Acts 21:37 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:37-40

The Roman soldier face to face with the Christian apostle. The heathen, notwithstanding his ignorance, was more open to reason than the Jew, blinded by fanaticism and bigotry. Religion corrupted by priestcraft is worse than skepticism. Courtesy and chivalry may be made to serve higher purposes. The providential appointment of the history of Judaism opened the way for a free gospel. Jews were filling up their cup.—R. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 21:37

May I speak unto thee? - May I have the privilege of making my defense before thee; or of stating the case truly; the cause of my accusation; of this tumult, etc.Canst thou speak Greek? - Implying that if he could, he might be permitted to speak to him. The Greek language was what was then almost universally spoken, and it is not improbable that it was the native tongue of the chief captain. It is evident that he was not a Roman by birth, for he says Acts 22:28 that he had obtained the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 21:37-40

Acts 21:37-40 . And as Paul was going to be led into the castle To which the soldiers were conducting him; he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? The wisdom of God teaching him to make use of that very time and place: Who Hearing him speak in the Greek language; said With some surprise; Canst thou speak Greek? Art not thou that Egyptian Who came into Judea when Felix had been some years governor there, (see note on Matthew 24:26;) and, calling himself a prophet, drew... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 21:37-40

Paul’s reply to the crowd (21:37-22:29)By his command of the situation, Paul showed much physical courage and mental alertness. One minute he was snatched from a violent death, the next he was able to address a mob of wildly excited Jews who were screaming for his blood. He spoke with such power that a rioting crowd of would-be murderers listened to him in silence (37-40).Paul wanted to show that he was a zealous Jew, called by God to serve him. He told of his Jewish upbringing and education,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 21:37

was = was about. led = brought. May I speak . Literally If ( App-118 . a) it is permitted me to say something. Who = But he. Canst thou speak = Dost thou know. Greek. ginosko. App-132 . Greek . Greek. Bellenisli. Only here and John 19:20 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Acts 21:37

And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he saith unto the chief captain, May I say something unto thee? And he said, Dost thou know Greek?PAUL'S REQUEST TO SPEAKIn the best form of military etiquette, Paul requested and received permission to speak to the chiliarch, who was astounded that Paul addressed him in a learned manner, speaking Greek, which the chiliarch had no reason to suppose that he knew. Throughout, the chiliarch had acted upon the assumption that Paul was a criminal,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 21:37-38

Acts 21:37-38. Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?— St. Paul's addressing himself in Greek to the chief captain surprised him a good deal, as he took him for an Egyptian impostor; upon which he said to him with some astonishment, "What then! can you speak Greek? Are not you that Egyptian, who some time ago made a disturbance in this country, and, under the pretence of being a mighty prophet, led out into the wilderness four thousand of the sicarii?" (σικαριων ) a kind of assassins, so called from... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Acts 21:37

37-40. Art not thou that Egyptian, &c.—The form of the question implies that the answer is to be in the negative, and is matter of some surprise: "Thou art not then?" &c. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 21:37-38

The commander had assumed that Paul was a certain Egyptian who had appeared in Jerusalem three years earlier. This man claimed to be a prophet of God and announced that the wall of Jerusalem would collapse at his command. He further claimed that he would lead his followers from the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem where they would defeat the Romans and throw off their yoke. The Romans, however, attacked this man’s followers first and killed many of them, but he had escaped.The Egyptian’s... read more