Acts 21 32

Acts 21:32 kjv

Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

Acts 21:32 nkjv

He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

Acts 21:32 niv

He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

Acts 21:32 esv

He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

Acts 21:32 nlt

He immediately called out his soldiers and officers and ran down among the crowd. When the mob saw the commander and the troops coming, they stopped beating Paul.

Acts 21 verses

Acts 21 32 Meaning

Acts 21:32 describes the immediate intervention of the Roman military tribune, Claudius Lysias, with a detachment of soldiers and centurions, in response to a violent mob attacking Paul in the Temple courts. His swift appearance directly caused the Jewish crowd to cease their assault, thus saving Paul's life from what would have been certain death. The verse highlights the decisive power of Roman authority to quell public disorder and the timely nature of this rescue.

Acts 21 32 Context

Acts chapter 21 details Paul's final journey to Jerusalem, despite warnings of impending suffering. Upon arrival, he reports his missionary success to James and the elders. To counter false rumors that he taught Jews to abandon Mosaic Law, Paul agrees to participate in a purification ritual at the Temple, alongside four Jewish Christians. This action aimed to demonstrate his respect for Jewish traditions and bridge potential divides. However, some Jews from Asia, recognizing Paul and mistakenly believing he had brought Trophimus, an Ephesian Gentile, into the sacred inner courts (which was forbidden to Gentiles under penalty of death), stirred up a massive riot. The mob seized Paul, dragged him out of the Temple, and began to beat him, intending to kill him. News of the disturbance reached Claudius Lysias, the commander of the Roman cohort stationed at the nearby Fortress Antonia, which overlooked the Temple courts. Lysias's immediate and decisive military intervention, as described in verse 32, was the direct response to prevent the escalation of this violent insurrection, thereby saving Paul from the enraged crowd. This rescue sets the stage for Paul's long period of Roman custody and subsequent appeals to Caesar.

Acts 21 32 Word analysis

• Immediately (παραχρῆμα, parachrēma): A Greek adverb meaning "at once," "instantly," "without delay." This highlights the urgency and swiftness of the Roman commander's response. It emphasizes divine timing in orchestrating Paul's rescue. The rapidness underscores the efficiency of Roman military protocol in maintaining public order.
• he took (μεταλαβών, metalabōn): Participle meaning "having taken along" or "taking with him." Signifies active command and leadership in gathering his troops for deployment. It wasn't a casual dispatch but a personal lead by the commander.
• soldiers (στρατιώτας, stratiōtas): Refers to Roman legionaries, trained military personnel. Their presence alone conveyed authority and force, instilling fear in the rioters. The Roman army was a formidable, disciplined machine.
• and centurions (καὶ ἑκατοντάρχας, kai hekatontarchas): Roman officers, each commanding approximately 100 men. The inclusion of centurions indicates a substantial, organized detachment, not just a small patrol. It demonstrates the seriousness with which the Roman commander viewed the disturbance and his structured response to it.
• and ran down (κατέδραμεν, katedramen): "Ran down" implies moving from a higher position (Fortress Antonia) to a lower one (Temple courts). The verb suggests haste and direct action into the heart of the commotion. It conveys a sense of urgency and direct intervention.
• to them (ἐπ' αὐτούς, ep' autous): Specifically refers to the Jewish mob that was assaulting Paul. The target of their intervention was clear: to stop the rioters.
• and when they saw (ἰδόντες δὲ, idontes de): The very sight of Roman military authority was enough to instigate a change in behavior. This emphasizes the visual impact and immediate psychological effect of the Roman presence.
• the commander (τὸν χιλίαρχον, ton chiliarchon): The military tribune, Claudius Lysias, commander of a cohort (approximately 1,000 men). His personal presence carried the ultimate Roman authority in Jerusalem. His rank signaled a high-level response to what could have been a serious revolt.
• and the soldiers (καὶ τοὺς στρατιώτας, kai tous stratiōtas): The collective presence of the organized Roman military force. Their disciplined formation and equipment contrasted sharply with the chaotic mob.
• they stopped beating Paul (ἐπαύσαντο τύπτοντες τὸν Παῦλον, epausanto typtontes ton Paulon): Immediate cessation of the violent act. The fear of Roman reprisal for sedition, breach of peace, or harm to a potentially Roman citizen instantly outweighed their religious fervor or hatred. It highlights the stark control Roman law held over the populace.

Words-group analysis

• "Immediately he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them": This phrase captures the essence of decisive, well-executed military action. It illustrates the swift, hierarchical Roman response to maintain order, a powerful testament to the Pax Romana (Roman Peace) enforced by its military presence. It was a rapid, coordinated intervention by organized authority.
• "and when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul": This sequence reveals the sheer deterrent power of visible authority. The presence of Roman law, personified by the commander and his troops, immediately halted the uncontrolled mob violence. It demonstrates how external human authority, at times, serves as an instrument of divine preservation.

Acts 21 32 Bonus section

The Fortress Antonia, where Claudius Lysias was stationed, was strategically located at the northwest corner of the Temple enclosure. It provided an excellent vantage point over the Temple courts, allowing Roman guards to monitor the vast crowds, particularly during major festivals when unrest was most likely. This strategic positioning enabled the commander to perceive the commotion quickly and descend directly into the situation. The Romans had a standing order to maintain the peace, and any disturbance, particularly within the Temple, was a serious matter that could escalate into full-scale rebellion against Roman rule, making Lysias's response a standard military protocol. Paul's eventual revelation of his Roman citizenship later in the narrative further compounds the legal implications of this violent attack and highlights the layers of protection afforded to him by virtue of his status within the Roman Empire, despite facing opposition from his own people.

Acts 21 32 Commentary

Acts 21:32 is a dramatic pivot in Paul's journey, illustrating God's providence through unexpected means. The commander's swift intervention was not driven by concern for Paul's welfare as an individual, but by the Roman imperative to suppress any public disturbance, especially one occurring in such a sensitive location as the Temple. The efficiency and force of Roman rule, designed to maintain peace, inadvertently became the instrument of Paul's rescue. This intervention highlights the precarious balance of power between the Jewish religious leadership, the volatile crowds, and the overarching Roman authority. The instant cessation of the beating upon the sight of Roman forces underscores the effective and often intimidating presence of imperial power. It also sets the stage for Paul's continued defense and ministry within the Roman legal system, demonstrating that even secular systems can be used by God for His divine purposes in protecting His servants and advancing His gospel.

• Example 1: Like a natural disaster prevented from causing greater harm by the rapid response of emergency services.
• Example 2: Similar to a police officer diffusing a violent confrontation by their mere presence, restoring order where chaos reigned.