Acts 21:11

Authorized King James Version

And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#2
ἐλθὼν
when he was come
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#3
πρὸς
unto
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#4
ἡμᾶς
us
us
#5
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#6
ἄρας
he took
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
#7
τὴν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
ζώνη
girdle
a belt; by implication, a pocket
#9
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
Παύλου
Paul's
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
#11
δήσουσιν
bind
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
#12
τε
and
both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)
#13
αὐτοῦ
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#14
τὰς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
χεῖρας
hands
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
#16
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#17
τοὺς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#18
πόδας
feet
a "foot" (figuratively or literally)
#19
εἶπεν
and said
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#20
Τάδε
Thus
the same, i.e., this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
#21
λέγει
saith
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
#22
τὸ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#23
πνεῦμα
Ghost
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
#24
τὸ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#25
ἅγιον
G40
the Holy
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
#26
Τὸν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#27
ἄνδρα
the man
a man (properly as an individual male)
#28
οὗ
that
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#29
ἐστιν
owneth
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
#30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#31
ζώνη
girdle
a belt; by implication, a pocket
#32
αὕτη
this
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
#33
οὕτως
So
in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)
#34
δήσουσιν
bind
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
#35
ἐν
at
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#36
Ἰερουσαλὴμ
Jerusalem
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
#37
οἱ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#38
Ἰουδαῖοι
the Jews
judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah
#39
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#40
παραδώσουσιν
shall deliver
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
#41
εἰς
him into
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#42
χεῖρας
hands
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
#43
ἐθνῶν
of the Gentiles
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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