Acts 22 2

Acts 22:2 kjv

(And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)

Acts 22:2 nkjv

And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said:

Acts 22:2 niv

When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said:

Acts 22:2 esv

And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:

Acts 22:2 nlt

When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater.

Acts 22 verses

Acts 22 2 Meaning

Acts 22:2 describes the immediate and profound impact Paul's choice of language had on his hostile Jewish audience in Jerusalem. Upon hearing him speak in Aramaic—referred to as the "Hebrew language" in the New Testament context—the angry mob, previously clamoring for his death, fell into an even deeper silence, thus granting him the opportunity to present his defense.

Acts 22 2 Context

Acts chapter 22 recounts Paul's defense before the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem, following his arrest by the Roman tribune (Acts 21:30-34). The Jewish people, fueled by false accusations that Paul had brought Gentiles into the temple and taught against Jewish law, had violently seized him, intent on killing him. The Roman tribune intervened to prevent his murder. In Acts 21:40, Paul, with the tribune's permission, signals the mob for silence, then speaks to them. This verse (22:2) is the crowd's reaction specifically to how he started speaking. The immediate historical context is a deeply agitated Jewish populace, zealous for the Law and highly sensitive to perceived desecration, especially from someone they considered a renegade Jew like Paul. For them, language was a potent identifier, often tied to religious and nationalistic identity. The Greek word Hebrais dialectos (τῇ Ἑβραΐδι διαλέκτῳ) here does not refer to Classical Hebrew but to Aramaic, the common vernacular Semitic language spoken by most Jews in Judea during the 1st century CE. This was Paul's strategic choice to connect with his furious audience.

Acts 22 2 Word analysis

• And when they heard: This phrase marks an immediate and distinct shift in the atmosphere. The crowd was previously in a state of violent uproar, making it nearly impossible for anyone to be heard. Their attentiveness signals a dramatic change in their perception of Paul.
• that he spoke: Indicates Paul's active choice to address them. This was not a passive observation but a direct act of communication, strategically initiated by Paul in a hostile environment.
• to them: Emphasizes Paul's direct engagement with his specific audience—the agitated Jewish mob, who felt personally wronged by him.
• in the Hebrew language: (τῇ Ἑβραΐδι διαλέκτῳ - tē Hebraïdi dialektō). This refers to Aramaic, the Semitic lingua franca of Judea at the time, not ancient Hebrew. Its significance is profound: it immediately identified Paul as "one of them," a Jew speaking their mother tongue, distinct from Greek which would have marked him as more Hellenized or Roman. This choice served to diffuse initial tension, affirm shared heritage, and demonstrate cultural sensitivity, counteracting assumptions that he was purely a Roman citizen or a traitor to his people.
• they kept the more silence: (μᾶλλον παρέσχαν ἡσυχίαν - mallon pareschan hesychian). This implies an even deeper or greater silence than the general quiet Paul achieved when he initially signaled them in Acts 21:40. The use of "the more" suggests a qualitative shift—from mere quietude imposed by the tribune, to a respectful, perhaps even awe-filled, hush that voluntarily stemmed from the crowd recognizing his linguistic and cultural ties to them. It indicates that Paul had won a measure of psychological control over them, creating an opening for his defense.
• and he continued to speak: Paul capitalized on the attention he had gained. This phrase shows his intention was not merely to silence them but to present his message. It marks the transition from achieving attention to delivering content.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language": This entire phrase describes the catalyst for the crowd's reaction. Paul's conscious and strategic decision to use Aramaic (the "Hebrew language" of the day) demonstrated his intimate connection to their heritage. This wasn't merely a translation; it was a cultural embrace that shattered their preconceptions of him as an enemy. It evoked an immediate sense of kinship and familiarity, overriding their preconceived hostility, at least momentarily.
• "they kept the more silence: and he continued to speak.": This clause highlights the effect and Paul's response. The "more silence" signifies not just a lack of noise but a focused, intense listening born from renewed interest and, perhaps, surprise. This provided Paul with a precious window of opportunity to share his personal testimony, a gift of time and attention that had been utterly absent moments before due to their fury. Paul's continuing to speak underscores his awareness of this critical juncture and his determination to use it effectively for his defense.

Acts 22 2 Bonus section

Paul's multilingualism was a significant asset in his ministry. He navigated different cultural landscapes by speaking Greek in the broader Hellenistic world, Aramaic among his Jewish brethren, and perhaps Latin for Roman administrators. This verse highlights that proficiency in diverse languages was not just an academic skill but a critical tool for evangelism and diplomacy, allowing him to connect with varied audiences effectively. The choice of Aramaic at this critical moment wasn't merely practical; it carried profound symbolic weight, signaling a shared identity that transcended the accusations leveled against him. This demonstrates that effective communication in ministry requires not only understanding the message but also understanding the audience's heart language, be it cultural or linguistic, to truly break through barriers.

Acts 22 2 Commentary

Acts 22:2 is a masterclass in strategic communication. Paul, standing before a lynch mob ready to tear him apart, intuitively—or Spirit-led—chooses to speak in their shared vernacular (Aramaic). This wasn't just a language choice; it was an act of profound cultural affirmation. It instantly disarmed the crowd, shifting their perception of him from a Hellenized foreign agitator to one of their own, a brother who spoke the language of their homes and synagogues. The resulting "more silence" was a victory not just in terms of quietude, but in securing a measure of respect and willingness to listen, however fleeting. This allowed Paul to pivot from mere defense to sharing his compelling conversion story, a testament to God's transformative power, emphasizing the crucial importance of contextualization and empathy in even the most challenging evangelistic settings. It exemplifies the principle of meeting people where they are, linguistically and culturally, to create a bridge for the message of Christ.