The Meaning of Acts 21:16 Explained

Acts 21:16

KJV: There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

YLT: and there went also of the disciples from Caesarea with us, bringing with them him with whom we may lodge, a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an aged disciple.

Darby: And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing with them a certain Mnason, a Cyprian, an old disciple, with whom we were to lodge.

ASV: And there went with us also certain of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

<1161> There went  with  us  also  [certain] of the disciples  of  Caesarea,  and brought  with them  one  Mnason  of Cyprus,  an old  disciple,  with whom  we should lodge. 

What does Acts 21:16 Mean?

Context Summary

Acts 21:15-26 - Binding Together The Church
Mnason was an early disciple. He could remember the first days of the Church's story. It was good for Paul to have the society and care of this good man during those last troublous days. Notwithstanding all the efforts of the Judaizing elements in the Church, the splendid labors of the Apostle were estimated at their true worth, and he was gladly welcomed by the brethren at Jerusalem. Note how careful he was to attribute all to God. Paul was only the instrument through whom the Almighty wrought for the glory of Jesus, Acts 21:19.
The action here described, which was strongly recommended by the leaders of the Church, seems at variance with what Paul so clearly states in his Epistle to the Galatians, Galatians 2:3-5; and perhaps it would have been a wiser and stronger policy for him to have remained in quiet obscurity till the feast was over. But we must remember the deep coloring which the proximity of the Temple gave to church life at Jerusalem, and Paul was willing to be guided by men like James, in whose judgment he had full confidence. In addition, he was always willing to yield in cases which did not concern principle. He acquiesced in such matters for the sake of charity, so that he gladly became as a Jew to Jews, that he might save the Jews, 1 Corinthians 9:20. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 21

1  Paul calls at the house of Philip, whose daughters prophesy
10  Agabus, foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem,
13  he will not be dissuaded from going thither
17  He comes to Jerusalem;
27  where he is apprehended, and in great danger, but by the chief captain is rescued;
37  and requests, and is permitted to speak to the people

Greek Commentary for Acts 21:16

Certain of the disciples [των ματητων]
The genitive here occurs with τινες — tines understood as often in the Greek idiom, the partitive genitive used as nominative (Robertson, Grammar, p. 502). [source]
Bringing [αγοντες]
Nominative plural participle agreeing with τινες — tines understood, not with case of ματητων — mathētōn One Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge (παρ ωι χενιστωμεν Μνασωνι τινι Κυπριωι αρχαιωι ματητηι — par hōi xenisthōmen Mnasnōi tini Kupriōi archaiōi mathētēi). A thoroughly idiomatic Greek idiom, incorporation and attraction of the antecedent into the relative clause (Robertson, Grammar, p. 718). Μνασωνι — Mnasōni is really the object of αγοντες — agontes or the accusative with παρα — para or προς — pros understood and should be accusative, but it is placed in the clause after the relative and in the same locative case with the relative ωι — hōi (due to παρ — par' beside, with). Then the rest agrees in case with Μνασωνι — Mnasōni He was originally from Cyprus, but now in Caesarea. The Codex Bezae adds εις τινα κωμην — eis tina kōmēn (to a certain village) and makes it mean that they were to lodge with Mnason at his home there about halfway to Jerusalem. This may be true. The use of the subjunctive χενιστωμεν — xenisthōmen (first aorist passive of χενιζω — xenizō to entertain strangers as in Acts 10:6, Acts 10:23, Acts 10:32 already) may be volitive of purpose with the relative (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 955, 989). The use of αρχαιωι — archaiōi for “early” may refer to the fact that he was one of the original disciples at Pentecost as Peter in Acts 15:7 uses ημερων αρχαιων — hēmerōn archaiōn (early days) to refer to his experience at Ceasarea in Acts 10. “As the number of the first disciples lessened, the next generation accorded a sort of honour to the survivors” (Furneaux). [source]
One Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge [παρ ωι χενιστωμεν Μνασωνι τινι Κυπριωι αρχαιωι ματητηι]
A thoroughly idiomatic Greek idiom, incorporation and attraction of the antecedent into the relative clause (Robertson, Grammar, p. 718). Μνασωνι — Mnasōni is really the object of αγοντες — agontes or the accusative with παρα — para or προς — pros understood and should be accusative, but it is placed in the clause after the relative and in the same locative case with the relative ωι — hōi (due to παρ — par' beside, with). Then the rest agrees in case with Μνασωνι — Mnasōni He was originally from Cyprus, but now in Caesarea. The Codex Bezae adds εις τινα κωμην — eis tina kōmēn (to a certain village) and makes it mean that they were to lodge with Mnason at his home there about halfway to Jerusalem. This may be true. The use of the subjunctive χενιστωμεν — xenisthōmen (first aorist passive of χενιζω — xenizō to entertain strangers as in Acts 10:6, Acts 10:23, Acts 10:32 already) may be volitive of purpose with the relative (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 955, 989). The use of αρχαιωι — archaiōi for “early” may refer to the fact that he was one of the original disciples at Pentecost as Peter in Acts 15:7 uses ημερων αρχαιων — hēmerōn archaiōn (early days) to refer to his experience at Ceasarea in Acts 10. “As the number of the first disciples lessened, the next generation accorded a sort of honour to the survivors” (Furneaux). [source]
Bringing with them, etc []
This would imply that Mnason was at Caesarea, and accompanied Paul and his companions to Jerusalem. It seems better to suppose that the disciples accompanied the apostle in order to introduce him to Mnason, whom they knew. Render, conducting us to Mnason, with whom we should lodge. [source]
Old [ἀρχαίῳ]
Better, as Rev., early. The rendering old might be taken to mean aged; whereas the word means of long standing. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 21:16

Matthew 24:29 Immediately [ευτεως]
This word, common in Mark‘s Gospel as ευτυς — euthus gives trouble if one stresses the time element. The problem is how much time intervenes between “the tribulation of those days” and the vivid symbolism of Matthew 24:29. The use of εν ταχει — en tachei in Revelation 1:1 should make one pause before he decides. Here we have a prophetic panorama like that with foreshortened perspective. The apocalyptic pictures in Matthew 24:29 also call for sobriety of judgment. One may compare Joel‘s prophecy as interpreted by Peter in Acts 21:16-22. Literalism is not appropriate in this apocalyptic eschatology. [source]
Acts 15:7 Peter rose up [αναστας Πετρος]
The wonder was that he had waited so long. Probably Paul asked him to do so. He was the usual spokesman for the apostles and his activities in Jerusalem were well-known. In particular his experience at Caesarea (Acts 10) had caused trouble here in Jerusalem from this very same party of the circumcism (Acts 11:1-18). It was fitting that Peter should speak. This is the last time that Peter appears in the Acts. A good while ago (απ ημερων αρχαιων — aph' hēmerōn archaiōn). From ancient days. The adjective αρχαιος — archaios is from αρχη — archē beginning, and its actual age is a matter of relativity. So Mnason (Acts 21:16) is termed “an ancient disciple.” It was probably a dozen years since God “made choice” (εχελεχατο — exelexato) to speak by Peter‘s mouth to Cornelius and the other Gentiles in Caesarea. His point is that what Paul and Barnabas have reported is nothing new. The Judaizers made objection then as they are doing now. [source]
Acts 15:7 A good while ago [απ ημερων αρχαιων]
From ancient days. The adjective αρχαιος — archaios is from αρχη — archē beginning, and its actual age is a matter of relativity. So Mnason (Acts 21:16) is termed “an ancient disciple.” It was probably a dozen years since God “made choice” (εχελεχατο — exelexato) to speak by Peter‘s mouth to Cornelius and the other Gentiles in Caesarea. His point is that what Paul and Barnabas have reported is nothing new. The Judaizers made objection then as they are doing now. [source]
Hebrews 8:3 Somewhat to offer [ὃ προσενέγκῃ]
Lit. what he may offer. The construction is unusual. Comp. Acts 21:16. The statement is a truism, unless it be assumed that the Hebrew Christians were ignorant of the doctrine of Christ's priesthood. [source]
Hebrews 8:3 Is appointed [κατισταται]
As in Hebrews 5:1. To offer Articular infinitive accusative case with εις — eis as is common while ινα προσπερηι — hina prospherēi A moral and logical necessity (from αναγκη — anagkē necessity) as seen in Acts 13:46; Philemon 1:24. This high priest also “This one also,” no word for high priest, accusative of general reference with the infinitive εχειν — echein (have). Somewhat to offer Second aorist active subjunctive of προσπερω — prospherō (Hebrews 8:3). Vulgate aliquid quod offerat. The use of the subjunctive in this relative clause is probably volitive as in Acts 21:16; Hebrews 12:28 (possibly here merely futuristic), but note ο προσπερει — ho prospherei (present indicative) in Hebrews 9:7. See Robertson, Grammar, p. 955. [source]
1 John 2:7 Old [παλαιὰν]
Four words are used in the New Testament for old or elder. Of these γέρων and πρεσβύτερος refer merely to the age of men, or, the latter, to official position based primarily upon age. Hence the official term elder. Between the two others, ἀρχαῖος and παλαιός , the distinction is not sharply maintained. Ἁρχαῖος emphasizes the reaching back to a beginning ( ἀρχή ) Thus Satan is “that old ( ἀρχαῖος ) serpent,” whose evil work was coeval with the beginning of time (Revelation 7:9; Revelation 20:2). The world before the flood is “the old ( ἀρχαῖος ) world” (2 Peter 2:5). Mnason was “an old ( ἀρχαῖος ) disciple;” not aged, but having been a disciple from the beginning (Acts 21:16). Sophocles, in “Trachiniae,” 555, gives both words. “I had an old ( παλαιὸν ) gift,” i.e., received long ago, “from the old ( ἀρχαίου ) Centaur.” The Centaur is conceived as an old-world creature, belonging to a state of things which has passed away. It carries, therefore, the idea of old fashioned: peculiar to an obsolete state of things. Παλαιός carries the sense of worn out by time, injury, sorrow, or other causes. Thus the old garment (Matthew 9:16) is παλαιόν . So the old wine-skins (Matthew 9:17). The old men of a living generation compared with the young of the same generation are παλαιοί . In παλαιός the simple conception of time dominates. In ἀρχαῖος there is often a suggestion of a character answering to the remote age. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The commandment is here called old because it belonged to the first stage of the Christian church. Believers had had it from the beginning of their Christian faith. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 21:16 mean?

Went then also [some] of the disciples from Caesarea with us bringing [one] with whom we would lodge Mnason a certain Cypriot an early disciple
συνῆλθον δὲ καὶ τῶν μαθητῶν ἀπὸ Καισαρείας σὺν ἡμῖν ἄγοντες παρ’ ξενισθῶμεν Μνάσωνί τινι Κυπρίῳ ἀρχαίῳ μαθητῇ

συνῆλθον  Went 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: συνέρχομαι  
Sense: to come together.
καὶ  also  [some] 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
τῶν  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
μαθητῶν  disciples 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: μαθητής  
Sense: a learner, pupil, disciple.
Καισαρείας  Caesarea 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: Καισάρεια  
Sense: Caesarea of Philippi was situated at the foot of Lebanon near the sources of the Jordan in Gaulanitis, and formerly called Paneas; but afterward being rebuilt by Philip the tetrarch, it was called by him Caesarea, in honour of Tiberias Caesar; subsequently called Neronias by Agrippa II, in honour of Nero.
ἡμῖν  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ἄγοντες  bringing  [one] 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἄγω  
Sense: to lead, take with one.
  whom 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
ξενισθῶμεν  we  would  lodge 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Passive, 1st Person Plural
Root: ξενίζω  
Sense: to receive as a guest, to entertain, hospitably.
Μνάσωνί  Mnason 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: Μνάσων  
Sense: a Christian from Cyprus, a common Greek name.
τινι  a  certain 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
Κυπρίῳ  Cypriot 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: Κύπριος  
Sense: a Cyprian or Cypriote, i.
ἀρχαίῳ  an  early 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀρχαῖος  
Sense: that has been from the beginning, original, primal, old ancient.
μαθητῇ  disciple 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: μαθητής  
Sense: a learner, pupil, disciple.