Acts 21:31

31 And when they sought to slay him, it was told to the tribune of the company of knights, that all Jerusalem is confounded.

Acts 21:31 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 21:31

And as they went about to kill him
In the manner as zealots did, without bringing him before any court of judicature, without any charge, trial, and condemnation:

tidings came unto the chief captain of the band;
the Roman band of soldiers, who were placed near the temple, to keep the peace of the city, and persons in order; and who were more especially needful, at such a time as the feast of Pentecost, when there was such a great concourse of people in the city, and indeed always were in arms at such times ^F2; this chief captain was Claudius Lysias, as appears from ( Acts 23:26 ) to him the report of the disturbance was brought; or as it is in the Greek text, the "fame ascended" to him; who very likely might be in the tower of Antonia, which joined to the temple:

that all Jerusalem was in an uproar;
or in confusion, and therefore it became him, as a Roman officer, to take care to quell it, lest it should issue in sedition and rebellion.

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 Joseph. de Bello Jud. l. 2. c. 12. sect. 1. & l. 5. c. 5. sect. 8.

Acts 21:31 In-Context

29 For they saw Trophimus of Ephesus in the city with him, whom they guessed that Paul had brought into the temple.

30 And all the city was moved, and a running together of the people was made. And they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple; and at once [and anon] the gates were closed.

31 And when they sought to slay him, it was told to the tribune of the company of knights, that all Jerusalem is confounded.

32 Which at once [Which anon] took knights, and centurions, and ran to them. And when they had seen the tribune, and the knights, they ceased to smite Paul.

33 Then the tribune came, and caught him, and commanded, that he were bound with two chains [Then the tribune coming to, caught him, and commanded to be bound with two chains]; and asked, who he was, and what he had done.