And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

ACTS 21:31KJV
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Acts 21:31 (KJV)

What does Acts 21:31 mean?

Acts 21:31 describes how, as a group was trying to kill Paul, news quickly reached the Roman military commander that the entire city of Jerusalem was in chaos. The verse highlights the seriousness of the situation and the rapid spread of the disturbance.

In this scene, Paul is in Jerusalem, and a mob has become violent against him. The "chief captain" refers to the Roman officer in charge of the soldiers stationed at the fortress near the temple. The report coming to this commander signals that the unrest was so widespread that it threatened public order, prompting immediate Roman intervention.

The Greek behind Acts 21:31

  • ἀναταραχή (anatarachē, G4797) — "uproar": This word means a disturbance or commotion, emphasizing that the situation in Jerusalem was not just a small fight but a city-wide turmoil.
  • χιλίαρχος (chiliarchos, G5506) — "chief captain": This title refers to a Roman commander of a thousand soldiers, showing the level of authority involved and the seriousness with which the Romans viewed the situation.
  • φήμη (phēmē, G5334) — "tidings": This word often means a report or news, suggesting that the information about the riot spread quickly and urgently to those in charge.

Why Acts 21:31 matters

  • Acts 21:31 clarifies that the threat to Paul was not hidden or minor; it was a public crisis that drew the attention of Roman authorities.
  • The verse connects the events surrounding Paul to the larger political and social tensions in Jerusalem, showing why the Romans would intervene.
  • Understanding the scale of the uproar helps explain the swift and forceful Roman response in the following verses, setting the stage for Paul's arrest and later defenses.

Where else these words appear

“uproar” Greek G4797 · used in 5 verses

  • Acts 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
  • Acts 9:22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
  • Acts 19:32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

“band” Greek G4686 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 27:27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
  • John 18:3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
  • Acts 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

“captain” Greek G5506 · used in 22 verses

  • Mark 6:21 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;
  • Acts 22:27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.
  • Acts 23:19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?

“kill” Greek G615 · used in 71 verses

  • Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
  • Luke 11:48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.
  • Acts 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.