Acts 21:38 - Aren’t you then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?”
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What does "Acts 21:38" mean?
This verse from Acts 21:38 is part of a heated exchange between Paul and a Roman military tribune. The tribune has just rescued Paul from a mob in Jerusalem who were trying to kill him. Seeing the commotion and hearing the accusations, the tribune assumes Paul must be a notorious troublemaker.
Here's a breakdown of what the verse implies and its significance:
"Aren’t you then the Egyptian?": The tribune believes Paul is the leader of a known uprising led by an Egyptian man.
"who before these days stirred up to sedition": This implies that the Egyptian leader caused unrest and rebellion against Roman authority. "Sedition" means inciting rebellion or resistance to established authority.
"and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?”: This refers to the Egyptian leading a group of 4,000 armed men into the desert. The term "Assassins" (or Sicarii in Greek) likely refers to Jewish zealots who were known for their use of small daggers (sicae) to assassinate their enemies, particularly those who collaborated with the Romans.
In essence, the tribune believes Paul is a dangerous revolutionary who had previously incited a rebellion and led a group of assassins into the desert.
Why this is important:
Misidentification: The verse highlights the Roman authorities' struggle to understand the complex political and religious landscape of Judea. The tribune is quick to assume Paul is just another violent rebel.
Context for Paul's Arrest: This misunderstanding is the reason Paul is initially arrested. He is seen as a threat to Roman order.
Paul's Defense: This sets the stage for Paul's subsequent defense, where he will try to explain his true identity and mission and show he is not a threat to Roman rule.
Historical Context:
Historical sources mention an Egyptian who led a group of followers into the desert with the promise of a miraculous display that would destroy the walls of Jerusalem. This incident probably occurred a few years before the events of Acts 21. The Roman authorities crushed the uprising.
In conclusion, the verse shows the Romans' perception of potential threats within Judea and provides a crucial context for the events that follow in the book of Acts.
Acts 21:38 - Aren’t you then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?”
What does "Acts 21:38" mean?
This verse from Acts 21:38 is part of a heated exchange between Paul and a Roman military tribune. The tribune has just rescued Paul from a mob in Jerusalem who were trying to kill him. Seeing the commotion and hearing the accusations, the tribune assumes Paul must be a notorious troublemaker.
Here's a breakdown of what the verse implies and its significance:
"Aren’t you then the Egyptian?": The tribune believes Paul is the leader of a known uprising led by an Egyptian man.
"who before these days stirred up to sedition": This implies that the Egyptian leader caused unrest and rebellion against Roman authority. "Sedition" means inciting rebellion or resistance to established authority.
"and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?”: This refers to the Egyptian leading a group of 4,000 armed men into the desert. The term "Assassins" (or Sicarii in Greek) likely refers to Jewish zealots who were known for their use of small daggers (sicae) to assassinate their enemies, particularly those who collaborated with the Romans.
In essence, the tribune believes Paul is a dangerous revolutionary who had previously incited a rebellion and led a group of assassins into the desert.
Why this is important:
Misidentification: The verse highlights the Roman authorities' struggle to understand the complex political and religious landscape of Judea. The tribune is quick to assume Paul is just another violent rebel.
Context for Paul's Arrest: This misunderstanding is the reason Paul is initially arrested. He is seen as a threat to Roman order.
Paul's Defense: This sets the stage for Paul's subsequent defense, where he will try to explain his true identity and mission and show he is not a threat to Roman rule.
Historical Context:
Historical sources mention an Egyptian who led a group of followers into the desert with the promise of a miraculous display that would destroy the walls of Jerusalem. This incident probably occurred a few years before the events of Acts 21. The Roman authorities crushed the uprising.
In conclusion, the verse shows the Romans' perception of potential threats within Judea and provides a crucial context for the events that follow in the book of Acts.