραμέν τε ὁ λαός). Describes the formation of a unified mob. The sudden "ran together" illustrates the immediate and visceral response to the false alarms, forming a singular entity driven by collective emotion.
• "and they took Paul, and dragged him out of the temple": (ἐπέλαβον τὸν Παῦλον καὶ εἷλκον αὐτὸν ἔξω τοῦ ἱεροῦ). This describes the direct, violent action against Paul. "Took" implies seizing him forcefully, while "dragged" vividly depicts the indignity and brutality he endured, an act of desecration in itself, as they removed a human body violently from sacred ground. His removal from the "temple" precincts emphasizes the severity of the perceived transgression he was accused of.
• "and forthwith the doors were shut": (καὶ εὐθέως ἐκλείσθησαν αἱ θύραι). The rapid sealing of the "doors" indicates a decisive measure. It could be seen as an act to symbolically cleanse or protect the Temple from the 'profanation' associated with Paul, or practically to prevent the mob's further unrest from spilling into the hallowed inner courts, thus preventing further damage or violence within. It highlights the perceived urgency of containing the crisis.

Acts 21 30 Bonus section

The term "Temple" (ἱεροῦ - hierou) here specifically refers to the entire sacred complex on Mount Moriah, encompassing the outer Court of the Gentiles, the women's court, the Israelite's court, and the priests' court, ultimately leading to the sanctuary. The "middle wall of partition" (Eph 2:14) mentioned by Paul, was literally a stone barrier within this complex that separated the Gentile court from the inner Jewish courts. Inscriptions on this wall warned Gentiles against passing further under penalty of death. The accusation against Paul (Acts 21:28) was that he brought Trophimus beyond this barrier, an act that would justify the outrage from a strict Jewish perspective. This highlights the acute sensitivity around the Temple's purity laws. The tumultuous scene is an early example of "groupthink" and misinformation spiraling into violence, demonstrating how quickly passion can override truth and due process when stoked by rumor and prejudice. This foreshadows Jesus' own persecution and underscores a recurring theme of prophet rejection in Jerusalem's history (e.g., Lk 13:34).

Acts 21 30 Commentary

Acts 21:30 serves as a pivotal point in Paul's narrative, marking the end of his apostolic freedom and the beginning of his captivity which would ultimately lead to Rome. The verse starkly illustrates the depth of hostility Paul faced, a confluence of religious fervor, nationalistic pride, and misunderstanding of his message of Gentile inclusion. The rapid formation of the mob and their violent actions reflect a society ready to react ferociously to any perceived threat to their sacred traditions and space. Paul's suffering here is a vivid example of fulfilling the prophecy given to Ananias (Acts 9:16) that he would suffer greatly for Christ's name. The immediate shutting of the Temple doors is both symbolic—sealing off Paul and his 'defilement'—and practical, a measure taken to control a volatile situation that threatened the sanctity and order of the Temple itself. This event underscores the immense spiritual and social cost of proclaiming the Gospel that challenges established religious norms.