Acts 26:21
For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
Original Language Analysis
τούτων
these causes
G5130
τούτων
these causes
Strong's:
G5130
Word #:
2 of 11
of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)
οἵ
G3588
οἵ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συλλαβόμενοι
caught
G4815
συλλαβόμενοι
caught
Strong's:
G4815
Word #:
6 of 11
to clasp, i.e., seize (arrest, capture); specially, to conceive (literally or figuratively); by implication, to aid
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερῷ
the temple
G2411
ἱερῷ
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
9 of 11
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
Historical Context
Paul speaks before King Agrippa II, Bernice, and Roman governor Festus in Caesarea (circa AD 59-60), defending himself against Jewish accusations. The temple seizure occurred three years earlier when Asian Jews incited a riot, falsely claiming Paul brought Gentiles into the inner courts (Acts 21:27-28). This speech represents Paul's formal defense of his apostolic ministry.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'causes' in your testimony to Christ might provoke the strongest opposition from religious people?
- How does Paul's experience show that faithfulness to the gospel may bring suffering even in 'holy' places?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple (ἕνεκα τούτων με Ἰουδαῖοι συλλαβόμενοι)—Paul identifies the temple arrest (Acts 21:30-33) as the culmination of Jewish opposition. The Greek syllabomenoi (caught, seized) implies violent apprehension, not legal arrest. These causes refers to his preceding testimony: God's call to preach to Gentiles (v. 17-18), the risen Christ appearing to him (v. 13-16), and his message that Messiah would suffer and rise (v. 23). The irony is profound—Jews attacked Paul in the temple, God's dwelling place, for preaching the fulfillment of temple sacrifices in Christ.
Went about to kill me (ἐπειρῶντο διαχειρίσασθαι)—The imperfect tense indicates repeated, ongoing attempts at murder. This was not spontaneous mob violence but sustained murderous intent, confirmed by the forty-man assassination plot (Acts 23:12-15). Paul's defense before Agrippa shows that opposition to the gospel comes not from the message's falsity but from its truth—that Gentiles share equal access to God's promises through Christ alone, bypassing ethnic privilege.