Acts 21:33
Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.
Original Language Analysis
τότε
Then
G5119
τότε
Then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
1 of 20
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χιλίαρχος
the chief captain
G5506
χιλίαρχος
the chief captain
Strong's:
G5506
Word #:
4 of 20
the commander of a thousand soldiers ("chiliarch"; i.e., colonel
ἐπελάβετο
and took
G1949
ἐπελάβετο
and took
Strong's:
G1949
Word #:
5 of 20
to seize (for help, injury, attainment, or any other purpose; literally or figuratively)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δεθῆναι
him to be bound with
G1210
δεθῆναι
him to be bound with
Strong's:
G1210
Word #:
9 of 20
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπυνθάνετο
demanded
G4441
ἐπυνθάνετο
demanded
Strong's:
G4441
Word #:
13 of 20
to question, i.e., ascertain by inquiry (as a matter of information merely; and thus differing from g2065, which properly means a request as a favor;
τί
what
G5101
τί
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
14 of 20
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τί
what
G5101
τί
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
18 of 20
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
Cross References
Ephesians 6:20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.Acts 21:11And 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.Acts 20:23Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.Acts 12:6And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.Acts 22:29Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.Acts 28:20For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
Historical Context
Roman military procedure required securing prisoners with chains to soldiers on each side. The captain's inability to get consistent answers reflects the chaotic nature of mob accusations compared to formal legal proceedings.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when bound by circumstances beyond your control, recognizing God's sovereignty in the restriction?
- What does the mob's confused accusations teach about opposition based on emotion rather than reason?
Analysis & Commentary
The chief captain's immediate action - binding Paul with 'two chains' - fulfilled Agabus's prophecy (Acts 21:11) precisely. His inquiry 'who he was, and what he had done' shows the Romans' concern for order over justice. The Jews' confused responses revealed their accusations were emotional rather than factual, demonstrating how religious rage often lacks substantive foundation.