Acts 21:38
Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρὸ
which before
G4253
πρὸ
which before
Strong's:
G4253
Word #:
8 of 22
"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμερῶν
days
G2250
ἡμερῶν
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
11 of 22
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ἀναστατώσας
madest an uproar
G387
ἀναστατώσας
madest an uproar
Strong's:
G387
Word #:
12 of 22
properly, to drive out of home, i.e., (by implication) to disturb (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
15 of 22
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔρημον
the wilderness
G2048
ἔρημον
the wilderness
Strong's:
G2048
Word #:
17 of 22
lonesome, i.e., (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, g5561 being implied)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Josephus (Antiquities 20.8.6, Wars 2.13.5) records this Egyptian false prophet's uprising around AD 54. The sicarii represented violent Jewish nationalism opposing Rome. Felix later encountered these terrorists (Acts 24:1-27). Paul being mistaken for this revolutionary highlights the political tensions in first-century Judea.
Questions for Reflection
- How do false assumptions and incomplete information lead to unjust treatment of God's servants?
- What does Paul's response teach about answering accusations with dignity rather than defensiveness?
Analysis & Commentary
Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar—The tribune confused Paul with a notorious insurgent who, according to Josephus, led 4,000 sicarii (dagger-men, Jewish assassins) to the Mount of Olives, claiming Jerusalem's walls would fall at his command. The Romans crushed this rebellion, but the Egyptian escaped. The tribune assumed Paul was this wanted terrorist, explaining his large military response.
Four thousand men that were murderers (σικαρίων, sikarioi)—These 'dagger-men' mixed in crowds during festivals, assassinating Romans and collaborators. That Lysias thought Paul led such a movement shows how dangerous the situation appeared. Paul's cultured Greek response (v. 37) shocked the tribune, who expected an uneducated revolutionary, not a sophisticated scholar.