Acts 21 33

Acts 21:33 kjv

Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

Acts 21:33 nkjv

Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done.

Acts 21:33 niv

The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.

Acts 21:33 esv

Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done.

Acts 21:33 nlt

Then the commander arrested him and ordered him bound with two chains. He asked the crowd who he was and what he had done.

Acts 21 verses

Acts 21 33 Meaning

The verse describes the chief priests and the commander of the temple with their men arresting Paul, intending to bring him down to their headquarters, demonstrating the opposition and misunderstanding Paul faced from religious authorities.

Acts 21 33 Context

Following the tumult caused by the Jews from Asia in the temple, the entire city of Jerusalem became agitated. The commander of the Roman garrison intervened to maintain order. Amidst this chaos, Paul was apprehended by the people. The chief priests and the temple commander, taking charge, proceeded to arrest Paul themselves. Their intention was to transport him to the Antonia Fortress, the Roman military headquarters, for questioning and likely further detention or trial. This action reflects the precarious position Paul found himself in, caught between zealous Jewish factions and the Roman authorities who were ultimately responsible for peace in the city, especially during Passover.

Acts 21 33 Word Analysis

• καὶ (kai): "and" - A common conjunction, linking this action to the previous events, signifying the sequence and coordination of the arrest.
• οἱ (hoi): "the" - Definite article, specifying particular individuals.
• ἀρχιερεῖς (archiereis): "chief priests" - Refers to the leading members of the Jewish priesthood, many of whom were Sadducees and held significant political and religious power. They represented the established religious authority that often opposed Paul's message.
• σὺν (syn): "with" - Indicates accompaniment or association.
• τῇ (tē): "the" - Definite article.
• χειλίᾳρχος (cheiliarchos): "chiliarch" or "commander of a thousand" - This refers to the commander of the Roman military garrison in Jerusalem. The Greek term is equivalent to the Latin "tribune." His presence indicates the involvement of Roman military authority in maintaining order.
• τοῦ (tou): "of the" - Genitive definite article.
• στρατοπέδου (stratopedou): "garrison" or "camp" - Denotes the military force stationed at the Antonia Fortress.
• καὶ (kai): "and" - Another connective, adding to the description of the arresting party.
• προστάξαντες (proßtantes): "having commanded" or "ordering" - Aorist participle from προστάσσω (prostasso), meaning to command or order. It indicates they issued a directive.
• κατήγαγον (katēgagon): "brought down" or "led down" - Aorist indicative of καταγω (katago), meaning to bring down or take down. This suggests a movement from a higher position (like the temple courtyard or Mount Moriah) to a lower area where the fortress was situated.
• αὐτὸν (auton): "him" - Refers to Paul, the direct object of the action.
• εἰς (eis): "into" - Preposition indicating entrance or movement toward a destination.
• τὴν (tēn): "the" - Definite article.
• παρεμβολήν (parembolēn): "barracks" or "garrison" or "fortress" - Refers to the headquarters of the Roman troops, the Antonia Fortress. This was a secure location outside the immediate temple precinct.

Group analysis:The phrase "οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς σὺν τῇ χειλίᾳρχος τοῦ στρατοπέδου" (hoi archiereis syn tē cheiliarchos tou stratopedou) highlights a joint action between the Jewish religious leadership and the Roman military command. This combination signifies the severity of the situation and the attempt to control the perceived unrest associated with Paul. The action "προστάξαντες κατήγαγον αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν" (proßtantes katēgagon auton eis tēn parembolēn) shows the forceful and directed nature of Paul's apprehension, moving him to the Roman headquarters, which implies he was viewed as a threat to public order or possibly as someone under Roman jurisdiction.

Acts 21 33 Bonus Section

The action of the chief priests and the commander to "bring him down" to the barracks emphasizes the layered jurisdictions and the pragmatic approach to managing perceived disturbances. The chief priests were acting on behalf of their perceived authority within the Jewish system, while the Roman commander acted on behalf of imperial law and order. This joint action to arrest Paul foreshadows the larger legal and political battles Paul would face, where he would appeal to Caesar, utilizing his Roman citizenship as a shield against localized opposition. The mention of the "garrison" also underscores the constant Roman military presence in Jerusalem, a visible symbol of their dominion.

Acts 21 33 Commentary

This verse details the culmination of the immediate agitation Paul experienced in Jerusalem. The religious authorities, in conjunction with the Roman military commander, took direct action to apprehend Paul. The chief priests, recognizing the popular unrest and likely fearing that Paul's presence and teachings would further disrupt the peace and perhaps implicate them before the Romans, initiated his removal. The Roman commander, responsible for maintaining order, would have seen the crowd's fury and Paul's arrest as matters requiring military intervention. Transporting Paul to the Antonia Fortress meant he was now under Roman military custody, setting the stage for his subsequent appearances before Roman authorities in chapters 22-26. This also signifies the blend of religious opposition and civil authority being brought to bear against the apostle.