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,
YLT: And he having given him leave, Paul having stood upon the stairs, did beckon with the hand to the people, and there having been a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew dialect, saying:
Darby: And when he had allowed him, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people; and a great silence having been made, he addressed them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,
ASV: And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand unto the people; and when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, saying,
| ἐπιτρέψαντος | Having allowed [him] |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: ἐπιτρέπω Sense: to turn to, transfer, commit, instruct. |
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| ὁ | - |
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Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| Παῦλος | Paul |
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Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: Παῦλος Sense: Paul was the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the NT, the 4 Pauline epistles. |
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| ἑστὼς | having stood |
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Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ἵστημι Sense: to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set. |
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| ἀναβαθμῶν | stairs |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: ἀναβαθμός Sense: an ascent. |
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| κατέσεισεν | made a sign |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: κατασείω Sense: to shake down, throw down. |
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| τῇ | with the |
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Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| χειρὶ | hand |
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Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular Root: χείρ Sense: by the help or agency of any one, by means of any one. |
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| τῷ | to the |
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Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| λαῷ | people |
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Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular Root: λαός Sense: a people, people group, tribe, nation, all those who are of the same stock and language. |
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| πολλῆς | great |
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Parse: Adjective, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: πολύς Sense: many, much, large. |
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| σιγῆς | silence |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: σιγή Sense: silence. |
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| γενομένης | having taken place |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Middle, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: γίνομαι Sense: to become, i. |
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| προσεφώνησεν | he spoke to [them] |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: προσφωνέω Sense: to call to, to address by calling. |
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| τῇ | in the |
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Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| Ἑβραΐδι | Hebrew |
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Parse: Adjective, Dative Feminine Singular Root: Ἑβραί̈ς Sense: Hebrew, the Hebrew language, not that however in which the OT was written but the Chaldee, which at the time of Jesus and the apostles had long superseded it in Palestine. |
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| διαλέκτῳ | language |
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Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular Root: διάλεκτος Sense: conversation, speech, discourse, language. |
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| λέγων | saying |
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Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: λέγω Sense: to say, to speak. |
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Greek Commentary for Acts 21:40
Genitive absolute of aorist active participle of the same verb επιτρεπω epitrepō [source]
Second perfect active participle of ιστημι histēmi to place, but intransitive to stand. Dramatic scene. Paul had faced many audiences and crowds, but never one quite like this. Most men would have feared to speak, but not so Paul. He will speak about himself only as it gives him a chance to put Christ before this angry Jewish mob who look on Paul as a renegade Jew, a turncoat, a deserter, who went back on Gamaliel and all the traditions of his people, who not only turned from Judaism to Christianity, but who went after Gentiles and treated Gentiles as if they were on a par with Jews. Paul knows only too well what this mob thinks of him. Beckoned with the hand (κατεσεισε τηι χειρι kateseise tēi cheiri). He shook down to the multitude with the hand (instrumental case χειρι cheiri), while Alexander, Luke says (Acts 19:33), “shook down the hand” (accusative with the same verb, which see). In Acts 26:1 Paul reached out the hand (εκτεινας την χειρα ekteinas tēn cheira). When there was made a great silence Genitive absolute again with second aorist middle participle of γινομαι ginomai “much silence having come.” Paul waited till silence had come. In the Hebrew language (τηι Εβραιδι διαλεκτωι tēi Ebraidi dialektōi). The Aramaean which the people in Jerusalem knew better than the Greek. Paul could use either tongue at will. His enemies had said in Corinth that “his bodily presence was weak and his speech contemptible” (2 Corinthians 10:10). But surely even they would have to admit that Paul‘s stature and words reach heroic proportions on this occasion. Self-possessed with majestic poise Paul faces the outraged mob beneath the stairs. [source]
He shook down to the multitude with the hand (instrumental case χειρι cheiri), while Alexander, Luke says (Acts 19:33), “shook down the hand” (accusative with the same verb, which see). In Acts 26:1 Paul reached out the hand (εκτεινας την χειρα ekteinas tēn cheira). [source]
Genitive absolute again with second aorist middle participle of γινομαι ginomai “much silence having come.” Paul waited till silence had come. In the Hebrew language (τηι Εβραιδι διαλεκτωι tēi Ebraidi dialektōi). The Aramaean which the people in Jerusalem knew better than the Greek. Paul could use either tongue at will. His enemies had said in Corinth that “his bodily presence was weak and his speech contemptible” (2 Corinthians 10:10). But surely even they would have to admit that Paul‘s stature and words reach heroic proportions on this occasion. Self-possessed with majestic poise Paul faces the outraged mob beneath the stairs. [source]
The Aramaean which the people in Jerusalem knew better than the Greek. Paul could use either tongue at will. His enemies had said in Corinth that “his bodily presence was weak and his speech contemptible” (2 Corinthians 10:10). But surely even they would have to admit that Paul‘s stature and words reach heroic proportions on this occasion. Self-possessed with majestic poise Paul faces the outraged mob beneath the stairs. [source]
Compare Acts 26:1. [source]
Lit., dialect: the language spoken by the Palestinian Jews - a mixture of Syriac and Chaldaic. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 21:40
Addressed. Compare Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2. Always in the New Testament in the sense of to accost, whether an individual or a crowd. [source]
Lit., having shaken downward with his hand, in order to bespeak silence and attention. It was a familiar gesture of Paul. See Acts 21:40; Acts 26:1. [source]
Not a dialect of the Greek, but a different language, the Aramaic. So also in Acts 2:6; Acts 21:40. Διαλεκτος Dialektos is from διαλεγομαι dialegomai to converse, to speak between two (δια dia). [source]
First aorist active participle of ανοιγω anoigō or νυμι ̇numi The whole group rushed out to the courtyard this time to make sure. They were amazed (εχεστησαν exestēsan). The frequent second aorist active (intransitive) indicative of εχιστημι existēmi Acts 12:17 There were probably loud exclamations of astonishment and joy. Beckoning with the hand First aorist active participle of kataseiō old verb to signal or shake down with the hand (instrumental case cheiri). In the N.T. only in Acts 12:17; Acts 13:16; Acts 19:33; Acts 21:40. The speaker indicates by a downward movement of the hand his desire for silence (to hold their peace, sigāin present active infinitive, to keep silent). Peter was anxious for every precaution and he wanted their instant attention. Declared (diēgēsato). First aorist middle of diēgeomai old verb to carry through a narrative, give a full story. See also Acts 9:27 of Barnabas in his defence of Saul. Peter told them the wonderful story. Unto James and the brethren Dative case after apaggeilate (first aorist active imperative). Evidently “James and the brethren” were not at this meeting, probably meeting elsewhere. There was no place where all the thousands of disciples in Jerusalem could meet. This gathering in the house of Mary may have been of women only or a meeting of the Hellenists. It is plain that this James the Lord‘s brother, is now the leading presbyter or elder in Jerusalem though there were a number (Acts 11:30; Acts 21:18). Paul even terms him apostle (Galatians 1:19), though certainly not one of the twelve. The twelve apostles probably were engaged elsewhere in mission work save James now dead (Acts 12:2) and Peter. The leadership of James is here recognized by Peter and is due, partly to the absence of the twelve, but mainly to his own force of character. He will preside over the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15:13). To another place (eis heteron topon). Probably Luke did not know the place and certainly it was prudent for Peter to conceal it from Herod Agrippa. Probably Peter left the city. He is back in Jerusalem at the Conference a few years later (Acts 15:7) and after the death of Herod Agrippa. Whether Peter went to Rome during these years we do not know. He was recognized later as the apostle to the circumcision (Galatians 2:7; 1 Peter 1:1) and apparently was in Rome with John Mark when he wrote the First Epistle (1 Peter 5:13), unless it is the real Babylon. But, even if Peter went to Rome during this early period, there is no evidence that he founded the church there. If he had done so, in the light of 2 Corinthians 10:16 it would be strange that Paul had not mentioned it in writing to Rome, for he was anxious not to build on another man‘s foundation (Romans 15:20). Paul felt sure that he himself had a work to do in Rome. Unfortunately Luke has not followed the ministry of Peter after this period as he does Paul (appearing again only in chapter Acts 15). If Peter really left Jerusalem at this time instead of hiding in the city, he probably did some mission work as Paul says that he did (1 Corinthians 9:5). [source]
First aorist active participle of kataseiō old verb to signal or shake down with the hand (instrumental case cheiri). In the N.T. only in Acts 12:17; Acts 13:16; Acts 19:33; Acts 21:40. The speaker indicates by a downward movement of the hand his desire for silence (to hold their peace, sigāin present active infinitive, to keep silent). Peter was anxious for every precaution and he wanted their instant attention. Declared (diēgēsato). First aorist middle of diēgeomai old verb to carry through a narrative, give a full story. See also Acts 9:27 of Barnabas in his defence of Saul. Peter told them the wonderful story. Unto James and the brethren Dative case after apaggeilate (first aorist active imperative). Evidently “James and the brethren” were not at this meeting, probably meeting elsewhere. There was no place where all the thousands of disciples in Jerusalem could meet. This gathering in the house of Mary may have been of women only or a meeting of the Hellenists. It is plain that this James the Lord‘s brother, is now the leading presbyter or elder in Jerusalem though there were a number (Acts 11:30; Acts 21:18). Paul even terms him apostle (Galatians 1:19), though certainly not one of the twelve. The twelve apostles probably were engaged elsewhere in mission work save James now dead (Acts 12:2) and Peter. The leadership of James is here recognized by Peter and is due, partly to the absence of the twelve, but mainly to his own force of character. He will preside over the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15:13). To another place (eis heteron topon). Probably Luke did not know the place and certainly it was prudent for Peter to conceal it from Herod Agrippa. Probably Peter left the city. He is back in Jerusalem at the Conference a few years later (Acts 15:7) and after the death of Herod Agrippa. Whether Peter went to Rome during these years we do not know. He was recognized later as the apostle to the circumcision (Galatians 2:7; 1 Peter 1:1) and apparently was in Rome with John Mark when he wrote the First Epistle (1 Peter 5:13), unless it is the real Babylon. But, even if Peter went to Rome during this early period, there is no evidence that he founded the church there. If he had done so, in the light of 2 Corinthians 10:16 it would be strange that Paul had not mentioned it in writing to Rome, for he was anxious not to build on another man‘s foundation (Romans 15:20). Paul felt sure that he himself had a work to do in Rome. Unfortunately Luke has not followed the ministry of Peter after this period as he does Paul (appearing again only in chapter Acts 15). If Peter really left Jerusalem at this time instead of hiding in the city, he probably did some mission work as Paul says that he did (1 Corinthians 9:5). [source]
First aorist active participle of κατασειω kataseiō old verb to shake down, a dramatic gesture for quiet and order like Peter in Acts 12:17 and Paul on the steps of the tower of Antonia (Acts 21:40). And ye that fear God (και οι ποβουμενοι τον τεον kai hoi phoboumenoi ton theon). Evidently large numbers of these Gentiles like Cornelius in Caesarea were present. They offered Paul a great opportunity for reaching the purely pagan Gentiles. This (verses 16-41) is the first full report of a sermon of Paul‘s that Luke has preserved for us. He is now a practised preacher of the gospel that he began proclaiming at Damascus, that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah of promise and the Saviour of the whole world both Jew and Gentile if they will only believe on him and be saved. It is possible that Paul here based his sermon on the passages of the law and the prophets that had just been read. He uses two words from the lxx, one in Acts 13:19 from Deuteronomy 1:31 ετροποπορησεν etrophophorēsen (as a nursing-father bare he them), the reading of many old MSS. and the one preferred by the American Committee, the other in Acts 13:17 from Isaiah 1:2 υπσωσεν hupsōsen (exalted). At any rate it is clear that Paul spoke in Greek so that all could understand his sermon. He may have written out notes of this sermon afterwards for Luke. The keynotes of Paul‘s theology as found in his Epistles appear in this sermon. It is interesting to observe the steady growth of Paul‘s Christology as he faced the great problems of his day. Here we see Paul‘s gospel for the Jews and the God-fearers (Gentiles friendly to the Jews). [source]
Genitive absolute of the second aorist active participle of προβαλλω proballō old verb to push forward as leaves in the spring (Luke 21:30). In the N.T. only in these two passages. Alexandria had already disgraceful scenes of Jew-baiting and there was real peril now in Ephesus with this wild mob. So Alexander was pushed forward as the champion to defend the Jews to the excited mob. He may be the same Alexander the coppersmith who did Paul much evil (2 Timothy 4:14), against whom Paul will warn Timothy then in Ephesus. “The Jews were likely to deal in the copper and silver required for the shrines, so he may have had some trade connexion with the craftsmen which would give him influence” (Furneaux). Beckoned with the hand (κατασεισας την χειρα kataseisas tān cheira). Old verb κατασειω kataseiō to shake down, here the hand, rapidly waving the hand up and down to get a hearing. In the N.T. elsewhere only in Acts 12:17; Acts 13:16; Acts 21:40 where “with the hand” (τηι χειρι tāi cheiri instrumental case) is used instead of την χειρα tān cheira (the accusative). Would have made a defence unto the people Imperfect active, wanted to make a defence, tried to, started to, but apparently never got out a word. Απολογεισται Apologeisthai (present middle infinitive, direct middle, to defend oneself), regular word for formal apology, but in N.T. only by Luke and Paul (twice in Gospel, six times in Acts, and in Romans 2:15; 2 Corinthians 12:19). [source]
Old verb κατασειω kataseiō to shake down, here the hand, rapidly waving the hand up and down to get a hearing. In the N.T. elsewhere only in Acts 12:17; Acts 13:16; Acts 21:40 where “with the hand” (τηι χειρι tāi cheiri instrumental case) is used instead of την χειρα tān cheira (the accusative). [source]
Imperfect active of εισειμι eiseimi old classic verb used only four times in the N.T. (Acts 3:3; Acts 21:18, Acts 21:26; Hebrews 9:6), a mark of the literary style rather than the colloquial Koiné{[28928]}š use of εισερχομαι eiserchomai Together with us to James So then Luke is present. The next use of “we” is in Acts 27:1 when they leave Caesarea for Rome, but it is not likely that Luke was away from Paul in Jerusalem and Caesarea. The reports of what was done and said in both places is so full and minute that it seems reasonable that Luke got first hand information here whatever his motive was for so full an account of these legal proceedings to be discussed later. There are many details that read like an eye witness‘s story (Acts 21:30, Acts 21:35, Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2, Acts 22:3; Acts 23:12, etc.). It was probably the house of James And all the elders were present (παντες τε παρεγενοντο οι πρεσβυτεροι pantes te paregenonto hoi presbuteroi). Clearly James is the leading elder and the others are his guests in a formal reception to Paul. It is noticeable that the apostles are not mentioned, though both elders and apostles are named at the Conference in Acts chapter 15. It would seem that the apostles are away on preaching tours. The whole church was not called together probably because of the known prejudice against Paul created by the Judaizers. [source]
From ανα ana up, and βαινω bainō to go. Late word, in lxx and Koiné{[28928]}š writers. In the N.T. only here and Acts 21:40. [source]
Imperfect active, was speaking. See aorist active προσεπωνησεν prosephōnēsen in Acts 21:40. [source]
Literally, The more Precisely this idiom occurs in Plutarch and the lxx (Job 34:29). Knowling notes the fondness of Luke for words of silence (σιγη σιγαω ησυχαζω sigēsigaōhēsuchazō) as in Luke 14:4; Luke 15:26; Acts 11:18; Acts 12:17; Acts 15:12; Acts 21:14, Acts 21:40. It is a vivid picture of the sudden hush that swept over the vast mob under the spell of the Aramaic. They would have understood Paul‘s Koiné{[28928]}š Greek, but they much preferred the Aramaic. It was a masterstroke. [source]
The (Hebrews) of the A.V. gives a wrong coloring to the phrase, as if Paul were claiming to be preeminently a Hebrew among other Hebrews. He means a Hebrew from ( ἐξ ) Hebrew parents. Rev., a Hebrew of Hebrews, which is no special improvement. The expression implies characteristics of language and manners. He might be an Israelite and yet a child of Greek-speaking Jews: but his parents had retained their native tongue and customs, and he himself, while understanding and speaking Greek, also spoke in Hebrew on occasion. See Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2. [source]
Of Hebrew parents who retained the characteristic qualities in language and custom as distinct from the Hellenistic Jews (Acts 6:1). Paul was from Tarsus and knew Greek as well as Aramaic (Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2) and Hebrew, but he had not become Hellenized. A Pharisee (Παρισαιος Pharisaios). In distinction from the Sadducees (Galatians 1:14) and he continued a Pharisee in many essential matters like the doctrine of the resurrection (Acts 23:6). Cf. 2 Corinthians 11:22. [source]
“I have more ground for boasting than he” and Paul proceeds to prove it in the rest of Phlippians 3:5, Phlippians 3:6. Circumcised the eighth day (περιτομηι οκταημερος peritomēi oktaēmeros). “In circumcision (locative case) an eighth day man.” Use of the ordinal with persons like τεταρταιος tetartaios (John 11:39). Ishmaelites were circumcised in the thirteenth year, proselytes from Gentiles in mature age, Jews on the eighth day (Luke 2:21). Of the stock of Israel Of the original stock, not a proselyte. Benjamin (ενιαμιν Beniamin). Son of the right hand (that is, left-handed), son of Rachel. The first King, Saul (Paul‘s own Hebrew name) was from this little tribe. The battle cry of Israel was “After thee, O Benjamin” (Judges 5:14). A Hebrew of the Hebrews Of Hebrew parents who retained the characteristic qualities in language and custom as distinct from the Hellenistic Jews (Acts 6:1). Paul was from Tarsus and knew Greek as well as Aramaic (Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2) and Hebrew, but he had not become Hellenized. A Pharisee (Παρισαιος Pharisaios). In distinction from the Sadducees (Galatians 1:14) and he continued a Pharisee in many essential matters like the doctrine of the resurrection (Acts 23:6). Cf. 2 Corinthians 11:22. [source]
Of the original stock, not a proselyte. Benjamin (ενιαμιν Beniamin). Son of the right hand (that is, left-handed), son of Rachel. The first King, Saul (Paul‘s own Hebrew name) was from this little tribe. The battle cry of Israel was “After thee, O Benjamin” (Judges 5:14). A Hebrew of the Hebrews Of Hebrew parents who retained the characteristic qualities in language and custom as distinct from the Hellenistic Jews (Acts 6:1). Paul was from Tarsus and knew Greek as well as Aramaic (Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2) and Hebrew, but he had not become Hellenized. A Pharisee (Παρισαιος Pharisaios). In distinction from the Sadducees (Galatians 1:14) and he continued a Pharisee in many essential matters like the doctrine of the resurrection (Acts 23:6). Cf. 2 Corinthians 11:22. [source]