Acts 21:16 - Exposition

And there went for there went, A.V.; from for of, A.V.; bringing for and brought, A.V.; early for old, A.V. Mnason of Cyprus ; only mentioned here. He may very probably be one of those Cypriots mentioned in Acts 11:19 , Acts 11:20 , and so have been a disciple before the death of Stephen, and hence properly called an old or early disciple. If he had been one of St. Paul's converts in the visit to Cyprus recorded in Acts 13:1-52 ., St. Paul would have needed no introduction to him. The construction of the sentence is involved, and the exact meaning consequently obscure. Kuincel, Meyer, Howson (in 'Dict. of Bible'), and many more, translate it "conducting us to Mnason," etc., which seems the better translation; not, however, so as to make ἄγειν ΄νάσωνι equivalent to ἄγειν πρὸς ΄νάσωνα , which Greek usage will not admit of, but explaining the dative by attraction of the relative ᾦ , which is governed by παρὰ . If it had not been for the intervening παρ ᾦ ξενισθῶμεν , the sentence would have run ἄγοντες πρὸς τὸν ΄νάσωνα , κ . τ . λ . If Mnason, who, consistently with Acts 11:19 , had a house at Jerusalem, had been at Caesarea at this time, it would be quite unmeaning that disciples from Caesarea should bring Mnason with them. The sentence would rather have run "among whom was Mnason," etc. But if he was at Jerusalem, it was quite proper that any Christians of Caesarea who knew him should conduct Paul to his house, and introduce him and his party to him. Mnason, like Philip ( Acts 11:6 , note), was evidently a man of substance, Should lodge ; should be hospitably entertained ( Hebrews 13:2 ; 1 Peter 4:9 ; see Acts 10:6 , Acts 10:18 ).