Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 21ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ ΚΑ′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

1

Ὡς δὲ ἐγένετο ἀναχθῆναι ἡμᾶς ἀποσπασθέντας ἀπ' αὐτῶν, εὐθυδρομήσαντες ἤλθομεν εἰς τὴν Κῶ, τῇ δὲ ἑξῆς εἰς τὴν Ῥόδον, κἀκεῖθεν εἰς Πάταρα.

Now when we set sail, having torn ourselves away from them, we ran a straight course and came to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.

Narrative continuation (we-section resumes)δέThe we-narrative resumes after the Milesian farewell. The aorist participle ἀποσπασθέντας captures the emotional wrench of separation; εὐθυδρομήσαντες describes a favorable direct-wind run.
Ὡςwhentemporal conjunction
δὲnowcontinuative particle
ἐγένετοit happenedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (Semitic narrative formula)→ constative aorist (narrative onset)γίνομαι: Lukan ἐγένετο + inf. is a LXX-style narrative formula.
ἀναχθῆναιto set sailAor Pass Inf · ἀνάγωsubject infinitive of ἐγένετο→ constative aorist (departure event)ἀνάγω: nautical term, 'to put out to sea' (lit. 'to lead up').
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
ἀποσπασθένταςhaving torn ourselves awayAor Pass Ptc Acc Pl Masc · ἀποσπάωcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance with ἡμᾶς)→ constative aorist participleἀποσπάω: 'to tear/pull away'; the passive/reflexive underlines the emotional wrench of the Milesian farewell.
ἀπ'frompreposition + genitive (separation)
αὐτῶνthemGenitiveobject of ἀπό (the Ephesian elders)
εὐθυδρομήσαντεςrunning a straight courseAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · εὐθυδρομέωcircumstantial participle (manner/means)→ constative aorist participleεὐθυδρομέω: 'to sail a direct course'; hapax in NT; indicates favorable wind allowing a straight run.
ἤλθομενwe cameAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (arrival)
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ΚῶCosAccusativeaccusative of goal (proper name)Κώς: island in the Aegean off the coast of Caria; famous for its medical school.
τῇon theDativearticle
δὲandcontinuative particle
ἑξῆςnextadverb of timeἑξῆς: 'next, following'; frequent in Luke-Acts for sequential days.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ῬόδονRhodesAccusativeaccusative of goal (proper name)Ῥόδος: island at the SW tip of Asia Minor; a major commercial and cultural hub.
κἀκεῖθενand from thereadverb of place (crasis: καί + ἐκεῖθεν)
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ΠάταραPataraAccusativeaccusative of goal (proper name)Πάταρα: port city in Lycia (SW coast of Asia Minor); a major transfer point for deep-sea shipping.
2

καὶ εὑρόντες πλοῖον διαπερῶν εἰς Φοινίκην ἐπιβάντες ἀνήχθημεν.

And finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.

Narrative continuationκαίTwo aorist participles (εὑρόντες, ἐπιβάντες) precede the main verb ἀνήχθημεν, compressing three actions into a single forward motion: find → board → sail.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
εὑρόντεςhaving foundAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · εὑρίσκωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action)→ constative aorist participle
πλοῖονa shipAccusativedirect object of εὑρόντεςπλοῖον: general term for a sailing vessel; here a cargo ship making the Lycia-to-Phoenicia crossing.
διαπερῶνcrossing overPres Act Ptc Acc Sg Neut · διαπεράωattributive participle modifying πλοῖον→ descriptive present participle (characterizing the voyage)διαπεράω: 'to cross over (a body of water)'; the participle describes the ship's itinerary.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ΦοινίκηνPhoeniciaAccusativeaccusative of goal (proper name)Φοινίκη: the coastal region of modern Lebanon; here the destination of the ship.
ἐπιβάντεςhaving gone aboardAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἐπιβαίνωcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance)→ constative aorist participleἐπιβαίνω: 'to embark, board'; nautical usage.
ἀνήχθημενwe set sailAor Pass Indic 1 Pl · ἀνάγωmain verb→ constative aorist (departure)ἀνάγω: nautical term 'to put to sea'; the passive is the standard form for 'to set sail.'
3

ἀναφάναντες δὲ τὴν Κύπρον καὶ καταλιπόντες αὐτὴν εὐώνυμον ἐπλέομεν εἰς Συρίαν, καὶ κατήλθομεν εἰς Τύρον· ἐκεῖσε γὰρ τὸ πλοῖον ἦν ἀποφορτιζόμενον τὸν γόμον.

And when we had sighted Cyprus and left it on our left, we were sailing to Syria, and we put in at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo.

Narrative continuation (voyage detail)δέThe γάρ clause explains why they stopped at Tyre — the ship's commercial itinerary, not Paul's plan. Cyprus is 'left on the left' as the ship sails ESE toward Syria, a nautical detail suggesting eyewitness memory.
ἀναφάναντεςhaving sightedAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἀναφαίνωcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance)→ constative aorist participleἀναφαίνω: 'to make appear, come into view'; nautical 'to sight land'; rare in NT.
δὲandcontinuative particle
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ΚύπρονCyprusAccusativedirect object of ἀναφάναντεςΚύπρος: the large island; birthplace of Barnabas (Acts 4:36), already visited in 13:4–12.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
καταλιπόντεςhaving leftAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · καταλείπωcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance)→ constative aorist participle
αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object of καταλιπόντες
εὐώνυμονon the leftAccusativepredicate accusative (manner)εὐώνυμος: lit. 'of good name' (euphemism for left, the unlucky side); nautical usage.
ἐπλέομενwe were sailingImpf Act Indic 1 Pl · πλέωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (ongoing voyage)πλέω: 'to sail'; the imperfect gives the continuous background action.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ΣυρίανSyriaAccusativeaccusative of goal (proper name)Συρία: the broad Roman province; Tyre lies on the Phoenician coast within it.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
κατήλθομενwe put inAor Act Indic 1 Pl · κατέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (arrival at port)κατέρχομαι: 'to come down'; often used for arriving at a coastal destination.
εἰςatpreposition + accusative (goal/location)
ΤύρονTyreAccusativeaccusative of goal (proper name)Τύρος: ancient Phoenician port city; Paul had apparently not stopped here on the outward journey (20:3).
ἐκεῖσεthereadverb of placeἐκεῖσε: 'to that place, there'; points forward to the reason clause.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
πλοῖονshipNominativesubject
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίperiphrastic auxiliary→ progressive imperfect (ongoing unloading)
ἀποφορτιζόμενονunloadingPres Mid Ptc Nom Sg Neut · ἀποφορτίζωperiphrastic participle with ἦν→ descriptive present (action in progress)ἀποφορτίζω: 'to unload cargo'; hapax in NT; commercial/nautical vocabulary.
τὸνitsAccusativearticle
γόμονcargoAccusativedirect object of ἀποφορτιζόμενονγόμος: 'cargo, freight'; commercial term (cf. Rev 18:11–12 for the cargo of Babylon).
4

ἀνευρόντες δὲ τοὺς μαθητὰς ἐπεμείναμεν αὐτοῦ ἡμέρας ἑπτά· οἵτινες τῷ Παύλῳ ἔλεγον διὰ τοῦ πνεύματος μὴ ἐπιβαίνειν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα.

And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they were telling Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.

Narrative continuation (prophetic warning introduced)δέThe first Spirit-warning of the chapter: διὰ τοῦ πνεύματος marks the prophetic source. The imperfect ἔλεγον gives the repeated/ongoing character of the warning during the seven days. The tension with 20:22 (Paul is 'bound in the Spirit' to go) is deliberate: Luke frames the warnings as prophetic disclosure, not prohibition.
ἀνευρόντεςhaving sought outAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἀνευρίσκωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action)→ constative aorist participleἀνευρίσκω: 'to search out, track down'; implies active searching for the community.
δὲandcontinuative particle
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
μαθητὰςdisciplesAccusativedirect object of ἀνευρόντεςμαθητής: 'disciple'; here the local Christian community at Tyre.
ἐπεμείναμενwe stayedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἐπιμένωmain verb→ constative aorist (duration of stay)ἐπιμένω: 'to remain, stay on'; the prefix ἐπι- intensifies the staying.
αὐτοῦthereadverb of placeαὐτοῦ: adverbial genitive of place, 'there, in that place.'
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time
ἑπτάsevennumeral adjectiveἑπτά: seven days, allowing a full Sabbath cycle.
οἵτινεςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἔλεγον)ὅστις: qualitative relative, 'who (being disciples)'; refers to the Tyrian disciples.
τῷtoDativearticle
ΠαύλῳPaulDativedative of indirect objectΠαῦλος: Paul the apostle.
ἔλεγονwere tellingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (repeated warnings during the week)
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (agency/means)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitivegenitive of agent (διά + gen.)πνεῦμα: the Holy Spirit as prophetic source; διὰ τοῦ πνεύματος marks a Spirit-inspired utterance.
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive)
ἐπιβαίνεινto go upPres Act Inf · ἐπιβαίνωindirect discourse infinitive (object of ἔλεγον)→ present infinitive (continuous action prohibited)ἐπιβαίνω: 'to go up to, enter'; with εἰς + Jerusalem it is the standard idiom for going up to the holy city.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalemAccusativeaccusative of goal (proper name)Ἱεροσόλυμα: the Greek/Hellenistic form of the name; Luke uses both this and Ἰερουσαλήμ.
5

ὅτε δὲ ἐγένετο ἡμᾶς ἐξαρτίσαι τὰς ἡμέρας, ἐξελθόντες ἐπορευόμεθα, προπεμπόντων ἡμᾶς πάντων σὺν γυναιξὶ καὶ τέκνοις ἕως ἔξω τῆς πόλεως, καὶ θέντες τὰ γόνατα ἐπὶ τὸν αἰγιαλὸν προσευξάμενοι

When it came time for us to complete the days, we departed and went on our way, while all of them, with wives and children, escorted us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed,

Narrative continuation (farewell scene)δέThe whole congregation — including women and children, a rare detail — escorts the party to the beach. The kneeling prayer on the shore deliberately echoes the farewell at Miletus (20:36), bookending a pattern of communal leave-takings.
ὅτεwhentemporal conjunction
δὲandcontinuative particle
ἐγένετοit cameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (temporal formula)→ constative aorist
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
ἐξαρτίσαιto completeAor Act Inf · ἐξαρτίζωsubject infinitive of ἐγένετο→ constative aorist (fulfillment of the seven days)ἐξαρτίζω: 'to complete, finish'; prefix ἐξ intensifies completion.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativedirect object of ἐξαρτίσαι
ἐξελθόντεςhaving departedAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἐξέρχομαιcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance)→ constative aorist participle
ἐπορευόμεθαwe went on our wayImpf Mid Indic 1 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb→ progressive imperfect (journey under way)πορεύομαι: 'to go, travel'; Luke's characteristic verb for purposeful journeying.
προπεμπόντωνescortingPres Act Ptc Gen Pl Masc · προπέμπωgenitive absolute (attendant circumstance)→ descriptive present participle (ongoing escort)προπέμπω: 'to escort, send forward'; a term of Christian hospitality (cf. Rom 15:24; 3 Jn 6).
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of προπεμπόντων
πάντωνallGenitivesubject of genitive absoluteπᾶς: 'all'; the whole congregation — the full community escorts them.
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)
γυναιξὶwivesDativedative of accompanimentγυνή: 'woman/wife'; the inclusion of women and children is a vivid detail.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
τέκνοιςchildrenDativedative of accompanimentτέκνον: 'child'; the household community attests to settled family life in Tyre.
ἕωςuntilpreposition/conjunction of extent
ἔξωoutsideadverb of place
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive with ἔξω (separation)
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
θέντεςhaving placedAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · τίθημιcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance)→ constative aorist participleτίθημι: 'to place/put'; τὰ γόνατα τίθημι = 'to kneel.'
τὰtheAccusativearticle
γόναταkneesAccusativedirect object of θέντες (idiomatic: 'to kneel')γόνυ: 'knee'; τιθέναι τὰ γόνατα is the standard NT idiom for kneeling in prayer.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (surface)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
αἰγιαλὸνbeachAccusativeaccusative of place (surface on which they kneel)αἰγιαλός: 'beach, shore'; the setting on the beach makes this farewell scene memorable.
προσευξάμενοιhaving prayedAor Mid Ptc Nom Pl Masc · προσεύχομαιcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance, continued in v.6)→ constative aorist participleπροσεύχομαι: 'to pray'; here a corporate farewell prayer echoing the Milesian scene.
6

ἀπησπασάμεθα ἀλλήλους καὶ ἀνέβημεν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον, ἐκεῖνοι δὲ ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς τὰ ἴδια.

and we said farewell to one another; then we went aboard the ship, and they returned to their homes.

Narrative continuation (farewell completed)δέThe verse rounds off the Tyre farewell symmetrically: ἀπησπασάμεθα ἀλλήλους ('we bid farewell to one another') is reciprocal — both parties part. εἰς τὰ ἴδια ('to their own things/homes') echoes Jn 19:27 and signals a return to normal life after the extraordinary sendoff.
ἀπησπασάμεθαwe said farewellAor Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἀσπάζομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (farewell gesture)ἀσπάζομαι: 'to greet/bid farewell'; the compound ἀπ- marks the parting greeting.
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativedirect object (reciprocal pronoun)ἀλλήλων: reciprocal pronoun; the farewell is mutual.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
ἀνέβημενwe went aboardAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb→ constative aorist (boarding)ἀναβαίνω: 'to go up'; here the nautical sense 'to board.'
εἰςontopreposition + accusative (goal)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πλοῖονshipAccusativedirect object of εἰς (goal of ἀνέβημεν)
ἐκεῖνοιtheyNominativesubject (demonstrative, the Tyrian believers)ἐκεῖνος: 'that one/they'; here contrastive — while we boarded, they returned.
δὲandcontrastive particle
ὑπέστρεψανreturnedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὑποστρέφωmain verb→ constative aorist (return journey)ὑποστρέφω: 'to return'; a Lukan favorite (32x in Luke-Acts).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
τὰtheirAccusativearticle (substantival with ἴδια)
ἴδιαown homesAccusativesubstantival adjective (accusative of goal)ἴδιος: 'one's own'; τὰ ἴδια = 'their own homes/affairs' (cf. Jn 1:11; 19:27).
7

Ἡμεῖς δὲ τὸν πλοῦν διανύσαντες ἀπὸ Τύρου κατηντήσαμεν εἰς Πτολεμαΐδα, καὶ ἀσπασάμενοι τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ἐμείναμεν ἡμέραν μίαν παρ' αὐτοῖς.

And we, having completed the voyage from Tyre, arrived at Ptolemais; and we greeted the brothers and stayed one day with them.

Narrative continuation (next port)δέA brief stop at Ptolemais (modern Acre/Akko) with 'the brothers' — a Christian community there is mentioned without elaboration. The single day contrasts with the seven days at Tyre, keeping the narrative moving toward Jerusalem.
ἩμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic personal pronoun)
δὲandcontinuative particle
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πλοῦνvoyageAccusativedirect object of διανύσαντεςπλοῦς: 'voyage, sailing'; nautical term.
διανύσαντεςhaving completedAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · διανύωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action)→ constative aorist participleδιανύω: 'to complete, finish'; rare in NT; here the voyage segment is completed.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (origin)
ΤύρουTyreGenitivegenitive of origin (proper name)
κατηντήσαμενwe arrivedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · καταντάωmain verb→ constative aorist (arrival)καταντάω: 'to arrive at, reach'; used frequently in Acts for reaching a destination.
εἰςatpreposition + accusative (goal/location)
ΠτολεμαΐδαPtolemaisAccusativeaccusative of goal (proper name)Πτολεμαΐς: OT Acco/Akko; renamed for Ptolemy II; modern Acre; about 25 miles south of Tyre.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
ἀσπασάμενοιhaving greetedAor Mid Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἀσπάζομαιcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance)→ constative aorist participle
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativedirect object of ἀσπασάμενοιἀδελφός: 'brother'; standard Lukan term for fellow believers.
ἐμείναμενwe stayedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · μένωmain verb→ constative aorist (brief stay)
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeaccusative of extent of time
μίανoneAccusativenumeral adjective modifying ἡμέραν
παρ'withpreposition + dative (accompaniment/association)
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative of accompaniment
8

τῇ δὲ ἐπαύριον ἐξελθόντες ἤλθομεν εἰς Καισάρειαν, καὶ εἰσελθόντες εἰς τὸν οἶκον Φιλίππου τοῦ εὐαγγελιστοῦ ὄντος ἐκ τῶν ἑπτὰ ἐμείναμεν παρ' αὐτῷ.

On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven, we stayed with him.

Narrative continuation (arrival at Caesarea)δέPhilip 'the evangelist' (εὐαγγελιστής) is carefully distinguished from Philip the apostle; ὄντος ἐκ τῶν ἑπτὰ identifies him as one of the Seven deacons of Acts 6. His last appearance was 8:40 when he arrived in Caesarea; the narrative now finds him settled there.
τῇon theDativearticle (dative of time)
δὲandcontinuative particle
ἐπαύριονnext dayadverb of timeἐπαύριον: 'on the morrow, next day'; frequent in Acts for the daily advance of the narrative.
ἐξελθόντεςhaving departedAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἐξέρχομαιcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance)→ constative aorist participle
ἤλθομενwe cameAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (arrival)
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ΚαισάρειανCaesareaAccusativeaccusative of goal (proper name)Καισάρεια: Caesarea Maritima, Roman capital of the province Judaea; about 65 miles north of Jerusalem.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
εἰσελθόντεςhaving enteredAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · εἰσέρχομαιcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance)→ constative aorist participle
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
οἶκονhouseAccusativedirect object of εἰσελθόντεςοἶκος: 'house/household'; Philip's house becomes the base of operations.
Φιλίππουof PhilipGenitivegenitive of possessionΦίλιππος: Philip the evangelist (Acts 6:5; 8:4–40), not Philip the apostle.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
εὐαγγελιστοῦevangelistGenitiveapposition to Φιλίππουεὐαγγελιστής: 'one who announces good news'; Philip is the only NT figure explicitly called this besides Eph 4:11 and 2 Tim 4:5.
ὄντοςwho wasPres Act Ptc Gen Sg Masc · εἰμίattributive/appositional genitive participle→ descriptive present participle (identifying Philip)
ἐκofpreposition + genitive (source/membership)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἑπτὰSevenGenitivesubstantival numeral (partitive genitive)ἑπτά: the Seven appointed in Acts 6:1–6 to serve at tables; Philip was the second named (6:5).
ἐμείναμενwe stayedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · μένωmain verb→ constative aorist (extended stay)
παρ'withpreposition + dative (accompaniment/hospitality)
αὐτῷhimDativedative of accompaniment (Philip)
9

τούτῳ δὲ ἦσαν θυγατέρες τέσσαρες παρθένοι προφητεύουσαι.

Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses.

Narrative amplification (parenthetical detail)δέA parenthetical note about Philip's household before the main prophetic episode of vv.10–11. The four prophesying daughters fulfill Joel 2:28 (cited in Acts 2:17: 'your daughters shall prophesy'). Luke's laconic note — no speeches, no names — has generated much subsequent tradition.
τούτῳthis manDativedative of possession (with ἦσαν)οὗτος: the demonstrative refers back to Philip.
δὲnowcontinuative/transitional particle
ἦσανthere wereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (existential)→ progressive imperfect (enduring state)
θυγατέρεςdaughtersNominativesubjectθυγάτηρ: 'daughter'; Philip's four daughters are known only here.
τέσσαρεςfourNominativenumeral adjective modifying θυγατέρες
παρθένοιvirginsNominativepredicate nominative (apposition to θυγατέρες)παρθένος: 'virgin, unmarried woman'; their unmarried status may explain their availability for prophetic ministry.
προφητεύουσαιprophesyingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Fem · προφητεύωattributive participle modifying θυγατέρες→ descriptive present (habitual/ongoing prophetic activity)προφητεύω: 'to prophesy'; fulfills Acts 2:17 (Joel 2:28 LXX). Luke records their existence without quoting any prophecy from them.
10

ἐπιμενόντων δὲ ἡμερῶν πλειόνων κατῆλθέν τις ἀπὸ τῆς Ἰουδαίας προφήτης ὀνόματι Ἅγαβος.

And as we were staying there for a number of days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.

Narrative continuation (Agabus arrives)δέThe genitive absolute ἐπιμενόντων ἡμερῶν πλειόνων sets a temporal backdrop. Agabus has already appeared in Acts 11:28 where he predicted the famine; his reappearance here for the second and last time frames him as a recurring prophetic figure in Acts.
ἐπιμενόντωνremainingPres Act Ptc Gen Pl Masc · ἐπιμένωgenitive absolute (temporal)→ descriptive present participle (ongoing stay)ἐπιμένω: 'to stay on, remain'; the stay in Caesarea extends several days.
δὲandcontinuative particle
ἡμερῶνof daysGenitivesubject of genitive absolute
πλειόνωνseveralGenitiveattributive adjective modifying ἡμερῶν (comparative as superlative)πλείων: comparative of πολύς, 'more/several'; here the plural 'a number of days.'
κατῆλθένcame downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (arrival event)κατέρχομαι: 'to come down'; Judea is elevated, Caesarea coastal, hence 'came down.'
τιςa certainNominativeindefinite pronoun (attributive with προφήτης)
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (origin)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἸουδαίαςJudeaGenitivegenitive of origin (proper name)Ἰουδαία: the region around Jerusalem; Agabus is based there.
προφήτηςprophetNominativesubject (predicate identification of τις)προφήτης: 'prophet'; Agabus is one of the named NT prophets.
ὀνόματιby nameDativedative of reference (idiomatic: 'named')ὄνομα: 'name'; the dative ὀνόματι + proper name is a standard Lukan naming formula.
ἍγαβοςAgabusNominativenominative in apposition (name after ὀνόματι)Ἅγαβος: previously appeared in Acts 11:28 predicting the famine; a recognized prophet.
11

καὶ ἐλθὼν πρὸς ἡμᾶς καὶ ἄρας τὴν ζώνην τοῦ Παύλου δήσας ἑαυτοῦ τοὺς πόδας καὶ τὰς χεῖρας εἶπεν· Τάδε λέγει τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον· Τὸν ἄνδρα οὗ ἐστιν ἡ ζώνη αὕτη οὕτως δήσουσιν ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι καὶ παραδώσουσιν εἰς χεῖρας ἐθνῶν.

And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, 'Thus says the Holy Spirit: So shall the Jews in Jerusalem bind the man to whom this belt belongs, and they will hand him over to the hands of the Gentiles.'

Narrative continuation (prophetic sign-act)καίAgabus performs a prophetic sign-act in the OT tradition (cf. Isa 20; Jer 13; Ezek 4–5). The messenger formula τάδε λέγει τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον (= 'thus says the Holy Spirit') echoes the OT 'thus says YHWH.' The two future verbs (δήσουσιν, παραδώσουσιν) parallel the passion predictions of Jesus.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
ἐλθὼνhaving comeAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἔρχομαιcircumstantial participle (antecedent action)→ constative aorist participle
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (movement toward)
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative object of πρός
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
ἄραςhaving taken upAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · αἴρωcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance)→ constative aorist participleαἴρω: 'to take, lift up'; the prophet picks up the belt to use as a prop.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ζώνηνbeltAccusativedirect object of ἄραςζώνη: 'belt, girdle'; a long cloth belt used to secure the outer garment; the prop for the sign-act.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΠαύλουPaulGenitivegenitive of possession
δήσαςhaving boundAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · δέωcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance, the sign-act itself)→ constative aorist participleδέω: 'to bind, tie'; the key verb that recurs in the oracle (δήσουσιν) — the sign enacts the prophecy.
ἑαυτοῦhis ownGenitivereflexive genitive of possessionἑαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun; Agabus binds his own hands and feet to embody Paul's coming binding.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
πόδαςfeetAccusativedirect object of δήσας
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
χεῖραςhandsAccusativedirect object of δήσας (conjoined)χείρ: 'hand'; the binding of feet and hands signals full arrest.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing oracle)→ constative aorist (prophetic speech act)
ΤάδεThusdemonstrative adverb (messenger formula)τάδε: 'these things / thus'; τάδε λέγει is the LXX prophetic messenger formula (= Heb. כֹּה אָמַר).
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of oracle introduction→ gnomic/oracular present (timeless prophetic authority)
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubjectπνεῦμα: the Holy Spirit as the source of prophetic speech; τάδε λέγει τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον directly parallels OT 'thus says YHWH.'
τὸtheNominativearticle
ἅγιονholyNominativeattributive adjective
ΤὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἄνδραmanAccusativedirect object (fronted for emphasis) of δήσουσινἀνήρ: 'man'; fronted accusative for emphasis — the oracle is about this specific man.
οὗwhoseGenitivegenitive relative pronoun (possession)
ἐστινbelongsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίrelative clause verb→ gnomic present (simple possession)
theNominativearticle
ζώνηbeltNominativesubject of relative clause
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun in apposition
οὕτωςsoadverb of manner (linking sign to fulfillment)οὕτως: 'in this way'; the oracle explicitly ties the sign-act to the prediction.
δήσουσινwill bindFut Act Indic 3 Pl · δέωmain verb of oracle→ predictive futureδέω: echoes δήσας above — the sign-act is lexically bound to the prediction.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ἹερουσαλὴμJerusalemDativedative of place (proper name)Ἱερουσαλήμ: the Hebrew/Aramaic form; Luke often uses this form in prophetic/religious contexts.
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἸουδαῖοιJewsNominativesubject (deferred to end, post-verb)Ἰουδαῖος: here the Jewish leadership or mob in Jerusalem; the charge against Paul (v.28) will be by 'Asian Jews.'
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
παραδώσουσινwill hand overFut Act Indic 3 Pl · παραδίδωμιsecond main verb of oracle→ predictive futureπαραδίδωμι: 'to hand over, deliver'; the same verb used in the passion predictions (Lk 9:44; 18:32).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)
χεῖραςhandsAccusativeaccusative of goal (idiomatic: 'into the hands of')χείρ: 'hand'; εἰς χεῖρας + gen. = 'into the power of' (OT idiom).
ἐθνῶνof GentilesGenitivegenitive of possession (whose hands)ἔθνος: 'nation/Gentiles'; the Roman authorities; again echoing passion predictions (Lk 18:32).
12

ὡς δὲ ἠκούσαμεν ταῦτα, παρεκαλοῦμεν ἡμεῖς τε καὶ οἱ ἐντόπιοι τοῦ μὴ ἀναβαίνειν αὐτὸν εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ.

When we heard these things, both we and the local people were begging him not to go up to Jerusalem.

Narrative continuation (human response to the oracle)δέThe imperfect παρεκαλοῦμεν captures the sustained, repeated urging. The response unites Paul's traveling companions (ἡμεῖς) and the local Caesarean Christians (οἱ ἐντόπιοι) — universal human sympathy against Paul going, setting up his resolute response in v.13.
ὡςwhentemporal conjunction
δὲandcontinuative particle
ἠκούσαμενwe heardAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀκούωverb of temporal clause→ constative aorist (moment of hearing)
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect object (the oracle just spoken)
παρεκαλοῦμενwe were beggingImpf Act Indic 1 Pl · παρακαλέωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (ongoing appeal)παρακαλέω: 'to exhort, beg, urge'; the imperfect shows sustained pleading.
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic, coordinated with οἱ ἐντόπιοι)
τεbothconnective particle (correlative with καί)τε … καί: 'both … and'; a close correlation of two groups.
καὶandcorrelative conjunction (with τε)
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἐντόπιοιlocal peopleNominativesubject (conjoined)ἐντόπιος: 'local, resident'; hapax in NT; the Caesarean believers who host Paul.
τοῦnotGenitivearticle (genitive with articular infinitive of purpose/content)
μὴnotnegative particle
ἀναβαίνεινto go upPres Act Inf · ἀναβαίνωarticular infinitive (object/content of παρεκαλοῦμεν)→ present infinitive (continuous action prevented)ἀναβαίνω: 'to go up'; standard term for going up to Jerusalem.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ἹερουσαλήμJerusalemAccusativeaccusative of goal (proper name)
13

τότε ἀπεκρίθη ὁ Παῦλος· Τί ποιεῖτε κλαίοντες καὶ συνθρύπτοντές μου τὴν καρδίαν; ἐγὼ γὰρ οὐ μόνον δεθῆναι ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀποθανεῖν εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἑτοίμως ἔχω ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ.

Then Paul answered, 'What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.'

Climactic response (Paul's resolution)τότεPaul's response is his most personal statement of readiness for martyrdom in Acts. The rhetorical question with two participles (κλαίοντες, συνθρύπτοντές) expresses grief, not rebuke. The antithesis δεθῆναι … ἀποθανεῖν escalates to ultimate willingness. ἑτοίμως ἔχω ('I am ready') is a Greek idiom.
τότεthentemporal adverb
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (speech act)ἀποκρίνομαι: 'to answer, respond'; passive form with active meaning (deponent).
theNominativearticle
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject
ΤίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (direct object of ποιεῖτε)
ποιεῖτεare you doingPres Act Indic 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb of rhetorical question→ progressive present (ongoing weeping)
κλαίοντεςweepingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · κλαίωcircumstantial participle (manner/means)→ descriptive present (concurrent weeping)κλαίω: 'to weep, cry'; their genuine emotional distress.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
συνθρύπτοντέςbreakingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · συνθρύπτωcircumstantial participle (manner/means, parallel with κλαίοντες)→ descriptive presentσυνθρύπτω: 'to crush, break'; hapax in NT; a vivid word for shattering Paul's resolve.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
καρδίανheartAccusativedirect object of συνθρύπτοντέςκαρδία: 'heart'; the center of will and emotion; 'breaking my heart' = undermining his resolution.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
οὐnotnegative particle
μόνονonlyadverb (οὐ μόνον … ἀλλὰ καί)
δεθῆναιto be boundAor Pass Inf · δέωinfinitive object of ἑτοίμως ἔχω→ constative aorist infinitiveδέω: echoes the prophecy of v.11; Paul accepts the oracle with full awareness.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (correlative with οὐ μόνον)
καὶevenascensive particle
ἀποθανεῖνto dieAor Act Inf · ἀποθνῄσκωinfinitive object (conjoined, escalation)→ constative aorist infinitiveἀποθνῄσκω: 'to die'; Paul's willingness for death echoes Jesus' Gethsemane acceptance.
εἰςatpreposition + accusative (location)
ἹερουσαλὴμJerusalemAccusativeaccusative of place (proper name)
ἑτοίμωςreadyadverb (idiomatic with ἔχω: 'to be ready')ἑτοίμως: 'readily, in readiness'; ἑτοίμως ἔχω = 'I am ready.'
ἔχωI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (idiomatic with ἑτοίμως)→ gnomic/stative present (Paul's fixed readiness)ἔχω: with adverb = 'to be in a state of'; ἑτοίμως ἔχω = 'I am ready.'
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (behalf/cause)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ὀνόματοςnameGenitivegenitive object of ὑπέρὄνομα: 'name'; the Name of Jesus as the cause for which Paul suffers (cf. Acts 9:16).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of relationshipκύριος: 'Lord'; the title for the exalted Jesus.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive apposition to κυρίου
14

μὴ πειθομένου δὲ αὐτοῦ ἡσυχάσαμεν εἰπόντες· Τοῦ κυρίου τὸ θέλημα γινέσθω.

And since he could not be persuaded, we fell silent, saying, 'The will of the Lord be done.'

Resolution (submission to God's will)δέThe genitive absolute μὴ πειθομένου αὐτοῦ marks the turning point: human persuasion exhausted, the community submits. The formula τοῦ κυρίου τὸ θέλημα γινέσθω echoes the Lord's Prayer (γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, Mt 6:10) and Gethsemane (Lk 22:42), making this the theological pivot of the chapter.
μὴnotnegative particle (in genitive absolute)
πειθομένουbeing persuadedPres Pass Ptc Gen Sg Masc · πείθωgenitive absolute (causal/concessive)→ descriptive present (ongoing failure to persuade)πείθω: 'to persuade'; passive/middle 'to be persuaded, yield.' The genitive absolute explains why they desist.
δὲandcontinuative particle
αὐτοῦheGenitivesubject of genitive absolute
ἡσυχάσαμενwe fell silentAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἡσυχάζωmain verb→ constative aorist (cessation of urging)ἡσυχάζω: 'to be quiet, cease, rest'; their silence is an act of submission.
εἰπόντεςsayingAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · λέγωcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance)→ constative aorist participle
Τοῦof theGenitivearticle (fronted genitive — emphatic)
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of possession (fronted for emphasis)κύριος: 'Lord'; here the Lord Jesus or God — the formula covers both.
τὸtheNominativearticle (subject)
θέλημαwillNominativesubject of optative (jussive)θέλημα: 'will, purpose'; the divine will as the final court of appeal. Cf. Mt 6:10; Lk 22:42.
γινέσθωbe donePres Mid Impv 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (imperative of submission)→ jussive imperative (prayer of surrender)γίνομαι: 'to happen, be done'; the imperative form of Gethsemane's γενηθήτω (Mt 26:42).
15

Μετὰ δὲ τὰς ἡμέρας ταύτας ἐπισκευασάμενοι ἀνεβαίνομεν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα.

Now after these days, having made preparations, we were going up to Jerusalem.

Narrative continuation (departure for Jerusalem)δέA transitional verse resuming the main journey after the prophetic episode. ἐπισκευασάμενοι ('having made preparations') is a hapax in NT covering all necessary travel arrangements. The imperfect ἀνεβαίνομεν gives the movement as ongoing — the journey is now under way.
Μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal)
δὲandcontinuative particle
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativedirect object of μετά (temporal accusative)
ταύταςtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective modifying ἡμέρας
ἐπισκευασάμενοιhaving made preparationsAor Mid Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἐπισκευάζωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action)→ constative aorist participleἐπισκευάζω: 'to prepare, pack up'; hapax in NT; covers all travel preparations.
ἀνεβαίνομενwe were going upImpf Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (journey under way)ἀναβαίνω: 'to go up'; the standard term for the ascent to Jerusalem.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalemAccusativeaccusative of goal (proper name)Ἱεροσόλυμα: Jerusalem; the Hellenistic form, recalling the city's international significance.
16

συνῆλθον δὲ καὶ τῶν μαθητῶν ἀπὸ Καισαρείας σὺν ἡμῖν, ἄγοντες παρ' ᾧ ξενισθῶμεν, Μνάσωνί τινι Κυπρίῳ, ἀρχαίῳ μαθητῇ.

And some of the disciples from Caesarea came with us, bringing us to a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.

Narrative continuation (Caesarean escort)δέMnason is mentioned only here in the NT; his designation as ἀρχαῖος μαθητής ('early/original disciple') suggests he was a believer from the earliest days of the Jerusalem church, perhaps from Pentecost or before, now living in Caesarea or Jerusalem.
συνῆλθονcame alongAor Act Indic 3 Pl · συνέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristσυνέρχομαι: 'to come/go together with'; they accompany Paul's party to Jerusalem.
δὲandcontinuative particle
καὶalsoadverbial particle (additionally)
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (partitive genitive — subject of συνῆλθον)
μαθητῶνdisciplesGenitivepartitive genitive (subject derived from τινες τῶν μαθητῶν)
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (origin)
ΚαισαρείαςCaesareaGenitivegenitive of origin (proper name)
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)
ἡμῖνusDativedative of accompaniment
ἄγοντεςbringingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἄγωcircumstantial participle (purpose/attendant circumstance)→ descriptive present participleἄγω: 'to lead, bring'; they lead the group to their lodging host.
παρ'withpreposition + dative (lodging with)
whomDativerelative pronoun (dative after παρά)
ξενισθῶμενwe should lodgeAor Pass Subj 1 Pl · ξενίζωrelative clause verb (purpose/result subjunctive)→ constative aorist subjunctiveξενίζω: 'to receive as a guest, lodge'; the passive = 'to be hosted.'
ΜνάσωνίMnasonDativedative (apposition to ᾧ — the referent of the relative)Μνάσων: unique in NT; a Hellenistic name; a Cypriot like Barnabas.
τινιa certainDativeindefinite pronoun in apposition
ΚυπρίῳCypriotDativedative (ethnic adjective in apposition)Κύπριος: 'from Cyprus'; links Mnason to Barnabas and the Cypriot strand of the early church.
ἀρχαίῳearlyDativedative attributive adjectiveἀρχαῖος: 'ancient, original, early'; an early/original disciple, perhaps from before Pentecost.
μαθητῇdiscipleDativedative in apposition (head noun for the whole appositive phrase)
17

Γενομένων δὲ ἡμῶν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα ἀσμένως ἀπεδέξαντο ἡμᾶς οἱ ἀδελφοί.

When we had arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly.

Narrative continuation (arrival and welcome)δέThe genitive absolute Γενομένων ἡμῶν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα marks the arrival. ἀσμένως ('gladly') is notable — the Jerusalem church's reception is warm, not suspicious, despite the rumors Paul will hear about in v.21.
Γενομένωνhaving arrivedAor Mid Ptc Gen Pl Masc · γίνομαιgenitive absolute (temporal)→ constative aorist participleγίνομαι: 'to come, arrive'; the genitive absolute frames the main clause.
δὲandcontinuative particle
ἡμῶνweGenitivesubject of genitive absolute
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (arrival)
ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalemAccusativeaccusative of goal (proper name)
ἀσμένωςgladlyadverb of mannerἀσμένως: 'gladly, with pleasure'; hapax in NT; the warmth of the reception is emphatic.
ἀπεδέξαντοwelcomedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἀποδέχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (welcoming act)ἀποδέχομαι: 'to receive, welcome'; a term of hospitality and approval.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἀδελφοίbrothersNominativesubjectἀδελφός: the Jerusalem Christian community.
18

τῇ δὲ ἐπιούσῃ εἰσῄει ὁ Παῦλος σὺν ἡμῖν πρὸς Ἰάκωβον, πάντες τε παρεγένοντο οἱ πρεσβύτεροι.

On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.

Narrative continuation (formal meeting with James)δέThe meeting with James (the Lord's brother, head of the Jerusalem church) and all the elders is an official leadership consultation. The imperfect εἰσῄει ('was going in') gives the formal processional character of the visit. Peter is not mentioned — James now heads the Jerusalem church alone.
τῇon theDativearticle (temporal dative)
δὲandcontinuative particle
ἐπιούσῃfollowingPres Act Ptc Dat Sg Fem · ἔπειμιattributive participle (ἡ ἐπιοῦσα [ἡμέρα] = 'the next day')→ descriptive presentἔπειμι: 'to come upon/next'; τῇ ἐπιούσῃ (sc. ἡμέρᾳ) = 'on the following day,' a Lukan formula.
εἰσῄειwas going inImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb→ progressive imperfect (solemn entrance in progress)εἰσέρχομαι: 'to go in, enter'; the imperfect gives processional weight to the visit.
theNominativearticle
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)
ἡμῖνusDativedative of accompaniment
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (movement toward person)
ἸάκωβονJamesAccusativeaccusative of person visitedἸάκωβος: James the Lord's brother, leader of the Jerusalem church (cf. Acts 15:13; Gal 1:19; 2:9).
πάντεςallNominativesubject (of second clause)
τεandconnective particle
παρεγένοντοwere presentAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · παραγίνομαιmain verb (second clause)→ constative aorist (assembled for the meeting)παραγίνομαι: 'to arrive, be present'; the elders have all gathered for this important meeting.
οἱtheNominativearticle
πρεσβύτεροιeldersNominativesubject (appositional clarification of πάντες)πρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; the Jerusalem church's leadership body alongside James.
19

καὶ ἀσπασάμενος αὐτοὺς ἐξηγεῖτο καθ' ἓν ἕκαστον ὧν ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν διὰ τῆς διακονίας αὐτοῦ.

And after greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

Narrative continuation (Paul's mission report)καίPaul's report follows the pattern of Acts 14:27 — reporting what God has done through him. The phrase καθ' ἓν ἕκαστον ('one by one, in detail') emphasizes the methodical completeness of the account. The grammar ascribes all agency to God (ὁ θεὸς ... ἐποίησεν) with Paul as mere instrument (διὰ τῆς διακονίας αὐτοῦ).
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
ἀσπασάμενοςhaving greetedAor Mid Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἀσπάζομαιcircumstantial participle (antecedent action)→ constative aorist participle
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἀσπασάμενος
ἐξηγεῖτοwas relatingImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐξηγέομαιmain verb→ progressive imperfect (extended narration)ἐξηγέομαι: 'to narrate, explain in detail'; the imperfect suggests a lengthy report.
καθ'one bypreposition + accusative (distributive)κατά + ἕν: 'one by one, item by item'; distributive idiom.
ἓνoneAccusativenumeral (distributive with κατά)
ἕκαστονeachAccusativeadjective (distributive, in apposition to the relative clause object)ἕκαστος: 'each one'; καθ' ἓν ἕκαστον = point by point.
ὧνof whatGenitivegenitive relative pronoun (partitive/object of ἐξηγεῖτο by attraction)
ἐποίησενhad doneAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist
theNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God is the agent; Paul is the instrument — mission is theocentric.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἔθνεσινGentilesDativedative of sphereἔθνος: 'nation/Gentiles'; the sphere of Paul's mission.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (instrument/means)
τῆςhisGenitivearticle
διακονίαςministryGenitivegenitive of meansδιακονία: 'ministry, service'; Paul consistently describes his work in terms of service to God.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
20

οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες ἐδόξαζον τὸν θεόν, εἶπόν τε αὐτῷ· Θεωρεῖς, ἀδελφέ, πόσαι μυριάδες εἰσὶν ἐν τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις τῶν πεπιστευκότων, καὶ πάντες ζηλωταὶ τοῦ νόμου ὑπάρχουσιν·

And when they heard this, they glorified God, and they said to him: 'You see, brother, how many tens of thousands there are among the Jews who have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.'

Narrative continuation (Jerusalem leadership's response)δέThe leadership's response is twofold: doxology (ἐδόξαζον τὸν θεόν) and then a pastoral concern. μυριάδες ('tens of thousands') is likely hyperbolic — indicating a very large number. ζηλωταί ('zealots') for the law describes devout Torah observance, not the political Zealot movement.
οἱtheyNominativearticle (substantival, subject)
δὲandcontinuative particle
ἀκούσαντεςhaving heardAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἀκούωcircumstantial participle (temporal)→ constative aorist participle
ἐδόξαζονwere glorifyingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · δοξάζωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (ongoing worship response)δοξάζω: 'to glorify, praise'; the standard response to hearing of God's work in Acts.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θεόνGodAccusativedirect object of ἐδόξαζον
εἶπόνsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (second clause)→ constative aorist (speech act)
τεandconnective particle (links clauses)
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object
ΘεωρεῖςYou seePres Act Indic 2 Sg · θεωρέωmain verb (in direct speech, opening appeal)→ gnomic/stative present (observable fact)θεωρέω: 'to see, observe'; used to draw attention to a visible reality.
ἀδελφέbrotherVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: vocative; a warm fraternal address, not a confrontation.
πόσαιhow manyNominativeinterrogative adjective (indirect question subject)
μυριάδεςtens of thousandsNominativesubject of indirect questionμυριάς: 'a myriad, ten thousand'; in the plural, an indefinitely large number.
εἰσὶνthere arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίverb of indirect question→ gnomic present (present state)
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἸουδαίοιςJewsDativedative of sphereἸουδαῖος: Jewish believers in Jerusalem and diaspora.
τῶνwho haveGenitivearticle (with substantival participle)
πεπιστευκότωνbelievedPerf Act Ptc Gen Pl Masc · πιστεύωsubstantival participle (partitive genitive after μυριάδες)→ intensive perfect participle (completed faith with enduring effect)πιστεύω: the perfect emphasizes that they have believed and remain believers.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
πάντεςallNominativesubject (of second clause)
ζηλωταὶzealousNominativepredicate nominativeζηλωτής: 'zealot, enthusiast'; here ardent Torah observance, not the political movement.
τοῦfor theGenitivearticle
νόμουlawGenitiveobjective genitive (the object of their zeal)νόμος: 'law'; the Mosaic Torah — their ongoing observance is contrasted with the false rumor about Paul.
ὑπάρχουσινthey arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · ὑπάρχωmain verb (stative)→ gnomic present (enduring characteristic)ὑπάρχω: 'to be, exist'; used in place of εἰμί to emphasize a real/actual state.
21

κατηχήθησαν δὲ περὶ σοῦ ὅτι ἀποστασίαν διδάσκεις ἀπὸ Μωϋσέως τοὺς κατὰ τὰ ἔθνη πάντας Ἰουδαίους, λέγων μὴ περιτέμνειν αὐτοὺς τὰ τέκνα μηδὲ τοῖς ἔθεσιν περιπατεῖν.

They have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

Problem introduced (the rumor that threatens Paul's credibility)δέThe perfect passive κατηχήθησαν ('they have been informed/catechized') marks a standing report, not a fresh accusation. The charge — ἀποστασίαν ἀπὸ Μωϋσέως — is serious: 'apostasy from Moses.' Luke presents it as a false inference: Paul's actual teaching (1 Cor 9:20) allows Jewish Christians to remain observant.
κατηχήθησανthey have been informedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · κατηχέωmain verb→ resultative aorist (standing report with continuing effect)κατηχέω: 'to instruct, inform by word of mouth'; root of 'catechize'; here a verbal report has been drilled in.
δὲandcontinuative particle
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive of reference
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing indirect discourse / content)
ἀποστασίανapostasyAccusativedirect object of διδάσκεις (fronted for emphasis)ἀποστασία: 'defection, apostasy'; from ἀφίστημι; a strong charge — abandonment of the ancestral faith.
διδάσκειςyou teachPres Act Indic 2 Sg · διδάσκωmain verb of ὅτι clause→ gnomic present (alleged habitual teaching)
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
ΜωϋσέωςMosesGenitivegenitive of separation (ἀποστασία from)Μωϋσῆς: Moses as the symbol of the Torah and ancestral Jewish way of life.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with substantival participle)
κατὰamongpreposition + accusative (distributive)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔθνηGentilesAccusativeaccusative of sphere (κατὰ τὰ ἔθνη = 'throughout the nations')ἔθνος: 'nation/Gentiles'; the diaspora Jews living scattered among Gentile nations.
πάνταςallAccusativeaccusative adjective modifying Ἰουδαίους (indirect object of διδάσκεις)
ἸουδαίουςJewsAccusativedirect object of διδάσκεις (the people taught)Ἰουδαῖος: diaspora Jews — not Gentile converts; this is the specific accusation.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial participle (means/content of the teaching)→ descriptive present participle
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive)
περιτέμνεινto circumcisePres Act Inf · περιτέμνωindirect discourse infinitive (content of λέγων)→ present infinitive (habitual practice alleged)περιτέμνω: 'to circumcise'; the rite central to Jewish covenant identity.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
τὰtheAccusativearticle
τέκναchildrenAccusativedirect object of περιτέμνειντέκνον: 'child'; circumcision of male infants on the eighth day is the practice at issue.
μηδὲnorcoordinative negative conjunction
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἔθεσινcustomsDativedative of association (περιπατεῖν + dat.)ἔθος: 'custom, practice'; the ancestral customs of Judaism: Sabbath, dietary laws, festivals, etc.
περιπατεῖνto walkPres Act Inf · περιπατέωinfinitive (conjoined with περιτέμνειν)→ present infinitiveπεριπατέω: 'to walk'; the Semitic metaphor for living according to a pattern of life (Heb. הָלַך).
22

τί οὖν ἐστιν; πάντως ἀκούσονται ὅτι ἐλήλυθας.

What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.

Inferential question (the pastoral problem)οὖνJames poses a rhetorical question (τί οὖν ἐστιν;) acknowledging the pastoral dilemma. πάντως ('certainly, by all means') is emphatic — the news of Paul's arrival will spread; the community's credibility is at stake.
τίwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (predicate of ἐστιν)
οὖνtheninferential particle
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (deliberative question)→ gnomic present
πάντωςcertainlyadverb of certaintyπάντως: 'by all means, certainly'; emphatic assertion.
ἀκούσονταιthey will hearFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb→ predictive futureἀκούω: 'to hear'; the spread of news in Jerusalem is inevitable.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
ἐλήλυθαςyou have comePerf Act Indic 2 Sg · ἔρχομαιverb of ὅτι clause→ intensive perfect (Paul is now present in Jerusalem — a present fact)ἔρχομαι: the perfect ἐλήλυθας = 'you have arrived and are here.'
23

τοῦτο οὖν ποίησον ὅ σοι λέγομεν· εἰσὶν ἡμῖν ἄνδρες τέσσαρες εὐχὴν ἔχοντες ἐφ' ἑαυτῶν.

Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who have a vow upon themselves.

Directive (James's practical counsel begins)οὖνJames proposes a concrete solution: sponsor four men under a vow. The aorist imperative ποίησον is a single decisive action. εὐχὴν ἔχοντες ἐφ' ἑαυτῶν is the standard idiom for being under a Nazirite vow (Num 6; cf. Acts 18:18).
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object of ποίησον (anticipatory, explained by ὅ clause)
οὖνthereforeinferential particle
ποίησονdoAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (imperative of instruction)→ constative aorist imperative (decisive single action)ποιέω: 'to do'; the aorist imperative urges prompt decisive action.
whatAccusativerelative pronoun (direct object of λέγομεν, antecedent τοῦτο)
σοιyouDativedative of indirect object
λέγομενwe tellPres Act Indic 1 Pl · λέγωverb of relative clause→ gnomic/performative present
εἰσὶνthere arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (existential)→ gnomic present
ἡμῖνwith usDativedative of possession
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject
τέσσαρεςfourNominativenumeral adjective modifying ἄνδρες
εὐχὴνa vowAccusativedirect object of ἔχοντεςεὐχή: 'vow, prayer'; here a Nazirite-type vow (cf. Num 6; Acts 18:18).
ἔχοντεςhavingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἔχωattributive participle modifying ἄνδρες→ descriptive present (current state of vow)
ἐφ'uponpreposition + genitive/dative (condition resting upon)
ἑαυτῶνthemselvesGenitivereflexive genitive (idiom for being under a vow)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive; ἔχειν εὐχὴν ἐφ' ἑαυτοῦ = 'to be under a vow.'
24

τούτους παραλαβὼν ἁγνίσθητι σὺν αὐτοῖς καὶ δαπάνησον ἐπ' αὐτοῖς ἵνα ξυρήσονται τὴν κεφαλήν, καὶ γνώσονται πάντες ὅτι ὧν κατήχηνται περὶ σοῦ οὐδέν ἐστιν, ἀλλὰ στοιχεῖς καὶ αὐτὸς φυλάσσων τὸν νόμον.

Take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads, and all will know that there is nothing to what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.

Directive (the practical steps of the plan)καίThree imperatives: παραλαβών (take), ἁγνίσθητι (purify yourself), δαπάνησον (pay their expenses). Sponsoring men completing a vow by paying for the concluding temple offerings (Num 6:13–21) was a recognized Jewish act of piety. The goal clause (ἵνα ... γνώσονται) is the pastoral aim: demonstrating that Paul keeps the law.
τούτουςthese menAccusativedirect object of παραλαβών (fronted for emphasis)
παραλαβὼνhaving takenAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · παραλαμβάνωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action / attendant to imperatives)→ constative aorist participleπαραλαμβάνω: 'to take along, take charge of'; Paul is to personally escort the four men.
ἁγνίσθητιpurify yourselfAor Pass Impv 2 Sg · ἁγνίζωmain verb (imperative 1)→ constative aorist imperativeἁγνίζω: 'to purify, sanctify oneself'; a ritual purification in the temple (cf. Num 6:9–12; 19:12).
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative of accompaniment
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
δαπάνησονpayAor Act Impv 2 Sg · δαπανάωmain verb (imperative 2)→ constative aorist imperativeδαπανάω: 'to spend money on, pay expenses'; sponsoring the concluding offerings was a recognized act of Jewish piety.
ἐπ'forpreposition + dative (on behalf of)
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative object of ἐπί
ἵναso thatpurpose/result conjunction
ξυρήσονταιthey may shaveFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ξυράωverb of purpose clause (future indicative for purpose)→ predictive future (fulfillment of vow)ξυράω: 'to shave'; at the conclusion of a Nazirite vow the head is shaved and the hair burned with the offerings (Num 6:18).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
κεφαλήνheadAccusativedirect object of ξυρήσονταικεφαλή: 'head'; the shaving of the head is the visible, public completion of the Nazirite vow.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
γνώσονταιwill knowFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb (second purpose clause)→ predictive future
πάντεςallNominativesubjectπᾶς: 'all'; the wider Jerusalem community — not just the elders.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
ὧνof whatGenitivegenitive relative (object of κατήχηνται by attraction)
κατήχηνταιthey have been informedPerf Pass Indic 3 Pl · κατηχέωverb of relative clause→ intensive perfect (the report stands in their minds)
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive of reference
οὐδένnothingNominativepredicate (subject of ἐστιν)οὐδείς: 'nothing, no one'; the rumors have no substance.
ἐστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of ὅτι clause→ gnomic present
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
στοιχεῖςyou walkPres Act Indic 2 Sg · στοιχέωmain verb of second ὅτι clause→ gnomic present (Paul's actual pattern of life)στοιχέω: 'to walk in line with, conform to'; a metaphor for living consistently with a standard (cf. Gal 5:25; Phil 3:16).
καὶalsoadverbial particle (additionally)
αὐτὸςyourselfNominativeemphatic pronoun (subject intensifier with στοιχεῖς)αὐτός: emphatic 'yourself'; Paul's personal observance, not just instruction to others.
φυλάσσωνkeepingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · φυλάσσωcircumstantial participle (manner — clarifying στοιχεῖς)→ descriptive present (habitual practice)φυλάσσω: 'to keep, guard, observe'; φυλάσσειν τὸν νόμον = Torah observance.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
νόμονlawAccusativedirect object of φυλάσσωννόμος: the Mosaic Law; Paul's compliance here is pastoral, not soteriological.
25

περὶ δὲ τῶν πεπιστευκότων ἐθνῶν ἡμεῖς ἐπεστείλαμεν κρίναντες φυλάσσεσθαι αὐτοὺς τό τε εἰδωλόθυτον καὶ αἷμα καὶ πνικτὸν καὶ πορνείαν.

But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we sent a letter with our judgment that they should keep themselves from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.

Clarification (the Apostolic Decree still holds for Gentiles)δέJames refers back to the Apostolic Decree of Acts 15:20, 29 — reassuring Paul that no new burden is being added. The four abstentions apply to Gentile believers, not to Jewish Christians. This verse clearly delimits the scope: the Nazirite-vow plan concerns Jewish credibility, not Gentile salvation.
περὶas forpreposition + genitive (reference)
δὲbutcontrastive particle
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
πεπιστευκότωνwho have believedPerf Act Ptc Gen Pl Masc · πιστεύωattributive participle modifying ἐθνῶν→ intensive perfect participle (established believers)
ἐθνῶνGentilesGenitivegenitive (object of περί)ἔθνος: 'Gentile believers'; the group covered by the Jerusalem decree.
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic)
ἐπεστείλαμενsent a letterAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἐπιστέλλωmain verb→ constative aorist (the letter of Acts 15:23–29)ἐπιστέλλω: 'to send a letter, write'; refers to the letter of Acts 15:23–29.
κρίναντεςhaving decidedAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · κρίνωcircumstantial participle (manner/means of the letter)→ constative aorist participleκρίνω: 'to judge, decide'; the Jerusalem Council's formal decision.
φυλάσσεσθαιto keep themselvesPres Pass Inf · φυλάσσωindirect discourse infinitive (content of κρίναντες)→ present infinitive (ongoing abstention)φυλάσσω: 'to guard, keep'; the reflexive/passive = 'to abstain from.'
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
τόfrom whatAccusativearticle (substantival with εἰδωλόθυτον)
τεbothconnective particle (beginning the four-item list)
εἰδωλόθυτονsacrificed to idolsAccusativeobject of φυλάσσεσθαι (first item of four)εἰδωλόθυτον: 'idol-food'; food offered in pagan sacrifice — a major boundary issue for Jewish-Gentile table fellowship.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
αἷμαbloodAccusativesecond item in listαἷμα: 'blood'; abstention from blood echoes the Noahic covenant (Gen 9:4) and Levitical law.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
πνικτὸνwhat is strangledAccusativethird item in listπνικτός: 'strangled'; meat from animals not properly bled, forbidden by Jewish law.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
πορνείανsexual immoralityAccusativefourth item in listπορνεία: 'sexual immorality'; broadly covers illicit sexual unions, possibly including the Levitical prohibited-degree marriages (cf. Lev 18) that were common in Gentile society.
26

Τότε ὁ Παῦλος παραλαβὼν τοὺς ἄνδρας, τῇ ἐχομένῃ ἡμέρᾳ σὺν αὐτοῖς ἁγνισθεὶς εἰσῄει εἰς τὸ ἱερόν, διαγγέλλων τὴν ἐκπλήρωσιν τῶν ἡμερῶν τοῦ ἁγνισμοῦ ἕως οὗ προσηνέχθη ὑπὲρ ἑνὸς ἑκάστου αὐτῶν ἡ προσφορά.

Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having purified himself with them, he went into the temple, announcing the completion of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for each one of them.

Narrative continuation (compliance)τότεPaul immediately acts on James's counsel: he takes the four men and joins their purification rite. The verse describes the two-stage process: Paul's own purification (ἁγνισθείς) and his notification to the priests of when the purification days would be complete and the offerings due.
Τότεthentemporal adverb (sequential)
theNominativearticle
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubjectΠαῦλος: the apostle; here acting in full Jewish piety.
παραλαβὼνhaving takenAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · παραλαμβάνωattendant circumstance participle→ constative aorist participleπαραλαμβάνω: 'to take along, receive'; here taking the four men under his sponsorship.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object of παραλαβώνἀνήρ: 'man'; the four Nazirites Paul sponsors.
τῇtheDativearticle
ἐχομένῃfollowingDativeattributive adjective modifying ἡμέρᾳἔχω (mid.): 'the following/next'; τῇ ἐχομένῃ ἡμέρᾳ = 'the next day.'
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (when)ἡμέρα: 'day'; temporal dative.
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative of accompaniment
ἁγνισθεὶςhaving purified himselfAor Pass Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἁγνίζωattendant circumstance participle→ constative aorist participleἁγνίζω: 'to purify'; Paul undergoes the ritual purification alongside the four men.
εἰσῄειwent inImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb→ inceptive imperfect (began going in, repeated entry)εἰσέρχομαι: 'to enter'; the imperfect may suggest repeated daily entry during the purification week.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἱερόνtempleAccusativeobject of εἰςἱερόν: the temple complex; the outer courts where purification rites were registered.
διαγγέλλωνannouncingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · διαγγέλλωcircumstantial participle (manner/purpose)→ progressive present participleδιαγγέλλω: 'to announce, proclaim'; here Paul notifies the priests officially of the purification schedule.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἐκπλήρωσινcompletionAccusativedirect object of διαγγέλλωνἐκπλήρωσις: 'fulfillment, completion'; the end date of the purification days.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἡμερῶνdaysGenitiveobjective genitiveἡμέρα: 'day'; the seven purification days required under Num 19.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ἁγνισμοῦpurificationGenitivegenitive of description / apposition to ἡμερῶνἁγνισμός: 'purification'; a rare noun; the ritual period before the offerings could be made.
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunction (until)
οὗwhichGenitivegenitive relative (with ἕως: 'until the time when')
προσηνέχθηwas offeredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · προσφέρωverb of temporal clause→ constative aorist (single completed offering)προσφέρω: 'to offer, bring to'; the technical term for presenting the sacrificial offering.
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (on behalf of)
ἑνὸςeachGenitivedistributive genitive
ἑκάστουof themGenitivedistributive genitive (each one individually)ἕκαστος: 'each'; the offering is made individually for each of the four men.
αὐτῶνof themGenitivepartitive genitive
theNominativearticle
προσφοράofferingNominativesubject of προσηνέχθηπροσφορά: 'offering'; the concluding sacrifice at the end of a Nazirite vow (Num 6:14–15).
27

Ὡς δὲ ἔμελλον αἱ ἑπτὰ ἡμέραι συντελεῖσθαι, οἱ ἀπὸ τῆς Ἀσίας Ἰουδαῖοι θεασάμενοι αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ συνέχεον πάντα τὸν ὄχλον καὶ ἐπέβαλον ἐπ' αὐτὸν τὰς χεῖρας

When the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia, having seen him in the temple, stirred up all the crowd and laid hands on him,

Narrative turn (crisis onset)δέThe temporal clause 'as the seven days were about to be completed' marks the ironic climax: Paul is nearly done with the very act designed to prove his faithfulness to Torah when Asian Jews recognize him and trigger a riot. The historic presents (συνέχεον, ἐπέβαλον) give narrative vividness.
Ὡςwhentemporal conjunction
δὲnowcontinuative particle
ἔμελλονwere aboutImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · μέλλωverb of temporal clause (impending action)→ conative imperfect (imminence)μέλλω: 'to be about to, intend'; here expressing near-completion.
αἱtheNominativearticle
ἑπτὰsevenNominativenumeral modifier of ἡμέραιἑπτά: 'seven'; the seven days of Nazirite purification per Num 6:9; 19:12, 19.
ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubject of ἔμελλονἡμέρα: 'day'.
συντελεῖσθαιto be completedPres Pass Inf · συντελέωcomplementary infinitive of μέλλω→ progressive present infinitive (process nearing end)συντελέω: 'to complete, bring to an end'; the purification days nearing their close.
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (provenance)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἈσίαςAsiaGenitivegenitive of provenanceἈσία: the Roman province of Asia; Ephesus was its capital — these Jews likely knew Paul from his three-year ministry there.
ἸουδαῖοιJewsNominativesubject of συνέχεον and ἐπέβαλονἸουδαῖος: 'Jew'; the same opponents Paul had faced in Asia (cf. 19:9; 20:19).
θεασάμενοιhaving seenAor Mid Ptc Nom Pl Masc · θεάομαιcircumstantial participle (causal, grounds the action)→ constative aorist participleθεάομαι: 'to see, behold'; their visual recognition triggers the riot.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of θεασάμενοι
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῷtheDativearticle
ἱερῷtempleDativedative of locationἱερόν: the temple precincts.
συνέχεονstirred upImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · συγχέωmain verb (first of a pair)→ inceptive imperfect (began to throw into confusion)συγχέω: 'to pour together, confuse, throw into disorder'; used of crowd agitation (cf. Acts 2:6; 9:22).
πάνταallAccusativeadjective modifying ὄχλον
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ὄχλονcrowdAccusativedirect object of συνέχεονὄχλος: 'crowd, multitude'; the Pentecost crowds in the temple courts.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
ἐπέβαλονlaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιβάλλωmain verb (second of the pair)→ constative aorist (single violent action)ἐπιβάλλω: 'to lay upon'; ἐπέβαλον τὰς χεῖρας = 'laid hands on,' the idiom for arrest or violence.
ἐπ'onpreposition + accusative (upon)
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of ἐπί
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
χεῖραςhandsAccusativedirect object of ἐπέβαλονχείρ: 'hand'; ἐπιβάλλω τὰς χεῖρας is the standard idiom for arrest or violent seizure.
28

κράζοντες· Ἄνδρες Ἰσραηλῖται, βοηθεῖτε· οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ κατὰ τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ τοῦ νόμου καὶ τοῦ τόπου τούτου πάντας πανταχῇ διδάσκων, ἔτι τε καὶ Ἕλληνας εἰσήγαγεν εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν καὶ κεκοίνωκεν τὸν ἅγιον τόπον τοῦτον.

crying out, 'Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place; moreover he has also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.'

Direct speech (accusation)asyndetonThe accusation is two-pronged: (1) Paul's teaching contra the people/law/temple parallels the charge against Stephen (Acts 6:13–14); (2) the charge of bringing Trophimus into the inner courts is stated as fact but v.29 immediately marks it as inference from circumstance. The perfect κεκοίνωκεν emphasizes the alleged standing defilement.
κράζοντεςcrying outPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · κράζωcircumstantial participle (manner of the arrest)→ progressive present participleκράζω: 'to cry out, shout'; the participle sets the scene of violent clamor.
ἌνδρεςMenVocativevocative addressἀνήρ: 'man'; Ἄνδρες Ἰσραηλῖται is the formal address to fellow Jews (cf. Acts 2:22; 3:12).
Ἰσραηλῖταιof IsraelVocativevocative appositionἸσραηλίτης: 'Israelite'; the ethnic-covenantal term, more formal than Ἰουδαῖοι.
βοηθεῖτεhelp!Pres Act Impv 2 Pl · βοηθέωmain imperative (urgent appeal)→ progressive present imperative (ongoing call for help)βοηθέω: 'to help, come to the aid of'; a cry for immediate assistance.
οὗτόςthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject)
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopulative main verb→ gnomic/identificatory present
theNominativearticle
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativepredicate nominativeἄνθρωπος: 'man, person'; used here contemptuously — 'this fellow.'
the oneNominativearticle (substantivalizing the participle-phrase)
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (opposition)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive object of κατά (first of three)λαός: 'people'; the Jewish people as a covenant community.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
νόμουlawGenitivegenitive object of κατά (second)νόμος: 'law'; the Torah — echoing the charge against Stephen (Acts 6:13).
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
τόπουplaceGenitivegenitive object of κατά (third)τόπος: 'place'; the temple — 'this place' echoes the Stephen charge (Acts 6:13–14).
τούτουthisGenitivedemonstrative genitive modifying τόπου
πάνταςeveryoneAccusativedirect object of διδάσκων (proleptic)
πανταχῇeverywhereadverb of placeπανταχῇ: 'everywhere, in all places'; hyperbolic universalism of the charge.
διδάσκωνteachingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · διδάσκωattributive participle (relative clause equivalent within ὁ ἄνθρωπος clause)→ progressive present participle (habitual activity)διδάσκω: 'to teach'; the participle gives the substance of the charge — systematic anti-temple teaching.
ἔτιmoreoveradverb (additive, introducing second charge)
τεalsoconnective particle (correlating with καί)
καὶandcoordinative conjunction (with τε: 'and indeed')
ἝλληναςGreeksAccusativedirect object of εἰσήγαγενἝλλην: 'Greek, Gentile'; bringing a Gentile past the soreg (dividing wall) into the inner courts was a capital offense.
εἰσήγαγενbrought inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσάγωmain verb (second charge)→ constative aorist (completed sacrilegious act alleged)εἰσάγω: 'to lead/bring in'; the accusation of bringing a Gentile inside the soreg, confirmed archaeologically to carry a death penalty.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction into)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἱερὸνtempleAccusativeobject of εἰςἱερόν: the temple precinct, here the inner courts beyond the soreg.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
κεκοίνωκενhas defiledPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · κοινόωmain verb (result of the alleged sacrilege)→ intensive perfect (standing defilement as present state)κοινόω: 'to make common, defile'; the perfect emphasizes the persistent pollution of the holy place.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἅγιονholyAccusativeadjective modifying τόπονἅγιος: 'holy'; the sacral status of the inner temple heightens the severity of the charge.
τόπονplaceAccusativedirect object of κεκοίνωκεντόπος: 'place'; the holy place — the inner courts.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative accusative modifying τόπον
29

ἦσαν γὰρ προεωρακότες Τρόφιμον τὸν Ἐφέσιον ἐν τῇ πόλει σὺν αὐτῷ, ὃν ἐνόμιζον ὅτι εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν εἰσήγαγεν ὁ Παῦλος.

For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they assumed Paul had brought into the temple.

Explanatory parenthesis (narrator's aside)γάρLuke inserts an explanatory aside that unmasks the accusation as false inference: they had seen Trophimus in the city with Paul and merely assumed he had been brought inside. The pluperfect προεωρακότες underscores that the 'sighting' was prior and separate from any temple entry.
ἦσανthey had beenImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίperiphrastic auxiliary with προεωρακότες→ pluperfect periphrastic (prior completed seeing)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
προεωρακότεςhaving previously seenPerf Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · προοράωperiphrastic participle with ἦσαν (pluperfect force)→ extensive perfect participle (prior, completed observation)προοράω: 'to see before, previously see'; the prefix προ- marks that the sighting preceded the temple events.
ΤρόφιμονTrophimusAccusativedirect object of προεωρακότεςΤρόφιμος: a Gentile Christian from Ephesus, one of Paul's travel companions (Acts 20:4; 2 Tim 4:20).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἘφέσιονEphesianAccusativeapposition to ΤρόφιμονἘφέσιος: 'Ephesian'; identifies Trophimus as a Gentile from the city where the Asian Jews themselves had likely known Paul.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῇtheDativearticle
πόλειcityDativedative of placeπόλις: 'city'; Jerusalem; the sighting was in the city's public space, not the temple.
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)
αὐτῷhimDativedative of accompaniment
ὃνwhomAccusativeaccusative relative pronoun (object of εἰσήγαγεν in subordinate clause)
ἐνόμιζονthey assumedImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · νομίζωmain verb of relative clause→ inceptive imperfect (began to assume)νομίζω: 'to think, suppose, assume'; the imperfect implies an ongoing false assumption rather than certain knowledge.
ὅτιthatcomplementizer (indirect statement)
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἱερὸνtempleAccusativeobject of εἰςἱερόν: the inner courts of the temple.
εἰσήγαγενhad broughtAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσάγωverb of ὅτι clause→ constative aorist (alleged completed act)εἰσάγω: 'to bring/lead in'; the verb picks up the same charge from v.28.
theNominativearticle
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject of εἰσήγαγεν in ὅτι clauseΠαῦλος: Paul; subject of the false accusation.
30

ἐκινήθη τε ἡ πόλις ὅλη καὶ ἐγένετο συνδρομὴ τοῦ λαοῦ, καὶ ἐπιλαβόμενοι τοῦ Παύλου εἷλκον αὐτὸν ἔξω τοῦ ἱεροῦ, καὶ εὐθέως ἐκλείσθησαν αἱ θύραι.

Then the whole city was stirred up, and there was a rush of people together; and seizing Paul, they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut.

Narrative escalationτεThe riot spreads from the temple courts to the whole city. The closing of the doors (εὐθέως ἐκλείσθησαν αἱ θύραι) by the temple guards was their act of separating the violence from the sacred precinct — and also a detail that will prevent the crowd from killing Paul inside.
ἐκινήθηwas stirredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κινέωmain verb→ constative aorist (city-wide agitation as an event)κινέω: 'to set in motion, stir'; the passive 'was set in motion' describes the city as a whole swept into turmoil.
τεandconnective particle (links to prior action)
theNominativearticle
πόλιςcityNominativesubject of ἐκινήθηπόλις: 'city'; Jerusalem as a whole is roused.
ὅληwholeNominativepredicate adjective / emphatic modifierὅλος: 'whole, entire'; underscores the city-wide scale of the uproar.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιexistential main verb→ constative aorist (onset of the mob rush)γίνομαι: 'to become, happen'; ἐγένετο συνδρομή = 'a rush came together.'
συνδρομὴa rush togetherNominativesubject of ἐγένετοσυνδρομή: 'a running together, mob rush'; a vivid hapax in Acts for the surging crowd.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
λαοῦpeopleGenitivesubjective genitiveλαός: 'people, crowd'.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
ἐπιλαβόμενοιhaving seizedAor Mid Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἐπιλαμβάνομαιattendant circumstance participle→ constative aorist participleἐπιλαμβάνομαι: 'to seize, take hold of'; the middle voice underlines the aggressive personal grab.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΠαύλουPaulGenitivegenitive object of ἐπιλαμβάνομαιΠαῦλος: Paul; genitive with ἐπιλαμβάνομαι.
εἷλκονdraggedImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἕλκωmain verb→ inceptive imperfect (began dragging)ἕλκω: 'to drag, pull'; the imperfect suggests a sustained, forcible dragging.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of εἷλκον
ἔξωoutsideadverb of place (direction: out of)
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ἱεροῦtempleGenitivegenitive with ἔξω (place from which)ἱερόν: the temple; dragged out so the violence does not defile the precincts.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
εὐθέωςimmediatelytemporal adverbεὐθέως: 'immediately, at once'; Lukan term for swift action.
ἐκλείσθησανwere shutAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · κλείωmain verb→ constative aorist (decisive closing)κλείω: 'to shut, close'; the temple guards close the gates — sealing Paul's fate outside while protecting the precinct from the mob's violence.
αἱtheNominativearticle
θύραιdoorsNominativesubject of ἐκλείσθησανθύρα: 'door, gate'; the Nicanor Gate or inner court gates.
31

Ζητούντων τε αὐτὸν ἀποκτεῖναι ἀνέβη φάσις τῷ χιλιάρχῳ τῆς σπείρης ὅτι ὅλη συγχύννεται Ἰερουσαλήμ,

While they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion,

Simultaneous narrative (counterplot begins)τεThe genitive absolute Ζητούντων τε αὐτὸν ἀποκτεῖναι frames the mob's lethal intent; at the very moment they seek to kill Paul, divine providence operates through the Roman tribune who receives intelligence. The present tense συγχύννεται in indirect speech gives immediacy.
Ζητούντωνwhile seekingPres Act Ptc Gen Pl Masc · ζητέωgenitive absolute (temporal/concessive)→ progressive present participle (ongoing murderous intent)ζητέω: 'to seek'; here with inf. = 'to seek to kill' — the mob's lethal purpose.
τεandconnective particle
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of ἀποκτεῖναι
ἀποκτεῖναιto killAor Act Inf · ἀποκτείνωcomplementary infinitive of ζητούντων→ constative aorist infinitiveἀποκτείνω: 'to kill'; the mob's intended outcome — summary mob justice.
ἀνέβηcame upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb→ constative aorist (report arriving)ἀναβαίνω: 'to go up'; the Antonia fortress was elevated above the temple mount — a report 'goes up' to the tribune there.
φάσιςa reportNominativesubject of ἀνέβηφάσις: 'report, information'; a hapax legomenon in the NT — official intelligence reaching the garrison.
τῷtheDativearticle
χιλιάρχῳtribuneDativedative indirect object of ἀνέβηχιλίαρχος: 'commander of a thousand, tribune' (lit. 'chiliarch'); the commanding officer of the Antonia garrison, later identified as Claudius Lysias (23:26).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
σπείρηςcohortGenitivegenitive of description (cohort commanded)σπεῖρα: 'cohort'; a Roman military unit of about 600 men stationed at the Antonia fortress.
ὅτιthatcomplementizer (content of the report)
ὅληallNominativeadjective modifying Ἰερουσαλήμὅλος: 'whole, entire'; the whole city.
συγχύννεταιis in confusionPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · συγχύννωverb of ὅτι clause (indirect speech retained as present)→ progressive present (ongoing uproar as reported)συγχύννω: 'to confuse, throw into disorder'; related to συγχέω (v.27) — the city-wide turmoil.
ἸερουσαλήμJerusalemNominativesubject of συγχύννεταιἸερουσαλήμ: the Semitic form of the city name (vs. the Hellenized Ἱεροσόλυμα), used when the narrative focus is Jewish.
32

ὃς ἐξαυτῆς παραλαβὼν στρατιώτας καὶ ἑκατοντάρχας κατέδραμεν ἐπ' αὐτούς· οἱ δὲ ἰδόντες τὸν χιλίαρχον καὶ τοὺς στρατιώτας ἐπαύσαντο τύπτοντες τὸν Παῦλον.

who at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down upon them; and when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

Narrative continuation (rescue)δέThe tribune's immediate response (ἐξαυτῆς) is the pivot of Paul's rescue. The halt of the beating (ἐπαύσαντο τύπτοντες) on sight of the military is the turning point: Roman authority stops what Jewish crowd violence began.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject; refers to the tribune)
ἐξαυτῆςat oncetemporal adverb (immediately)ἐξαυτῆς: 'immediately, at once'; marks the military urgency of the response.
παραλαβὼνhaving takenAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · παραλαμβάνωattendant circumstance participle→ constative aorist participleπαραλαμβάνω: 'to take along'; taking soldiers under his command.
στρατιώταςsoldiersAccusativedirect object of παραλαβών (first)στρατιώτης: 'soldier'; ordinary legionary soldiers.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
ἑκατοντάρχαςcenturionsAccusativedirect object of παραλαβών (second)ἑκατοντάρχης: 'centurion' (commander of 100); the plural suggests at least two centuries deployed.
κατέδραμενran downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατατρέχωmain verb→ constative aorist (swift descent)κατατρέχω: 'to run down'; the tribune descends from the elevated Antonia fortress — the geographic/military imagery is vivid.
ἐπ'uponpreposition + accusative (motion toward)
αὐτούςthemAccusativeobject of ἐπί (the rioters)
οἱtheyNominativearticle used as pronoun (subject of following clause)
δὲandcontinuative particle
ἰδόντεςhaving seenAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ὁράωcausal participle (grounds the cessation)→ constative aorist participleὁράω: 'to see'; their sight of the military stops the violence.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
χιλίαρχονtribuneAccusativedirect object of ἰδόντες (first)χιλίαρχος: the military tribune.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
στρατιώταςsoldiersAccusativedirect object of ἰδόντες (second)στρατιώτης: 'soldier'.
ἐπαύσαντοstoppedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · παύωmain verb→ constative aorist (cessation of action)παύω (mid.): 'to stop, cease'; παύομαι + participle = 'stopped doing x.'
τύπτοντεςbeatingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · τύπτωsupplementary participle with παύω→ progressive present (ongoing action brought to a stop)τύπτω: 'to strike, beat'; the repeated blows of the mob against Paul.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ΠαῦλονPaulAccusativedirect object of τύπτοντεςΠαῦλος: Paul.
33

τότε ἐγγίσας ὁ χιλίαρχος ἐπελάβετο αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐκέλευσεν δεθῆναι ἁλύσεσι δυσί, καὶ ἐπυνθάνετο τίς εἴη καὶ τί ἐστιν πεποιηκώς.

Then the tribune came near and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains; he inquired who he might be and what he had done.

Narrative sequel (formal arrest)τότεPaul is bound with two chains — one on each wrist, attached to a soldier on each side — fulfilling Agabus's prophecy (v.11). The tribune's interrogation (ἐπυνθάνετο — imperfect: repeated questioning) yields nothing coherent from the crowd.
τότεthentemporal adverb (sequential marker)
ἐγγίσαςhaving approachedAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἐγγίζωattendant circumstance participle→ constative aorist participleἐγγίζω: 'to draw near, approach'; the tribune steps forward from the military cordon.
theNominativearticle
χιλίαρχοςtribuneNominativesubjectχιλίαρχος: the Roman tribune Claudius Lysias.
ἐπελάβετοarrestedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιλαμβάνομαιmain verb (first of a sequence)→ constative aorist (decisive arrest action)ἐπιλαμβάνομαι: 'to take hold of, arrest'; the same verb used of the mob in v.30 — now Roman authority 'seizes' Paul and removes him from mob control.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἐπιλαμβάνομαι
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
ἐκέλευσενorderedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κελεύωmain verb (second in sequence)→ constative aorist (command given)κελεύω: 'to order, command'; the tribune's military authority expressed in a formal command.
δεθῆναιto be boundAor Pass Inf · δέωinfinitive of indirect command→ constative aorist infinitiveδέω: 'to bind'; the binding fulfills Agabus's sign-prophecy (v.11: δήσουσιν ... οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι).
ἁλύσεσιwith chainsDativedative of instrumentἅλυσις: 'chain'; the Roman custom of securing a prisoner between two soldiers, one chain per wrist.
δυσίtwoDativenumeral modifier of ἁλύσεσιδύο: 'two'; the double chain is the literal fulfillment of Agabus's binding (v.11).
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
ἐπυνθάνετοhe was inquiringImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · πυνθάνομαιmain verb (third in sequence)→ inceptive/iterative imperfect (began questioning, kept asking)πυνθάνομαι: 'to inquire, ask'; the imperfect suggests repeated questioning of various bystanders.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject of εἴη)
εἴηhe might bePres Act Opt 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of indirect question (optative in indirect question)→ oblique optative (indirect question after secondary main verb)
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of πεποιηκώς)
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίperiphrastic auxiliary (second indirect question)→ present indicative retained in indirect question
πεποιηκώςhaving donePerf Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωperiphrastic participle with ἐστιν→ perfect periphrastic (completed act with present relevance: 'what he has done')ποιέω: 'to do, make'; the tribune wants to know the specific act alleged.
34

ἄλλοι δὲ ἄλλο τι ἐβόων ἐν τῷ ὄχλῳ· μὴ δυνάμενος δὲ γνῶναι τὸ ἀσφαλὲς διὰ τὸν θόρυβον ἐκέλευσεν ἄγεσθαι αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν.

Some in the crowd shouted one thing, some another; and since he could not learn the truth because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought to the barracks.

Narrative continuation (failed inquiry → decision)δέThe chaos of contradictory shouts (ἄλλοι ... ἄλλο) recalls Artemis riot (19:32) and underscores the impossibility of a judicial inquiry on the spot. The tribune acts on institutional authority, transferring Paul to the Antonia barracks for safety and interrogation.
ἄλλοιsomeNominativesubject (first of correlative pair)ἄλλος: 'other, another'; ἄλλοι ... ἄλλο = 'some ... one thing, some ... another.'
δὲandcontinuative particle
ἄλλοanother thingAccusativedirect object of ἐβόων (indefinite)ἄλλος: the correlative — 'different things' shouted simultaneously.
τιsomethingAccusativeindefinite pronoun modifying ἄλλο
ἐβόωνwere shoutingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · βοάωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (continuous cacophony)βοάω: 'to shout, cry out'; the imperfect captures the sustained din of contradictory cries.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location within the crowd)
τῷtheDativearticle
ὄχλῳcrowdDativedative of locationὄχλος: 'crowd'.
μὴnotnegation particle (with participle)
δυνάμενοςbeing ablePres Mid Ptc Nom Sg Masc · δύναμαιcausal participle (negative: because he could not)→ progressive present participleδύναμαι: 'to be able'; μὴ δυνάμενος = causal-negative 'since he was unable.'
δὲnowcontinuative particle
γνῶναιto knowAor Act Inf · γινώσκωcomplementary infinitive of δυνάμενος→ constative aorist infinitiveγινώσκω: 'to know, ascertain'; to get to the factual truth.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantival with ἀσφαλές)
ἀσφαλὲςcertain truthAccusativesubstantival adjective (object of γνῶναι)ἀσφαλής: 'certain, secure, reliable'; τὸ ἀσφαλές = 'the reliable facts, the truth' (cf. 22:30; 25:26).
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θόρυβονuproarAccusativeobject of διά (causal)θόρυβος: 'uproar, tumult'; the same word used of the Jerusalem riot earlier (Acts 20:1 context; cf. 17:5).
ἐκέλευσενhe orderedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κελεύωmain verb→ constative aorist (decisive command)κελεύω: 'to order, command'; the tribune acts unilaterally.
ἄγεσθαιto be broughtPres Pass Inf · ἄγωinfinitive of indirect command→ progressive present infinitive (ongoing action of leading)ἄγω: 'to lead, bring'; the process of escorting Paul to the barracks.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
παρεμβολήνbarracksAccusativeobject of εἰςπαρεμβολή: 'camp, barracks'; the Antonia fortress barracks — Paul will be interrogated there and later will address the crowd from its steps.
35

ὅτε δὲ ἐγένετο ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀναβαθμούς, συνέβη βαστάζεσθαι αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τῶν στρατιωτῶν διὰ τὴν βίαν τοῦ ὄχλου·

And when he came to the steps, he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd;

Narrative continuation (violence escalates)δέThe aorist συνέβη + infinitive is a Lukan narrative idiom (cf. ἐγένετο + inf.): 'it happened that he was carried.' The detail that soldiers carry Paul underscores the lethal danger — the mob is pressing so hard that walking is impossible.
ὅτεwhentemporal conjunction
δὲandcontinuative particle
ἐγένετοhe cameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιverb of temporal clause (existential: arrived at)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'to come, arrive at'; ἐγένετο ἐπί = 'he arrived at.'
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (location at the base of)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἀναβαθμούςstepsAccusativeobject of ἐπίἀναβαθμός: 'step, stairway'; the steps leading from the temple esplanade up into the Antonia fortress — Paul will speak from these steps (v.40).
συνέβηit happenedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συμβαίνωmain verb (impersonal)→ constative aorist (event-onset)συμβαίνω: 'to happen, come to pass'; impersonal with infinitive — a Lukan narrative formula.
βαστάζεσθαιto be carriedPres Pass Inf · βαστάζωinfinitive subject of συνέβη→ progressive present infinitive (sustained carrying)βαστάζω: 'to carry, bear'; the soldiers physically carry Paul up the steps.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agent with passive)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
στρατιωτῶνsoldiersGenitivegenitive agentστρατιώτης: 'soldier'; the Roman legionaries literally carrying Paul to safety.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
βίανviolenceAccusativeobject of διά (causal)βία: 'violence, force'; the pressing physical force of the surging mob.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ὄχλουcrowdGenitivegenitive of source/agentὄχλος: 'crowd'.
36

ἠκολούθει γὰρ τὸ πλῆθος τοῦ λαοῦ κράζοντες· Αἶρε αὐτόν.

for the multitude of the people followed, crying out, 'Away with him!'

Explanatory ground (explains why soldiers carry Paul)γάρThe explanatory γάρ gives the reason Paul had to be carried: the surging mob was following and pressing from behind. The cry Αἶρε αὐτόν echoes the crowd's shout against Jesus before Pilate (Luke 23:18; John 19:15), a Lukan echo linking Paul's passion with Jesus'.
ἠκολούθειwas followingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκολουθέωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (sustained pursuit of the crowd)ἀκολουθέω: 'to follow'; the imperfect pictures the crowd pressing continually after Paul and the soldiers.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
πλῆθοςmultitudeNominativesubject of ἠκολούθειπλῆθος: 'multitude, crowd'; the whole mass of the gathered crowd.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
λαοῦpeopleGenitivepartitive genitiveλαός: 'people'; the Jewish crowd in the temple precincts.
κράζοντεςcrying outPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · κράζωcircumstantial participle (manner)→ progressive present participle (continuous shouting)κράζω: 'to cry out, shout'.
ΑἶρεAway withPres Act Impv 2 Sg · αἴρωimperative in direct speech (demand for removal)→ progressive present imperative (sustained demand)αἴρω: 'to lift, take away'; Αἶρε αὐτόν = 'Take him away!' — an echo of the Passion narrative (Luke 23:18; John 19:15), heightening the typological parallel between Paul and Jesus.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of Αἶρε
37

Μέλλων τε εἰσάγεσθαι εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν ὁ Παῦλος λέγει τῷ χιλιάρχῳ· Εἰ ἔξεστίν μοι εἰπεῖν τί πρὸς σέ; ὁ δὲ ἔφη· Ἑλληνιστὶ γινώσκεις;

As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, 'May I say something to you?' And he said, 'Do you know Greek?'

Narrative continuation (Paul speaks)τεThe scene turns on a linguistic surprise: Paul addresses the tribune in Greek, not the Aramaic the tribune expects. The polite request (Εἰ ἔξεστίν μοι) is a rhetorical setup for Paul's defense speech, which will begin in 22:1 in 'Hebrew' (Aramaic), eliciting even deeper silence.
Μέλλωνbeing aboutPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · μέλλωtemporal participle (as he was about to)→ progressive present participle (imminence)μέλλω: 'to be about to'; the temporal participle sets the scene at the threshold of the barracks.
τεandconnective particle
εἰσάγεσθαιto be brought inPres Pass Inf · εἰσάγωcomplementary infinitive of Μέλλων→ progressive present infinitiveεἰσάγω: 'to bring in, lead in'; Paul is being led into the barracks.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
παρεμβολὴνbarracksAccusativeobject of εἰςπαρεμβολή: the Antonia fortress barracks.
theNominativearticle
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject of λέγειΠαῦλος: Paul — now taking the initiative.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (historic present)→ historic present (narrative vividness)λέγω: 'to say'; the historic present is vivid — we are in the moment.
τῷto theDativearticle
χιλιάρχῳtribuneDativedative indirect object of λέγειχιλίαρχος: the Roman tribune.
Εἰifconditional particle (introducing polite request as question)εἰ: used here not as a conditional but as a polite indirect question — 'Is it permitted for me...?' (cf. Acts 22:25).
ἔξεστίνit is permittedPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔξεστιimpersonal verb (main verb of the question)→ gnomic/deontic present (permission)ἔξεστι: 'it is lawful, permitted'; Paul uses the language of legal permission.
μοιfor meDativedative of person permitted
εἰπεῖνto sayAor Act Inf · λέγωsubject infinitive of ἔξεστι→ constative aorist infinitiveλέγω: 'to speak, say'.
τίsomethingAccusativeindefinite/interrogative pronoun (object of εἰπεῖν)
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)
σέyouAccusativeaccusative object of πρός
heNominativearticle used as pronoun (subject)
δὲandcontinuative particle
ἔφηsaidImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · φημίmain verb (dialogue tag)→ historical present/imperfect (φημί often used for dialogue)φημί: 'to say, affirm'; common in dialogue reporting.
ἙλληνιστὶGreekadverb (language modifier)Ἑλληνιστί: 'in Greek'; the adverbial form — Paul's Greek surprises the tribune, who assumed Paul was the Egyptian revolutionary.
γινώσκειςdo you knowPres Act Indic 2 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (direct question)→ gnomic present (knowledge/ability)γινώσκω: 'to know'; here = 'do you know/speak Greek?' — the tribune is astonished.
38

οὐκ ἄρα σὺ εἶ ὁ Αἰγύπτιος ὁ πρὸ τούτων τῶν ἡμερῶν ἀναστατώσας καὶ ἐξαγαγὼν εἰς τὴν ἔρημον τοὺς τετρακισχιλίους ἄνδρας τῶν σικαρίων;

'Are you not then the Egyptian who before these days stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?'

Direct speech (tribune's assumption corrected)asyndetonThe tribune had assumed Paul was a known Egyptian revolutionary (Josephus, J.W. 2.261–263; Ant. 20.169–172) who had led sicarii (dagger-men, assassins) in a failed messianic revolt a few years earlier. Paul's Greek and his subsequent self-identification correct this assumption entirely.
οὐκnotnegation (expecting 'yes' answer: 'Aren't you...?')
ἄραtheninferential particle (drawing conclusion from Paul's Greek)ἄρα: 'then, therefore'; the tribune reasons from Paul's Greek that he must be the Egyptian.
σὺyouNominativeemphatic subject pronoun
εἶarePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίcopulative main verb→ gnomic/identificatory present
theNominativearticle
ΑἰγύπτιοςEgyptianNominativepredicate nominativeΑἰγύπτιος: 'Egyptian'; a Jewish prophet from Egypt who had led a failed revolt under Felix (c. 56 CE); described in Josephus, J.W. 2.261–263 and Ant. 20.169–172.
the one whoNominativearticle (substantivaling the participles)
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (temporal)
τούτωνtheseGenitivedemonstrative genitive modifying ἡμερῶν
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἡμερῶνdaysGenitivegenitive of time (before these days)ἡμέρα: 'day'; πρὸ τούτων τῶν ἡμερῶν = 'recently, some time ago.'
ἀναστατώσαςhaving stirred up revoltAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἀναστατόωattributive participle (modifying ὁ Αἰγύπτιος)→ constative aorist participleἀναστατόω: 'to stir up, unsettle, turn upside down'; used of insurrection — the Egyptian's revolt.
καὶandcoordinative conjunction
ἐξαγαγὼνhaving led outAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἐξάγωattributive participle (second participle coordinated with ἀναστατώσας)→ constative aorist participleἐξάγω: 'to lead out'; the Egyptian led his followers out of Jerusalem into the wilderness.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἔρημονwildernessAccusativeobject of εἰςἔρημος: 'wilderness, desert'; the Judean wilderness — the Egyptian planned to march on Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
τετρακισχιλίουςfour thousandAccusativenumeral modifier of ἄνδραςτετρακισχίλιοι: 'four thousand'; Josephus gives 30,000 followers (Ant.) vs. 4,000 sicarii (J.W.) — Acts follows the lower figure.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object of ἐξαγαγώνἀνήρ: 'man'.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
σικαρίωνAssassinsGenitivepartitive genitiveσικάριος: from Latin sica ('dagger'); the sicarii were Jewish assassins who murdered Roman collaborators with concealed daggers in public places — a distinct group from, but here associated with, the Egyptian.
39

εἶπεν δὲ ὁ Παῦλος· Ἐγὼ ἄνθρωπος μέν εἰμι Ἰουδαῖος, Ταρσεὺς τῆς Κιλικίας, οὐκ ἀσήμου πόλεως πολίτης· δέομαι δέ σου, ἐπίτρεψόν μοι λαλῆσαι πρὸς τὸν λαόν.

Paul said, 'I am a Jewish man, a citizen of Tarsus in Cilicia, no insignificant city; I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.'

Narrative continuation (Paul's self-identification)δέPaul's three-part self-identification is carefully calibrated: (1) Ἰουδαῖος — he is Jewish, not an Egyptian Gentile revolutionary; (2) Ταρσεύς — a citizen of the provincial capital of Cilicia; (3) οὐκ ἀσήμου πόλεως πολίτης — the litotes 'no insignificant city' is quietly dignified pride in his city. The request to speak is the hinge to the defense speech.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (dialogue tag)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'to say'.
δὲandcontinuative particle
theNominativearticle
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject of εἶπενΠαῦλος: Paul.
ἘγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun
ἄνθρωποςa manNominativepredicate nominative (first of the identification series)ἄνθρωπος: 'man, person'; the emphatic self-identification: 'I am indeed a man — a Jew.'
μένindeedsolitarium μέν (marking the first element of the response, with no explicit δέ counterpart)μέν: often anticipates a δέ clause but here stands as an emphatic affirmation.
εἰμιI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopulative main verb→ gnomic/identificatory present
Ἰουδαῖοςa JewNominativepredicate nominative (identity claim 1)Ἰουδαῖος: 'Jew'; the direct denial of the Egyptian identity — Paul is a Jew, not an Egyptian.
Ταρσεὺςof TarsusNominativepredicate nominative (identity claim 2)Ταρσεύς: 'a Tarsian, citizen of Tarsus'; Tarsus was the capital of Cilicia, an important Greco-Roman city known for its philosophical schools.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ΚιλικίαςCiliciaGenitivegenitive of location (city of Cilicia)Κιλικία: the Roman province in SE Anatolia; Tarsus was its capital city.
οὐκnonegation (with ἀσήμου: litotes)
ἀσήμουinsignificantGenitivegenitive adjective modifying πόλεως (litotes with οὐκ)ἄσημος: 'without mark, undistinguished, insignificant'; the litotes οὐκ ἀσήμου = 'not undistinguished' = 'quite distinguished' — understated civic pride.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive of description (citizen of a city)πόλις: 'city'; the city of Tarsus.
πολίτηςcitizenNominativepredicate nominative (identity claim 3)πολίτης: 'citizen'; civic citizenship was a mark of status — Paul is not a vagrant but a citizen of a significant city.
δέομαιI begPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · δέομαιmain verb (request)→ progressive present (earnest ongoing request)δέομαι: 'to beg, request'; the polite but urgent petition addressed to the tribune.
δέnowcontinuative particle (shifting from identification to request)
σουof youGenitivegenitive object of δέομαι
ἐπίτρεψόνpermitAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐπιτρέπωimperative of request→ constative aorist imperative (single permission requested)ἐπιτρέπω: 'to permit, allow'; the aorist imperative is a polite but direct request.
μοιmeDativedative indirect object of ἐπίτρεψον
λαλῆσαιto speakAor Act Inf · λαλέωcomplementary infinitive of ἐπίτρεψον→ constative aorist infinitiveλαλέω: 'to speak, address'; Paul's request is for the opportunity to address the Jewish crowd.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
λαόνpeopleAccusativeobject of πρόςλαός: 'people'; the Jewish crowd below the steps.
40

ἐπιτρέψαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ὁ Παῦλος ἑστὼς ἐπὶ τῶν ἀναβαθμῶν κατέσεισε τῇ χειρὶ τῷ λαῷ· πολλῆς δὲ σιγῆς γενομένης προσεφώνησεν τῇ Ἑβραΐδι διαλέκτῳ λέγων·

And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people; and when a great silence fell, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:

Narrative conclusion (setting of the defense speech)δέThe chapter closes with the most dramatic gesture in Acts: Paul on the steps of the Antonia fortress, silencing a mob that moments before was trying to kill him, addressing them in Aramaic ('the Hebrew dialect'). The genitive absolute πολλῆς δὲ σιγῆς γενομένης — 'a great silence having come about' — is the chapter's final image, preparing for the defense speech of ch.22.
ἐπιτρέψαντοςhaving permittedAor Act Ptc Gen Sg Masc · ἐπιτρέπωgenitive absolute (temporal: when/after he permitted)→ constative aorist participleἐπιτρέπω: 'to permit'; the tribune grants Paul's request — an ironic reversal: the arrested man is allowed to speak.
δὲandcontinuative particle
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive subject of absolute participle
theNominativearticle
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject of κατέσεισε and προσεφώνησενΠαῦλος: Paul, taking his place on the steps as a speaker.
ἑστὼςstandingPerf Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἵστημιcircumstantial participle (attendant description)→ perfect participle (standing as established position)ἵστημι: 'to stand'; the perfect participle ἑστώς = 'standing' — a position of authority and readiness to speak.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (position on top of)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἀναβαθμῶνstepsGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (position on/above)ἀναβαθμός: 'step, stairway'; the steps leading up to the Antonia fortress — elevated above the crowd, giving Paul a platform.
κατέσεισεmotionedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατασείωmain verb (first of the closing scene)→ constative aorist (single decisive gesture)κατασείω: 'to wave downward, motion with the hand'; the orator's gesture for silence and attention (cf. Acts 12:17; 13:16).
τῇwith theDativearticle
χειρὶhandDativedative of instrumentχείρ: 'hand'; the orator's wave — Paul commands the crowd's attention.
τῷto theDativearticle
λαῷpeopleDativedative indirect object (directed at the people)λαός: 'people'; the Jewish crowd.
πολλῆςgreatGenitiveadjective modifying σιγῆς (within genitive absolute)πολύς: 'much, great'; πολλή σιγή = 'a profound silence.'
δὲandcontinuative particle
σιγῆςsilenceGenitivegenitive subject of absolute participleσιγή: 'silence'; the profound quiet that falls on the crowd — the chapter's final, powerful image.
γενομένηςhaving fallenAor Mid Ptc Gen Sg Fem · γίνομαιgenitive absolute (temporal: when a great silence fell)→ constative aorist participle (silence as event)γίνομαι: 'to come about, fall'; silence 'comes about' — a dramatic moment of crowd control.
προσεφώνησενhe addressedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσφωνέωmain verb (second of the closing pair)→ constative aorist (beginning of the speech act)προσφωνέω: 'to call out to, address'; the formal opening of a public address.
τῇin theDativearticle
ἙβραΐδιHebrewDativedative of manner/instrument (language used)Ἑβραΐς: 'Hebrew/Aramaic dialect'; in first-century Judea 'Hebrew' typically denotes Aramaic — the vernacular Jewish language that will deepen the crowd's silence (22:2).
διαλέκτῳdialectDativedative of manner (language/dialect)διάλεκτος: 'language, dialect'; τῇ Ἑβραΐδι διαλέκτῳ = 'in the Hebrew/Aramaic language' — Paul's choice of Aramaic is a powerful signal of Jewish solidarity.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λέγωattendant circumstance / speech-introduction participle→ progressive present participleλέγω: 'to say'; λέγων ends the chapter as a speech-introduction cliffhanger, leading into Acts 22.