Act 21:37-39 | NETfull | STEP | As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commanding officer, “May I say something to you?” The officer replied, “Do you know Greek?

Acts 21:37-39

37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, ^{▼▼ Or “the headquarters.” BDAG 775 s.v. παρεμβολή 2 has “barracks/headquarters of the Roman troops in Jerusalem Ac 21:34, 37; 22:24; 23:10, 16, 32.”} he said ^{▼▼ Grk “says” (a historical present).} to the commanding officer, ^{▼▼ Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers) See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. 31.} “May I say ^{▼▼ Grk “Is it permitted for me to say” (an idiom).} something to you?” The officer ^{▼▼ Grk “He”; the referent (the officer) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} replied, ^{▼▼ Grk “said.”} “Do you know Greek? ^{▼▼ “Do you know Greek?” Paul as an educated rabbi was bilingual. Paul’s request in Greek allowed the officer to recognize that Paul was not the violent insurrectionist he thought he had arrested (see following verse). The confusion of identities reveals the degree of confusion dominating these events.} 38 Then you’re not that Egyptian who started a rebellion ^{▼▼ L&N 39.41 has “οὐκ ἄρα σὺ εἶ ὁ Αἰγύπτιος ὁ πρὸ τούτων τῶν ἡμερῶν ἀναστατώσας ‘then you are not that Egyptian who some time ago started a rebellion’ Ac 21:38.”} and led the four thousand men of the ‘Assassins’ ^{▼▼ Grk “of the Sicarii.”} ^{▼▼ The term ‘Assassins’ is found several times in the writings of Josephus (J. W. 2.13.3 [2.254–257]; Ant. 20.8.10 [20.186]). It was the name of the most fanatical group among the Jewish nationalists, very hostile to Rome, who did not hesitate to assassinate their political opponents. They were named Sicarii in Latin after their weapon of choice, the short dagger or sicarius which could be easily hidden under one’s clothing. In effect, the officer who arrested Paul had thought he was dealing with a terrorist.} into the wilderness ^{▼▼ Or “desert.”} some time ago?” ^{▼▼ Grk “before these days.”} 39 Paul answered, ^{▼▼ Grk “said.”} “I am a Jew ^{▼▼ Grk “a Jewish man.”} from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of an important city. ^{▼▼ Grk “of a not insignificant city.” The double negative, common in Greek, is awkward in English and has been replaced by a corresponding positive expression (BDAG 142 s.v. ἄσημος 1).} Please ^{▼▼ Grk “I beg you.”} allow me to speak to the people.”