Acts 21:32
Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.
Original Language Analysis
ὃς
Who
G3739
ὃς
Who
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
παραλαβὼν
took
G3880
παραλαβὼν
took
Strong's:
G3880
Word #:
3 of 21
to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn
στρατιώτας
soldiers
G4757
στρατιώτας
soldiers
Strong's:
G4757
Word #:
4 of 21
a camper-out, i.e., a (common) warrior (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπ'
unto
G1909
ἐπ'
unto
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 21
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
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἰδόντες
when they saw
G1492
ἰδόντες
when they saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
12 of 21
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χιλίαρχον
the chief captain
G5506
χιλίαρχον
the chief captain
Strong's:
G5506
Word #:
14 of 21
the commander of a thousand soldiers ("chiliarch"; i.e., colonel
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στρατιώτας
soldiers
G4757
στρατιώτας
soldiers
Strong's:
G4757
Word #:
17 of 21
a camper-out, i.e., a (common) warrior (literally or figuratively)
ἐπαύσαντο
they left
G3973
ἐπαύσαντο
they left
Strong's:
G3973
Word #:
18 of 21
to stop (transitively or intransitively), i.e., restrain, quit, desist, come to an end
τύπτοντες
beating
G5180
τύπτοντες
beating
Strong's:
G5180
Word #:
19 of 21
to "thump", i.e., cudgel or pummel (properly, with a stick or bastinado), but in any case by repeated blows; thus differing from g3817 and g3960, whic
Historical Context
The Fortress Antonia, built by Herod the Great, housed a cohort (600 soldiers) overlooking the temple. Romans maintained heightened alert during Jewish feasts when nationalist fervor peaked. Tribune Claudius Lysias commanded this garrison, responsible for maintaining order in volatile Jerusalem.
Questions for Reflection
- How has God used unexpected means—even secular authorities—to protect you or advance His purposes?
- What does this passage teach about God's sovereignty over mob violence and political power?
Analysis & Commentary
Who immediately took soldiers and centurions—The Roman tribune (χιλίαρχος, chiliarchos, commander of 1,000) Claudius Lysias (23:26) responded swiftly to prevent insurrection. Taking multiple centurions indicates he mobilized significant force—at least 200 soldiers, as each centurion commanded 100 men. Roman military discipline meant instant response to civil unrest.
Ran down unto them—The Fortress Antonia connected to the temple courts by stairs, allowing rapid deployment. The verb katadramon emphasizes urgent descent. They left beating of Paul (ἐπαύσαντο τύπτοντες, epausanto tuptontes)—The mob ceased their assault only when confronted by Roman military power, not from mercy or reason. God's providence used pagan authority to preserve His apostle for further ministry and witness before Caesar (23:11).