Acts 22:22–23:10

Footnotes

1. 73 Grk “They were listening”; the referent (the crowd) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
2. 74 Grk “until this word.” Until he said this. Note it is the mention of Paul’s mission to the Gentiles with its implication of ethnic openness that is so disturbing to the audience.
3. 75 Grk “And.” To indicate the logical sequence, καί (kai) has been translated as “then” here.
4. 76 Grk “and said.”
5. 77 Grk “this one.”
6. 78 καθήκω has “to be appropriate, come/reach to, be proper/fitting … Usu. impers. καθήκει it comes (to someone) … foll. by and inf.… οὐ καθῆκεν αὐτὸν ζῆν he should not be allowed to live Ac 22:22.”
7. 79 The participle κραυγαζόντων (kraugazontōn) has been translated temporally.
8. 80 Or “outer garments.” Their cloaks. The outer garment, or cloak, was taken off and laid aside to leave the arms free (perhaps in this case as preparation for throwing stones).
9. 81 The crowd’s act of tossing dust in the air indicated they had heard something disturbing and offensive. This may have been a symbolic gesture, indicating Paul’s words deserved to be thrown to the wind, or it may have simply resulted from the fact they had nothing else to throw at him at the moment.
10. 82 Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). In Greek the term χιλίαρχος (chiliarchos) literally described the “commander of a thousand,” but it was used as the standard translation for the Latin tribunus militum or tribunus militare, the military tribune who commanded a cohort of 600 men.
11. 83 Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
12. 84 Or “the headquarters.” παρεμβολή 2 has “barracks/headquarters of the Roman troops in Jerusalem Ac 21:34, 37; 22:24; 23:10, 16, 32.”
13. 85 Grk “into the barracks, saying.” This is a continuation of the same sentence in Greek using the participle εἴπας (eipas), but due to the length and complexity of the Greek sentence a new sentence was begun in the translation here. The direct object “them” has been supplied; it is understood in Greek.
14. 86 Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
15. 87 To interrogate Paul by beating him with a lash. Under the Roman legal system it was customary to use physical torture to extract confessions or other information from prisoners who were not Roman citizens and who were charged with various crimes, especially treason or sedition. The lashing would be done with a whip of leather thongs with pieces of metal or bone attached to the ends.
16. 88 Grk “they”; the referent (the crowd) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
17. 89 Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
18. 90 Grk “for the thongs” (of which the lash was made). Although often translated as a dative of means (“with thongs”), referring to thongs used to tie the victim to the whipping post, ἱμάς states that it “is better taken as a of purpose for the thongs, in which case οἱ ἱμάντες = whips (Posidonius: 87 fgm. 5 Jac.; POxy. 1186, 2 τὴν διὰ τῶν ἱμάντων αἰκείαν.—Antiphanes 74, 8, Demosth. 19, 197 and Artem. 1, 70 use the sing. in this way).”
19. 91 See the note on the word centurion in .
20. 92 The word “citizen” is supplied here for emphasis and clarity.
21. 93 Or “a Roman citizen and uncondemned.” ἀκατάκριτος has “uncondemned, without due process” for this usage. The fact that Paul was a Roman citizen protected him from being tortured to extract information; such protections were guaranteed by the Porcian and Julian law codes. In addition, the fact Paul had not been tried exempted him from punishment.
22. 94 See the note on the word centurion in .
23. 95 The word “this” is not in the Greek text but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
24. 96 Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. .
25. 97 The word “it” is not in the Greek text but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
26. 98 Or perhaps, “What do you intend to do?” Although μέλλω 1.c.α lists this phrase under the category “be about to, be on the point of,” it is possible it belongs under 1.c.γ, “denoting an intended action: intend, propose, have in mind … τί μέλλεις ποιεῖν; what do you intend to do?”
27. 99 The word “citizen” is supplied here for emphasis and clarity.
28. 100 Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. .
29. 101 Grk “and said to.”
30. 102 Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
31. 103 The word “citizen” is supplied here for emphasis and clarity.
32. 104 Grk “He said.”
33. 105 Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. .
34. 106 Sometimes Roman citizenship was purchased through a bribe (Dio Cassius, Roman History 60.17.4–9). That may well have been the case here.
35. 107 καί 2.b has “intensive: even … Ac 5:39; 22:28.”
36. 108 The word “citizen” is supplied here for emphasis and clarity. Paul’s reference to being born a citizen suggests he inherited his Roman citizenship from his family.
37. 109 Grk “Paul said.” This phrase has been placed at the end of the sentence in the translation for stylistic reasons.
38. 110 ἀφίστημι 2.b has “keep away … ἀπό τινος … Lk 4:13; Ac 5:38; 2 Cor 12:8 … cp. Ac 22:29.” In context, the point would seem to be not that the interrogators departed or withdrew, but that they held back from continuing the flogging.
39. 111 Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. .
40. 112 Grk “he”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
41. 113 This is a present tense (ἐστιν, estin) retained in indirect discourse. It must be translated as a past tense in contemporary English.
42. 114 The word “citizen” is supplied here for emphasis and clarity.
43. 115 Had him tied up. Perhaps a reference to the chains in Acts 21:33, or the preparations for the lashing in Acts 22:25. A trial would now be needed to resolve the matter. The Roman authorities’ hesitation to render a judgment in the case occurs repeatedly: Acts 22:30; 23:28–29; 24:22; 25:20, 26–27. The legal process begun here would take the rest of Acts and will be unresolved at the end. The process itself took four years of Paul’s life.
44. 116 Grk “he”; the referent (the commanding officer) has been supplied here in the translation for clarity.
45. 117 Grk “the certainty, why.” BDAG 147 ἀσφαλής 2 has “τὸ ἀ. the certainty = the truth (in ref. to ferreting out the facts … ἵνα τὸ ἀ. ἐπιγνῶ) γνῶναι 21:34; 22:30.”
46. 118 Grk “he”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
47. 119 Grk “the whole Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).
48. 120 Grk “and bringing.” The participle καταγαγών (katagagōn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was begun in the translation, and καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to clarify the logical sequence.
49. 1 Grk “Paul, looking directly at the council, said.” The participle ἀτενίσας (atenisas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
50. 2 Grk “the Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).
51. 3 πολιτεύομαι 3 has “W. a double συνειδήσει ἀγαθῇ πεπολίτευμαι τῷ θεῷ I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God Ac 23:1.”
52. 4 Grk “and” (δέ, de); the phrase “at that” has been used in the translation to clarify the cause and effect relationship.
53. 5 BDAG 778 παρίστημι/παριστάνω 2.b.α has “οἱ παρεστῶτες αὐτῷ those standing near him Ac 23:2.”
54. 6 Grk “him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
55. 7 Or “hit” (‘strike’ maintains the wordplay with the following verse). The action was probably designed to indicate a rejection of Paul’s claim to a clear conscience in the previous verse.
56. 8 You whitewashed wall. This was an idiom for hypocrisy—just as the wall was painted on the outside but something different on the inside, so this person was not what he appeared or pretended to be (L&N 88.234; see also τοῖχος). Paul was claiming that the man’s response was two-faced (Ezek 13:10–16; Matt 23:27–28). See also Deut 28:22.
57. 9 Grk “And do.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
58. 10 The law refers to the law of Moses.
59. 11 παρανομέω has “παρανομῶν κελεύεις in violation of the law you order Ac 23:3.” In violation of the law. Paul was claiming that punishment was given before the examination was complete ( Sanhedrin 3:6–8). Luke’s noting of this detail shows how quickly the leadership moved to react against Paul.
60. 12 The word “him” is not in the Greek text but is implied.
61. 13 L&N 33.393 has for λοιδορέω (loidoreō) “to speak in a highly insulting manner—‘to slander, to insult strongly, slander, insult.’ ” Insult God’s high priest. Paul was close to violation of the Mosaic law with his response, as the citation from Exod 22:28 in v. 5 makes clear.
62. 14 Grk “said.”
63. 15 Or “know.”
64. 16 A quotation from Exod 22:28. This text defines a form of blasphemy. Paul, aware of the fact that he came close to crossing the line, backed off out of respect for the law.
65. 17 γινώσκω 4 has “to be aware of someth., perceive, notice, realize”; this is further clarified by section 4.c: “w. ὅτι foll.… Ac 23:6.”
66. 18 See the note on Sadducees in .
67. 19 See the note on Pharisee in .
68. 20 Grk “the Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).
69. 21 That is, concerning the hope that the dead will be resurrected. Grk “concerning the hope and resurrection.” ἐλπίς 1.b.α states, “Of Israel’s messianic hope Ac 23:6 (ἐ. καὶ ἀνάστασις for ἐ. τῆς ἀν. [obj. gen] as 2 Macc 3:29 ἐ. καὶ σωτηρία).” With an objective genitive construction, the resurrection of the dead would be the “object” of the hope.
70. 22 The participle εἰπόντος (eipontos) has been translated temporally.
71. 23 Or “a dispute” ( στάσις 3).
72. 24 Grk “there came about an argument.” This has been simplified to “an argument began”
73. 25 ἀμφότεροι 2 has “all, even when more than two are involved … Φαρισαῖοι ὁμολογοῦσιν τὰ ἀ. believe in them all 23:8.” On this belief see Josephus, 2.8.14 (2.163); 18.1.3 (18.14). This is a parenthetical note by the author.
74. 26 Or “clamor” (cf. κραυγή 1.a, which has “there arose a loud outcry” here, and Exod 12:30).
75. 27 Or “and some scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in .
76. 28 Grk “standing up.” The participle ἀναστάντες (anastantes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
77. 29 Grk “protested strongly, saying.” L&N 39.27 has “διαμάχομαι: to fight or contend with, involving severity and thoroughness—‘to protest strongly, to contend with.’ … ‘some scribes from the party of the Pharisees protested strongly’ Ac 23:9.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant and has not been translated.
78. 30 “We find nothing wrong with this man.” Here is another declaration of innocence. These leaders recognized the possibility that Paul might have the right to make his claim.
79. 31 This genitive absolute construction with the participle γινομένης (ginomenēs) has been taken temporally (it could also be translated as causal).
80. 32 Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). In Greek the term χιλίαρχος (chiliarchos) literally described the “commander of a thousand,” but it was used as the standard translation for the Latin tribunus militum or tribunus militare, the military tribune who commanded a cohort of 600 men.
81. 33 Grk “that Paul would be torn to pieces by them.” διασπάω has “of an angry mob μὴ διασπασθῇ ὁ Παῦλος ὑπʼ αὐτῶν that Paul would be torn in pieces by them Ac 23:10.” The passive construction is somewhat awkward in English and has been converted to an equivalent active construction in the translation.
82. 34 Normally this term means “army,” but according to στράτευμα, “Of a smaller detachment of soldiers, Ac 23:10, 27.” In the plural it can be translated “troops,” but it is singular here.
83. 35 Or “to go down, grab him out of their midst.”
84. 36 Or “the headquarters.” παρεμβολή 2 has “barracks/headquarters of the Roman troops in Jerusalem Ac 21:34, 37; 22:24; 23:10, 16, 32.”