Acts 21 40

Acts 21:40 kjv

And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

Acts 21:40 nkjv

So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,

Acts 21:40 niv

After receiving the commander's permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic:

Acts 21:40 esv

And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:

Acts 21:40 nlt

The commander agreed, so Paul stood on the stairs and motioned to the people to be quiet. Soon a deep silence enveloped the crowd, and he addressed them in their own language, Aramaic.

Acts 21 verses

Acts 21 40 Meaning

Acts 21:40 describes a pivotal moment following Paul's arrest by the Roman tribune. After obtaining permission from the tribune, Paul takes a prominent position on the steps leading to the Antonia Fortress, signals for silence to the enraged Jewish crowd, and addresses them in their native Hebrew language (Aramaic). This act marked a strategic turning point, shifting the tumultuous atmosphere of a near-lynching into one of temporary attentiveness, creating an unexpected opportunity for Paul to present his defense.

Acts 21 40 Context

Acts 21 describes Paul's journey to Jerusalem, despite prophecies of danger (Acts 21:4, 10-14). He arrives, meets James and the elders, and reports on his Gentile ministry. To demonstrate his continued adherence to Jewish customs and quell rumors that he taught Jews to forsake Moses' Law, he participates in a purification rite at the Temple (Acts 21:17-26). However, this gesture backfired when "Jews from Asia," likely his former opponents from Ephesus, saw him and stirred up the entire city (Acts 21:27). They falsely accused him of bringing Trophimus, an Ephesian Gentile, into the Temple's inner courts—a capital offense (Acts 21:28-29).

A violent mob quickly formed, seizing Paul and dragging him out of the Temple, intent on killing him (Acts 21:30-31). The Roman tribune, Claudius Lysias, commanding the garrison stationed at the nearby Antonia Fortress (which overlooked the Temple courts), heard of the riot. He and his soldiers swiftly intervened, rescuing Paul from the mob but arresting him as the instigator (Acts 21:32-34). Believing Paul to be an Egyptian revolutionary (Acts 21:38), Lysias had him taken to the fortress. As they ascended the steps, Paul, speaking fluent Greek, surprisingly requested permission to address the crowd from the tribune, leading directly to Acts 21:40. The scene is one of extreme danger and tension, with Paul having been brutally beaten, yet now being granted an improbable opportunity to speak.

Acts 21 40 Word analysis

• But when he had given him license (δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐπιτρέψαντος, de autou epitrepsantos):

  • License (ἐπιτρέψαντος, epitrepsantos) from epitrepō signifies permission or authorization. The tribune's grant was critical; without it, Paul would have had no platform. It shows divine providence in allowing Paul this opportunity.

• Paul stood (σταθεὶς Παῦλος, statheis Paulos):

  • Stood (σταθεὶς, statheis): An aorist passive participle, indicating a completed action and a firm, intentional stance. Paul, though battered and under arrest, takes a position of authority and visibility.

• on the steps (ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀναβαθμοὺς, epi tous anabathmous):

  • These steps connected the lower Temple courts to the Antonia Fortress. This elevated position offered Paul a clear view of the crowd and gave him an advantage in terms of visibility and audibility over the rioting throng. It provided a natural pulpit.

• and beckoned with his hand (κατέσεισε τῇ χειρὶ τῷ λαῷ, kateseise tē cheiri tō laō):

  • Beckoned (κατέσεισε, kateseise): "to wave down", "to make a signal for silence or attention". It's a deliberate and authoritative gesture, requiring a presence of mind amidst chaos. This universal non-verbal communication was effective.
  • Hand (τῇ χειρὶ, tē cheiri): The use of his hand emphasizes the personal and direct appeal for attention.

• to the people (τῷ λαῷ, tō laō):

  • People (λαῷ, laō): Specifically refers to the Jewish populace gathered, who had been raging against him.

• And when there was made a great silence (πολλῆς δὲ σιγῆς γενομένης, pollēs de sigēs genomenēs):

  • Great silence (πολλῆς σιγῆς, pollēs sigēs): Signifies a remarkable and profound quieting of the clamor, underscoring the effectiveness of Paul's actions and perhaps a supernatural element facilitating his moment. It contrasts sharply with the preceding riot. This deep silence itself becomes a testament to the weight of the moment.

• he spake unto them (προσεφώνησεν, prosephōnēsen):

  • Spake unto them (προσεφώνησεν, prosephōnēsen): "to address," or "to speak to," often formally. It denotes a deliberate verbal address to a gathered assembly.

• in the Hebrew tongue (τῇ Ἑβραΐδι διαλέκτῳ, tē Hebraïdi dialektō):

  • Hebrew tongue (Ἑβραΐδι διαλέκτῳ, Hebraïdi dialektō): This term usually refers to Aramaic, the common spoken language in Judea during the first century. Paul, a Hellenistic Jew, strategically chooses to speak in Aramaic, which would immediately disarm much of the crowd's prejudice. It demonstrated his shared heritage and respect for their traditions, thereby making them more receptive. It connected him deeply with their cultural and religious identity.

• saying, (λέγων, legōn):

  • Simply introduces the ensuing discourse, Paul's famous defense in Acts 22.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "But when he had given him license, Paul stood on the steps": This phrase highlights the critical convergence of human permission (tribune's license) and Paul's bold initiative (stood on the steps). The "steps" function not merely as a physical location but as a stage provided by divine providence amidst extreme hostility. Paul seizes the opportunity.
  • "beckoned with his hand to the people. And when there was made a great silence": This pairing illustrates the power of intentional non-verbal communication in diffusing tension and gathering attention. The shift from mob rage to "great silence" is dramatic and crucial, underscoring Paul's unique influence and potentially divine intervention, paving the way for the spoken word. The people's unexpected responsiveness suggests their underlying desire to hear or understand.
  • "he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue": This phrase is a masterstroke of rhetorical strategy. By choosing the vernacular, Paul established immediate kinship and respect, dismantling initial linguistic barriers and proving he was not an ungodly foreign troublemaker but one of their own who understood their traditions, thus inviting a hearing from even the most hostile in the crowd.

Acts 21 40 Bonus section

The "Hebrew language" spoken by Paul (Ἑβραΐδι διαλέκτῳ, Hebraïdi dialektō) would have been Aramaic, which was the common Semitic language spoken in Judea during Jesus' and Paul's time, though biblical Hebrew was used for scripture. Paul's proficiency in this dialect immediately identified him as a devout Jew familiar with their culture, customs, and most importantly, their sacred texts. This was crucial, as his opponents primarily viewed him as an apostate Hellenist. The choice of Aramaic over Greek for this public address demonstrated a powerful cultural connection and was a key factor in commanding the attention of the agitated crowd. It established a common ground before he launched into his personal testimony, framing it within a familiar theological and cultural context, thus creating a brief but vital opening for the gospel. This strategic communication also highlighted Paul's ability to "become all things to all people" (1 Cor 9:22), even in the face of mortal danger. The steps of the Antonia Fortress, connecting Roman authority to Jewish spiritual life, became a potent symbolic pulpit for the persecuted apostle.

Acts 21 40 Commentary

Acts 21:40 presents Paul as a man of extraordinary courage, strategic intellect, and spiritual depth. After a near-fatal assault, bruised and under arrest, he leverages an unlikely opportunity. His request for permission, surprisingly granted by the tribune who likely expected a crude peasant, demonstrated Paul's composed and educated character. His subsequent actions—taking an elevated stance on the steps, universally signaling for silence, and crucially, addressing the furious mob in their familiar "Hebrew tongue" (Aramaic)—were all masterstrokes of rhetorical and contextual communication. This move cut through the existing prejudice, asserting his Jewish identity and appealing to their shared heritage before uttering a single word of his defense. The ensuing "great silence" signifies a momentary triumph over chaos, a testament not only to Paul's presence but also to a providential opening for the Gospel, transforming a potential lynching into an opportunity to bear witness. This moment reveals God's working even through violent human opposition to advance His purposes.

• Practical usage example: When faced with hostile questioning, one might choose to de-escalate with calm body language and by speaking in terms that respect the questioner's background, creating space for true dialogue.
• Practical usage example: Sometimes, creating a moment of respectful quiet and attention is more powerful than immediately speaking over noise or anger.