Acts 21:40
And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,
Original Language Analysis
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 23
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλος
Paul
G3972
Παῦλος
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
5 of 23
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
ἑστὼς
stood
G2476
ἑστὼς
stood
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
6 of 23
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
7 of 23
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χειρὶ
with the hand
G5495
χειρὶ
with the hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
12 of 23
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαῷ
unto the people
G2992
λαῷ
unto the people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
14 of 23
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
πολλῆς
a great
G4183
πολλῆς
a great
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
15 of 23
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
γενομένης
when there was made
G1096
γενομένης
when there was made
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
18 of 23
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
προσεφώνησεν
he spake
G4377
προσεφώνησεν
he spake
Strong's:
G4377
Word #:
19 of 23
to sound towards, i.e., address, exclaim, summon
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἑβραΐδι
unto them in the Hebrew
G1446
Ἑβραΐδι
unto them in the Hebrew
Strong's:
G1446
Word #:
21 of 23
the hebraistic (hebrew) or jewish (chaldee) language
Cross References
Acts 12:17But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.Acts 22:2(And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)Acts 26:14And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.John 5:2Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.Acts 21:35And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.Acts 19:33And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.
Historical Context
The Hebrew language (or Aramaic) was the tongue of Jewish learning and devotion. Paul's use of it, rather than Greek, showed respect for his audience's heritage and created rapport by speaking their heart language.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you adapt your communication style to connect with hostile or skeptical audiences?
- What does Paul's example teach about using cultural knowledge and language skills for gospel witness?
Analysis & Commentary
Paul's gesture for silence and choice to speak 'in the Hebrew tongue' demonstrated cultural sensitivity and rhetorical skill. Speaking Hebrew (likely Aramaic, the common Jewish language) created immediate connection with his audience and showed he was no apostate. The resulting 'great silence' gave Paul opportunity to present his testimony, showing how God opens doors even in hostile circumstances.