Bible Strands
Acts 21:40
Having received permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. A great hush came over the crowd, and he addressed them in Hebrew:
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul stands on the steps and addresses a crowd immediately after the Roman commander grants him permission to speak.
The words — ἐπιτρέψαντος (epitrepsantos) literally means "having been permitted," referring to the commander's prior authorization, while ἑστὼς (hestōs) literally means "having stood," describing Paul's physical posture on the steps.
The thread — The sequence of requesting permission and addressing a crowd in Acts 21:39–40 is repeated in Acts 22:2, and the note of speaking in Hebrew is paralleled in John 5:2.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to acknowledge that public proclamation follows authorized procedure and deliberate physical positioning rather than impulsive action.
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 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,
Cross-references
- Acts 12:17 Peter motioned with his hand for silence, and he described how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. “Send word to James and to the brothers,” he said, and he left for another place.
- John 5:2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool with five covered colonnades, which in Hebrew is called Bethesda.
- Acts 22:2 When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more quiet. Then Paul declared,
- Acts 26:14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
- Acts 19:33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward to explain himself, and he motioned for silence so he could make his defense to the people.
- Acts 21:35 When Paul reached the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.
- 2 Kings 9:13 Quickly, each man took his garment and put it under Jehu on the bare steps. Then they blew the ram’s horn and proclaimed, “Jehu is king!”
- Luke 23:38 Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- John 19:13 When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew is Gabbatha.
- John 19:17 Carrying His own cross, He went out to The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.