King James Version

What Does Acts 21:40 Mean?

Acts 21:40 in the King James Version says “And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there ... — study this verse from Acts chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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,

Acts 21:40 · KJV


Context

38

Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

39

But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

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,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Paul's gesture for silence and choice to speak 'in the Hebrew tongue' demonstrated cultural sensitivity and rhetorical skill. Speaking Hebrew (likely Aramaic, the common Jewish language) created immediate connection with his audience and showed he was no apostate. The resulting 'great silence' gave Paul opportunity to present his testimony, showing how God opens doors even in hostile circumstances.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Hebrew language (or Aramaic) was the tongue of Jewish learning and devotion. Paul's use of it, rather than Greek, showed respect for his audience's heritage and created rapport by speaking their heart language.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you adapt your communication style to connect with hostile or skeptical audiences?
  2. What does Paul's example teach about using cultural knowledge and language skills for gospel witness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
ἐπιτρέψαντος1 of 23

licence

G2010

to turn over (transfer), i.e., allow

δὲ2 of 23

And

G1161

but, and, etc

αὐτοῦ3 of 23

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

4 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Παῦλος5 of 23

Paul

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

ἑστὼς6 of 23

stood

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

ἐπὶ7 of 23

on

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῶν8 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀναβαθμῶν9 of 23

the stairs

G304

a stairway

κατέσεισεν10 of 23

and beckoned

G2678

to sway downward, i.e., make a signal

τῇ11 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χειρὶ12 of 23

with the hand

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

τῷ13 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαῷ14 of 23

unto the people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

πολλῆς15 of 23

a great

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

δὲ16 of 23

And

G1161

but, and, etc

σιγῆς17 of 23

silence

G4602

silence

γενομένης18 of 23

when there was made

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

προσεφώνησεν19 of 23

he spake

G4377

to sound towards, i.e., address, exclaim, summon

τῇ20 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἑβραΐδι21 of 23

unto them in the Hebrew

G1446

the hebraistic (hebrew) or jewish (chaldee) language

διαλέκτῳ22 of 23

tongue

G1258

a (mode of) discourse, i.e., "dialect"

λέγων23 of 23

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 21:40 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 21:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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