Acts 21:39 NIV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 21:39

A Jew of Tarsus - A Jew by birth.Of no mean city - Not obscure, or undistinguished. He could claim an honorable birth, so far as the place of his nativity was concerned. See the notes on Acts 9:11. Tarsus was much celebrated for its learning, and was at one time the rival of Alexandria and Athens. Xenophon calls it a great and flourishing city. Josephus (Antiq., book 2, chapter 6, section 6) says that it was the metropolis, and most renowned city among them (the Cilicians). 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 21:39

of Tarsus = a Tarsean. Greek. Tarseus. See note on Acts 9:11 . in = of. citizen . Greek. polites. Only here and Luke 15:15 ; Luke 19:14 . mean = without mark. Greek. asemos. Only here. Used of disease without definite symptoms. In the medical writer, Hippocrates, the very expression "no mean city" occurs. Figure of speech Tapeinosis. App-6 . beseech . Greek. deomai. App-134 . speak . Greek. laleo . App-121 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Acts 21:39

But Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, give me leave to speak unto the people.A citizen of no mean city ... Coins excavated from Tarsus carry the inscription, "Metropolis Autonomous," indicating that it had been granted autonomy by the Romans. It was an important metropolis noted for its educational facilities, as well as for trade, shipbuilding, and commerce.The amazing character of Paul is seen in this, that he desired to address a... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 21:39

Acts 21:39. A Jew of Tarsus,— The inhabitants of Tarsus, (which city seems to have taken its name from Tarshish, the son of Javan, (Genesis 10:4.) boasted extremely of their antiquity; and Strabo tells us, that they were so considerable on account of learning, as well as commerce, wealth, and grandeur, that they might dispute the prize with Athens and Alexandria. Tarsus was the metropolis of Cilicia. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Acts 21:39

39. a citizen of no mean city—(See on Acts 21:1). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 21:37-40

Paul’s request to address the people 21:37-40 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 21:39

Paul explained that he was a Jew and so had a right to be in the temple court of Israel. He was not a resident of Egypt but of the respected Roman city of Tarsus. Tarsus was one of the three chief centers of learning in the ancient world, along with Athens and Alexandria. It had several hundred thousand inhabitants and was noted for its textile industry. [Note: Bock, Acts, p. 658.] It was also the capital of Cilicia and a free city in the empire."It is important to recognize that to a great... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Acts 21:39

21:39 Jew (c-7) Lit. 'a man a Jew.' read more