Or “enter the crowd.” According to BDAG 223 s.v. δῆμος 2, “in a Hellenistic city, a convocation of citizens called together for the purpose of transacting official business, popular assembly … εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὸν δ . go into the assembly 19:30.”


Grk “Asiarchs” (high-ranking officials of the province of Asia).


Grk “sending”; the participle πέμψαντες ( pemyante" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


The words “a message” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.


BDAG 242-43 s.v. δίδωμι 11 has “to cause (oneself) to go, go, venture somewhere (cp. our older ‘betake oneself’)… Ac 19:31 .” The desire of these sympathetic authorities was surely to protect Paul’s life. The detail indicates how dangerous things had become.


Or “had assembled.”


Or “Some of the crowd gave instructions to.”


The words “it was about” are not in the Greek text but are implied; ᾿Αλέξανδρον ( Alexandron ) is taken to be an accusative of general reference.


BDAG 865 s.v. προβάλλω 1 has “to cause to come forward, put forward … τινά someone …push someone forward to speak in the theater… Ac 19:33 .”


Or “motioning.”


Or “before the crowd.” According to BDAG 223 s.v. δῆμος 2, “in a Hellenistic city, a convocation of citizens called together for the purpose of transacting official business, popular assembly … ἀπολογεῖσθαι τῷ δ . make a defense before the assembly vs. 33.”


Grk “But recognizing.” The participle ἐπιγνόντες ( epignonte" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “[they shouted] with one voice from all of them” (an idiom).


Or “clerk.” The “scribe” ( γραμματεύς , grammateu" ) was the keeper of the city’s records.


This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος ( anqrwpo" ).


See BDAG 670 s.v. νεωκόρος . The city is described as the “warden” or “guardian” of the goddess and her temple.


Or “from the sky” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”). sn The expression fell from heaven adds a note of apologetic about the heavenly origin of the goddess. The city’s identity and well-being was wrapped up with this connection, in their view. Many interpreters view her image that fell from heaven as a stone meteorite regarded as a sacred object.


Grk “these things.”


The genitive absolute construction with the participle ὄντων ( ontwn ) has been translated as a causal adverbial participle. On the term translated “indisputable” see BDAG 68-69 s.v. ἀναντίρρητος which has “ not to be contradicted, undeniable .”


Grk “it is necessary that you be quiet.”


L&N 88.98 has “pertaining to impetuous and reckless behavior – ‘reckless, impetuous.’…‘so then, you must calm down and not do anything reckless’ Ac 19:36 .” The city secretary was asking that order be restored.


Or perhaps, “desecrators of temples.”


BDAG 600 s.v. λόγος 1.a. ε has “ ἔχειν πρός τινα λόγον have a complaint against someone … 19:38 .”


L&N 56.1 has ‘if Demetrius and his workers have an accusation against someone, the courts are open’ Ac 19:38 .”


The word “there” is not in the Greek text but is implied. The official’s request is that the legal system be respected.


Or “anything more than this.”


Or “resolved.”


Or “in a legal meeting of the citizens.” L&N 30.81 has “ ἐν τῇ ἐννόμῳ ἐκκλησίᾳ ἐπιλυθήσεται ‘it will have to be settled in a legal meeting of the citizens’ Ac 19:39 .” This meeting took place three times a year.


Grk “For indeed.” The ascensive force of καί ( kai ) would be awkward to translate here.


The term translated “rioting” refers to a revolt or uprising (BDAG 940 s.v. στάσις 2, 3). This would threaten Roman rule and invite Roman intervention.


Or “to account for.” Grk “since there is no cause concerning which we can give account concerning this disorderly gathering.” The complexity of the Greek relative clause (“which”) and the multiple prepositions (“concerning”) have been simplified in the translation consistent with contemporary English style.


Or “commotion.” BDAG 979 s.v. συστροφή 1 gives the meaning “a tumultuous gathering of people, disorderly/seditious gathering or commotion … Ac 19:40 .”


Grk “And after.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί ( kai ) has not been translated here.


Grk “And saying.” The participle εἰπών ( eipwn ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “these things.”


Or “exhorting.”


Or “and taking leave of them.”


BDAG 633 s.v. μέρος 1.b. γ gives the meanings “ the parts (of a geographical area), region, district ,” but the use of “district” in this context probably implies too much specificity.


Grk “and encouraging them with many words.” The participle παρακαλέσας ( parakalesa" , “encouraging”) has been translated by the phrase “spoken…words of encouragement” because the formal equivalent is awkward in contemporary English.


Grk “[to] them”; the referent (the believers there) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


In popular usage the term translated “Greece” here could also refer to the Roman province officially known as Achaia (BDAG 318 s.v. ῾Ελλάς ).


BDAG 841 s.v. ποιέω 5.c, “w. an acc. of time spend, stay .”


The participle βενομένης ( benomenh" ) has been translated as a causal adverbial participle. L&N 30.71 has “ ἐπιβουλῆς αὐτῷ ὑπὸ τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων ‘because the Jews had made a plot against him’ Ac 20:3 .”


BDAG 628 s.v. μέλλω 1.c. γ has “denoting an intended action: intend, propose, have in mind … Ac 17:31; 20:3, 7, 13 ab; 23:15; 26:2; 27:30 .”


BDAG 62 s.v. ἀνάγω 4 gives “ put out to sea ” here (as a nautical technical term). However, since the English expression “put out to sea” could be understood to mean Paul was already aboard the ship (which is not clear from the context), the simpler expression “sail” is used at this point in the translation.


BDAG 199 s.v. γίνομαι 7 has “ ἐγένετο γνώμης he decided Ac 20:3 .”


Grk “He”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Grk “of the Thessalonians.” map For location see JP1-C1 ; JP2-C1 ; JP3-C1 ; JP4-C1 .


Grk “and Gaius,” but this καί ( kai ) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.


Grk “the Asians Tychicus and Trophimus.” In the NT “Asia” always refers to the Roman province of Asia, made up of about one-third of the west and southwest end of modern Asia Minor. Asia lay to the west of the region of Phrygia and Galatia. The words “the province of” are supplied to indicate to the modern reader that this does not refer to the continent of Asia.


Grk “These, having gone on ahead, were waiting.” The participle προελθόντες ( proelqonte" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


For location see JP1-C1 ; JP2-C1 ; JP3-C1 ; JP4-C1 .


BDAG 160 s.v. ἄχρι 1.a. α has “ ἄ . ἡμερῶν πέντε within five days Ac 20:6 .”


Grk “to them”; the referent (the others mentioned in v. 4 ) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Or “assembled.”


The verb διαλέγομαι ( dialegomai ) is frequently used of Paul addressing Jews in the synagogue. As G. Schrenk ( TDNT 2:94-95) points out, “What is at issue is the address which any qualified member of a synagogue might give.” Other examples of this may be found in the NT in Matt 4:23 and Mark 1:21 . In the context of a Christian gathering, it is preferable to translate διελέγετο ( dielegeto ) simply as “speak” here. The imperfect verb διελέγετο has been translated as an ingressive imperfect.


Or “prolonged.”


More commonly λαμπάς ( lampa" ) means “torch,” but here according to BDAG 585 s.v. λαμπάς 2, “ lamp …w. a wick and space for oil.”


This window was probably a simple opening in the wall (see also BDAG 462 s.v. θυρίς ).


Grk “sinking into a deep sleep.” BDAG 529 s.v. καταφέρω 3 has “ ὕπνῳ βαθεῖ sink into a deep sleep … Ac 20:9 a.” The participle καταφερόμενος ( kataferomeno" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


The participle διαλεγομένου ( dialegomenou ) has been taken temporally.


BDAG 529 s.v. καταφέρω 3 has “ κατενεχθεὶς ἀπὸ τοῦ ὔπνου overwhelmed by sleep vs. 9b,” but this expression is less common in contemporary English than phrases like “fast asleep” or “sound asleep.”


Grk “going down.” The participle καταβάς ( katabas ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


BDAG 377 s.v. ἐπιπίπτω 1.b has “ ἐπέπεσεν αὐτῷ he threw himself upon him Ac 20:10 .”


Grk “on him”; the referent (the young man) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


BDAG 959 s.v. συμπεριλαμβάνω has “to throw one’s arms around, embrace w. acc. to be supplied Ac 20:10 .” However, “embraced the young man” might be taken (out of context) to have erotic implications, while “threw his arms around him” would be somewhat redundant since “threw” has been used in the previous phrase.


Grk “for his life is in him” (an idiom).


Grk “he”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Grk “going back upstairs.” The participle ἀναβάς ( anabas ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “talking with them.” The participle ὁμιλήσας ( Jomilhsas ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “were not to a moderate degree” (an idiom). L&N 78.11 states: “ μετρίως : a moderate degree of some activity or state – ‘moderately, to a moderate extent.’ ἤγαγον δὲ τὸν παῖδα ζῶντα , καὶ παρεκλήθησαν οὐ μετρίωθς ‘they took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted’ Ac 20:12 . In Ac 20:12 the phrase οὐ μετρίως , literally ‘not to a moderate degree,’ is equivalent to a strong positive statement, namely, ‘greatly’ or ‘to a great extent.’”


Grk “going on ahead.” The participle προελθόντες ( proelqonte" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


BDAG 62 s.v. ἀνάγω 4, “as a nautical t.t. ( ἀ . τὴν ναῦν put a ship to sea), mid. or pass. ἀνάγεσθαι to begin to go by boat, put out to sea .”


BDAG 628 s.v. μέλλω 1.c. γ has “denoting an intended action: intend, propose, have in mind … Ac 17:31; 20:3, 7, 13 ab; 23:15; 26:2; 27:30 .”


Or “for he told us to do this.” Grk “for having arranged it this way, he.” The participle διατεταγμένος ( diatetagmeno" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. BDAG 237 s.v. διατάσσω 1 has “ οὕτως διατεταγμένος ἦν he had arranged it so Ac 20:13 .” L&N 15.224 has “‘he told us to do this.”


A new sentence was begun here in the translation because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence; in Greek this is part of the preceding sentence beginning “We went on ahead.”


Or “there on foot.”


Grk “taking him aboard, we.” The participle ἀναλαβόντες ( analabonte" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “setting sail from there.” The participle ἀποπλεύσαντες ( apopleusante" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Or “offshore from Chios.” sn Chios was an island in the Aegean Sea off the western coast of Asia Minor with a city of the same name.


Or “crossed over to,” “arrived at.” L&N 54.12 has “ παραβάλλω : (a technical, nautical term) to sail up to or near – ‘to approach, to arrive at, to sail to.’ παρεβάλομεν εἰς Σάμον ‘we approached Samos’ or ‘we arrived at Samos’ Ac 20:15 .”


For location see JP1-D2 ; JP2-D2 ; JP3-D2 ; JP4-D2 .


Grk “so that he might not have to spend time.” L&N 67.79 has “ ὅπως μὴ γένηται αὐτῷ χρονοτριβῆσαι ἐν τῇ ᾿Ασίᾳ ‘so as not to spend any time in the province of Asia’ Ac 20:16 .”


Grk “Asia”; in the NT this always refers to the Roman province of Asia, made up of about one-third of the west and southwest end of modern Asia Minor. Asia lay to the west of the region of Phrygia and Galatia. The words “the province of” are supplied to indicate to the modern reader that this does not refer to the continent of Asia.


Or “was eager.”


For location see Map5-B1 ; Map6-F3 ; Map7-E2 ; Map8-F2 ; Map10-B3 ; JP1-F4 ; JP2-F4 ; JP3-F4 ; JP4-F4 .


Grk “if it could be to him” (an idiom).


The words “a message” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.


The words “to him” are not in the Greek text but are implied. L&N 33.311 has for the verb μετακαλέομαι ( metakaleomai ) “to summon someone, with considerable insistence and authority – ‘to summon, to tell to come.’”


Grk “You yourselves know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time.” This could be understood to mean “how I stayed with you the whole time,” but the following verses make it clear that Paul’s lifestyle while with the Ephesians is in view here. Thus the translation “how I lived the whole time I was with you” makes this clear.


Or “I arrived.” BDAG 367 s.v. ἐπιβαίνω 2, “ set foot in… εἰς τ . ᾿Ασίαν set foot in Asia Ac 20:18 .” However, L&N 15.83 removes the idiom: “you know that since the first day that I came to Asia.”


Grk “Asia”; see the note on this word in v. 16 .


Or “declaring.”


Or “profitable.” BDAG 960 s.v. συμφέρω 2.b. α has “ τὰ συμφέροντα what advances your best interests or what is good for you Ac 20:20 ,” but the broader meaning (s.v. 2 , “to be advantageous, help, confer a benefit, be profitable / useful ”) is equally possible in this context.


Or “openly.”


BDAG 233 s.v. διαμαρτύρομαι 1 has “ testify of, bear witness to (orig. under oath)…of repentance to Judeans and Hellenes Ac 20:21 .”


Grk “And now, behold.” Here ἰδού ( idou ) has not been translated.


Grk “bound.”


BDAG 965 s.v. συναντάω 2 has τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ συναντήσοντα ἐμοὶ μὴ εἰδώς without knowing what will happen to me there Ac 20:22 .”


BDAG 826 s.v. πλήν 1.d has “ πλὴν ὅτι except that … Ac 20:23 .”


The verb διαμαρτύρομαι ( diamarturomai ) can mean “warn” (BDAG 233 s.v. διαμαρτύρομαι 2 has “ solemnly urge, exhort, warn …w. dat. of pers. addressed”), and this meaning better fits the context here, although BDAG categorizes Acts 20:23 under the meaning “ testify of, bear witness to ” (s.v. 1 ).


The Greek text here reads κατὰ πόλιν ( kata polin ).


Grk “saying that,” but the participle λέγον ( legon ) is redundant in English and has not been translated.


Grk “bonds.”


Or “troubles,” “suffering.” See Acts 19:21; 21:4, 11 .


Grk “soul.”


Or “I do not consider my life worth a single word.” According to BDAG 599 s.v. λόγος 1.a. α , “In the textually uncertain pass. Ac 20:24 the text as it stands in N., οὐδενὸς λόγου (v.l. λόγον ) ποιοῦμαι τὴν ψυχὴν τιμίαν , may well mean: I do not consider my life worth a single word (cp. λόγου ἄξιον [ ἄξιος 1a] and our ‘worth mention’).”


BDAG 1106 s.v. ὡς 9 describes this use as “a final particle, expressing intention/purpose, with a view to, in order to .”


Grk “course.” See L&N 42.26, “(a figurative extension of meaning of δρόμος ‘race’) a task or function involving continuity, serious, effort, and possibly obligation – ‘task, mission’… Ac 20:24 .” On this Pauline theme see also Phil 1:19-26 ; Col 1:24 ; 2 Tim 4:6-7 .


Or “to the gospel.”


Grk “all of you…will not see.” Greek handles its negation somewhat differently from English, and the translation follows English grammatical conventions.


Grk “will see my face” (an idiom for seeing someone in person).


Or “testify.”


Grk “clean, pure,” thus “guiltless” (BDAG 489 s.v. καθαρός 3.a). sn I am innocent. Paul had a clear conscience, since he had faithfully carried out his responsibility of announcing to (the Ephesians) the whole purpose of God.


That is, “that if any of you should be lost, I am not responsible” (an idiom). According to L&N 33.223, the meaning of the phrase “that I am innocent of the blood of all of you” is “that if any of you should be lost, I am not responsible.” However, due to the length of this phrase and its familiarity to many modern English readers, the translation was kept closer to formal equivalence in this case. The word “you” is not in the Greek text, but is implied; Paul is addressing the Ephesian congregation (in the person of its elders) in both v. 25 and 27 .


Or “did not avoid.” BDAG 1041 s.v. ὑποστέλλω 2.b has “ shrink from, avoid implying fear… οὐ γὰρ ὑπεστειλάμην τοῦ μὴ ἀναγγεῖλαι I did not shrink from proclaiming Ac 20:27 ”; L&N 13.160 has “to hold oneself back from doing something, with the implication of some fearful concern – ‘to hold back from, to shrink from, to avoid’…‘for I have not held back from announcing to you the whole purpose of God’ Ac 20:27 .”


Or “proclaiming,” “declaring.”


Or “plan.”


Or “Be on your guard for” (cf. v. 29 ). Paul completed his responsibility to the Ephesians with this warning.


Grk “in which.”


Or “guardians.” BDAG 379-80 s.v. ἐπίσκοπος 2 states, “The term was taken over in Christian communities in ref. to one who served as overseer or supervisor , with special interest in guarding the apostolic tradition… Ac 20:28 .” This functional term describes the role of the elders (see v. 17 ). They were to guard and shepherd the congregation.


A C* D E Ψ 33 1739 al co), while the majority of the later minuscule mss conflate these two into “of the Lord and God” ( τοῦ κυρίου καὶ [ τοῦ ] θεοῦ , tou kuriou kai [ tou ] qeou ). Although the evidence is evenly balanced between the first two readings, τοῦ θεοῦ is decidedly superior on internal grounds. The final prepositional phrase of this verse, διὰ τοῦ αἵματος τοῦ ἰδίου ( dia tou {aimato" tou idiou ), could be rendered “through his own blood” or “through the blood of his own.” In the latter translation, the object that “own” modifies must be supplied (see tn below for discussion). But this would not be entirely clear to scribes; those who supposed that ἰδίου modified αἵματος would be prone to alter “God” to “Lord” to avoid the inference that God had blood. In a similar way, later scribes would be prone to conflate the two titles, thereby affirming the deity (with the construction τοῦ κυρίου καὶ θεοῦ following the Granville Sharp rule and referring to a single person [see ExSyn 272, 276-77, 290]) and substitutionary atonement of Christ. For these reasons, τοῦ θεοῦ best explains the rise of the other readings and should be considered authentic.


Or “acquired.”


Or “with his own blood”; Grk “with the blood of his own.” The genitive construction could be taken in two ways: (1) as an attributive genitive (second attributive position) meaning “his own blood”; or (2) as a possessive genitive, “with the blood of his own.” In this case the referent is the Son, and the referent has been specified in the translation for clarity. See further C. F. DeVine, “The Blood of God,” CBQ 9 (1947): 381-408. sn That he obtained with the blood of his own Son. This is one of only two explicit statements in Luke-Acts highlighting the substitutionary nature of Christ’s death (the other is in Luke 22:19 ).


Grk “after my departure.”


That is, people like fierce wolves. See BDAG 167-68 s.v. βαρύς 4 on the term translated “fierce.” The battle that will follow would be a savage one.


Grk “from among yourselves.”


The Greek term here is ἀνήρ ( anhr ), which only rarely is used in a generic sense to refer to both males and females. Since Paul is speaking to the Ephesian elders at this point and there is nothing in the context to suggest women were included in that group (“from among your own group”), it is most likely Paul was not predicting that these false teachers would include women.


Grk “speaking crooked things”; BDAG 237 s.v. διαστρέφω 2 has “ λαλεῖν διεστραμμένα teach perversions (of the truth) Ac 20:30 .” sn These perversions of the truth refer to the kinds of threats that would undermine repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. v. 21 ). Instead these false teachers would arise from within the Ephesian congregation (cf. 1 John 2:18-19 ) and would seek to draw the disciples away after them .


Or “be watchful.”


Or “admonishing.”


Or “commend.” BDAG 772 s.v. παρατίθημι 3.b has “ τινά τινι entrust someone to the care or protection of someone …Of divine protection παρέθεντο αὐτοὺς τῷ κυρίῳ Ac 14:23 ; cp. 20:32 .”


Grk “word.”


Grk “the message of his grace, which.” The phrase τῷ δυναμένῳ οἰκοδομῆσαι … ( tw dunamenw oikodomhsai …) refers to τῷ λόγω ( tw logw ), not τῆς χάριτος ( ths caritos ); in English it could refer to either “the message” or “grace,” but in Greek, because of agreement in gender, the referent can only be “the message.” To make this clear, a new sentence was begun in the translation and the referent “the message” was repeated at the beginning of this new sentence.


Traditionally, “coveted.” BDAG 371 s.v. ἐπιθυμέω 1 has “to have a strong desire to do or secure someth., desire, long for w. gen. of the thing desired…silver, gold, clothing Ac 20:33 .” The traditional term “covet” is not in common usage and difficult for many modern English readers to understand. The statement affirms Paul’s integrity. He was not doing this for personal financial gain.


The words “of mine” are not in the Greek text, but are supplied to clarify whose hands Paul is referring to.


Or “must assist.”


Or “the sick.” See Eph 4:28 .


Grk “And when.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί ( kai ) has not been translated here.


Grk “kneeling down…he prayed.” The participle θείς ( qeis ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “weeping a great deal,” thus “loudly” (BDAG 472 s.v. ἱκανός and BDAG 546 s.v. κλαυθμός ).


Grk “fell on Paul’s neck” (an idiom, see BDAG 1014 s.v. τράχηλος ).


Or “pained.”


Grk “by the word that he had said.”


Grk “to see his face” (an idiom for seeing someone in person).


BDAG 873 s.v. προπέμπω 1 has “ they accompanied him to the ship Ac 20:38 .”


Grk “It happened that when.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο ( egeneto , “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated. Since the action described by the participle ἀποσπασθέντας ( apospasqenta" , “tearing ourselves away”) is prior to the departure of the ship, it has been translated as antecedent action (“after”).


BDAG 120 s.v. ἀποσπάω 2.b has “pass. in mid. sense ἀ . ἀπό τινος tear oneself away Ac 21:1 ”; LSJ 218 gives several illustrations of this verb meaning “ to tear or drag away from.”


BDAG 62 s.v. ἀνάγω 4, “as a nautical t.t. ( ἀ . τὴν ναῦν put a ship to sea), mid. or pass. ἀνάγεσθαι to begin to go by boat, put out to sea .”


BDAG 406 s.v. εὐθυδρομέω has “of a ship run a straight course ”; L&N 54.3 has “to sail a straight course, sail straight to.”


Grk “and finding.” The participle εὑρόντες ( Jeuronte" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. Because of the length of the Greek sentence, the conjunction καί ( kai ) has not been translated here. Instead a new English sentence is begun in the translation.


Grk “going aboard, we put out to sea.” The participle ἐπιβάντες ( epibante" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


BDAG 531 s.v. κατέρχομαι 2 states, “ arrive, put in, nautical t.t. of ships and those who sail in them, who ‘come down’ fr. the ‘high seas’… ἔις τι at someth. a harbor 18:22; 21:3; 27:5 .”


BDAG 78 s.v. ἀνευρίσκω has “ look/search for (w. finding presupposed) τινά … τοὺς μαθητάς Ac 21:4 .” The English verb “locate,” when used in reference to persons, has the implication of both looking for and finding someone. The participle ἀνευρόντες ( aneuronte" ) has been taken temporally.


BDAG 154 s.v. αὐτοῦ states, “deictic adv. designating a position relatively near or far… there … Ac 21:4 .”


The imperfect verb ἔλεγον ( elegon ) has been taken iteratively.


BDAG 367 s.v. ἐπιβαίνω places Ac 21:4 under 1, “ go up/upon, mount, board … πλοίῳ … Ac 27:2 …Abs. go on board, embark … 21:1 D, 2. – So perh. also ἐ . εἰς ᾿Ιεροσόλυμα embark for Jerusalem (i.e. to the seaport of Caesarea) vs. 4.” BDAG notes, however, “But this pass. may also belong to 2. to move to an area and be there, set foot in .” Because the message from the disciples to Paul through the Holy Spirit has the character of a warning, the latter meaning has been adopted for this translation.


For location see Map5-B1 ; Map6-F3 ; Map7-E2 ; Map8-F2 ; Map10-B3 ; JP1-F4 ; JP2-F4 ; JP3-F4 ; JP4-F4 .


Grk “It happened that when.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο ( egeneto , “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.


Grk “When our days were over.” L&N 67.71 has “ ὅτε δὲ ἐγένετο ἡμᾶς ἐξαρτίσαι τὰς ἡμέρας ‘when we brought that time to an end’ or ‘when our time with them was over’ Ac 21:5 .”


Grk “accompanying.” Due to the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was begun in the translation and the participle προπεμπόντων ( propempontwn ) translated as a finite verb.


Grk “city, and after.” Because of the length of the Greek sentence, the conjunction καί ( kai ) has not been translated here. Instead a new English sentence is begun.


BDAG 98 s.v. ἀπασπάζομαι has “ take leave of, say farewell to τινά someone … ἀπησπασάμεθα ἀλλήλους we said farewell to one another Ac 21:6 .”


Grk “and.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was begun in the translation, and καί ( kai ) has been translated as “then” to indicate the logical sequence.


Grk “On the next day leaving, we came.” The participle ἐξελθόντες ( exelqonte" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “and entering…we stayed.” The participle εἰσελθόντες ( eiselqonte" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “virgin.” While the term παρθένος ( parqeno" ) can refer to a woman who has never had sexual relations, the emphasis in this context seems to be on the fact that Philip’s daughters were not married (L&N 9.39).


BDAG 848 s.v. πολύς 1.b. α has “ ἐπὶ ἡμέρας πλείους for a (large) number of days, for many days … Ac 13:31 . – 21:10 …24:17; 25:14; 27:20 .”


Grk “And coming.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί ( kai ) has not been translated here. The participle ἐλθών ( elqwn ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “and taking.” This καί ( kai ) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more. The participle ἄρας ( aras ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


The participle δήσας ( dhsas ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


The words “with it” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.


Grk “and will deliver him over into the hands of” (a Semitic idiom). sn The Jews…will tie up…and will hand him over. As later events will show, the Jews in Jerusalem did not personally tie Paul up and hand him over to the Gentiles, but their reaction to him was the cause of his arrest ( Acts 21:27-36 ).


Or “the people there.”


The term translated “breaking” as used by Josephus ( Ant. 10.10.4 [10.207]) means to break something into pieces, but in its only NT use (it is a hapax legomenon ) it is used figuratively (BDAG 972 s.v. συνθρύπτω ).


L&N 18.13 has “to tie objects together – ‘to tie, to tie together, to tie up.’” The verb δέω ( dew ) is sometimes figurative for imprisonment (L&N 37.114), but it is preferable to translate it literally here in light of v. 11 where Agabus tied himself up with Paul’s belt.


The participle πειθομένου ( peiqomenou ) in this genitive absolute construction has been translated as a causal adverbial participle.


Grk “we became silent, saying.”


Or “we made preparations.”


Grk “were going up”; the imperfect verb ἀνεβαίνομεν ( anebainomen ) has been translated as an ingressive imperfect. sn In colloquial speech Jerusalem was always said to be “ up ” from any other location in Palestine. The group probably covered the 65 mi (105 km) in two days using horses. Their arrival in Jerusalem marked the end of Paul’s third missionary journey.


Grk “to Mnason…”; the words “the house of” are not in the Greek text, but are implied by the verb ξενισθῶμεν ( xenisqwmen ).


Or perhaps, “Mnason of Cyprus, one of the original disciples.” BDAG 137 s.v. ἀρχαῖος 1 has “ ἀ . μαθητής a disciple of long standing (perh. original disc. ) Ac 21:16 .”


Or “warmly” (see BDAG 144 s.v. ἀσμένως ).


BDAG 760 s.v. παραγίνομαι 1 has this use under the broad category of meaning “ draw near, come, arrive, be present .” sn All the elders were there. This meeting shows how the Jerusalem church still regarded Paul and his mission with favor, but also with some concerns because of the rumors circulating about his actions.


Grk “he”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Or “to report,” “to describe.” The imperfect verb ἐξηγεῖτο ( exhgeito ) has been translated as an ingressive imperfect.


BDAG 293 s.v. εἷς 5.e has “ καθ᾿ ἕν one after the other (hence τὸ καθ᾿ ἕν ‘a detailed list’: PLille 11, 8 [III bc]; PTebt. 47, 34; 332, 16) J 21:25 . Also καθ᾿ ἕν ἕκαστον … Ac 21:19 .”


Or “glorified.”


Grk “how many thousands there are among the Jews.” sn How many thousands of Jews. See Acts 2-5 for the accounts of their conversion, esp. 2:41 and 4:4 . Estimates of the total number of Jews living in Jerusalem at the time range from 20,000 to 50,000.


Or “are all zealous for the law.” BDAG 427 s.v. ζηλωτής 1.a. β has “of thing… τοῦ νόμου an ardent observer of the law Ac 21:20 .”


BDAG 511 s.v. κατά B.1.a has “ τοὺς κ . τὰ ἔθνη ᾿Ιουδαίους the Judeans (dispersed) throughout the nations 21:21.” The Jews in view are not those in Palestine, but those who are scattered throughout the Gentile world.


Or “to forsake,” “to rebel against.” BDAG 120 s.v. ἀποστασία has “ ἀποστασίαν διδάσκεις ἀπὸ Μωϋσέως you teach (Judeans) to abandon Moses Ac 21:21 .” sn The charge that Paul was teaching Jews in the Diaspora to abandon Moses was different from the issue faced in , where the question was whether Gentiles needed to become like Jews first in order to become Christians. The issue also appears in Acts 24:5-6, 13-21; 25:8 .


Grk “or walk.”


L&N 71.16 has “pertaining to being in every respect certain – ‘certainly, really, doubtless, no doubt.’…‘they will no doubt hear that you have come’ Ac 21:22 .”


Grk “do this that.”


Grk “There are four men here.”


L&N 33.469 has “‘there are four men here who have taken a vow’ or ‘we have four men who…’ Ac 21:23 .”


On the term for “vow,” see BDAG 416 s.v. εὐχή 2.


L&N 57.146 has “ δαπάνησον ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῖς ‘pay their expenses’ Ac 21:24 .”


The future middle indicative has causative force here. BDAG 686 s.v. ξυράω has “mid. have oneself shaved … τὴν κεφαλήν have one ’ s head shaved … Ac 21:24 .” sn Having their heads shaved probably involved ending a voluntary Nazirite vow ( Num 6:14-15 ).


Grk “and.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was begun in the translation, and καί ( kai ) has been translated as “then” to indicate the logical sequence.


The verb here describes a report or some type of information (BDAG 534 s.v. κατηχέω 1).


Grk “adhere to the keeping of the law.” L&N 41.12 has “ στοιχέω : to live in conformity with some presumed standard or set of customs – ‘to live, to behave in accordance with.’”


L&N 13.154 has “‘having decided that they must keep themselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from an animal that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality’ Ac 21:25 .” sn Having decided refers here to the decision of the Jerusalem council ( Acts 15:6-21 ). Mention of this previous decision reminds the reader that the issue here is somewhat different: It is not whether Gentiles must first become Jews before they can become Christians (as in ), but whether Jews who become Christians should retain their Jewish practices. Sensitivity to this issue would suggest that Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians might engage in different practices.


This is a different Greek word than the one used in Acts 15:20, 29 . BDAG 1068 s.v. φυλάσσω 3 has “to be on one’s guard against , look out for, avoid…w. acc. of pers. or thing avoided… Ac 21:25 .” The Greek word used in Acts 15:20, 29 is ἀπέχω ( apecw ). The difference in meaning, although slight, has been maintained in the translation.


There is no specific semantic component in the Greek word εἰδωλόθυτος that means “meat” (see BDAG 280 s.v. εἰδωλόθυτος ; L&N 5.15). The stem – θυτος means “sacrifice” (referring to an animal sacrificially killed) and thereby implies meat.


BDAG 422 s.v. ἔχω 11.b. β has “temporal, to be next, immediately following … τῇ ἐχομένῃ … on the next day Lk 13:33 … Ac 20:15 ; w. ἡμέρᾳ added… 21:26 .”


That is, after he had undergone ritual cleansing. The aorist passive participle ἁγνισθείς ( Jagnisqei" ) has been taken temporally of antecedent action.


Grk “entered the temple, giving notice.” The participle διαγγέλλων ( diangellwn ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “until” (BDAG 423 s.v. ἕως 1.b. β . א ), but since in English it is somewhat awkward to say “the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice would be offered,” the temporal clause was translated “when the sacrifice would be offered.” The point is that the sacrifice would be offered when the days were completed. Paul honored the request of the Jewish Christian leadership completely. As the following verse makes clear, the vow was made for seven days.


Grk “for each one.”


BDAG 975 s.v. συντελέω 4 has “to come to an end of a duration, come to an end, be over … Ac 21:27 .”


Grk “Asia”; in the NT this always refers to the Roman province of Asia, made up of about one-third of the west and southwest end of modern Asia Minor. Asia lay to the west of the region of Phrygia and Galatia. The words “the province of” are supplied to indicate to the modern reader that this does not refer to the continent of Asia. sn Note how there is a sense of Paul being pursued from a distance. These Jews may well have been from Ephesus, since they recognized Trophimus the Ephesian (v. 29 ).


Grk “in the temple.” See the note on the word “temple” in v. 28 .


Or “threw the whole crowd into consternation.” L&N 25.221 has “ συνέχεον πάντα τὸν ὄχλον ‘they threw the whole crowd into consternation’ Ac 21:27 . It is also possible to render the expression in Ac 21:27 as ‘they stirred up the whole crowd.’”


Grk “and laid hands on.”


Or “Israelite men,” although this is less natural English. The Greek term here is ἀνήρ ( anhr ), which only exceptionally is used in a generic sense of both males and females. In this context, it is conceivable that this is a generic usage since “the whole crowd” is mentioned in v. 27 , although it can also be argued that these remarks were addressed primarily to the men present, even if women were there.


Grk “this place.” sn This sanctuary refers to the temple. The charges were not new, but were similar to those made against Stephen ( Acts 6:14 ) and Jesus ( Luke 23:2 ).


BDAG 400 s.v. ἔτι 2.b has “ ἔ . δὲ καί furthermore …al. ἔ . τε καί … Lk 14:26 ; Ac 21:28 .” This is a continuation of the same sentence in Greek, but due to the length and complexity of the Greek sentence and the tendency of contemporary English to use shorter sentences, a new sentence was begun here in the translation.


Grk “into the temple.” The specific reference is to the Court of the Sons of Israel (see the note following the term “unclean” at the end of this verse). To avoid giving the modern reader the impression that they entered the temple building itself, the phrase “the inner courts of the temple” has been used in the translation.


Or “and has defiled this holy place.” sn Has brought Greeks…unclean. Note how the issue is both religious and ethnic, showing a different attitude by the Jews. A Gentile was not permitted to enter the inner temple precincts (contrast Eph 2:11-22 ). According to Josephus ( Ant. 15.11.5 [15.417]; J. W. 5.5.2 [5.193], cf. 5.5.6 [5.227]), the inner temple courts (the Court of the Women, the Court of the Sons of Israel, and the Court of the Priests) were raised slightly above the level of the Court of the Gentiles and were surrounded by a wall about 5 ft (1.5 m) high. Notices in both Greek and Latin (two of which have been discovered) warned that any Gentiles who ventured into the inner courts would be responsible for their own deaths. See also Philo, Embassy 31 (212). In m. Middot 2:3 this wall was called “ soreq ” and according to m. Sanhedrin 9:6 the stranger who trespassed beyond the soreq would die by the hand of God.


Grk “whom.”


On the phrase “inner temple courts” see the note on the word “temple” in v. 28 . sn This is a parenthetical note by the author. The note explains the cause of the charge and also notes that it was false.


On this term see BDAG 545 s.v. κινέω 2.b.


Or “the people formed a mob.” BDAG 967 s.v. συνδρομή has “formation of a mob by pers. running together, running together … ἐγένετο σ . τοῦ λαοῦ the people rushed together Ac 21:30 .”


Grk “and seizing.” The participle ἐπιλαβόμενοι ( epilabomenoi ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was begun in the translation, and καί ( kai ) has not been translated here.


Grk “out of the temple.” See the note on the word “temple” in v. 28 .


Grk “seeking.”


Or “information” (originally concerning a crime; BDAG 1050 s.v. φάσις ).


Grk “went up”; this verb is used because the report went up to the Antonia Fortress where the Roman garrison was stationed.


Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). In Greek the term χιλίαρχος ( ciliarco" ) literally described the “commander of a thousand,” but it was used as the standard translation for the Latin tribunus militum or tribunus militare , the military tribune who commanded a cohort of 600 men.


BDAG 953 s.v. συγχέω has “Pass. w. act.force be in confusion … ὅλη συγχύννεται ᾿Ιερουσαλήμ 21:31 .”


Grk “who.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence and the tendency of contemporary English to use shorter sentences, the relative pronoun (“who”) was translated as a pronoun (“he”) and a new sentence was begun here in the translation.


Grk “taking…ran down.” The participle κατέδραμεν ( katedramen ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “to them”; the referent (the crowd) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Grk “seeing.” The participle ἰδόντες ( idonte" ) has been taken temporally.


Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. 31 .


Grk “seized.”


The two chains would be something like handcuffs (BDAG 48 s.v. ἅλυσις and compare Acts 28:20 ).


Grk “and he.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was begun in the translation, and καί ( kai ) has been replaced with a semicolon. “Then” has been supplied after “he” to clarify the logical sequence.


Grk “and what it is”; this has been simplified to “what.”


L&N 33.77 has “ ἄλλοι δὲ ἄλλο τι ἐπεφώνουν ἐν τῷ ὄχλῳ ‘some in the crowd shouted one thing; others, something else’ Ac 21:34 .”


Grk “he”; the referent (the commanding officer) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


This genitive absolute construction has been translated temporally; it could also be taken causally: “and since the commanding officer was unable to find out the truth.”


Or “find out what had happened”; Grk “the certainty” (BDAG 147 s.v. ἀσφαλής 2).


Or “clamor,” “uproar” (BDAG 458 s.v. θόρυβος ).


Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Or “the headquarters.” BDAG 775 s.v. παρεμβολή 2 has “ barracks/headquarters of the Roman troops in Jerusalem Ac 21:34, 37; 22:24; 23:10, 16, 32 .”


Grk “he”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


This refers to mob violence (BDAG 175 s.v. βία b).


Grk “the multitude of people.” While πλῆθος ( plhqo" ) is articular, it has been translated “a crowd” since it was probably a subset of the larger mob that gathered in v. 30 .


The word “them” is not in the Greek text but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.


Grk “says” (a historical present).


Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers) See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. 31 .


Grk “Is it permitted for me to say” (an idiom).


Grk “He”; the referent (the officer) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Grk “said.”


L&N 39.41 has “ οὐκ ἄρα σὺ εἶ ὁ Αἰγύπτιος ὁ πρὸ τούτων τῶν ἡμερῶν ἀναστατώσας ‘then you are not that Egyptian who some time ago started a rebellion’ Ac 21:38 .”


Grk “of the Sicarii .” sn The term ‘ Assassins ’ is found several times in the writings of Josephus ( J. W. 2.13.3 [2.254-257]; Ant. 20.8.10 [20.186]). It was the name of the most fanatical group among the Jewish nationalists, very hostile to Rome, who did not hesitate to assassinate their political opponents. They were named Sicarii in Latin after their weapon of choice, the short dagger or sicarius which could be easily hidden under one’s clothing. In effect, the officer who arrested Paul had thought he was dealing with a terrorist.


Or “desert.”


Grk “before these days.”


Grk “a Jewish man.”


Grk “of a not insignificant city.” The double negative, common in Greek, is awkward in English and has been replaced by a corresponding positive expression (BDAG 142 s.v. ἄσημος 1).


Grk “I beg you.”


The referent (the commanding officer) has been supplied here in the translation for clarity.


Grk “Giving him permission.” The participle ἐπιτρέψαντος ( epitreyanto" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “standing.” The participle ἑστώς ( Jestws ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Or “motioned.”


γενομένης ( genomenhs ) has been taken temporally. BDAG 922 s.v. σιγή has “ πολλῆς σιγῆς γενομένης when a great silence had fallen = when they had become silent Ac 21:40 .”


Or “spoke out to.” L&N 33.27 has “to address an audience, with possible emphasis upon loudness – ‘to address, to speak out to.’ πολλῆς δέ σιγῆς γενομένης προσεφώνησεν τῇ ᾿Εβραίδι διαλέκτῳ ‘when they were quiet, he addressed them in Hebrew’ Ac 21:40 .”


Grk “in the Hebrew dialect, saying.” This refers to the Aramaic spoken in Palestine in the 1st century (BDAG 270 s.v. ῾Εβραΐς ). The participle λέγων ( legwn ) is redundant in English and has not been translated.


The adverb νυνί ( nuni , “now”) is connected with the phrase τῆς πρὸς ὑμᾶς νυνὶ ἀπολογίας ( th" pro" Juma" nuni apologia" ) rather than the verb ἀκούσατε ( akousate ), and the entire construction (prepositional phrase plus adverb) is in first attributive position and thus translated into English by a relative clause.


ἀκούσαντες ( akousante" ) has been taken temporally.


Grk “in the Hebrew language.” See the note on “Aramaic” in 21:40 .


BDAG 613-14 s.v. μᾶλλον 1 “Abs. μ . can mean to a greater degree (than before) , even more, now more than ever Lk 5:15 ; Jn 5:18; 19:8 ; Ac 5:14; 22:2 ; 2 Cor 7:7 .”


BDAG 440 s.v. ἡσυχία 2 has “ παρέχειν ἡσυχίαν quiet down, give a hearing … Ac 22:2 .” sn This is best taken as a parenthetical note by the author.


Grk “and.” Since this represents a continuation of the speech begun in v. 1 , καί ( kai ) has been translated as “then” to indicate the logical sequence.


BDAG 74 s.v. ἀνατρέφω b has “of mental and spiritual nurture bring up, rear, train … ἀνατεθραμμένος ἐν τ . πόλει ταύτῃ 22:3 .”


Or “with precision.” Although often translated “strictly” this can be misunderstood for “solely” in English. BDAG 39 s.v. ἀκρίβεια gives the meaning as “ exactness, precision .” To avoid the potential misunderstanding the translation “with strictness” is used, although it is slightly more awkward than “strictly.”


Grk “strictly at the feet of” (an idiom).


Or “our forefathers.”


Grk “ancestors, being.” The participle ὑπάρχων ( Juparcwn ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


BDAG 427 s.v. ζηλωτής 1.a. α has “of pers. … ζ . τοῦ θεοῦ one who is loyal to God Ac 22:3 .”


Grk “who.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“who”) was translated by the first person pronoun (“I”) and a new sentence begun in the translation.


BDAG 442-43 s.v. θάνατος 1.a has “ διώκειν ἄχρι θανάτου persecute even to death Ac 22:4 .”


Grk “binding.” See Acts 8:3 .


BDAG 762 s.v. παραδίδωμι 1.b has “W. local εἰς … εἰς φυλακήν put in prison Ac 8:3 ; cp. 22:4 .”


That is, the whole Sanhedrin. BDAG 861 s.v. πρεσβυτέριον has “an administrative group concerned with the interests of a specific community, council of elders – a. of the highest Judean council in Jerusalem, in our lit. usu. called συνέδριον … ὁ ἀρχιερεύς καὶ πᾶν τὸ πρ . Ac 22:5 .”


Grk “from whom.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) was translated by the third person plural pronoun (“them”) and a new sentence begun in the translation.


Grk “receiving.” The participle δεξάμενος ( dexameno" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “letters to the brothers, [and] I was going to Damascus.” Such a translation, however, might be confusing since the term “brother” is frequently used of a fellow Christian. In this context, Paul is speaking about fellow Jews.


Grk “even there and bring…” or “there and even bring…” The ascensive καί ( kai ) shows that Paul was fervent in his zeal against Christians, but it is difficult to translate for it really belongs with the entire idea of arresting and bringing back the prisoners.


BDAG 221 s.v. δέω 1.b has “ δεδεμένον ἄγειν τινά bring someone as prisoner … Ac 9:2, 21; 22:5 .”


Grk “I was going…to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners that they might be punished.” map For location see Map5-B1 ; Map6-F3 ; Map7-E2 ; Map8-F2 ; Map10-B3 ; JP1-F4 ; JP2-F4 ; JP3-F4 ; JP4-F4 .


Grk “It happened that as.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο ( egeneto , “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.


Grk “going and nearing Damascus.” sn En route and near Damascus. This is the first retelling of Paul’s Damascus Road experience in Acts (cf. Acts 9:1-9 ; the second retelling is in Acts 26:9-20 ).


BDAG 472 s.v. ἱκανός 3.b has “ φῶς a very bright light Ac 22:6 .”


Or “from the sky” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).


Or “shone.”


This is a continuation of the same sentence in Greek using the connective τέ ( te ), but due to the length and complexity of the Greek sentence a new sentence was begun in the translation here. To indicate the logical sequence for the modern English reader, τέ was translated as “then.”


Grk “did not hear” (but see Acts 9:7 ). BDAG 38 s.v. ἀκούω 7 has “W. acc. τὸν νόμον understand the law Gal 4:21 ; perh. Ac 22:9; 26:14 …belong here.” If the word has this sense here, then a metonymy is present, since the lack of effect is put for a failure to appreciate what was heard.


Grk “So I said.”


Grk “Getting up.” The participle ἀναστάς ( anasta" ) is an adverbial participle of attendant circumstance and has been translated as a finite verb.


Grk “about all things.”


Or “assigned,” “ordered.” BDAG 991 s.v. τάσσω 2.a has “act. and pass., foll. by acc. w. inf.… περὶ πάντων ὧν τέτακταί σοι ποιῆσαι concerning everything that you have been ordered to do 22:10.” There is an allusion to a divine call and commission here.


BDAG 106 s.v. ἀπό 5.a has “ οὐκ ἐνέβλεπον ἀπὸ τῆς δόξης τοῦ φωτός I could not see because of the brilliance of the light Ac 22:11 .”


Or “brightness”; Grk “glory.”


Grk “by” ( ὑπό , Jupo ), but this would be too awkward in English following the previous “by.”


Grk “a certain Ananias.”


BDAG 534 s.v. κατοικέω 1.a translates this present participle “ ὑπὸ πάντων τῶν (sc. ἐκεῖ ) κατοικούντων ᾿Ιουδαίων by all the Jews who live there Ac 22:12 .”


Grk “coming.” The participle ἐλθών ( elqwn ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “coming to me and standing beside [me] said to me.” The participle ἐπιστάς ( epistas ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “Brother Saul, look up” (here an idiom for regaining one’s sight). BDAG 59 s.v. ἀναβλέπω places this usage under 1, “ look up Ac 22:13 a. W. εἰς αὐτόν to show the direction of the glance… 22:13 b; but perh. this vs. belongs under 2a.” BDAG 59 s.v. 2 .a. α states, “of blind persons, who were formerly able to see, regain sight .” The problem for the translator is deciding between the literal and the idiomatic usage and at the same time attempting to retain the wordplay in Acts 22:13 : “[Ananias] said to me, ‘Look up!’ and at that very moment I looked up to him.” The assumption of the command is that the effort to look up will be worth it (through the regaining of sight).


Grk “hour,” but ὥρα ( Jwra ) is often used for indefinite short periods of time (so BDAG 1102-3 s.v. ὥρα 2.c: “ αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ at that very time, at once, instantly … Lk 2:38, 24:33 ; Ac 16:18; 22:13 ”). A comparison with the account in Acts 9:18 indicates that this is clearly the meaning here.


Grk “I looked up to him.”


Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.” sn The expression God of our ancestors is a description of the God of Israel. The God of promise was at work again.


L&N 30.89 has “‘to choose in advance, to select beforehand, to designate in advance’…‘the God of our ancestors has already chosen you to know his will’ Ac 22:14 .”


Grk “and to see.” This καί ( kai ) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.


Or “a solemn declaration”; Grk “a voice.” BDAG 1071-72 s.v. φωνή 2.c states, “that which the voice gives expression to: call, cry, outcry, loud or solemn declaration (… = order, command)…Cp. 22:14; 24:21 .”


Or “a witness to him.” sn You will be his witness. See Acts 1:8; 13:31 . The following reference to all people stresses all nationalities ( Eph 3:7-9 ; Acts 9:15 ). Note also v. 21 .


Grk “all men,” but this is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος ( anqrwpo" ).


L&N 67.121 has “to extend time unduly, with the implication of lack of decision – ‘to wait, to delay.’ νῦν τί μέλλεις… ἀναστὰς βάπτισαι ‘what are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized’ Ac 22:16 .”


Grk “getting up.” The participle ἀναστάς ( anasta" ) is an adverbial participle of attendant circumstance and has been translated as a finite verb.


Grk “It happened to me that.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο ( egeneto , “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.


BDAG 309 s.v. ἔκστασις 2 has “ γενέσθαι ἐν ἐκστάσει fall into a trance Ac 22:17 .”


Or “Jesus”; Grk “him.” The referent (the Lord, cf. v. 19 ) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Grk “And I said.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί ( kai , in καγώ [ kagw ]) has not been translated here.


For the distributive sense of the expression κατὰ τὰς συναγωγάς ( kata ta" sunagwga" ) BDAG 512 s.v. κατά B.1.d has “of places viewed serially, distributive use w. acc.… κατ᾿ οἶκαν from house to house … Ac 2:46 b; 5:42 …Likew. the pl.… κ . τὰς συναγωγάς 22:19 .” See also L&N 37.114. sn See the note on synagogue in 6:9 .


Grk “and approving.” This καί ( kai ) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.


Or “outer garments.” sn The cloaks. The outer garment, or cloak, was taken off and laid aside to leave the arms free (in this case for throwing stones).


Or “who were putting him to death.” For the translation of ἀναιρούντων ( anairountwn ) as “putting to death” see BDAG 64 s.v. ἀναιρέω 2.


Grk “And.” Since this represents a response to Paul’s reply in v. 19 , καί ( kai ) has been translated as “then” to indicate the logical sequence.


Grk “They were listening”; the referent (the crowd) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Grk “until this word.” sn Until he said this. Note it is the mention of Paul’s mission to the Gentiles with its implication of ethnic openness that is so disturbing to the audience.


Grk “And.” To indicate the logical sequence, καί ( kai ) has been translated as “then” here.


Grk “and said.”


Grk “this one.”


BDAG 491 s.v. καθήκω has “to be appropriate, come/reach to, be proper/fitting …Usu. impers. καθήκει it comes (to someone) …foll. by acc. and inf…. οὐ καθῆκεν αὐτὸν ζῆν he should not be allowed to live Ac 22:22 .”


The participle κραυγαζόντων ( kraugazontwn ) has been translated temporally.


Or “outer garments.” sn Their cloaks. The outer garment, or cloak, was taken off and laid aside to leave the arms free (perhaps in this case as preparation for throwing stones).


Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). In Greek the term χιλίαρχος ( ciliarco" ) literally described the “commander of a thousand,” but it was used as the standard translation for the Latin tribunus militum or tribunus militare , the military tribune who commanded a cohort of 600 men.


Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Or “the headquarters.” BDAG 775 s.v. παρεμβολή 2 has “ barracks/headquarters of the Roman troops in Jerusalem Ac 21:34, 37; 22:24; 23:10, 16, 32 .”


Grk “into the barracks, saying.” This is a continuation of the same sentence in Greek using the participle εἴπας ( eipas ), but due to the length and complexity of the Greek sentence a new sentence was begun in the translation here. The direct object “them” has been supplied; it is understood in Greek.


Grk “they”; the referent (the crowd) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Grk “for the thongs” (of which the lash was made). Although often translated as a dative of means (“with thongs”), referring to thongs used to tie the victim to the whipping post, BDAG 474-75 s.v. ἱμάς states that it “is better taken as a dat. of purpose for the thongs , in which case οἱ ἱμάντες = whips (Posidonius: 87 fgm. 5 Jac.; POxy. 1186, 2 τὴν διὰ τῶν ἱμάντων αἰκείαν . – Antiphanes 74, 8, Demosth. 19, 197 and Artem. 1, 70 use the sing. in this way).”


The word “citizen” is supplied here for emphasis and clarity.


Or “a Roman citizen and uncondemned.” BDAG 35 s.v. ἀκατάκριτος has “ uncondemned, without due process ” for this usage. sn The fact that Paul was a Roman citizen protected him from being tortured to extract information; such protections were guaranteed by the Porcian and Julian law codes. In addition, the fact Paul had not been tried exempted him from punishment.


The word “this” is not in the Greek text but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.


Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. 24 .


The word “it” is not in the Greek text but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.


Or perhaps, “What do you intend to do?” Although BDAG 627 s.v. μέλλω 1.c. α lists this phrase under the category “ be about to, be on the point of ,” it is possible it belongs under 1.c. γ , “denoting an intended action: intend, propose, have in mind … τί μέλλεις ποιεῖν ; what do you intend to do? ”


Grk “and said to.”


Grk “He said.”


BDAG 495-96 s.v. καί 2.b has “intensive: even … Ac 5:39; 22:28 .”


The word “citizen” is supplied here for emphasis and clarity. sn Paul’s reference to being born a citizen suggests he inherited his Roman citizenship from his family.


Grk “Paul said.” This phrase has been placed at the end of the sentence in the translation for stylistic reasons.


BDAG 158 s.v. ἀφίστημι 2.b has “ keep away … ἀπό τινος… Lk 4:13 ; Ac 5:38 ; 2 Cor 12:8 …cp. Ac 22:29 .” In context, the point would seem to be not that the interrogators departed or withdrew, but that they held back from continuing the flogging.


Grk “he”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


This is a present tense ( ἐστιν , estin ) retained in indirect discourse. It must be translated as a past tense in contemporary English.


Grk “he”; the referent (the commanding officer) has been supplied here in the translation for clarity.


Grk “the certainty, why.” BDAG 147 s.v. ἀσφαλής 2 has “ τὸ ἀ . the certainty = the truth (in ref. to ferreting out the facts… ἵνα τὸ ἀ . ἐπιγνῶ ) γνῶναι 21:34; 22:30 .”


Grk “the whole Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).


Grk “and bringing.” The participle καταγαγών ( katagagwn ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was begun in the translation, and καί ( kai ) has been translated as “then” to clarify the logical sequence.


Grk “Paul, looking directly at the council, said.” The participle ἀτενίσας ( atenisa" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “the Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).


BDAG 846 s.v. πολιτεύομαι 3 has “W. a double dat. συνειδήσει ἀγαθῇ πεπολίτευμαι τῷ θεῷ I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God Ac 23:1 .”


Grk “and” ( δέ , de ); the phrase “at that” has been used in the translation to clarify the cause and effect relationship.


BDAG 778 s.v. παρίστημι / παριστάνω 2.b. α has “ οἱ παρεστῶτες αὐτῷ those standing near him Ac 23:2 .”


Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Or “hit” (‘strike’ maintains the wordplay with the following verse). The action was probably designed to indicate a rejection of Paul’s claim to a clear conscience in the previous verse.


Grk “And do.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί ( kai ) has not been translated here.


The law refers to the law of Moses.


BDAG 769 s.v. παρανομέω has “ παρανομῶν κελεύεις in violation of the law you order Ac 23:3 .” sn In violation of the law. Paul was claiming that punishment was given before the examination was complete ( m. Sanhedrin 3:6-8). Luke’s noting of this detail shows how quickly the leadership moved to react against Paul.


The word “him” is not in the Greek text but is implied.


L&N 33.393 has for λοιδορέω ( loidorew ) “to speak in a highly insulting manner – ‘to slander, to insult strongly, slander, insult.’” sn Insult God’s high priest. Paul was close to violation of the Mosaic law with his response, as the citation from Exod 22:28 in v. 5 makes clear.


Grk “said.”


Or “know.”


BDAG 200 s.v. γινώσκω 4 has “to be aware of someth., perceive, notice, realize ”; this is further clarified by section 4.c: “w. ὅτι foll…. Ac 23:6 .”


That is, concerning the hope that the dead will be resurrected. Grk “concerning the hope and resurrection.” BDAG 320 s.v. ἐλπίς 1.b. α states, “Of Israel’s messianic hope Ac 23:6 ( ἐ . καὶ ἀνάστασις for ἐ . τῆς ἀν . [obj. gen] as 2 Macc 3:29 ἐ . καὶ σωτηρία ).” With an objective genitive construction, the resurrection of the dead would be the “object” of the hope.


The participle εἰπόντος ( eiponto" ) has been translated temporally.


Or “a dispute” (BDAG 940 s.v. στάσις 3).


Grk “there came about an argument.” This has been simplified to “an argument began”


BDAG 55 s.v. ἀμφότεροι 2 has “ all , even when more than two are involved… Φαρισαῖοι ὁμολογοῦσιν τὰ ἀ . believe in them all 23:8.” On this belief see Josephus, J. W. 2.8.14 (2.163); Ant. 18.1.3 (18.14). sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.


Or “clamor” (cf. BDAG 565 s.v. κραυγή 1.a, which has “ there arose a loud outcry ” here, and Exod 12:30 ).


Or “and some scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 4:5 .


Grk “standing up.” The participle ἀναστάντες ( anastante" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “protested strongly, saying.” L&N 39.27 has “ διαμάχομαι : to fight or contend with, involving severity and thoroughness – ‘to protest strongly, to contend with.’…‘some scribes from the party of the Pharisees protested strongly’ Ac 23:9 .” The participle λέγοντες ( legontes ) is redundant and has not been translated.


This genitive absolute construction with the participle γινομένης ( ginomenhs ) has been taken temporally (it could also be translated as causal).


Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). In Greek the term χιλίαρχος ( ciliarco" ) literally described the “commander of a thousand,” but it was used as the standard translation for the Latin tribunus militum or tribunus militare , the military tribune who commanded a cohort of 600 men.


Grk “that Paul would be torn to pieces by them.” BDAG 236 s.v. διασπάω has “of an angry mob μὴ διασπασθῇ ὁ Παῦλος ὑπ᾿ αὐτῶν that Paul would be torn in pieces by them Ac 23:10 .” The passive construction is somewhat awkward in English and has been converted to an equivalent active construction in the translation.


Normally this term means “army,” but according to BDAG 947 s.v. στράτευμα , “Of a smaller detachment of soldiers, sing. Ac 23:10, 27 .” In the plural it can be translated “troops,” but it is singular here.


Or “to go down, grab him out of their midst.”


Or “the headquarters.” BDAG 775 s.v. παρεμβολή 2 has “ barracks/headquarters of the Roman troops in Jerusalem Ac 21:34, 37; 22:24; 23:10, 16, 32 .”


Grk “standing near Paul, said.” The participle ἐπιστάς ( epistas ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Or “Do not be afraid.”


For location see Map5-B1 ; Map6-F3 ; Map7-E2 ; Map8-F2 ; Map10-B3 ; JP1-F4 ; JP2-F4 ; JP3-F4 ; JP4-F4 .


Grk “when it was day.”


Grk “forming a conspiracy, bound.” The participle ποιήσαντες ( poihsantes ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


L&N 30.72 has ‘some Jews formed a conspiracy’ Ac 23:12 ”; BDAG 979 s.v. συστροφή 1 has “ Judeans came together in a mob 23:12. But in the last pass. the word may also mean – 2. the product of a clandestine gathering, plot, conspiracy ” (see also Amos 7:10 ; Ps 63:3 ).


Or “bound themselves under a curse.” BDAG 63 s.v. ἀναθεματίζω 1 has “trans. put under a curse τινά someone …pleonastically ἀναθέματι ἀ . ἑαυτόν Ac 23:14 … ἀ . ἑαυτόν vss. 12, 21, 13 v.l.” On such oaths see m. Shevi’it 3:1-5. The participle λέγοντες ( legontes ) is redundant in English and has not been translated.


The word “anything” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.


L&N 30.73 defines συνωμοσία ( sunwmosia ) as “a plan for taking secret action someone or some institution, with the implication of an oath binding the conspirators – ‘conspiracy, plot.’ …‘there were more than forty of them who formed this conspiracy’ Ac 23:13 .”


Grk “who.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) was translated by the third person plural pronoun (“them”) and a new sentence begun in the translation.


Grk “going.” The participle προσελθόντες ( proselqonte" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Or “bound ourselves under a curse.” BDAG 63 s.v. ἀναθεματίζω 1 has “trans. put under a curse τινά someone …pleonastically ἀναθέματι ἀ . ἑαυτόν Ac 23:14 … ἀ . ἑαυτόν vss. 12, 21, 13 v.l.” The pleonastic use ἀναθέματι ἀνεθεματίσαμεν (literally “we have cursed ourselves with a curse”) probably serves as an intensifier following Semitic usage, and is represented in the translation by the word “solemn.” On such oaths see m. Nedarim 3:1, 3.


This included both food and drink ( γεύομαι [ geuomai ] is used of water turned to wine in John 2:9 ).


Grk “the Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).


Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. 10 .


Or “decide.” BDAG 227 s.v. διαγινώσκω has “ ἀκριβέστερον τὰ περὶ αὐτοῦ to make a more thorough examination of his case Ac 23:15 .”


Grk “determine the things about him.”


The expression “more thorough inquiry” reflects the comparative form of ἀκριβέστερον ( akribesteron ).


The words “this place” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.


Or “plot” (BDAG 334 s.v. ἐνέδρα ).


Grk “coming and entering…, he told.” The participles παραγενόμενος ( paragenomeno" ) and εἰσελθών ( eiselqwn ) have been translated as finite verbs due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Or “the headquarters.” BDAG 775 s.v. παρεμβολή 2 has “ barracks/headquarters of the Roman troops in Jerusalem Ac 21:34, 37; 22:24; 23:10, 16, 32 .”


Grk “calling…Paul said.” The participle προσκαλεσάμενος ( proskalesameno" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “he”; the referent (the centurion) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Grk “calling.” The participle προσκαλεσάμενος ( proskalesameno" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “you have,” but the expression “have to report” in English could be understood to mean “must report” rather than “possess to report.” For this reason the nearly equivalent expression “want to report,” which is not subject to misunderstanding, was used in the translation.


Grk “He said.”


Grk “do not be persuaded by them.” The passive construction μὴ πεισθῇς αὐτοῖς ( mh peisqh" autoi" ) has been converted to an active construction in the translation, and the phrase “to do this” supplied to indicate more clearly the object of their persuasion.


Grk “forty men of them.” In the expression ἐξ αὐτῶν ἄνδρες ( ex autwn andre" ) “men” is somewhat redundant and has not been included in the English translation.


Grk “are lying in wait for him” (BDAG 334 s.v. ἐνεδρεύω ); see also v. 16 .


Grk “for him, who.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“who”) was translated by the third person plural pronoun (“they”) and a new sentence begun in the translation.


Or “bound themselves under a curse.” BDAG 63 s.v. ἀναθεματίζω 1 has “trans. put under a curse τινά someone … ἀ . ἑαυτόν vss. 12, 21, 13 v.l.”


The word “anything” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.


Grk “waiting for your approval,” “waiting for your agreement.” Since it would be possible to misunderstand the literal translation “waiting for your approval” to mean that the Jews were waiting for the commander’s approval to carry out their plot or to kill Paul (as if he were to be an accomplice to their plot), the object of the commander’s approval (their request to bring Paul to the council) has been specified in the translation as “their request.”


Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. 10 .


BDAG 760 s.v. παραγγέλλω has “to make an announcement about someth. that must be done, give orders, command, instruct, direct of all kinds of persons in authority, worldly rulers, Jesus, the apostles… παραγγέλλειν w. an inf. and μή comes to mean forbid to do someth. : π . τινί w. aor. inf. Lk 5:14; 8:56 ; without the dat., which is easily supplied fr. the context Ac 23:22 .” However, if the direct discourse which follows is to be retained in the translation, a different translation must be used since it is awkward to introduce direct discourse with the verb to forbid . Thus the alternative to direct was used.


On this verb, see BDAG 325-26 s.v. ἐμφανίζω 2. The term was frequently used of an official report to authorities. In modern terms, this was a police tip.


Grk “And.” Since this represents a response to the reported ambush, καί ( kai ) has been translated as “then” to indicate the logical sequence.


Grk “summoning…he said.” The participle προσκαλεσάμενος ( proskalesameno" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Or “cavalrymen.”


A military technical term of uncertain meaning. BDAG 217 s.v. δεξιολάβος states, “a word of uncertain mng., military t.t., acc. to Joannes Lydus…and Theophyl. Sim., Hist. 4, 1 a light-armed soldier, perh. bowman, slinger ; acc. to a scholion in CMatthaei p. 342 body-guard …. Spearman Goodspd., NRSV; ‘security officer’, GDKilpatrick, JTS 14, ’63, 393f.” sn Two hundred soldiers…along with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen. The resulting force assembled to guard Paul was almost a full cohort. The Roman commander was taking no chances, but was sending the issue up the chain of command to the procurator to decide.


Grk “from.”


Grk “from the third hour of the night.”


Grk “provide mounts to put Paul on.” sn Mounts for Paul to ride. The fact they were riding horses indicates they wanted everyone to move as quickly as possible.


Grk “Felix the procurator.” The official Roman title has been translated as “governor” (BDAG 433 s.v. ἡγεμών 2).


Grk “writing.” Due to the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was begun here in the translation, supplying “he” (referring to the commanding officer, Claudius Lysias) as subject. The participle γράψας ( grayas ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “having this form,” “having this content.” L&N 33.48 has “ γράψσς ἐπιστολὴν ἔχουσαν τὸν τύπον τοῦτον ‘then he wrote a letter that went like this’ Ac 23:25 . It is also possible to understand ἐπιστολή in Ac 23:25 not as a content or message, but as an object (see 6.63).”


Grk “Procurator.” The official Roman title has been translated as “governor” (BDAG 433 s.v. ἡγεμών 2).


The participle συλλημφθέντα ( sullhmfqenta ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. The remark reviews events of Acts 21:27-40 .


Grk “and was about to be killed by them.” The passive construction has been converted to an active one in the translation for stylistic reasons.


Or “approached.”


Normally this term means “army,” but according to BDAG 947 s.v. στράτευμα , “Of a smaller detachment of soldiers, sing. Ac 23:10, 27 .” In the plural it can be translated “troops,” but it is singular here.


In Greek this is a present tense retained in indirect discourse.


The word “citizen” is supplied here for emphasis and clarity. sn The letter written by the Roman commander Claudius Lysias was somewhat self-serving. He made it sound as if the rescue of a Roman citizen had been a conscious act on his part. In fact, he had made the discovery of Paul’s Roman citizenship somewhat later. See Acts 21:37-39 and 22:24-29 .


Or “determine.”


Grk “to know the charge on account of which they were accusing him.” This has been simplified to eliminate the prepositional phrase and relative pronoun δι᾿ ἣν ( di ’ }hn ) similar to L&N 27.8 which has “‘I wanted to find out what they were accusing him of, so I took him down to their Council’ Ac 23:28 .”


Grk “their Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).


Grk “whom I found.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) has been changed to a personal pronoun (“he”) and a new sentence begun in the translation at this point.


BDAG 428 s.v. ζήτημα states, “in our lit. only in Ac, w. the mng. it still has in Mod. Gk. (controversial) question, issue, argument … Ac 15:2; 26:3 . ζ . περί τινος questions about someth. …18:15; 25:19 . – In 23:29 , since περί had already been used, the subj. of the discussion is added in the gen. ζ . τοῦ νόμου αὐτῶν .” sn With reference to controversial questions. Note how the “neutral” Roman authorities saw the issue. This was a religious rather than a civil dispute. See Acts 18:15 .


Grk “but having no charge worthy of death or imprisonment.” BDAG 273-74 s.v. ἔγκλημα 1 has “legal t.t.… ἔ . ἄξιον θανάτου ἢ δεσμῶν a charge deserving death or imprisonment 23:29.” sn Despite the official assessment that no charge against him deserved death or imprisonment , there was no effort to release Paul.


Grk “It being revealed to me.” The participle μηνυθείσης ( mhnuqeish" ) has been taken temporally.


The term translated “plot” here is a different one than the one in Acts 23:16 (see BDAG 368 s.v. ἐπιβουλή ).


Grk “the things against him.” This could be rendered as “accusations,” “grievances,” or “charges,” but since “ordered his accusers to state their accusations” sounds redundant in English, “charges” was used instead.


BDAG 237-38 s.v. διατάσσω 2 has “ κατὰ τὸ δ . αὐτοῖς in accordance w. their orders … Ac 23:31 .”


Grk “taking.” The participle ἀναλαβόντες ( analabonte" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “letting.” The participle ἐάσαντες ( easante" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Or “cavalrymen.”


Or “the headquarters.” BDAG 775 s.v. παρεμβολή 2 has “ barracks/headquarters of the Roman troops in Jerusalem Ac 21:34, 37; 22:24; 23:10, 16, 32 .”


Grk “who, coming to Caesarea.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek construction, a new sentence was begun here in the translation. The relative pronoun (“who”) has been replaced with the referent (the horsemen) in the translation for clarity.


BDAG 778 s.v. παρίστημι / παριστάνω 1.b has “ present, represent – α . lit. τινά τινι someone to someone παρέστησαν τὸν Παῦλον αὐτῷ Ac 23:33 .”


Grk “he”; the referent (the governor) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Grk “having read.” The participle ἀναγνούς ( anagnou" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


The words “the letter” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.


Grk “and asking.” The participle ἐπερωτήσας ( eperwthsa" ) has been translated as a finite verb and καί ( kai ) left untranslated due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “and learning.” The participle πυθόμενος ( puqomeno" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Or “I will hear your case.” BDAG 231 s.v. διακούω has “as legal t.t. give someone an opportunity to be heard in court, give someone ( τινός ) a hearing Ac 23:35 ”; L&N 56.13 has “to give a judicial hearing in a legal matter – ‘to hear a case, to provide a legal hearing, to hear a case in court.’”


Grk “ordering.” The participle κελεύσας ( keleusas ) has been translated as a finite verb and a new sentence begun here due to the length and complexity of the Greek sentence. “Then” has also been supplied to indicate the logical and temporal sequence.


Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


The term refers to a professional advocate (BDAG 905 s.v. ῥήτωρ ).


Grk “an attorney, a certain Tertullus.”


Grk “who” (plural). Because in English the relative pronoun “who” could be understood to refer only to the attorney Tertullus and not to the entire group, it has been replaced with the third person plural pronoun “they.” “And” has been supplied to provide the connection to the preceding clause.


BDAG 326 s.v. ἐμφανίζω 3 has “ ἐ . τινὶ κατά τινος bring formal charges against someone … Ac 24:1; 25:2 .”


Grk “he”; the referent (Paul) has been supplied in the translation for clarity.


Or “began to bring charges, saying.”


Grk “experienced much peace.”


Grk “through you” (“rule” is implied).


This term is used only once in the NT (a hapax legomenon ). It refers to improvements in internal administration (BDAG 251 s.v. διόρθωμα ).


Or “being made for this people.”


Grk “in every way and everywhere.”


Or “with complete thankfulness.” BDAG 416 s.v. εὐχαριστία 1 has “ μετὰ πάσης εὐ .… with all gratitude Ac 24:3 .” L&N 31.26 has “‘we acknowledge this anywhere and everywhere with complete thankfulness’ Ac 24:3 .”


Or “may not weary.” BDAG 274 s.v. ἐγκόπτω states, “ ἵνα μὴ ἐπὶ πλεῖόν σε ἐγκόπτω Ac 24:4 is understood by Syr. and Armen. versions to mean in order not to weary you any further ; cp. ἔγκοπος weary Diog. L. 4, 50; LXX; and ἔγκοπον ποιεῖν to weary Job 19:2 ; Is 43:23 . But impose on is also prob.; detain NRSV.”


Or “request.”


This term is another NT hapax legomenon (BDAG 976 s.v. συντόμως 2). Tertullus was asking for a brief hearing, and implying to the governor that he would speak briefly and to the point.


BDAG 371 s.v. ἐπιείκεια has “ τῇ σῇ ἐ . with your (customary) indulgence Ac 24:4 .”


Grk “For having found.” The participle εὑρόντες ( Jeurontes ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


L&N 22.6 has “(a figurative extension of meaning of λοιμός ‘plague,’ 23.158) one who causes all sorts of trouble – ‘troublemaker, pest.’ … ‘for we have found this man to be a troublemaker” Ac 24:5 .”


Or “dissensions.” While BDAG 940 s.v. στάσις 3 translates this phrase “ κινεῖν στάσεις (v.l. στάσιν ) τισί create dissension among certain people Ac 24:5 ,” it is better on the basis of the actual results of Paul’s ministry to categorize this usage under section 2, “ uprising, riot, revolt, rebellion ” (cf. the use in Acts 19:40 ).


This term is yet another NT hapax legomenon (BDAG 894 s.v. πρωτοστάτης ). sn A ringleader. Tertullus’ basic argument was that Paul was a major disturber of the public peace. To ignore this the governor would be shunning his duty to preserve the peace and going against the pattern of his rule. In effect, Tertullus claimed that Paul was seditious (a claim the governor could not afford to ignore).


Grk “who.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“who”) was replaced by the third person singular pronoun (“he”) and a new sentence begun here in the translation.


Or “profane” (BDAG 173 s.v. βεβηλόω ). The term was also used of profaning the Sabbath.


Or “seized.” Grk “whom also we arrested.” Because of the awkwardness of a relative clause in English at this point, the relative pronoun (“whom”) was replaced by the pronoun “him” as object of the verb.


Or “question.”


Grk “From whom when you examine him yourself, you will be able to learn…” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) was replaced by the third person singular pronoun (“him”) and a new sentence begun at the beginning of v. 8 in the translation.


Grk “about all these things of which we are accusing him.” This has been simplified to eliminate the relative pronoun (“of which”) in the translation.


Grk “joined in the attack,” but the adjective “verbal” has been supplied to clarify that this was not another physical assault on Paul. The verb is another NT hapax legomenon (BDAG 969 s.v. συνεπιτίθημι ).


Or “asserting” (BDAG 1050 s.v. φάσκω ).


Grk “knowing.” The participle ἐπιστάμενος ( epistamenos ) has been translated as a causal adverbial participle.


BDAG 369 s.v. ἐπιγινώσκω 2.c has “ notice, perceive, learn of, ascertain …Also as legal t.t. ascertain (2 Macc 14:9) τὶ Ac 23:28 ; cp. 24:8 . W. ὅτι foll. Ac 24:11 .” “Verify” is an English synonym for “ascertain.”


Grk “it is not more than twelve days from when.” This has been simplified to “not more than twelve days ago.” sn Part of Paul’s defense is that he would not have had time to organize a revolt, since he had arrived in Jerusalem not more than twelve days ago .


For location see Map5-B1 ; Map6-F3 ; Map7-E2 ; Map8-F2 ; Map10-B3 ; JP1-F4 ; JP2-F4 ; JP3-F4 ; JP4-F4 .


Or “disputing,” “conducting a heated discussion.”


BDAG 381 s.v. ἐπίστασις 2 has “ ἐ . ποιεῖν ὄχλου to cause a crowd to gather Ac 24:12 .” Roman authorities would not allow a mob to gather and threaten the peace, and anyone suspected of instigating a mob would certainly be arrested.


Grk “in the temple.” This is actually a reference to the courts surrounding the temple proper, and has been translated accordingly.


BDAG 778 s.v. παρίστημι / παριστάνω 1.f has “ οὐδὲ παραστῆσαι δύνανταί σοι περὶ ὧν νυνὶ κατηγοροῦσίν μου nor can they prove to you the accusations they are now making against me Ac 24:13 .” sn Nor can they prove. This is a formal legal claim that Paul’s opponents lacked proof of any wrongdoing. They had no witness who could justify the arrest at the temple.


The words “the things” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.


Grk “nor can they prove to you [the things] about which they are now accusing me.” This has been simplified to eliminate the relative pronoun (“which”) in the translation.


Or “serve.”


Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.”


Grk “having.” The participle ἔχων ( ecwn ) has been translated as a finite verb and a new sentence begun at this point in the translation because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence.


Grk “a hope in God (which these [men] themselves accept too).” Because the antecedent of the relative pronoun “which” is somewhat unclear in English, the words “a hope” have been repeated at the beginning of the parenthesis for clarity.


Grk “that they”; the referent (these men, Paul’s accusers) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Or “the unjust.” sn This is the only mention of the resurrection of the unrighteous in Acts. The idea parallels the idea of Jesus as the judge of both the living and the dead ( Acts 10:42; 17:31 ).


BDAG 329 s.v. ἐν 9.a, “ ἐν τούτῳ πιστεύομεν this is the reason why we believe Jn 16:30 ; cp. Ac 24:16 .”


BDAG 224 s.v. διά 2.a, “ διὰ παντός … always, continually, constantly … Ac 2:25 (Ps 15:8); 10:2; 24:16 .” However, the positioning of the adverb “always” in the English translation is difficult; the position used is one of the least awkward.


BDAG 125 s.v. ἀπρόσκοπος 1 has “ ἀ . συνείδησις a clear conscience Ac 24:16 .”


Grk “men,” but this is a generic use (Paul does not have only males in view).


BDAG 401 s.v. ἔτος has “ δι᾿ ἐ . πλειόνων after several years 24:17.”


Grk “to bring alms,” but the term “alms” is not in common use today, so the closest modern equivalent, “gifts for the poor,” is used instead.


Or “sacrifices.” BDAG 887 s.v. προσφορά 1 has “ προσφοράς ποιεῖν have sacrifices made Ac 24:17 ,” but this may be overly specific. It is not clear from the immediate context whether the offering of sacrificial animals (so BDAG assumes) or offerings of some other sort (such as financial gifts) are in view. The combination with ἐλεημοσύνας ( elehmosuna" ) in the preceding clause may suggest monetary offerings. Some have suggested this is an allusion to the payments made by Paul on behalf of the four other men mentioned in Acts 21:23-26 , but the text here seems to suggest something Paul had planned to do before he came, while the decision to pay for the expenses of the men in 21:23 ff. was made at the suggestion of the Jerusalem leadership after he arrived. In either case, Paul was portraying himself as a pious worshiper of his God.


BDAG 458 s.v. θόρυβος 3.b has “ μετὰ θορύβου … with a disturbance Ac 24:18 .”


Grk “Asia”; in the NT this always refers to the Roman province of Asia, made up of about one-third of the west and southwest end of modern Asia Minor. Asia lay to the west of the region of Phrygia and Galatia. The words “the province of” are supplied to indicate to the modern reader that this does not refer to the continent of Asia.


BDAG 533 s.v. κατηγορέω 1 states, “nearly always as legal t.t.: bring charges in court.” L&N 33.427 states for κατηγορέω ( kathgorew ), “to bring serious charges or accusations against someone, with the possible connotation of a legal or court context – ‘to accuse, to bring charges.’” sn Who should be here…and bring charges. Paul was asking, where were those who brought about his arrest and claimed he broke the law? His accusers were not really present. This subtle point raised the issue of injustice.


Grk “these [men] themselves.”


Or “unrighteous act.”


The words “me guilty of” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. L&N 88.23 has “ αὐτοὶ οὗτοι εἰπάτωσαν τί εὗρον ἀδίκημα στάντος μου ‘let these men themselves tell what unrighteous act they found me guilty of’ Ac 24:20 .”


Grk “the Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).


BDAG 433 s.v. ἤ 2.c has “ οὐδὲν ἕτερον ἤ nothing else than … Ac 17:21 . τί … ἤ what other … than … 24:21 .”


Grk “one utterance.”


Cf. BDAG 327 s.v. ἐν 1.e, which has “ before, in the presence of, etc.”


Grk “the things.”


That is, concerning Christianity.


BDAG 39 s.v. ἀκριβῶς has “Comp. ἀκριβέστερον more exactly … ἀ . ἐκτίθεσθαι explain more exactly Ac 18:26 , cp. 23:15, 20 ; also more accurately … 24:22 .” Felix knew more about the Christian movement than what the Jewish leaders had told him.


L&N 56.18 s.v. ἀναβάλλω has “to adjourn a court proceeding until a later time – ‘to adjourn a hearing, to stop a hearing and put it off until later.’…‘then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned their hearing’ Ac 24:22 .”


BDAG 227 s.v. διαγινώσκω 2 states, “to make a judicial decision, decide/hear (a case) … τὰ καθ᾿ ὑμᾶς decide your case Ac 24:22 .”


Grk “that he was to be guarded.” The passive construction ( τηρεῖσθαι , threisqai ) has been converted to an active one in parallel with the following clauses, and the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


BDAG 77 s.v. ἄνεσις 1 states, “lit. relaxation of custodial control, some liberty , ἀ . ἔχειν have some freedom Ac 24:23 .”


Grk “any of his own” (this could also refer to relatives).


Grk “from serving him.”


The word “speak” is implied; BDAG 32 s.v. ἀκούω 1.c has “ ἤκουσεν αὐτοῦ περὶ τῆς … πίστεως he heard him speak about faith Ac 24:24 .”


Or “Messiah Jesus”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”


Grk “he”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Or “speaking about.”


Grk “and self-control.” This καί ( kai ) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more. sn The topic of self-control was appropriate in view of the personal history of both Felix and Drusilla (see the note on “Drusilla” in the previous verse), and might well account for Felix’s anxiety.


Grk “becoming.” The participle γενόμενος ( genomenos ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Or “when I find time.” BDAG 639 s.v. μεταλαμβάνω 2 has “ καιρὸν μ . have an opportunity = find time … Ac 24:25 .”


Grk “he was hoping that money would be given to him by Paul.” To simplify the translation, the passive construction has been converted to an active one. sn Would give him money. That is, would offer him a bribe in exchange for his release. Such practices were fairly common among Roman officials of the period (Josephus, Ant. 2.12.3 [2.272-274]).


Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


“As often as possible” reflects the comparative form of the adjective πυκνός ( puknos ); see BDAG 897 s.v. πυκνός , which has “Neut. of the comp. πυκνότερον as adv. more often, more frequently and in an elative sense very often, quite frequently …also as often as possible … Ac 24:26 .”


On this term, which could mean “conferred with him,” see BDAG 705 s.v. ὁμιλέω .


Grk “After a two-year period.”


Grk “Felix received as successor Porcius Festus.” sn See the note on Felix in 23:26 .


Grk “left Paul imprisoned.” sn Felix left Paul in prison. Luke makes the point that politics got in the way of justice here; keeping Paul in prison was a political favor to the Jews.


BDAG 736-37 s.v. οὖν 2.b states, “ οὖν serves to indicate a transition to someth. new… now, then, well … Ac 25:1 .”


For location see Map5-B1 ; Map6-F3 ; Map7-E2 ; Map8-F2 ; Map10-B3 ; JP1-F4 ; JP2-F4 ; JP3-F4 ; JP4-F4 .


BDAG 893-94 s.v. πρῶτος 2.a. β has “ οἱ πρῶτοι the most prominent men, the leading men w. gen. of the place…or of a group… οἱ πρ . τοῦ λαοῦ … Lk 19:47 ; cp. Ac 25:2; 28:17 .”


BDAG 326 s.v. ἐμφανίζω 3 has “ ἐ . τινὶ κατά τινος bring formal charges against someone … Ac 24:1; 25:2 .” sn Note how quickly the Jewish leadership went after Paul: They brought formal charges against him within three days of Festus’ arrival in the province.


Grk “Requesting a favor against him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation, the understood direct object of “requesting” has been supplied, and the phrase “to do them” supplied for clarity.


Grk “him”; the referent (Festus) has been specified in the translation for clarity. The words “they urged him” are in v. 2 in the Greek text.


The word “there” is not in the Greek text but is implied.


Grk “let those who are influential among you” (i.e., the powerful).


The word “there” is not in the Greek text, but is implied.


Grk “and if there is anything wrong with this man,” but this could be misunderstood in English to mean a moral or physical defect, while the issue in context is the commission of some crime, something legally improper (BDAG 149 s.v. ἄτοπος 2).


BDAG 533 s.v. κατηγορέω 1 states, “nearly always as legal t.t.: bring charges in court.” L&N 33.427 states for κατηγορέω , “to bring serious charges or accusations against someone, with the possible connotation of a legal or court context – ‘to accuse, to bring charges.”


Grk “he”; the referent (Festus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


Grk “Having stayed.” The participle διατρίψας ( diatriya" ) has been taken temporally.


Grk “sitting down…he ordered.” The participle καθίσας ( kaqisa" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Although BDAG 175 s.v. βῆμα 3 gives the meaning “ tribunal ” for this verse, and a number of modern translations use similar terms (“court,” NIV; “tribunal,” NRSV), since the bhma was a standard feature in Greco-Roman cities of the time, there is no need for an alternative translation here. sn The judgment seat ( βῆμα , bhma ) was a raised platform mounted by steps and sometimes furnished with a seat, used by officials in addressing an assembly or making pronouncements, often on judicial matters. The judgment seat was a familiar item in Greco-Roman culture, often located in the agora , the public square or marketplace in the center of a city.


BDAG 801 s.v. περιίστημι 1.a has “ περιέστησαν αὐτὸν οἱ ᾿Ιουδαῖοι the Judeans stood around him 25:7.”


Grk “many and serious.” The term βαρύς ( barus ) refers to weighty or serious charges (BDAG 167 s.v. 1 ).


The term ἀποδείκνυμι ( apodeiknumi ) in a legal context refers to legal proof (4 Macc 1:8; BDAG 108 s.v. 3 ).


Grk “Paul saying in his defense”; the participle ἀπολογουμένου ( apologoumenou ) could be taken temporally (“when Paul said…”), but due to the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the participle was translated as a finite verb and a new sentence begun here in the translation. BDAG 116-17 s.v. ἀπολογέομαι has “W. ὅτι foll. τοῦ Παύλου ἀπολογουμένου , ὅτι when Paul said in his defense (direct quot. foll.) Ac 25:8 .”


Grk “I have sinned…in nothing.”


Grk “against the law of the Jews.” Here τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων has been translated as an attributive genitive. sn The Jewish law refers to the law of Moses.


Or “against the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor). sn Paul’s threefold claim to be innocent with respect to the law…the temple and Caesar argues that he has not disturbed the peace at any level. This was the standard charge made against early Christians ( Luke 23:2 ; Acts 17:6-7 ). The charges here are emphatically denied, with the Greek conjunction oute repeated before each charge.


Or “stand trial.”


Grk “concerning these things.”


Grk “said.”


Or “before the emperor’s” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor).


Although BDAG 175 s.v. βῆμα 3 gives the meaning “ tribunal ” for this verse, and a number of modern translations use similar terms (“court,” NIV; “tribunal,” NRSV), since the bema was a standard feature in Greco-Roman cities of the time, there is no need for an alternative translation here. Here of course Paul’s reference to “Caesar’s judgment seat” is a form of metonymy; since Festus is Caesar’s representative, Festus’ judgment seat represents Caesar’s own. sn The judgment seat ( βῆμα , bhma ) was a raised platform mounted by steps and sometimes furnished with a seat, used by officials in addressing an assembly or making pronouncements, often on judicial matters. The judgment seat was a familiar item in Greco-Roman culture, often located in the agora , the public square or marketplace in the center of a city.


That is, tried by an imperial representative and subject to Roman law.


BDAG 506 s.v. καλῶς 7 states, “comp. κάλλιον (for the superl., as Galen, Protr. 8 p. 24, 19J.=p. 10, 31 Kaibel; s. B-D-F §244, 2) ὡς καί σὺ κ . ἐπιγινώσκεις as also you know very well Ac 25:10 .”


BDAG 20 s.v. ἀδικέω 1.b has “intr. be in the wrong ( Ex 2:13 ) εἰ ἀδικῶ Ac 25:11 .”


BDAG 764 s.v. παραιτέομαι 2.b. β , “ οὐ παραιτοῦμαι τὸ ἀποθανεῖν I am not trying to escape death Ac 25:11 (cp. Jos., Vi. 141).” To avoid redundancy in the translation, the English gerund “dying” is used to translate the Greek infinitive ἀποθανεῖν ( apoqanein ).


Or “but if there is nothing to their charges against me.” Both “if” clauses in this verse are first class conditions. Paul stated the options without prejudice, assuming in turn the reality of each for the sake of the argument.


Or “to the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor). sn The appeal to Caesar was known as the provocatio ad Caesarem . It was a Roman citizen’s right to ask for a direct judgment by the emperor (Pliny the Younger, Letters 10.96). It was one of the oldest rights of Roman citizens.


That is, with his advisers.


Or “to the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor).


Or “to the emperor.”


BDAG 144 s.v. ἀσπάζομαι 1.b states, “Of official visits pay one ’ s respects to … Ac 25:13 .”


BDAG 1105-6 s.v. ὡς 8.b states, “w. pres. or impf. while, when, as long as … Ac 1:10; 7:23; 9:23; 10:17; 13:25; 19:9; 21:27; 25:14 .”


Grk “Festus laid Paul’s case before the king for consideration.” BDAG 74 s.v. ἀνατίθημι 2 states, “otherw. only mid. to lay someth. before someone for consideration, declare, communicate, refer w. the added idea that the pers. to whom a thing is ref. is asked for his opinion lay someth. before someone for consideration … Ac 25:14 .”


For location see Map5-B1 ; Map6-F3 ; Map7-E2 ; Map8-F2 ; Map10-B3 ; JP1-F4 ; JP2-F4 ; JP3-F4 ; JP4-F4 .


BDAG 326 s.v. ἐμφανίζω 3 has “to convey a formal report about a judicial matter, present evidence, bring charges … ἐ . περί τινος concerning someone 25:15.”


Grk “about whom.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) has been replaced with a personal pronoun (“him”) and a new sentence started in the translation at the beginning of v. 15 (where the phrase περὶ οὗ [ peri Jou ] occurs in the Greek text).


BDAG 516 s.v. καταδίκη states, “ condemnation, sentence of condemnation, conviction, guilty verdict … αἰτεῖσθαι κατά τινος κ . ask for a conviction of someone Ac 25:15 .”


Grk “to whom I answered.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) has been replaced with a personal pronoun (“them”) and a new sentence started in the translation at the beginning of v. 16 . sn “I answered them.” In the answer that follows, Festus is portrayed in a more positive light, being sensitive to justice and Roman law.


Grk “any man.” This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος ( anqrwpos ).


Or “has met his accusers in person.”


Grk “and receives.”


Or “indictment” (a legal technical term). BDAG 273-74 s.v. ἔγκλημα 1 states, “legal t.t.… ἀπολογία περὶ τοῦ ἐ . defense against the accusation Ac 25:16 .” L&N 56.6 defines ἔγκλημα ( enklhma ) as “(a technical, legal term) a formal indictment or accusation brought against someone – ‘indictment, accusation, case.’ …‘and might receive an opportunity for a defense against the indictment’ Ac 25:16 .”


BDAG 969-70 s.v. συνέρχομαι 2 states, “ συνελθόντων ἐνθάδε prob. means (because of συνκαταβάντες 25:5 ) they came back here with (me) 25:17.”


BDAG 59 s.v. ἀναβολή states, “‘delay’…legal t.t. postponement … ἀ . μηδεμίαν ποιησάμενος I did not postpone the matter Ac 25:17 .” “Case” has been supplied instead of “matter” since it is more specific to the context. The participle ποιησάμενος ( poihsameno" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


Grk “sitting…I ordered.” The participle καθίσας ( kaqisa" ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.