Acts 21 34

Acts 21:34 kjv

And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.

Acts 21:34 nkjv

And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks.

Acts 21:34 niv

Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.

Acts 21:34 esv

Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.

Acts 21:34 nlt

Some shouted one thing and some another. Since he couldn't find out the truth in all the uproar and confusion, he ordered that Paul be taken to the fortress.

Acts 21 verses

Acts 21 34 Meaning

Acts 21:34 describes the chaotic scene during Paul's arrest in Jerusalem. The Roman commander, confronted by a shouting, unorganized Jewish multitude, found it impossible to understand the accusations leveled against Paul due to the immense uproar. Faced with such confusion and the immediate danger to Paul, the commander decisively ordered Paul to be taken into the military barracks, the Antonia Fortress, for his safety and to regain control of the situation.

Acts 21 34 Context

Acts 21 records Paul's return to Jerusalem and the ensuing tumult. Paul, despite warnings, felt compelled by the Spirit to go. He met with James and the elders, sharing about his Gentile ministry. To appease some Jewish believers who were zealous for the Law and had heard false rumors about Paul teaching Jews to forsake Moses, Paul agreed to undertake a purification ritual in the Temple alongside four men. However, towards the end of the purification, some Jews from Asia recognized Paul, falsely accused him of defiling the Temple by bringing Trophimus (an Ephesian Greek) beyond the permitted areas for Gentiles. This ignited a riot; Paul was dragged out of the Temple and the mob began to beat him, intent on killing him. Roman soldiers stationed in the nearby Antonia Fortress heard the uproar. Commander Claudius Lysias, sensing a major disturbance, quickly intervened. Verse 34 takes place during this intervention, where the commander faces the overwhelming, noisy mob and tries to understand what's happening, ultimately resorting to removing Paul to the barracks for investigation.

Acts 21 34 Word analysis

• But some cried one thing, some another,

  • But: (alla ἀλλά) introduces a strong contrast to any possibility of calm or clarity.
  • some... some another: (hoi men... hoi de οἱ μὲν... οἱ δὲ) highlights the deep division and lack of unified accusation within the crowd. It emphasizes the disarray, indicating no clear charge was articulated.
  • cried: (ekrazo ἔκραζον) means to shriek, scream, or cry out loudly. It paints a picture of extreme, uncontrolled noise, characteristic of an enraged mob.

• among the multitude:

  • multitude: (ochlou ὄχλου) refers to a large, disorderly, or unruly crowd, a mob. This noun reinforces the chaotic and dangerous nature of the situation. The collective nature amplified the confusion.

• and when he could not know the certainty

  • when he could not know: (mē dynamenou gnōnai μὴ δυναμένου γνῶναι) "not being able to know" or "incapable of discerning." This stresses the commander's inability to extract coherent information. His professional duty as an officer included assessing situations quickly, but the chaos rendered him powerless.
  • certainty: (to asphales τὸ ἀσφαλές) means the reliable, safe, secure, or undeniable truth/fact. The commander was unable to ascertain the firm grounds or truth of the accusations due to the uproar.

• for the tumult,

  • for: (dia διά) signifies the cause or reason. The tumult was directly responsible for his inability to gain certainty.
  • tumult: (ton thorubon τὸν θόρυβον) means a loud noise, uproar, riot, disturbance, or confusion. This word precisely describes the noisy, disorderly public disturbance that made any rational inquiry impossible.

• he commanded him to be carried

  • he commanded: (ekeleusen ἐκέλευσεν) means to order, command, or direct. This is a clear display of Roman authority and immediate action. The commander, Claudius Lysias, exercised his military prerogative to impose order.
  • him to be carried: (anagesthai ἀνάγεσθαι) implies "to be led up," "brought up," or "taken up," indicating movement into an elevated or more secure position.

• into the castle.

  • castle: (eis tēn parembolēn εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν) specifically refers to a military encampment, barracks, or fortress. In Jerusalem, this was the Antonia Fortress, which overlooked the Temple Mount. It was a secure Roman garrison designed for controlling disturbances and housing soldiers. It represented safety for Paul and a place where a proper investigation could begin away from the mob.

• Word-Group Analysis:

  • "But some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude": This entire phrase vividly portrays mob mentality—lack of clear reason, divided accusations, and the raw emotional power of a large, agitated group. It signifies the breakdown of rational discourse.
  • "when he could not know the certainty for the tumult": This emphasizes the practical dilemma faced by Roman authority. Order, the bedrock of Roman administration, was undermined by uncontrolled chaos, preventing justice from even beginning to operate.
  • "he commanded him to be carried into the castle": This highlights the commander's decisive action to assert control and secure Paul. The fortress served as a sanctuary from the immediate threat, albeit a place of detainment. It illustrates the protective aspect of Roman law, however imperfectly, even for an unknown prisoner.

Acts 21 34 Bonus section

• The Antonia Fortress was strategically built by Herod the Great and named after Mark Antony. Its position next to the Temple Mount allowed Roman soldiers quick access to suppress Jewish uprisings, a common occurrence. For Paul, entering it was moving from the immediate danger of Jewish fury into the custody of Roman law, a pivotal shift for his future.
• This moment underscores the difference between immediate emotional outcry and due legal process. The Roman ideal, though often flawed in practice, valued order and the eventual uncovering of facts, in stark contrast to the immediate, bloodthirsty desires of the Jerusalem mob.
• The fact that no clear charge could be presented indicates the extent of the mob's rage, overriding any legal reasoning, and setting the stage for subsequent hearings where Paul's accusers would similarly struggle to articulate a consistent charge (Acts 23:29, 25:18-20).

Acts 21 34 Commentary

Acts 21:34 provides a sharp snapshot of Roman rule operating in a highly volatile setting. The Roman commander, Claudius Lysias, faced with the immediate threat of mob lynching and the cacophony of incoherent accusations, prioritizes public order and the preservation of life. His inability to discern "certainty" due to the "tumult" underscores the irrationality and danger of mob justice, which often precedes and prevents any true legal process. His command to bring Paul into the "castle" (Antonia Fortress) was not an act of immediate conviction or liberation but a necessary step to remove Paul from harm and to initiate an investigation in a controlled environment. This incident marks a significant turning point, bringing Paul under Roman protection (even as a prisoner), which would ultimately lead to his appeals and journey to Rome, thus providentially extending his ministry through official Roman channels. It exemplifies how divine providence often works through human institutions, even those that seem adverse, to accomplish God's greater purposes.