Four days passed and there seemed a hope that, as the number of pilgrims grew less, Paul might escape recognition till his vow was fulfilled. In fulfilling it he was required to live with four paupers in a chamber of the Temple, to pay for sixteen sacrificial animals and the accompanying meat offerings on their behalf, and to stand with them while the priest offered lambs and rams on their behalf.
But as the ceremonies were approaching completion, he was recognized by Jews from Ephesus and other cities of Asia-perhaps Alexander the coppersmith was one of them-and a cry of hatred and horror was raised. They had seen the Ephesian Trophimus walking with him in the streets of Jerusalem, and supposed that Paul had taken him into the holy precincts. The punishment for that crime was death. They therefore seized him and forced him through the Beautiful Gate and down the fifteen steps, that they might kill him outside the Temple. This outburst attracted the notice of the Roman garrison in the neighboring Castle of Antonia, and Lysias with his soldiers forced his way through the throng, rescued Paul from his would-be murderers, and bore him beyond their reach. God had other work for the Apostle yet to do. [source]
Chapter Summary: Acts 21
1Paul calls at the house of Philip, whose daughters prophesy 10Agabus, foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem, 13he will not be dissuaded from going thither 17He comes to Jerusalem; 27where he is apprehended, and in great danger, but by the chief captain is rescued; 37and requests, and is permitted to speak to the people
Greek Commentary for Acts 21:36
Followed after [ηκολουτει] Imperfect active of ακολυτεω akolutheō was following. Cheated of their purpose to lynch Paul, they were determined to have his blood. [source]
Crying out [κραζοντες] Construction according to sense, plural masculine participle agreeing with neuter singular substantive πλητος plēthos (Robertson, Grammar, p. 401). Away with him (Αιρε αυτον Aire auton). The very words used by the mob to Pilate when they chose Barabbas in preference to Jesus (Luke 23:18, Αιρε τουτον Aire touton). He will hear it again from this same crowd (Acts 22:22). It is the present imperative (αιρε aire) as in Luke 23:18, but some may have used the urgent aorist active imperative as also in the case of Jesus John 19:15, αρον αρον āronσταυρωσον āron with staurōson added). Luke does not say that this mob demanded crucifixion for Paul. He was learning what it was to share the sufferings of Christ as the sullen roar of the mob‘s yells rolled on and on in his ears. [source]
Away with him [Αιρε αυτον] The very words used by the mob to Pilate when they chose Barabbas in preference to Jesus (Luke 23:18, Αιρε τουτον Aire touton). He will hear it again from this same crowd (Acts 22:22). It is the present imperative Luke does not say that this mob demanded crucifixion for Paul. He was learning what it was to share the sufferings of Christ as the sullen roar of the mob‘s yells rolled on and on in his ears. [source]
Luke 23:18Away [αιρε] Present active imperative, Take him on away and keep him away as in Acts 21:36; Acts 22:22, of Paul. But release (απολυσον apoluson) is first aorist active imperative, do it now and at once. [source]
Acts 22:22Unto this word [αχρι τουτου του λογου] But “this word” was like a spark in a powder magazine or a torch to an oil tank. The explosion of pent-up indignation broke out instantly worse than at first (Acts 21:30). Away with such a fellow from the earth (Αιρε απο της γης τον τοιουτον Aire apo tēs gēs ton toiouton). They renew the cry with the very words in Acts 21:36, but with “from the earth” for vehemence. For it is not fit Imperfect active of κατηκω kathēkō old verb to come down to, to become, to fit. In the N.T. only here and Romans 1:28. The imperfect is a neat Greek idiom for impatience about an obligation: It was not fitting, he ought to have been put to death long ago. The obligation is conceived as not lived up to like our “ought” (past of owe). See Robertson, Grammar, p. 886. [source]
Acts 22:22Away with such a fellow from the earth [Αιρε απο της γης τον τοιουτον] They renew the cry with the very words in Acts 21:36, but with “from the earth” for vehemence. [source]
What do the individual words in Acts 21:36 mean?
Were followingforthemultitudeof thepeoplecrying outAway withhim
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀκολουθέω
Sense: to follow one who precedes, join him as his attendant, accompany him.
Greek Commentary for Acts 21:36
Imperfect active of ακολυτεω akolutheō was following. Cheated of their purpose to lynch Paul, they were determined to have his blood. [source]
Construction according to sense, plural masculine participle agreeing with neuter singular substantive πλητος plēthos (Robertson, Grammar, p. 401). Away with him (Αιρε αυτον Aire auton). The very words used by the mob to Pilate when they chose Barabbas in preference to Jesus (Luke 23:18, Αιρε τουτον Aire touton). He will hear it again from this same crowd (Acts 22:22). It is the present imperative (αιρε aire) as in Luke 23:18, but some may have used the urgent aorist active imperative as also in the case of Jesus John 19:15, αρον αρον āronσταυρωσον āron with staurōson added). Luke does not say that this mob demanded crucifixion for Paul. He was learning what it was to share the sufferings of Christ as the sullen roar of the mob‘s yells rolled on and on in his ears. [source]
The very words used by the mob to Pilate when they chose Barabbas in preference to Jesus (Luke 23:18, Αιρε τουτον Aire touton). He will hear it again from this same crowd (Acts 22:22). It is the present imperative Luke does not say that this mob demanded crucifixion for Paul. He was learning what it was to share the sufferings of Christ as the sullen roar of the mob‘s yells rolled on and on in his ears. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 21:36
Lit., take away. Compare Acts 21:36; Acts 22:22. [source]
Present active imperative, Take him on away and keep him away as in Acts 21:36; Acts 22:22, of Paul. But release (απολυσον apoluson) is first aorist active imperative, do it now and at once. [source]
But “this word” was like a spark in a powder magazine or a torch to an oil tank. The explosion of pent-up indignation broke out instantly worse than at first (Acts 21:30). Away with such a fellow from the earth (Αιρε απο της γης τον τοιουτον Aire apo tēs gēs ton toiouton). They renew the cry with the very words in Acts 21:36, but with “from the earth” for vehemence. For it is not fit Imperfect active of κατηκω kathēkō old verb to come down to, to become, to fit. In the N.T. only here and Romans 1:28. The imperfect is a neat Greek idiom for impatience about an obligation: It was not fitting, he ought to have been put to death long ago. The obligation is conceived as not lived up to like our “ought” (past of owe). See Robertson, Grammar, p. 886. [source]
They renew the cry with the very words in Acts 21:36, but with “from the earth” for vehemence. [source]