Act 16:3 | NETfull | STEP | Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was Greek.

Acts 16:3

3 Paul wanted Timothy ^{▼▼ Grk “this one”; the referent (Timothy) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} to accompany him, and he took ^{▼▼ Grk “and taking him he circumcised him.” The participle λαβών (labōn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. Paul’s cultural sensitivity showed in his action here. He did not want Timothy’s lack of circumcision to become an issue (1 Cor 9:15–23).} him and circumcised ^{▼▼ The verb περιέτεμεν (perietemen) here may be understood as causative (cf. ExSyn 411–12) if Paul did not personally perform the circumcision.} him because of the Jews who were in those places, ^{▼▼ Or “who lived in the area.”} for they all knew that his father was Greek. ^{▼▼ The anarthrous predicate nominative has been translated as qualitative (“Greek”) rather than indefinite (“a Greek”).} ^{▼▼ His father was Greek. Under Jewish law at least as early as the 2nd century, a person was considered Jewish if his or her mother was Jewish. It is not certain whether such a law was in effect in the 1st century, but even if it was, Timothy would not have been accepted as fully Jewish because he was not circumcised.}