Acts 21 38

Acts 21:38 kjv

Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

Acts 21:38 nkjv

Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?"

Acts 21:38 niv

"Aren't you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago?"

Acts 21:38 esv

Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?"

Acts 21:38 nlt

"Aren't you the Egyptian who led a rebellion some time ago and took 4,000 members of the Assassins out into the desert?"

Acts 21 verses

Acts 21 38 Meaning

This verse describes the astonishment of the Roman chiliarch when he realized Paul was not an Egyptian terrorist, but a learned Jew from Tarsus. His initial assumption was based on misinformation or perhaps a general assumption of foreign threat.

Acts 21 38 Context

The immediate context is the arrest of the Apostle Paul in Jerusalem. A riot had broken out in the temple, with the crowd accusing Paul of bringing Gentiles into the temple, defiling it. The Roman commander, Claudius Lysias, intervened to prevent Paul from being killed by the mob and ordered him to be taken into the barracks for interrogation. It was in this chaotic situation, just before being scourged, that Paul gained the commander’s attention by asking permission to speak. The commander, mistaking Paul for a politically motivated rebel, addresses him as if he were that person.

Acts 21 38 Word analysis

• And: This conjunction links the commander's direct address to Paul with Paul's response.
• When: Introduces the subordinate clause describing the commander’s action and subsequent question.
• he: Refers to Claudius Lysias, the Roman chiliarch (commander of about 1,000 soldiers).
• perceived: Signifies that the commander became aware or understood something. This perception was based on Paul’s previous speech to him.
• that: Introduces the content of what he perceived – Paul’s identity and origin.
• he: Refers to Paul.
• was:\
  • First instance: refers to Paul’s being an Egyptian.
  • Second instance: refers to Paul’s identity as a Greek.
• an Egyptian: Refers to the man identified in verse 38 who had recently caused a disturbance by leading a rebellion and insurrection. This was the commander's initial (and incorrect) assumption about Paul.
• that: Introduces the consequence or result of his perception – his question to Paul.
• then: Indicates sequence or consequence.
• had :\
  • First instance: indicates a past action (raised up) prior to the present.
  • Second instance: indicates a past action (caused to perish) prior to the present.
• stirred up: Means to incite, agitate, or provoke rebellion or uprising. This reflects the commander's belief that Paul was leading an insurrection.
• a sedition: A riot or unlawful behavior that disrupts public order; rebellion against authority.
• before: Indicates a time preceding the commander's current perception.
• these days: Refers to the recent past, specifically the uprising the commander had in mind.
• And: Links the sedition with the subsequent action.
• thou: Archaic second-person singular pronoun, referring to Paul.
• wast: Archaic second-person singular form of 'to be,' indicating Paul’s state or origin in the past.
• not:\
  • First instance: negates his leadership of the rebellion.
  • Second instance: negates his origin as a "Greek" (gentile).
• their: Possessive pronoun referring to the "four thousand men" mentioned earlier.
• captain: Leader or chief of the insurrectionists.

Words Group Analysis:

• "And when he perceived that he was an Egyptian, that he then had stirred up a sedition before these days, and had led away their captain...": This phrase captures the commander’s incorrect initial assessment. He linked Paul with the notorious Egyptian rebel leader previously mentioned, believing Paul himself was that person or at least complicit. The phrase "stirred up a sedition" and "had led away their captain" points to the commander's understanding of violent, politically motivated insurgency. The use of "their" implies the commander understood Paul to be a leader associated with the sedition.

Acts 21 38 Bonus section

The "Egyptian" referenced here likely refers to the figure mentioned by commander Claudius Lysias in Acts 5:36, identified as a revolutionary who had incited a revolt and was subsequently dispersed. This historical context of Messianic pretenders and rebel leaders made Roman authorities highly suspicious of charismatic figures who drew crowds. Paul’s skillful redirection by first appealing to his Roman citizenship (Acts 22:25-29) and then identifying himself as a Jew educated by Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) serves to demonstrate his legitimacy, his intellectual grounding in Jewish law, and his loyalty to the Sanhedrin's respected teacher, thereby shifting the commander’s perception from a seditious foreign agitator to a respectable, albeit zealous, Jew. This narrative demonstrates the clash between Roman political concerns and the spiritual mission of the Gospel.

Acts 21 38 Commentary

The commander's words reveal a common tendency to generalize and misinterpret situations, especially when dealing with unrest or unfamiliar individuals. He immediately cast Paul in the mold of a dangerous political agitator, an "Egyptian." This highlights the turbulent political climate of Judea at the time, where revolts against Roman authority were not uncommon. The commander’s assumption underscores how easily one’s background or appearance could lead to being misjudged. Paul’s careful response, and subsequent revelation of his Roman citizenship (in the following verses), serve to correct this grave misunderstanding and gain a hearing. The incident also demonstrates the Roman authorities' immediate suspicion towards anyone who seemed to rally followers, reflecting their vigilance against potential threats to their dominion.