Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 21:31
And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
31. And as they went about ( Rev. Ver. “were seeking”) to kill him ] The object of the mob was clearly, now that they had the Apostle in their power, to beat him to death in the crowd, and thus avoid a charge of murder against any individual.
tidings came unto (Better with Rev. Ver. up to) the chief captain of the band ] The chief military officer of the Romans in Jerusalem was stationed in the tower of Antonia, which was situate on the N.W. of the Temple on the hill Acra. It had been built by Herod and was so close to the scene of the tumult that news would be brought at once. The military officer (probably a tribune) is called in the Greek, chiliarch, that is, officer over a thousand men. On the word “band” for a Roman cohort, or troop of soldiers, cf. Act 10:1. The verb “came up to” shews that the writer was familiar with the locality and had the whole scene in his mind.
that all Jerusalem was in an uproar ] Rev. Ver. “in confusion.” At the time of the feast religious party feeling would run very high, and the multitudes of strangers visiting the city would think to shew their zeal for the temple and the law by their eagerness to avenge any supposed profanation.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And as they went about to kill him – Greek: they seeking to kill him. This was evidently done in a popular tumult, as had been done in the case of Stephen, Acts 7: They could not pretend that they had a right to do it by law.
Tidings came – The news, or rumour came; he was told of it.
The chief captain of the band – This band or body of Roman soldiers was stationed in the castle Antonia, on the north of the temple. This was built by John Hyrcanus, high priest of the Jews, and was by him called Baris. It was beautified and strengthened by Herod the Great, and was called Antonia in honor of his friend, Mark Antony. Josephus describes this castle as consisting of four towers, one of which overlooked the temple, and which he says was 70 cubits high (Jewish Wars, book 5, chapter 5, section 8). In this castle a guard of Roman soldiers was stationed to secure the temple and to maintain the peace. The commander of this cohort is here called the chief captain. Reference is made to this guard several times in the New Testament, Mat 27:65-66; Joh 18:12; Act 5:26. The word translated chief captain denotes properly one who commanded 1,000 men. The band speira was the tenth part of a legion, and consisted sometimes of four hundred and twenty-five soldiers, at others of five hundred, and at others of six hundred, according to the size of the legion. The name of this captain was Claudius Lysias, Act 23:26.
In an uproar – That the whole city was in commotion.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 31. The chief captain of the band] The Roman tribune, who had a troop of soldiers under him, which lodged in general in the castle of Antonia, which was built at the angle where the northern and western porticoes of the outer court of the temple were joined together. This castle was built by John Hyrcanus, high priest of the Jews: it was at first called Baris, and was the royal residence of the Asmoneans, as long as they reigned in Jerusalem. It was beautified by Herod the Great, and called Antonia, in honour of his friend Mark Antony. By this castle the temple was commanded, as it stood on higher ground. Josephus describes this castle, War, b. v. chap. 5, sec. 8, “as having four towers, from one of which the whole temple was overlooked; and that one of the towers was joined to the porticoes of the temple, and had a double pair of stairs from it, by which soldiers in the garrison were used to come down with their arms to the porticoes, on the festival days, to keep the people quiet; for, as the temple was a guard to the city, so this castle was a guard to the temple.” “It seems, therefore,” says Bp. Pearce, “to me very plain, that the place where the Jews were about to kill Paul was the court of the Gentiles, the porticoes being there; and that the chief captain came down there to his rescue.” The name of this chief captain, or tribune, was Claudius Lysias, as we learn from Ac 23:26.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The chief captain; the commander-in-chief over all the soldiers there; or one that had the command over a thousand. At the three great feasts there was usually a considerable number of soldiers at Jerusalem; the confluence from all parts being then so great, and the Jews so impatient of any yoke or government, the Romans durst not trust such multitudes without some check upon them. Thus at the passover, when they took and crucified our Saviour, these soldiers were made use of, Joh 18:12.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
31. tidings cameliterally,”went up,” that is, to the fortress of Antonia, where thecommandant resided. See on Ac21:32. This part of the narrative is particularly graphic.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And as they went about to kill him,…. In the manner as zealots did, without bringing him before any court of judicature, without any charge, trial, and condemnation:
tidings came unto the chief captain of the band; the Roman band of soldiers, who were placed near the temple, to keep the peace of the city, and persons in order; and who were more especially needful, at such a time as the feast of Pentecost, when there was such a great concourse of people in the city, and indeed always were in arms at such times b; this chief captain was Claudius Lysias, as appears from Ac 23:26 to him the report of the disturbance was brought; or as it is in the Greek text, the “fame ascended” to him; who very likely might be in the tower of Antonia, which joined to the temple:
that all Jerusalem was in an uproar; or in confusion, and therefore it became him, as a Roman officer, to take care to quell it, lest it should issue in sedition and rebellion.
b Joseph. de Bello Jud. l. 2. c. 12. sect. 1. & l. 5. c. 5. sect. 8.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
As they were seeking to kill him ( ). Genitive absolute of , to seek, without (they). This was their real purpose.
Tidings (). From , to show. Old word for the work of informers and then the exposure of secret crime. In LXX. Here only in the N.T.
Came up (). Naturally in the wild uproar. The Roman guard during festivals was kept stationed in the Tower of Antonia at the northwest corner of the temple overlooking the temple and connected by stairs (verse 35).
To the chief captain ( ). Commander of a thousand men or cohort (Mr 15:16). His name was Claudius Lysias.
Of the band ( ). Each legion had six tribunes and so each tribune (chiliarch) had a thousand if the cohort had its full quota. See on Acts 10:1; Acts 27:1. The word is the Latin spira (anything rolled up). Note the genitive instead of (Attic).
Was in confusion (). Present passive indicative of (see verse 27, ). This is what the conspirators had desired.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Chief captain [] . A commander of a thousand men. See on Mr 6:21; and on centurion, Luk 7:2.
Band [] . Or cohort. See on Mr 14:16. These troops were quartered in the tower of Antonia, which was at the northwestern corner of the temple – area, and communicated with the temple – cloisters by staircases.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And as they went about to kill him,” (zetounton te auton apokteinai) “And then as they sought to kill him,” rushed about in Mafia style, to get someone to liquidate him, on the basis of the lying charges they themselves had invented against him, and beat on him, Act 21:32.
2) “Tidings came unto the chief captain of the band,” (anebe phasin to chiliarcho tes speires) “Information about the mob incitement, its origin and charges, reached up to the captain of the Roman band stationed in Jerusalem, who was there for purpose of keeping civil order; He was stationed at the tower of Mark Antonio, that overlooked and was connected with the temple by two stairs, at the northwest corner of the temple.
3) “That all Jerusalem was in an uproar.” (hoti hole sugchunnetai lerousalem) “That all Jerusalem had come to (been brought to) a state of confusion,” was in a state or condition of turmoil or confusion.
The castle or fort of Antonio was then under command of Claudius Lysias, with a garrison cohort or band of 1,000 Roman soldiers, Act 23:26, as further described by the Jewish historian Josephus in “Jewish Wars,” Act 21:5; Act 21:8.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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31. As they sought to kill him. Assuredly the force of Satan appeareth therein, in that he driveth the people headlong into such rage, that when they have shut the doors of the temple, being not content with mean punishment, they conspire to put Paul to death. We must thus think with ourselves that Satan doth prick forward the enemies of godliness, lest their rage, how cruel and troublesome soever it be, trouble us. On the other side appeareth the wonderful goodness of God, when as he raiseth up the chief captain at a sudden, that he may deliver Paul from death. He himself thought upon no such thing, but he came to appease the tumult which was raised among the people; but the Lord showeth a more evident token of his providence, because Paul’s life was delivered from such present danger without man’s counsel. Thus doth he suffer the faithful not only to labor, but to be almost oppressed, that he may deliver them from death more wonderfully. Luke calleth him the chief captain [tribune] of the band − (491) improperly, seeing every chief captain was set over a thousand, which cloth also appear by the text, where he saith that the chief captain took with him under captains? − (492) −
(491) −
“
Tribunum cohortis,” tribune of the cohort.
(492) −
“
Centurionos… a tribuno assumptos,” that the tribune took with him centurions.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(31) The chief captain of the band.On the word band, and its relation to the Latin cohort, see Notes on Act. 10:1; Mat. 27:27. On the word for chief captain (literally, chiliarch, or captain of a thousand men, the cohort being the sixth part of the legion, which consisted of 6, 000), see Note on Mat. 8:29. They were stationed in the tower known as Antonia, built by Herod the Great, and named in honour of the Triumvir, which stood on the north-west side of the Temple area, on a rock, with a turret at each corner, and two flights of stairs leading to the arcades on the northern and western sides of the Temple. The Roman garrison was obviously stationed there to command the crowds of pilgrims, and was likely to be on the alert at a time like the Pentecost Feast. The Procurator Felix, however, was for the time at Csarea. The next verse shows that their appearance was sufficient at once to strike some kind of awe into the turbulent mob. Once again the Apostle owed his safety from violence to the interposition of the civil power, (See Notes on Act. 18:14-17.) The beating would seem to have been rough treatment with the fists rather than any regular punishment.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
31. Went about to kill him Were seeking to kill him; that is, dragging him to a place where bloodshed was permissible, and beating him. The surprise of some commentators that the Christians did not come to the rescue of Paul is absurd. Nothing could have been more rash than thus to have drawn on their own heads the vengeance of the Jewish government and people.
Tidings came unto The commotion would be visible to the Roman sentries stationed on the cloisters at the Fort Antonia, and report would be instantly made to the commander. (See note on Mat 21:12.)
Chief captain of the band The , chiliarch, or commander of a thousand men, nearly equivalent to our colonel. Forthwith a large share of his force (which in full would consist of a thousand soldiers led by ten centurions) is upon the mob in the court of the Gentiles near the gate.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And as they were seeking to kill him, news came up to the chief captain (chiliarch) of the band, that all Jerusalem was in confusion, and at once he took soldiers and centurions, and ran down on them, and they, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, left off beating Paul.’
‘As they were seeking to kill him.’ This suggests that their intention was to beat him to death. The idea would be to ‘cleanse’ the temple by the destruction of what had defiled it. Fortunately for Paul, as they began the process of mortal beatings the situation was reported to the chief captain of the auxiliaries on duty in Fortress Antonia next to the Temple. It was Roman practise to have a strong force (an auxiliary cohort of about 1,000 men including a cavalry squadron) there at all seasons when there was likely to be trouble in Jerusalem, for they were only too well aware of how easily the Jews could ‘fly off the handle’. And Pentecost was one of those times. And the court of the Gentiles where Paul now was, was visible from the fortress.
As soon as the chief captain received the report he called on his centurions and their men (there would always be some on duty ‘at the ready’ for exactly such a situation) and running down the steps from the fortress they came down on the crowd. This was a well rehearsed action. It was required only too often. And the moment that the crowd saw the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. None would want to be caught in the act and be seen as personally involved. It could so easily result in a beating for themselves, even if only as witnesses (witnesses were regularly beaten in order to ensure that they told all).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Paul Is Arrested And Speaks To The Crowd Giving His Own Testimony. They Reply ‘Away With Him’ (21:31-22:29).
At this point begins the remarkable account of Paul’s imprisonment, trials and treatment at the hands of men in Jerusalem and Caesarea (from Act 21:31 to Act 26:32). It could well have been said of him also, ‘you will be delivered into the hands of men’ (Luk 9:44; Luk 24:7). What follows can only really be understood by those who understood the situation in Palestine. Hyrcanus and Antipater had a century before supported Caesar when he was having a difficult time in possessing his empire and as a result the Jews were given special privileges, being looked on as allies rather than just as a conquered people. And the peculiarities of their religion were thus assured to them. Nevertheless the Jews saw themselves as God’s chosen people and could never be happy under Gentile control. Matters became worse when the failures of their rulers resulted in Judaea coming under direct Roman rule through procurators, although their ruling body the Sanhedrin continued to have authority in religious affairs, and in practise considerable control in political affairs as well because the people were more responsive to them. The wise procurator kept on good terms with the Sanhedrin if at all possible (it was easier said than done). There was an uneasy peace between the procurators and the Sanhedrin, and a love-hate relationship, and the procurators had to recognise that while they could enforce their decisions through the auxiliary legions quartered in Palestine, the people looked more to the Sanhedrin because they were Jewish and were more responsive to them. It was necessary, if peace was to be maintained and harmony achieved, that the Sanhedrin was kept in harness. On the other hand the procurators in the end were in total control, and had the armed forces which ensured it, as the Sanhedrin bitterly recognised. It was they who were responsible to Caesar for the peace of the realm.
The Sanhedrin was composed of the chief priests and influential Sadducees, leading lay elders of the aristocracy and leading Pharisees. The chief priests and Sadducees controlled the Temple and its revenues, but the Pharisees had the hearts of the people, and wielded their power through the synagogues, local places of worship where Jews congregated on the Sabbath and recited the Shema and the eighteen benedictions, together with formal prayer, listened to the reading of the Scriptures, and heard them expounded by their teachers, often Pharisees. The Pharisees did not control the synagogues, for they were controlled by appointed lay elders, but their influence through them was great because of the respect in which they were held. The Sadducees, to whom a large number of the priests belonged, including especially the Chief Priests who controlled Temple affairs, did not believe in the resurrection from the dead, nor in angels. They were very politically minded and believed in freewill and the non-interference of God in human affairs (which was very convenient) and accepted only the Law of Moses as Scripture, of which they emphasised the ritual aspect. The Pharisees accepted ‘the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms’ as Scripture, believed wholeheartedly in the resurrection from the dead, and in angels and predestination, sought by their lives to attain to eternal life, held to complicated rituals of cleansing and the need to observe the Law of Moses according to their tenets and were looked up to by the people.
Under the Romans the Sanhedrin had responsibility for religious affairs and could try cases related thereto, but they did not have the ability to pass the death sentence except probably in cases of extreme blasphemy. Civil justice was mainly in the hands of the procurator. And he was responsible to Rome and was expected to maintain Roman standards of law. But there were good and bad procurators who applied the rules in different ways, and they had considerable leeway. However, they always had to keep one eye open to the fact that complaint could be made about them to Caesar where they went too far.
By the time of Paul’s visit to Jerusalem described here Judaea was a hotbed of violence and insurrection, religious disquiet and extreme dissatisfaction, and continual ferment, which was kept in control by harsh measures on the part of the procurators. Outbursts of religious passion could burst forth at any moment. Judaea (and Galilee) was like a volcano waiting to explode.
The situation just described explains why the procurators, while not willing to give the Sanhedrin its way in respect of Paul without due evidence, were nevertheless hesitant totally to reject their concerns. It was simpler to keep them from getting too upset by keeping Paul in custody and giving the impression that something was being done. But they dared not release him because of the offence that it would cause to the Sanhedrin (and they probably believed, to the people as well). The concerns of one man, while they had to be taken into account, had to be subordinated to political expediency. Thus he was like a hot potato. He must not be dropped, but was painful to hold onto. Rome prided itself on its system of justice, but affairs of state also had to be considered. Add to this Felix’ greed and Festus’ naivete and we understand the background to Paul’s treatment. It saved him from death, and it nearly killed him. But, of course, behind all was God, as Luke continually wants us to understand. And God had His way in the end.
It is easy to get the impression that for Paul these were wasted years. But if we do this is to misunderstand the situation. It is very probable that in the two years in which Paul was held in custody the church in Caesarea had constant access to him, that he fed them and helped them to grow, that he was constantly visited by his companions, prayed with them and taught them, and that he was able to send them to do what he was unable to do. Furthermore during these two years he came before the Sanhedrin, before gatherings of leading Jews, before procurators and kings, and before a gathering of all the notabilities in Caesarea, and had ample opportunity to bring home to them all his essential message. And his behaviour under his trials and sufferings must have given a huge boost, both to the church in Palestine, and to the church around the world. He was kept very busy and yet given a necessary rest at the same time.
But above all he was able to give a testimony to the resurrection which has blessed all ages. Who can forget his vivid descriptions of how he met the risen and glorious Lord Whose commission to him, and to us all, was the foundation of his whole life, and his continual and unfailing testimony to the resurrection when he himself did not know what a day would ring forth.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
The captain of the Roman band interferes:
v. 31. And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
v. 32. Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them; and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.
v. 33. Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was and what he had done.
v. 34. And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude; and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. It was a typical mob, without reason and sense, that was surging back and forth in the Court of the Gentiles, every one trying to lay hold on the prisoner and do violence to him, all of them eager to kill him. But now someone brought the report to the Roman officer in the Tower of Antonia, which overlooked the Temple and its courts, that the entire city of Jerusalem was in confusion, that a riot had taken hold of all the inhabitants. And this officer, the military tribune, or chiliarch, having a thousand men under his command in the garrison, lost no time, but took several hundred men with their centurions, or officers, with him and ran down upon the seething mob, from the castle to the lower platform of the court, where the center of the riot was situated. This quick action probably saved Paul’s life; for when the people saw the tribune, they stopped beating their prisoner. As the commanding officer then came nearer, he saw that Paul was the center and, in some way, the occasion of the disturbance, and therefore very naturally concluded that he was a criminal upon whom the Jews were inflicting speedy punishment. Since this was not the time to make inquiry, he took the prisoner in charge and gave command that he be bound with two chains. Having secured him thus and shielding him at least in part against the furious onslaught of the mob, the chiliarch now tried to determine who he was and what he had done. But, as usual with mobs, there no longer was any clear notion of what it was all about; one yelled one thing, someone else another, and it soon became clear to the officer that it was impossible to learn the facts on account of the tumult. So he commanded that Paul be led to the barracks of the Tower Antonia. Thus God had once more saved the life of His servant, since He wanted him to give testimony of the Gospel before some of the mighty ones of this earth.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Act 21:31-33 . But while they sought to kill him (to beat him to death, Act 21:32 ), information came up (to the castle of Antonia, bordering on the north-west side of the temple) to the tribune of the (Roman) cohort (Claudius Lysias, xxiii. 26). On , comp. Dem. 793. 16, 1323. 6; Pollux, viii. 6. 47 f.; Susannah 55; and see Wetstein.
] a simple dative, not for . See Bornemann and Rosenmller, Repert . II. p. 253.
] upon them . On , to run down , comp. Xen. Anab . v. 4. 23, vii. 1. 20.
. ] because he took Paul to be an at that time notorious insurgent (Act 21:38 ), abandoned to the self-revenge of the people. In order, however, to have certainty on the spot, he asked (the crowd): .] who he might be (subjective possibility), and of what he was doer ( that he had done something, was certain to the inquirer). Comp. Winer, p. 281 [E. T. 375]; Khner, ad Xen. Anab . i. 3. 14.
] in castra (see Sturz, Dial. Al . p. 30; Lobeck, ad Phryn . p. 377), i.e. to the fixed quarters of the Roman soldiery, the military barracks of the fortress. So Act 22:24 ; Act 23:10 ; Act 23:16 ; Act 23:32 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
Ver. 31. And as they went about to kill him ] The devil was first a liar and then a murderer. The persecutors ever first belied the Church, and then did their worst against her. Slander is a kind of murder, and makes way for it, Eze 22:9 , as in the massacre of Paris. The monks had given out before that the Protestants met for no other purpose but to feast their carcases, and then (the lights being put out) to satisfy their unlawful lusts promiscuously. Thus they prepared and provoked the people to that bloody butchery, and so slew the innocent Huguenots twice; like as it is said of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, that he was thought by the people of England to be doubly murdered, viz. by detraction and deadly practice.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
31. . . . ] By beating him : see Act 21:32 .
] went (was carried) up ; up , either because of his high station , as commanding officer, or because he was locally stationed in the tower Antonia, overlooking (from the N.W.) the temple, where the riot was.
. .] Claudius Lysias (ch. Act 23:26 ), the tribune of the cohort (whose proper complement was 1000 men).
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 21:31 . : “tidings came up,” R.V., vividly, of the report which would reach the Roman officer in the tower of Antonia, overlooking and connected with the Temple at two points by stairs. The seems to indicate that the writer was well acquainted with the locality. Stier supposes that a report was brought to the Roman authorities by the Christians, or the word may refer to an official report. The troops would be in readiness as always during the Festivals in case of riot, Jos., Ant. , xx., 5, 3, B.J. , v., 5, 8, etc. : only here in N.T. Blass and Grimm derive it from (in classical Greek, especially of information against smugglers, and also quite generally), but in Susannah ver. 55 (Theod.) is derived by some from , see Speaker’s Commentary, in loco , while Grimm classes it there also under the same derivation as here. .: “military tribune,” R.V. margin; his thousand men consisted of 760 infantry and 240 cavalry, cf. Act 23:23 , Blass, in loco. This officer who was evidently in command at Fort Antonia is called by Josephus , Ant. , xv., 11, 4, xviii., 4, 3; Schrer, Jewish People , div, ii., vol. ii., p. 55, E.T. , cf. Act 10:1 , “cohort,” R.V. margin. , see p. 238, and also critical note, “was in confusion,” R.V., lit [362] (so Rhem.).
[362] literal, literally.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
went about = were seeking. Compare Joh 7:19; Joh 7:20.
tidings = a report. Greek. phasis. Only here.
came. Literally went up, i.e. to the Castle of Antonia, which overlooked the Temple.
chief captain. Greek. chiliarchos. The commander of 1,000 men. See note on Joh 18:12.
band = cohort. Greek. speira. See Joh 18:3.
was in an uproar = was in commotion. Greek. sunchuno. See notes on Act 21:27; Act 2:6; Act 19:29.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
31. …] By beating him: see Act 21:32.
] went (was carried) up; up, either because of his high station, as commanding officer, or because he was locally stationed in the tower Antonia, overlooking (from the N.W.) the temple, where the riot was.
. .] Claudius Lysias (ch. Act 23:26), the tribune of the cohort (whose proper complement was 1000 men).
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 21:31. , to kill) with strokes and blows: Act 21:32.-, came up) to the Antonian tower, where there was wont to be a garrison and camp of the Romans.-, a report) sudden.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
as: Act 22:22, Act 26:9, Act 26:10, Joh 16:2, 2Co 11:23-33
chief: Act 23:17, Act 24:7, Act 24:22, Act 25:23, Joh 18:12
that all: Act 21:38, Act 17:5, Act 19:40, 1Ki 1:41, Mat 26:5, Mar 14:2
Reciprocal: Pro 24:11 – General Mat 24:9 – shall they Mar 13:9 – take Luk 21:12 – before Act 16:22 – the multitude Act 22:24 – The chief Act 23:27 – was taken Act 26:21 – the Jews Act 26:22 – obtained
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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Act 21:31. Went about to kill him means they were actually beginning their acts of violence, and intended to continue until they had him killed (verse 32). Word of the riot reached the ears of the captain of the military.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 21:31. And as they went about to kill him, tidings came onto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. Preparations apparently were actually going on to execute summary justice on the apostle. The crowds that came hurrying over the bridge no doubt hindered the arrangements for his death, and gave time to the Roman officer to come upon the scene of the tumult. Philo tells us that any uncircumcised person who ventured within the separating wall might be stoned to death without any further trial. But this would only apply to the case of the Ephesian Trophimus, who was not found in the temple. As for Paul, any such procedure in his case would have been simply a murder, hence the rapid interference of the Roman authority. The chief captain, literally chili-arch, or chief of a thousand, was Claudius Lysias (chap, Act 23:26). He commanded the division of the Roman force which garrisoned Jerusalem, and was stationed in the fortress of Antonia, a castle built so as to overlook the temple and its courts.
This castle (Act 21:37) or tower of Antonia, where the Roman force which at that period watched the temple was lodged, was built by the Asmonean princes for a residence under the name of Baris. Herod the Great rebuilt it with considerable splendour, and named it Antonia, after the Triumvir Mark Antony.
This fortress stood at the north-west corner of the temple area, and it communicated with the temple cloisters by means of two flights of steps. It stood on lower ground than the platform of the House, but it was raised to such a height that at least one of its four turrets commanded a view of what was going on in the courts within.
The ordinary Roman garrison was probably increased at the times of the great Jewish festivals such as Pentecost, as in these troubled and exciting periods, when the people were full of religious fanaticism, an outbreak among the pilgrims gathered together was not unusual. The officer here called the chief captain was commander of a thousand men. This appears to have been the number of the forces stationed during this Pentecost in Antonia.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Note here, 1. How the great and gracious God provideth seasonable rescues for his persecuted and perplexed saints and servant: When they went about to kill Paul, God raises him up a deliverer.
Note, 2. The unexpected instrument of the apostle’s deliverance, and that was an heathen governor. The Romans never durst trust such vast multitudes at Jewish festivals without a strong garrison to be a check upon them; accordingly the governor, having tidings of the tumult, brings down a band of soldiers, to see the peace kept; he rescues the injured apostle out of their hands, commands him to be bound with two chains, as Agabas had foretold, and the soldiers bear him up in their arms from the violence of the people.
Hence we learn, 1. That a bad government, even an heathenish government, is better than anarchy. Under a tyrannical government many may be uneasy, but under popular rage none can be long at rest.
Learn, 2. That heathens are oftentimes the protectors of Christians against the blind rage of those that profess to worship the same God. St. Paul and thest believing Jews worshipped the same God, and yet the heathen soldiers were fain by force to carry and guard the apostle from the fury of the bloody unbelieving Jews.
Thus God raiseth up what instruments he pleaseth to subserve his own gracious ends and designs in the preservation of his people. The barbarous heathen soldiers protect St. Paul, and keep him from being torn in pieces by the Jews, who worshipped the same God with him.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Act 21:31-36. And as they went about to kill him It was a rule among the Jews, that any uncircumcised person who came within the separating wall, mentioned above, might be stoned to death without any further process. And they seemed to think Paul, who, as they supposed, had brought such in thither, deserved no better treatment. Tidings came unto the chief captain of the band Greek, , to the tribune of the cohort, called Lysias. A cohort, or detachment of soldiers, belonging to the Roman legion which lodged in the adjacent castle of Antonia, were stationed on feast days near the temple, to prevent disorders. It is evident Lysias himself was not present when the tumult began. Probably he was the oldest Roman tribune then at Jerusalem, and, as such, was the commanding officer of the legion quartered at the castle. Who immediately took soldiers, &c. And ran down unto them, namely, to suppress the riot, knowing how much it was his concern to check such proceedings. And when they saw the chief captain and soldiers, they left beating of Paul Which it appears they had begun to do in such a manner, that, had he not been thus seasonably rescued in this critical moment, his life must soon have fallen a sacrifice to their rage. Then the chief captain Having made his way through the multitude, came near and took him Into his custody. And how many great ends of Providence were answered by this imprisonment! It was not only a means of preserving his life, (after he had suffered severely for worldly prudence,) but it gave him an opportunity of preaching the gospel safely, in spite of all tumult, Act 22:22; yea, and that in those places to which otherwise he could have had no access, Act 21:40. And commanded him to be bound with two chains Taking it for granted he was some notorious offender. And thus the prophecy of Agabus was fulfilled, though by the hands of a Roman. And demanded Of those that seemed most enraged against him; who he was Against whom such a general outcry was raised; and what he had done To deserve it. And some cried one thing and some another So great was the confusion of this riotous assembly, who neither knew one anothers mind, nor their own; though every one pretended to give the sense of the whole body. And when he could not know the certainty for the tumult For the noise, clamour, and contradictory speeches that were uttered; he commanded him to be carried into the castle The tower of Antonia, where the Roman soldiers kept garrison. And when he came upon the stairs Leading to the castle. It was situated on a rock, fifty cubits high, at that corner of the outward temple where the western and northern porticoes joined, to each of which there were stairs descending from it. So it was that he was borne of the soldiers Up from the ground; for the violence of the people Who, if they could, would have pulled him limb from limb. And, when they could not reach him with their hands, they pursued him with their clamorous invectives: crying, Away with him Observe, reader, how the most excellent persons and things are often run down by a popular clamour: Christ himself was so treated, while they cried, Crucify him, crucify him, though they could not mention any evil he had done.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
31-34. For the second time in his history the Roman authorities came to Paul’s rescue from the hands of his countrymen. (31) “And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the chiliarch of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in an uproar, (32) who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down upon them. And when they saw the chiliarch and the soldiers, they quit striking Paul. (33) Then the chiliarch drew near and seized him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was, and what he had done. (34) But some of the multitude cried out one thing, and some another; and not being able to know the certainty on account of the tumult, he commanded him to be led into the castle.” The inability of the mob to agree upon any charge against him shows the precipitancy with which they had rushed upon him, while the multiplicity of charges which they vociferated shows the intensity of their hatred. The chiliarch was indifferent through total ignorance of the case, and desired to act prudently; hence he determined to protect the prisoner, and hold him for examination under more favorable circumstances.
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
31-38. Lysias, the Roman kiliarch, commander-in-chief at Castle Antonia on Mt. Moriah near the temple, the Roman citadel for the protection of Jerusalem, in all of his treatment of Paul shows up a very beautiful character of sterling integrity, fidelity and magnanimity, especially for a heathen. If he had not fortunately been present at the castle and run with all his might when he heard the uproar, they would have killed Paul on the spot, so Lysias was sent of God to prolong his life. Having secured the prisoner, and unable, amid the heterogeneous clamor of the mob, to ascertain the crime with which he is charged, he orders the soldiers to carry him into the castle, transporting him in their arms to save his life. The kiliarch is surprised when Paul speaks to him in Greek, thinking that he is a notable Egyptian robber chief who had recently caused great trouble. Of this impression, however, Lysias is relieved when he hears him speak Greek. Consequently he permits the soldiers to stand him on the threshold of the castle, while he proceeds to address the people in Hebrew, which was not only the better understood by the Jews, but calculated to soften their animosities.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 31
The chief captain. There was a tower near the temple, called the tower of Antonia, where a Roman military force was stationed, especially on all the public festal occasions of the Jews, to guard against public disturbances. The chief captain here mentioned was the commander of this guard. His name, as afterwards appears, was Claudius Lysias. The governor of Judea, whose name was Felix, resided at Cesarea.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
21:31 {6} And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
(6) God finds some even amongst the wicked and profane themselves, to hinder the endeavours of the rest.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The Jews proceeded to beat Paul in the court of the Gentiles. News of this commotion reached the Roman commander of the Fortress of Antonia that connected with the temple area on the northwest. Herod the Great had built this fortress to house the soldiers of the Tenth Legion. The commander’s name was Claudius Lysias (Act 23:26). He was responsible for the 1,000 soldiers stationed there. When he saw the riot, he summoned soldiers and centurions (commanders of 100 soldiers each) and ran down the steps of the fortress and into the court of the Gentiles. Levites constituted the Temple police (cf. Act 4:1), but these Roman troops were responsible to keep peace in the whole city. [Note: Ibid., pp. 211-12.] The Jews stopped beating Paul when they saw the commander and the other soldiers.
"One thing Rome insisted on-civil order. A riot was an unforgivable sin both for the populace who staged it and the commander who allowed it." [Note: Barclay, p. 172.]
This is the sixth time in Acts that Paul’s ministry had ignited a public disturbance (cf. Act 14:19; Act 16:19-22; Act 17:5-8; Act 17:13; Act 19:25-34).