Acts 21 35

Acts 21:35 kjv

And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

Acts 21:35 nkjv

When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.

Acts 21:35 niv

When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers.

Acts 21:35 esv

And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd,

Acts 21:35 nlt

As Paul reached the stairs, the mob grew so violent the soldiers had to lift him to their shoulders to protect him.

Acts 21 verses

Acts 21 35 Meaning

The verse describes Jesus being lifted up, indicating his ascension into heaven and glorification by God.

Acts 21 35 Context

In Acts 21:34, Paul is being arrested and taken into the barracks by the soldiers due to the riotous uproar from the crowd at the temple in Jerusalem. The preceding verses depict a scene of escalating violence and chaos. This verse, therefore, shifts focus from Paul's physical situation to a profound theological truth about Jesus. The author, Luke, emphasizes Jesus' glorified status in heaven even as his followers faced persecution on earth. This is likely to provide encouragement and perspective to the early Christians. The broader context of Acts is the spread of the gospel and the establishment of the church, powered by the Holy Spirit, despite opposition.

Acts 21 35 Word analysis

• καὶ (kai) - and
• ἀνέβη (anebeh) - he went up, he ascended. This verb implies a movement upward, directly referencing Christ's ascension into heaven.
• δὲ (de) - but, and. Used here as a conjunction to connect this statement to the previous events or as an introductory particle.
• οὐκ (ouk) - not. (Negation)
• ἐκράτησεν (ekratēsen) - seized, apprehended, held. In the previous verse, Paul was seized. This word here means "did not seize," indicating that the soldiers’ physical seizure of Paul did not represent a true hold or control.
• αὐτὸν (auton) - him. (Pronoun referring to Paul)
• αἱ (hai) - the (Feminine plural definite article)
• στρατιαί (stratiai) - soldiers, soldiery. Refers to the Roman soldiers.
• τὸ (to) - the (Neuter singular definite article)
• στρατόπεδον (stratopedon) - camp, barracks. The place where the soldiers took Paul.

Grouped word analysis:

• "αἱ στρατιαὶ ἐκράτησεν αὐτὸν" (hai stratiai ekratēsen auton) - "the soldiers seized him." This is the action described in the immediate preceding verse (v. 33, though v. 34 actually states he was seized and taken up by the soldiers, while this verse contrasts).
• "οὐκ ἀνέβη δὲ τὸ στρατόπεδον" (ouk anebē de to stratopedon) - "but the barracks did not go up/ascend." This phrase is quite striking and needs careful interpretation. It does not mean the physical barracks didn't move. Rather, the contrast is likely that while Paul was physically taken into the barracks by the soldiers, the spiritual reality is that he (Jesus, indirectly, as the context is Christ's ascension being affirmed by Stephen's vision) did not remain subject to such earthly, limited confinement. Alternatively, it could be highlighting that while soldiers (a force that could arrest and detain) were involved, the true power of ascent and glory belonged to Christ. Given the preceding events for Stephen in Acts 7, who sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and the thematic continuity of the ascension in Luke-Acts, this verse is more likely referring to the grander ascent of Christ rather than Paul's physical detainment in the barracks, though it happens in the same breath as Paul's own arrest. The Greek text often uses concise phrasing, and here the "him" in the soldiers' seizure likely connects back to the broader theme initiated by Stephen seeing Christ. The verb "ascend" is used with Jesus, not with Paul's experience of being taken to the barracks, highlighting the focus. Correction based on more careful reading and scholarly interpretation: The verse most likely refers to Stephen's experience just before he was stoned, where he saw Jesus ascending. Thus, "But the soldiers did not seize him" likely refers to Jesus not being seized or permanently held down by death or earthly powers. This is a difficult textual point. If we are strictly analyzing Acts 21:35 about Paul, then the soldiers seized Paul and took him into the barracks. The phrase "But the barracks did not ascend" or similar interpretations related to ascension may be a misunderstanding of the sentence structure or a very subtle point being made. A common understanding is that the soldiers arrested Paul and took him to the barracks. The subsequent phrases might refer to how Jesus was lifted up (v. 33 and onward). It's crucial to ensure we are analyzing this specific verse about Paul. A re-examination shows that the soldiers took Paul into the barracks. If "but he did not ascend" refers to Jesus, the abrupt transition is stark.

Re-evaluation focusing solely on Acts 21:35 concerning Paul's immediate experience and the actions of the soldiers:

• "καὶ ἐγένετο... φωνὴ" (kai egeneto... phōnē) - "and there was a sound..." (This is likely the start of verse 36. Verse 35 continues the narrative from verse 34).
• "οὐκ ἐκράτησεν αὐτὸν" (ouk ekratēsen auton) - "did not seize him". This refers to the crowd or the mob, not necessarily the soldiers who did seize Paul. The verse might be poorly rendered or taken out of a larger context. Let's clarify verse 34.
• Verse 34 states: "But when he could not learn any cause for which to accuse him, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks." (Acts 21:34 is about Claudius Lysias the commander.)
• Verse 35 then states: "And when he came to the stairs, he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, for the passage of the guards that followed him." (This seems to be a different reading or misunderstanding).

Let's use the most common Greek text for Acts 21:35:

Acts 21:35 (from the UBS5 Greek New Testament):Εὐθέως δὲ ἐπιβαλόντες nettement δὲ αὐτὸν ἀναβήτην ἐπὶ τὰς κλίμακας (Euthéōs de epiballontes nettement de auton anabēten epitas klimakas)

• Εὐθέως (Euthéōs): immediately.
• δὲ (de): but/and.
• ἐπιβαλόντες (epiballontes): putting upon, seizing, attacking. (Aorist participle from ἐπιβάλλω). It likely refers to the crowd or perhaps the soldiers on the stairs.
• πάντα (panta) δὲ αὐτὸν (panta de auton): but they him. The full phrase might be that the crowd wanted to destroy him, or that the soldiers were carrying him away from them.
• ἀναβήτην (anabēten): ascend. This seems misplaced here for the physical act. Some texts read ἀναβαίνειν (anabainein) or ἀναβαίνεσθαι (anabainesthai). It might be referring to Paul being carried up the stairs.
• τὰς κλίμακας (tas klimakas): the stairs.

Revised Word-by-Word Analysis based on standard text:

• Εὐθέως (Euthéōs): Immediately. Indicates the swift action taken after the preceding command.
• δὲ (de): But/and. Connects this action to the commander's order.
• ἐπιβαλόντες (epiballontes): When they had seized/attacked. A participial phrase indicating the manner in which Paul was taken. Refers to the soldiers carrying him up the stairs, or possibly the continuing assault by the mob from which he was being rescued.
• πάντα δὲ αὐτὸν (panta de auton): and him (referring to Paul). The “πάντα” here could imply "all of him" or it might be a textual variant for “οὕτω” (thus) or related to the preceding action. Given typical translations, it’s part of the action of carrying or seizing.
• ἀναβῆναι (anabēnαι): to go up/ascend. This refers to Paul being carried up the stairs. (The imperative or infinitive form can be present).
• ἐπὶ τὰς κλίμακας (epi tas klimakas): onto the stairs. Specifies the location and direction of movement.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Εὐθέως δὲ ἐπιβαλόντες ... ἀναβῆναι ἐπὶ τὰς κλίμακας" (Euthéōs de epiballontes ... anabēnαι epi tas klimakas): This entire phrase describes the swift and forceful action of the soldiers taking Paul from the temple area up the stairs into the barracks. The force implied by "epiballontes" highlights that this was not a voluntary walk, but a rescue/detainment.

Acts 21 35 Bonus section

This event in Acts 21 is a critical point in Paul's journey, leading to his subsequent imprisonments and eventually his ministry in Rome. The protection offered by the Roman commander, Lysias, despite the violence, can be seen as a part of God’s sovereign plan to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, which Paul was called to do. The ultimate safety and vindication of believers rest not in their earthly circumstances but in their union with the ascended Christ, as affirmed in other parts of Scripture.

Acts 21 35 Commentary

The soldiers immediately intervened to escort Paul up the stairs and into the barracks, protecting him from the violent mob. This action, while a physical detainment for Paul, served as a divine intervention to preserve his life for future ministry. The underlying context in Luke-Acts is that Christ’s earthly ministry culminated in His ascension, from which He reigns and from which the church's power flows. Even in persecution, believers are connected to this ascended Christ who is not subject to earthly forces.