Acts 21 36

Acts 21:36 kjv

For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

Acts 21:36 nkjv

For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, "Away with him!"

Acts 21:36 niv

The crowd that followed kept shouting, "Get rid of him!"

Acts 21:36 esv

for the mob of the people followed, crying out, "Away with him!"

Acts 21:36 nlt

And the crowd followed behind, shouting, "Kill him, kill him!"

Acts 21 verses

Acts 21 36 Meaning

Acts 21:36 describes the relentless, furious demand of the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem for Paul's death or removal, as Roman soldiers carried him to safety from their violence. The people's unified shout of "Away with him!" reflected extreme animosity and a call for his immediate execution, echoing the similar cries against Jesus before Pilate. It illustrates the intensity of persecution Paul faced, demonstrating a spiritual blindness and rejection of the Gospel message.

Acts 21 36 Context

Acts 21:36 is part of a dramatic narrative where Paul, upon returning to Jerusalem, is falsely accused of defiling the Temple by bringing Gentiles into forbidden areas (Acts 21:28-29). This ignites a riot. The angry Jewish crowd seizes Paul, dragging him out of the Temple with the intention of killing him. Roman soldiers, stationed nearby in the Antonia Fortress, witness the disturbance. The Roman commander intervenes, arresting Paul and ordering him to be carried up into the barracks for his safety. Even as Paul is being literally lifted by the soldiers, the immense, furious crowd continues its relentless cry, demanding his death. The scene vividly portrays the intense religious and nationalistic fervor that often turned violent against perceived threats to Jewish tradition, echoing Jerusalem's historic rejection of God's messengers, particularly Jesus.

Acts 21 36 Word analysis

• For (γὰρ - gar): A conjunction meaning "for," "because." It introduces the reason for Paul being carried by the soldiers as mentioned in the previous verse (Acts 21:35). The 'reason' is the crowd's intent.

• the multitude (ὁ ὄχλος - ho ochlos): Refers to a large, unorganized, often unruly crowd or mob. Not just a collection of people, but one driven by emotion, volatile and potentially dangerous. This term is often used in the New Testament to describe popular unrest or agitated gatherings.

• of the people: An idiom, typically expressed by "ὄχλος" alone in Greek. Emphasizes the popular origin of the opposition, indicating it was a widespread, communal demand.

• followed after (ἠκολούθει - ēkolouthei): Imperfect tense of ἀκολουθέω (akoloutheō), meaning "to follow." The imperfect tense indicates continuous, persistent action in the past – they kept on following, maintaining their pursuit and hostility.

• crying out (κράζοντες - krazontes): Present participle of κράζω (krazō), meaning "to cry aloud," "to shriek," "to scream." This describes an intense, continuous, and vociferous outcry, reflecting extreme passion, anger, and determination, much more than simply "speaking loudly."

• 'Away with him!'(Αἶρε αὐτόν - Aire auton!): A direct command. Αἶρε (Aire) is the imperative form of αἴρω (airō), meaning "to take up," "to lift," "to carry away." In this context, it carries the chilling implication of "Remove him (by killing him)!" or "Take his life!" αὐτόν (auton) is the accusative masculine singular pronoun, "him," referring to Paul.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "For the multitude of the people followed after": This phrase paints a picture of a persistent, hounding mob. The passive following is anything but passive; it's a determined pursuit, demonstrating unwavering intent in their hostility. The crowd is not dispersing but rather pressing on, reinforcing the necessity of Roman intervention to protect Paul.
  • "crying out, 'Away with him!'": This climactic demand encapsulates the crowd's venomous desire for Paul's elimination. The repeated use of κράζω in the narrative, paired with Αἶρε αὐτόν, connects Paul's suffering directly to Christ's. The shout is a legal or judicial demand for execution, an echo from the trial of Jesus (Lk 23:18; Jn 19:15). It reveals a complete rejection of Paul and his message, demonstrating how truth can provoke intense hatred and calls for violence from those entrenched in opposing beliefs. This also highlights the irony: they cry for Paul to be taken away while he is physically being "taken up" to safety, a temporary reprieve from their fury.

Acts 21 36 Bonus section

The historical setting provides significant depth. The Roman garrison in Jerusalem was keenly aware of the volatile nature of Jewish crowds, especially during feasts, and the potential for riots to escalate into full-scale rebellions. The swift intervention of the tribune (commander) was not only to maintain peace but also to preempt any accusations from Rome that he failed to control the province. The fact that Paul had to be physically "carried" (ἀνάσπασον in verse 35) signifies the sheer pressure and danger posed by the pressing crowd, emphasizing that his life was genuinely at risk. The continued outcry in verse 36 further justifies the Roman military's actions as a rescue operation. This scene also emphasizes the fulfillment of Christ's warnings to His disciples about persecution and being hated for His name's sake, as seen in Paul's unwavering commitment despite such threats. The demand Αἶρε αὐτόν can also be understood as a popular demand for capital punishment to be performed by the Roman authorities, as the Jews at that time had limited autonomy to execute sentences themselves without Roman approval (Jn 18:31).

Acts 21 36 Commentary

Acts 21:36 provides a concise, powerful snapshot of extreme hostility. The continuous pursuit (followed after) and loud, urgent shouting (crying out) highlight the crowd's deep-seated anger and the widespread nature of their opposition to Paul. The specific phrase, "Away with him!" (Αἶρε αὐτόν!), is chilling because of its direct parallel to the mob's cry against Jesus. It's not just a demand for his arrest, but implicitly for his execution, or at least his permanent removal. This mirrors a spiritual reality where rejection of divine truth often culminates in a desire to eliminate its messenger. For believers, it serves as a powerful reminder of the cost of discipleship and the unwavering spiritual battle against the Gospel message. It showcases Paul’s continued suffering for the Lord and demonstrates the intensity of the world's opposition to God’s plan of salvation through Christ. The verse reminds us that serving Christ often means facing irrational hatred, but also that divine protection is frequently at work, even amidst extreme danger, as seen by the Roman intervention.