And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

ACTS 21:30KJV
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Acts 21:30 (KJV)

What does Acts 21:30 mean?

Acts 21:30 describes a moment of chaos in Jerusalem when the entire city is stirred up, and a crowd quickly gathers. The people seize Paul, drag him out of the temple, and immediately shut the temple doors behind him.

This verse takes place as Paul is in Jerusalem, where some in the city believe he has brought non-Jews into the temple, which was a serious offense. The verse highlights the intensity of the crowd’s reaction and their determination to remove Paul from the sacred area, showing how quickly rumors and anger can escalate into action.

The Greek behind Acts 21:30

  • "Moved" (ἐκινήθη, kinēthē): This Greek word means to be stirred up or thrown into an uproar. It emphasizes that the whole city was not just mildly interested but deeply agitated and disturbed.
  • "Ran together" (συνέδραμεν, synedramen): This word means to rush or run together, painting a vivid picture of people converging rapidly from all directions, not just a slow gathering.
  • "Drew him out" (εἷλκον, heilkon): This verb means to drag or pull forcibly. The crowd did not simply escort Paul out; they physically dragged him, showing the violence of the moment.
  • "Doors were shut" (ἐκλείσθησαν, ekleisthēsan): The shutting of the temple doors is a strong action, symbolizing both exclusion and a desire to contain the disturbance outside the holy place.

Why Acts 21:30 matters

  • This verse clarifies how quickly public opinion in Jerusalem could turn and how dangerous the situation became for Paul, even before any formal charges or trials.
  • The detail about shutting the temple doors shows the seriousness with which the temple authorities treated the disturbance, wanting to protect the sanctity of the temple.
  • Acts 21:30 connects to the wider narrative by setting the stage for Paul's arrest and the series of trials that follow, marking a turning point in his ministry and the spread of the early Christian message.

Where else these words appear

“moved” Greek G2795 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
  • Mark 15:29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
  • Acts 24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

“drew” Greek G1670 · used in 8 verses

  • John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
  • John 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
  • John 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

“shut” Greek G2808 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
  • Luke 11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
  • Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

“took” Greek G1949 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
  • Luke 20:26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
  • Acts 21:33 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.