And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

ACTS 21:35KJV
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Acts 21:35 (KJV)

What does Acts 21:35 mean?

Acts 21:35 describes how, when Paul reached the stairs leading to the Roman barracks, the soldiers had to carry him because the crowd’s violence was so intense. The verse shows the seriousness of the situation, with the soldiers physically protecting Paul from the angry people.

Paul is being escorted by Roman soldiers after a mob in Jerusalem turns violent against him. The soldiers are not just walking with Paul—they are actually carrying him up the stairs to keep him safe from the crowd, which is pressing in with such force that Paul’s safety is at risk. This moment highlights both the danger Paul faced and the soldiers’ role in shielding him.

The Greek behind Acts 21:35

  • ἔφερον (epheron, "borne"): This Greek word means "carried" or "bore." The use of this word emphasizes that Paul was not simply led or guided, but physically lifted and carried by the soldiers, showing the severity of the threat from the crowd.
  • διά (dia, "for"): This word is often understood as "because of" or "on account of." Here, it makes clear that the reason for the soldiers carrying Paul was the violence (βία, bia) of the people, not just a formal procedure.
  • βία (bia, "violence"): This word refers to force or aggressive behavior. Its use here underlines the dangerous and chaotic environment, explaining why such extreme measures were necessary.

Why Acts 21:35 matters

  • Acts 21:35 clears up any idea that Paul was only under light guard; instead, the verse shows the real danger he faced from the crowd, requiring the soldiers to physically carry him.
  • The verse emphasizes the intensity of the opposition against Paul in Jerusalem, setting the stage for the events that follow, including his arrest and later defenses before various authorities.
  • This detail connects to the broader narrative of Acts, where Paul’s mission often brings him into conflict and danger, yet also underlines how Roman authority sometimes protected him from harm.

Where else these words appear

“stairs” Greek G304 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 21:40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

“violence” Greek G970 · used in 4 verses

  • Acts 5:26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
  • Acts 24:7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
  • Acts 27:41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

“was” Greek G4819 · used in 8 verses

  • Mark 10:32 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,
  • Acts 3:10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
  • 1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

“soldiers” Greek G4757 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
  • John 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
  • Acts 21:32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.