Acts 21:33
New International Version
The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.

New Living Translation
Then the commander arrested him and ordered him bound with two chains. He asked the crowd who he was and what he had done.

English Standard Version
Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done.

Berean Standard Bible
The commander came up and arrested Paul, ordering that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.

Berean Literal Bible
Then having drawn near, the commander laid hold of him and commanded him to be bound with two chains, and began inquiring who he might be and what it is he has been doing.

King James Bible
Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

New King James Version
Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done.

New American Standard Bible
Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered that he be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done.

NASB 1995
Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done.

NASB 1977
Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done.

Amplified Bible
Then the commander came up and arrested Paul, and ordered that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.

Christian Standard Bible
Then the commander approached, took him into custody, and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He asked who he was and what he had done.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the commander came up, took him into custody, and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He asked who he was and what he had done.

American Standard Version
Then the chief captain came near, and laid hold on him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and inquired who he was, and what he had done.

Contemporary English Version
The army commander went over and arrested him and had him bound with two chains. Then he tried to find out who Paul was and what he had done.

English Revised Version
Then the chief captain came near, and laid hold on him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and inquired who he was, and what he had done.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the officer went to Paul, grabbed him, and ordered him to be tied up with two chains. The officer asked who Paul was and what he had done.

Good News Translation
The commander went over to Paul, arrested him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked, "Who is this man, and what has he done?"

International Standard Version
Then the tribune came up, grabbed Paul, and ordered him to be tied up with two chains. He then asked who Paul was and what he had done.

Majority Standard Bible
The commander came up and arrested Paul, ordering that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.

NET Bible
Then the commanding officer came up and arrested him and ordered him to be tied up with two chains; he then asked who he was and what he had done.

New Heart English Bible
Then the commanding officer came near, arrested him, commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what he had done.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then the chief captain came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains: and inquired who he was, and what he had done.

Weymouth New Testament
Then the Tribune, making his way to him, arrested him, and, having ordered him to be secured with two chains, proceeded to ask who he was and what he had been doing.

World English Bible
Then the commanding officer came near, arrested him, commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what he had done.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Then the chief captain, having come near, took him, and commanded [him] to be bound with two chains, and was inquiring who he may be, and what it is he has been doing,

Berean Literal Bible
Then having drawn near, the commander laid hold of him and commanded him to be bound with two chains, and began inquiring who he might be and what it is he has been doing.

Young's Literal Translation
Then the chief captain, having come nigh, took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains, and was inquiring who he may be, and what it is he hath been doing,

Smith's Literal Translation
Then the captain of a thousand, having drawn near, took him, and commanded to be bound with two chains; and inquired who he might be, and what he had done.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then the tribune coming near, took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains: and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the tribune, drawing near, apprehended him and ordered that he be bound with two chains. And he was asking who he was and what he had done.

New American Bible
The cohort commander came forward, arrested him, and ordered him to be secured with two chains; he tried to find out who he might be and what he had done.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the tribune came, arrested him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; he inquired who he was and what he had done.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the chief captain came near him and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains. Then he inquired, Who is he and what has he done?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And the Chiliarch called him and took him and commanded to bind him with two chains, and he was asking about him, who he was and what he had done.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then the officer came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains, and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

Godbey New Testament
Then the chiliarch, having come nigh, took Paul, and commanded that he should be bound with two chains; and was making inquiry who he might be, and what he had done.

Haweis New Testament
Then the tribune approaching him, laid hold on him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and asked who he was, and what he had done.

Mace New Testament
the commander advanc'd, seiz'd him, and order'd to load him with two chains: then demanded who he was, and what he had done.

Weymouth New Testament
Then the Tribune, making his way to him, arrested him, and, having ordered him to be secured with two chains, proceeded to ask who he was and what he had been doing.

Worrell New Testament
Then the chief captain, coming near, laid hold of him, and ordered that he be bound with two chains; and he was inquiring who he was, and what he had done.

Worsley New Testament
Then the commanding officer came near and took him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and inquired, who he was, and what he had done.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul Seized in the Temple
32Immediately he took some soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 The commander came up and arrested Paul, ordering that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, and some another. And since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks.…

Cross References
Acts 22:24-29
the commander ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. He directed that Paul be flogged and interrogated to determine the reason for this outcry against him. / But as they stretched him out to strap him down, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it lawful for you to flog a Roman citizen without a trial?” / On hearing this, the centurion went and reported it to the commander. “What are you going to do?” he said. “This man is a Roman citizen.” ...

Acts 16:19-24
When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace. / They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil / by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.” ...

Acts 23:10
The dispute grew so violent that the commander was afraid they would tear Paul to pieces. He ordered the soldiers to go down and remove him by force and bring him into the barracks.

Acts 24:7
but Lysias the commander came with great force and took him out of our hands,

Acts 25:23-27
The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the auditorium, along with the commanders and leading men of the city. And Festus ordered that Paul be brought in. / Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man. The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him, both here and in Jerusalem, crying out that he ought not to live any longer. / But I found he had done nothing worthy of death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him. ...

Acts 26:29
“Short time or long,” Paul replied, “I wish to God that not only you but all who hear me this day may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Acts 28:16
When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.

Luke 23:32-33
Two others, who were criminals, were also led away to be executed with Jesus. / When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left.

John 18:12-13
Then the band of soldiers, with its commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him. / They brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.

John 18:28
Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover.

John 19:16
Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, and the soldiers took Him away.

Matthew 27:2
They bound Him, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.

Mark 15:1
Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin devised a plan. They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate.

2 Corinthians 11:23
Are they servants of Christ? (I am speaking as if I were out of my mind.) I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death.

Philippians 1:13
As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

be.

Acts 21:11
And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

Acts 12:6
And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

Acts 20:23
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

and demanded.

Acts 22:24
The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

Acts 25:16
To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

John 18:29,30
Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? …

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Arrested Bound Captain Chains Chief Chiliarch Commanded Commander Commanding Demanded Hold Inquired Laid Making Nigh Officer Ordered Orders Proceeded Questioning Secured Tribune Way
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Acts 21
1. Paul calls at the house of Philip, whose daughters prophesy.
10. Agabus, foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem,
13. he will not be dissuaded from going thither.
17. He comes to Jerusalem;
27. where he is apprehended, and in great danger, but by the chief captain is rescued;
37. and requests, and is permitted to speak to the people.














The commander came up
The term "commander" refers to a Roman military officer, specifically a "chiliarch," who was in charge of a thousand soldiers. This highlights the Roman presence and authority in Jerusalem, a city under Roman occupation. The presence of such a figure underscores the tension between the Jewish populace and the Roman authorities. Historically, this reflects the political climate of the time, where Roman officials were often involved in maintaining order in the provinces.

and arrested him
The act of arresting Paul signifies the seriousness of the situation. In the Greek, the word used for "arrested" can also mean to seize or take hold of, indicating a forceful action. This reflects the urgency and potential danger perceived by the Roman authorities in the uproar caused by Paul's presence. It also foreshadows the trials and tribulations Paul would face as a result of his ministry.

and ordered that he be bound with two chains
The phrase "bound with two chains" is significant, as it indicates that Paul was considered a significant threat or criminal. The use of two chains suggests a high level of security, possibly to prevent escape or to signify the gravity of the accusations against him. This imagery is reminiscent of Peter's imprisonment in Acts 12, drawing a parallel between the experiences of early Christian leaders and their sufferings for the faith.

Then he asked who he was and what he had done
The commander's inquiry into Paul's identity and actions highlights the confusion and lack of understanding surrounding the situation. It reflects the Roman practice of ensuring due process, even amidst chaos. This moment is pivotal, as it sets the stage for Paul to testify about his mission and the gospel. The question of "who he was" is not just about identity but also about authority and purpose, which Paul would later address in his defense.

(33) Commanded him to be bound with two chains.--Looking to the usual Roman practices in the treatment of prisoners, we may think of each chain as fastened at one end to the Apostle's arm, and at the other to those of the soldiers who kept guard over him. (See Notes on Acts 12:6; Acts 28:16.) So shackled, he was taken before the Chiliarch Lysias for a preliminary inquiry.

Verse 33. - Laid hold on for took, A.V.; inquired for. demanded, A.V. Laid hold on (ἐπελάβετο); see Acts 17:19, note. Bound with two chains; as St. Peter was (Acts 12:6). Ἄλυσις means properly "a chain on the hands" as opposed to πέδη, a fetter (Mark 5:4); and therefore the two chains are not to be understood of chains on his hands and feet, with Kuinoel, but, as in the case of Peter, of chains fastening him to a soldier on both hands.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
The
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

commander
χιλίαρχος (chiliarchos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5506: A commander of a thousand men, a military tribune. From chilioi and archo; the commander of a thousand soldiers

came up
ἐγγίσας (engisas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1448: Trans: I bring near; intrans: I come near, approach. From eggus; to make near, i.e. approach.

[and] arrested
ἐπελάβετο (epelabeto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1949: To lay hold of, take hold of, seize (sometimes with beneficent, sometimes with hostile, intent).

[Paul],
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

ordering that
ἐκέλευσεν (ekeleusen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2753: To command, order, direct, bid. From a primary kello; 'hail'; to incite by word, i.e. Order.

he be bound
δεθῆναι (dethēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 1210: To bind, tie, fasten; I impel, compel; I declare to be prohibited and unlawful. A primary verb; to bind.

with two
δυσί (dysi)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1417: Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.

chains.
ἁλύσεσι (halysesi)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 254: A (light) chain, bond. Of uncertain derivation; a fetter or manacle.

Then
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

he asked
ἐπυνθάνετο (epynthaneto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4441: To ask, inquire, ascertain by inquiry, understand.

who
τίς (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

he was
εἴη (eiē)
Verb - Present Optative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

what
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

he had done.
πεποιηκώς (pepoiēkōs)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.


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NT Apostles: Acts 21:33 Then the commanding officer came near arrested (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 21:32
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