Acts 23:10

Authorized King James Version

And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Πολλῆς
a great
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
#2
δὲ
And
but, and, etc
#3
γενομένης
when there arose
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
#4
στάσεως
dissension
a standing (properly, the act), i.e., (by analogy) position (existence); by implication, a popular uprising; figuratively, controversy
#5
εὐλαβηθεὶς
fearing
to be circumspect, i.e., (by implication) to be apprehensive; religiously, to reverence
#6
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#7
χιλίαρχος
the chief captain
the commander of a thousand soldiers ("chiliarch"; i.e., colonel
#8
μὴ
lest
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
#9
διασπασθῇ
should have been pulled in pieces
to draw apart, i.e., sever or dismember
#10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
Παῦλος
Paul
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
#12
ὑπ'
of
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
#13
αὐτῶν
him
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
#14
ἐκέλευσεν
commanded
"hail"; to incite by word, i.e., order
#15
τὸ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
στράτευμα
the soldiers
an armament, i.e., (by implication) a body of troops (more or less extensive or systematic)
#17
καταβὰν
to go down
to descend (literally or figuratively)
#18
ἁρπάσαι
and to take
to seize (in various applications)
#19
αὐτῶν
him
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
#20
ἐκ
from
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#21
μέσου
among
middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)
#22
αὐτῶν
him
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
#23
ἄγειν
G71
to bring
properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce
#24
τε
and
both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)
#25
εἰς
him into
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#26
τὴν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#27
παρεμβολήν
the castle
a throwing in beside (juxtaposition), i.e., (specially), battle-array, encampment or barracks (tower antonia)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Acts Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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