Acts 21:29
(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
Original Language Analysis
γὰρ
(For
G1063
γὰρ
(For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
προεωρακότες
seen before
G4308
προεωρακότες
seen before
Strong's:
G4308
Word #:
3 of 20
to behold in advance, i.e., (actively) to notice (another) previously, or (middle voice) to keep in (one's own) view
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πόλει
the city
G4172
πόλει
the city
Strong's:
G4172
Word #:
9 of 20
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
10 of 20
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 20
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
ὃν
whom
G3739
ὃν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐνόμιζον
they supposed
G3543
ἐνόμιζον
they supposed
Strong's:
G3543
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, to do by law (usage), i.e., to accustom (passively, be usual); by extension, to deem or regard
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
14 of 20
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
15 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερὸν
the temple
G2411
ἱερὸν
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
17 of 20
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
Historical Context
Trophimus, mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:20, was one of Paul's Gentile ministry companions. The accusers' recognition of him suggests Paul's Ephesian ministry had made his Gentile associates well-known to Asian Jews.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you avoid making accusations based on assumptions rather than evidence?
- What does this teach about how mob mentality can override reason and due process?
Analysis & Commentary
The accusation about Trophimus, an Ephesian Gentile, proved baseless - they had 'supposed' Paul brought him into the temple based on seeing them together in the city. This demonstrates how assumptions and prejudice fuel false accusations. The tragedy was that violence erupted based on supposition rather than evidence, yet God used even this injustice to advance His purposes.