Bible Strands
Acts 21:37
As they were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul interrupts his escort to the barracks to ask the Roman commander if he may address him. The commander replies by asking whether Paul speaks Greek.
The words — μέλλων (mellōn) means "being about" to bring Paul εἰσάγεσθαι (eisagesthai) "to be brought" into the παρεμβολὴν (parembolēn) "barracks."
The thread — The text places Paul’s detention and request to speak alongside Matthew 10:18 and Luke 21:15, which describe believers being brought before authorities and given speech. Acts 19:30 further marks the pattern of Paul’s crowd interactions being interrupted by external restraint.
Why it lands — The passage records a detained prisoner requesting speech and receiving a linguistic inquiry before any defense occurs. It requires the reader to note that divine provision of words is tied directly to moments of arrest and opposition.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
Cross-references
- Matthew 10:18 On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
- Luke 21:15 For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
- Acts 19:30 Paul wanted to go before the assembly, but the disciples would not allow him.
- Acts 21:19 Paul greeted them and recounted one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
- Acts 21:34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, and some another. And since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks.