For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

ACTS 21:36KJV
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Acts 21:36 (KJV)

What does Acts 21:36 mean?

Acts 21:36 describes a large crowd of people following after Paul, shouting for him to be taken away. The verse shows the intense hostility and uproar from the people, who are demanding that Paul be removed from their presence.

In this scene, Paul has just been seized in Jerusalem, and a mob has formed around him. Roman soldiers are trying to protect Paul from being killed by the crowd. The people’s cry, “Away with him,” is a call for his removal, echoing earlier moments in the Bible when crowds demanded harsh action against someone they saw as a threat.

The Greek behind Acts 21:36

  • "multitude" (πλῆθος, plēthos): This word means a large crowd or mass of people, emphasizing how many were involved in the uproar.
  • "crying" (βοῶντες, boōntes): This Greek word means shouting loudly, not just speaking. It highlights the emotional intensity and chaos of the scene.
  • "Away" (αἶρε, aire): This word literally means “take away” or “remove.” The crowd is not just asking for Paul to be moved aside—they are demanding his removal, possibly even his death.

Why Acts 21:36 matters

  • Acts 21:36 helps clarify how dangerous Paul’s situation was, showing that the crowd’s anger was not just verbal but physically threatening.
  • The verse connects to earlier moments in the New Testament, such as when crowds shouted for Jesus to be crucified, highlighting a pattern of mob reaction against perceived troublemakers.
  • Understanding the original words shows the scale and intensity of the moment, making it clear that Paul was facing a life-threatening situation, not just a disagreement.

Where else these words appear

“multitude” Greek G4128 · used in 32 verses

  • Mark 3:7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,
  • John 5:3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
  • Acts 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

“crying” Greek G2896 · used in 58 verses

  • Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
  • Mark 11:9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
  • 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.

“after” Greek G190 · used in 88 verses

  • Matthew 4:20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
  • Mark 6:1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
  • John 1:37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

“Away” Greek G142 · used in 98 verses

  • Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
  • Mark 8:20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
  • John 5:9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.