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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 21:38 "Aren't you the Egyptian who incited a rebellion some time ago and led four thousand members of the 'Assassins' into the wilderness?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/21-38.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/44_Act_21_38.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 21:38 - Paul Speaks to the People" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Aren't you the Egyptian who incited a rebellion some time ago and led four thousand members of the 'Assassins' into the wilderness?" /><script 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class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/acts/21-38.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/acts/">Acts</a> > <a href="/acts/21.htm">Chapter 21</a> > Verse 38</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/21-37.htm" title="Acts 21:37">◄</a> Acts 21:38 <a href="/acts/21-39.htm" title="Acts 21:39">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/acts/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/acts/21.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220Aren&#8217t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago?&#8221 <a href="/nlt/acts/21.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Aren’t you the Egyptian who led a rebellion some time ago and took 4,000 members of the Assassins out into the desert?” <a href="/esv/acts/21.htm">English Standard Version</a> Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” <a href="/bsb/acts/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “Aren’t you the Egyptian who incited a rebellion some time ago and led four thousand members of the Assassins into the wilderness?” <a href="/blb/acts/21.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Are you not, then, the Egyptian, the one before these days having led a revolt and having led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the 'Assassins?'" <a href="/kjv/acts/21.htm">King James Bible</a> Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers? <a href="/nkjv/acts/21.htm">New King James Version</a> Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?” <a href="/nasb_/acts/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” <a href="/nasb/acts/21.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/acts/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” <a href="/lsb/acts/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago raised a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” <a href="/amp/acts/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then you are not [as I assumed] the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led those 4,000 men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” <a href="/csb/acts/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt some time ago and led four thousand men of the Assassins into the wilderness? ” <a href="/hcsb/acts/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Aren&#8217t you the Egyptian who raised a rebellion some time ago and led 4,000 Assassins into the wilderness?&#8221 <a href="/asv/acts/21.htm">American Standard Version</a> Art thou not then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins? <a href="/cev/acts/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "Aren't you that Egyptian who started a riot not long ago and led 4,000 terrorists into the desert?" <a href="/erv/acts/21.htm">English Revised Version</a> Art thou not then the Egyptian, which before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins? <a href="/gwt/acts/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Aren't you the Egyptian who started a revolution not long ago and led four thousand terrorists into the desert?" <a href="/gnt/acts/21.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Then you are not that Egyptian fellow who some time ago started a revolution and led four thousand armed terrorists out into the desert?" <a href="/isv/acts/21.htm">International Standard Version</a> You're not the Egyptian who started a revolt some time ago and led 4,000 assassins into the desert, are you?" <a href="/msb/acts/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Aren?t you the Egyptian who incited a rebellion some time ago and led four thousand members of the Assassins into the wilderness?? <a href="/net/acts/21.htm">NET Bible</a> Then you're not that Egyptian who started a rebellion and led the four thousand men of the 'Assassins' into the wilderness some time ago?" <a href="/nheb/acts/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Are you not then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?" <a href="/wbt/acts/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Art not thou that Egyptian, who before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers? <a href="/wey/acts/21.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Are you not the Egyptian who some years ago excited the riot of the 4,000 cut-throats, and led them out into the Desert?" <a href="/web/acts/21.htm">World English Bible</a> Aren’t you then the Egyptian who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Are you not, then, the Egyptian who made an uprising before these days, and led the four thousand men of the assassins into the desert?” <a href="/blb/acts/21.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Are you not, then, the Egyptian, the one before these days having led a revolt and having led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the 'Assassins?'" <a href="/ylt/acts/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> art not thou, then, the Egyptian who before these days made an uprising, and did lead into the desert the four thousand men of the assassins?' <a href="/slt/acts/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Art not thou then the Egyptian, who before these days having risen up, and having brought into the desert four thousand men of murderers?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Art not thou that Egyptian who before these days didst raise a tumult, and didst lead forth into the desert four thousand men that were murderers? <a href="/cpdv/acts/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> So then, are you not that Egyptian who before these days incited a rebellion and led out into the desert four thousand murderous men?” <a href="/nabre/acts/21.htm">New American Bible</a> So then you are not the Egyptian who started a revolt some time ago and led the four thousand assassins into the desert?” <a href="/nrsvce/acts/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then you are not the Egyptian who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Are you not that Egyptian who some time ago created disturbances and led out into the desert four thousand malefactors? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/21.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “Are you not that Egyptian who before these days made a disturbance and led four thousand criminal men to the wilderness?”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/21.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Are you not that Egyptian, who, before these days, made an insurrection, and led out into the wilderness four thousand men of the Assassins? <a href="/godbey/acts/21.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Are you not that Egyptian who before these days rising up and leading away into the desert four hundred men of daggers? <a href="/haweis/acts/21.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Art not thou certainly that Egyptian who some time since raised a sedition, and led out into the desert four thousand cutthroats? <a href="/mace/acts/21.htm">Mace New Testament</a> are not you the Egyptian, who lately made an insurrection at the head of four thousand banditti in the desart? <a href="/wey/acts/21.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Are you not the Egyptian who some years ago excited the riot of the 4,000 cut-throats, and led them out into the Desert?" <a href="/worrell/acts/21.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Are you not, then, the Egyptian who, before these days, caused a revolt, and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?" <a href="/worsley/acts/21.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Art not thou that Egyptian, who before this madest a sedition, and didst lead out into the wilderness four thousand murtherers? <a href="/parallel/acts/21-38.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=7307" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/21.htm">Paul Speaks to the People</a> 37As they were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied. 38<a href="/greek/686.htm" title="686: ara (Conj) -- Then, therefore, since. Probably from airo; a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive.">“</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ei (V-PIA-2S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">Aren’t</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sy (PPro-N2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/124.htm" title="124: Aigyptios (Adj-NMS) -- Egyptian. From Aiguptos; an Eyyptian or inhabitant of Egyptus.">Egyptian</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">who</a> <a href="/greek/387.htm" title="387: anastatōsas (V-APA-NMS) -- From a derivative of anistemi; properly, to drive out of home, i.e. to disturb.">incited a rebellion</a> <a href="/greek/4253.htm" title="4253: pro (Prep) -- A primary preposition; fore, i.e. In front of, prior to.">some time ago</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutōn (DPro-GFP) -- This; he, she, it. "></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2250.htm" title="2250: hēmerōn (N-GFP) -- A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. "></a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1806.htm" title="1806: exagagōn (V-APA-NMS) -- To lead out, sometimes to death, execution. From ek and ago; to lead forth.">led</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5070.htm" title="5070: tetrakischilious (Adj-AMP) -- Four thousand. From the multiplicative adverb of tessares and chilioi; four times a thousand.">four thousand</a> <a href="/greek/435.htm" title="435: andras (N-AMP) -- A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.">members</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/4607.htm" title="4607: Sikariōn (N-GMP) -- An assassin, murderer, bandit; one of the Sicarii. Of Latin origin; a dagger-man or assassin; a freebooter.">‘Assassins’</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">into</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2048.htm" title="2048: erēmon (Adj-AFS) -- Lonesome, i.e. waste.">wilderness?”</a> 39But Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Now I beg you to allow me to speak to the people.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/5-36.htm">Acts 5:36-37</a> Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. / After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered. <a href="/mark/15-7.htm">Mark 15:7</a> And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. <a href="/luke/23-19.htm">Luke 23:19</a> (Barabbas had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) <a href="/matthew/24-24.htm">Matthew 24:24</a> For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible. <a href="/john/18-40.htm">John 18:40</a> “Not this man,” they shouted, “but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.) <a href="/2_corinthians/11-26.htm">2 Corinthians 11:26</a> In my frequent journeys, I have been in danger from rivers and from bandits, in danger from my countrymen and from the Gentiles, in danger in the city and in the country, in danger on the sea and among false brothers, <a href="/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1-2</a> Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. <a href="/1_peter/2-13.htm">1 Peter 2:13-14</a> Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. <a href="/matthew/26-55.htm">Matthew 26:55</a> At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw? Every day I sat teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. <a href="/luke/22-52.htm">Luke 22:52</a> Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple officers, and elders who had come for Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against an outlaw? <a href="/isaiah/53-12.htm">Isaiah 53:12</a> Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors. <a href="/jeremiah/52-16.htm">Jeremiah 52:16</a> But Nebuzaradan captain of the guard left behind some of the poorest of the land to tend the vineyards and fields. <a href="/2_kings/25-11.htm">2 Kings 25:11</a> Then Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried into exile the people who remained in the city, along with the deserters who had defected to the king of Babylon and the rest of the population. <a href="/2_chronicles/36-20.htm">2 Chronicles 36:20</a> Those who escaped the sword were carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exile in Babylon, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power. <a href="/nehemiah/1-3.htm">Nehemiah 1:3</a> And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Are not you that Egyptian, which before these days made an uproar, and led out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?that.<a href="/acts/5-36.htm">Acts 5:36,37</a> For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought… <a href="/matthew/5-11.htm">Matthew 5:11</a> Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.<a href="/1_corinthians/4-13.htm">1 Corinthians 4:13</a> Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/15-18.htm">Ago</a> <a href="/acts/1-26.htm">Chance</a> <a href="/acts/13-18.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/acts/7-28.htm">Egyptian</a> <a href="/acts/17-16.htm">Excited</a> <a href="/acts/21-23.htm">Four</a> <a href="/luke/23-25.htm">Government</a> <a href="/acts/21-37.htm">Led</a> <a href="/acts/2-28.htm">Madest</a> <a href="/acts/7-52.htm">Murderers</a> <a href="/acts/17-31.htm">Raised</a> <a href="/acts/5-37.htm">Revolt</a> <a href="/acts/19-40.htm">Riot</a> <a href="/acts/19-40.htm">Sedition</a> <a href="/acts/21-15.htm">Started</a> <a href="/acts/21-27.htm">Stirred</a> <a href="/acts/19-19.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/acts/21-5.htm">Time</a> <a href="/acts/21-34.htm">Uproar</a> <a href="/acts/13-18.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/acts/13-18.htm">Wilderness</a> <a href="/acts/21-19.htm">Worked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/24-11.htm">Ago</a> <a href="/acts/27-12.htm">Chance</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-5.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/genesis/16-1.htm">Egyptian</a> <a href="/exodus/35-21.htm">Excited</a> <a href="/acts/27-29.htm">Four</a> <a href="/acts/24-5.htm">Government</a> <a href="/acts/23-18.htm">Led</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-7.htm">Madest</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-9.htm">Murderers</a> <a href="/acts/22-22.htm">Raised</a> <a href="/hebrews/3-12.htm">Revolt</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-18.htm">Riot</a> <a href="/acts/24-5.htm">Sedition</a> <a href="/philippians/1-6.htm">Started</a> <a href="/romans/7-8.htm">Stirred</a> <a href="/romans/11-4.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/acts/22-13.htm">Time</a> <a href="/acts/23-9.htm">Uproar</a> <a href="/romans/11-3.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-5.htm">Wilderness</a> <a href="/romans/7-5.htm">Worked</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 21</div>1. <a href="/acts/21-1.htm">Paul calls at the house of Philip, whose daughters prophesy.</a> 10. <a href="/acts/21-10.htm">Agabus, foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem, </a> 13. <a href="/acts/21-13.htm">he will not be dissuaded from going thither.</a> 17. <a href="/acts/21-17.htm">He comes to Jerusalem;</a> 27. <a href="/acts/21-27.htm">where he is apprehended, and in great danger, but by the chief captain is rescued;</a> 37. <a href="/acts/21-37.htm">and requests, and is permitted to speak to the people.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Aren’t you the Egyptian This phrase refers to a specific historical figure known as the Egyptian, who is mentioned by the Jewish historian Josephus. This Egyptian was a false prophet who led a large group of followers to the Mount of Olives, promising that the walls of Jerusalem would fall at his command. The Roman authorities were on high alert for any potential insurrections, especially from charismatic leaders claiming divine authority. The mention of an Egyptian highlights the diverse and often tumultuous political landscape of the time, where various leaders attempted to exploit the messianic expectations of the Jewish people.who incited a rebellion some time ago The rebellion mentioned here is a reference to the insurrection led by the Egyptian, which was ultimately quashed by the Roman procurator Felix. This event is indicative of the frequent uprisings and unrest in Judea during the Roman occupation. The Roman Empire was known for its strict control over its provinces, and any form of rebellion was met with swift and often brutal suppression. This context underscores the tension between the Jewish population and their Roman rulers, a theme that is prevalent throughout the New Testament.and led four thousand members of the Assassins The term "Assassins" refers to the Sicarii, a radical Jewish group known for their violent tactics against both Roman authorities and Jewish collaborators. The Sicarii were named for the small daggers (sicae) they concealed and used to carry out assassinations in crowded places. Their actions were part of a broader resistance movement against Roman rule, and they were considered a significant threat to the peace and stability of the region. This mention of the Sicarii highlights the volatile environment in which the early Christian church was emerging.into the wilderness? The wilderness is a significant motif in biblical literature, often symbolizing a place of testing, preparation, or divine encounter. In the context of this passage, the wilderness may refer to the Judean desert, a common refuge for those seeking to escape Roman authority or to gather followers for a cause. The wilderness also evokes memories of Israel's history, such as the Exodus and the prophetic tradition of seeking God in desolate places. This setting underscores the desperation and radical nature of the Egyptian's movement, as well as the broader theme of deliverance and hope for a new beginning.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_egyptian.htm">The Egyptian</a> A historical figure mentioned by the Roman commander, believed to have led a revolt against Roman authority. This Egyptian was a false prophet who gathered a following and attempted to overthrow the Roman garrison in Jerusalem. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_assassins.htm">The Assassins (Sicarii)</a> A group of Jewish zealots known for their violent tactics against Roman occupation and Jewish collaborators. The term "Sicarii" comes from the Latin word for "dagger," reflecting their method of assassination. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_roman_commander.htm">The Roman Commander</a> The official in charge of maintaining order in Jerusalem. He mistakenly identifies Paul as the Egyptian rebel, highlighting the confusion and tension in Jerusalem at the time. 4. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> A key figure in the early Christian church, who is mistakenly identified as the Egyptian. Paul is in Jerusalem to deliver aid to the church and is caught in a misunderstanding due to the political unrest. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The central city of Jewish worship and a focal point of political and religious tension during the Roman occupation. It is the setting for this encounter and many significant events in the early church.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_leadership.htm">Discernment in Leadership</a> The Roman commander's mistake highlights the need for discernment and understanding in leadership. Leaders must seek truth and avoid assumptions based on incomplete information. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_false_prophets.htm">The Danger of False Prophets</a> The Egyptian's influence serves as a reminder of the danger posed by false prophets and the importance of grounding oneself in the truth of Scripture. <a href="/topical/m/misunderstandings_and_persecution.htm">Misunderstandings and Persecution</a> Paul's experience shows how misunderstandings can lead to persecution. Christians should be prepared to face false accusations and respond with grace and truth. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_zeal.htm">The Role of Zeal</a> The zeal of the Assassins, though misdirected, prompts reflection on the nature of zeal in our faith. True zeal should be aligned with God's purposes and characterized by love and truth. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_chaos.htm">God's Sovereignty in Chaos</a> Despite the chaos and confusion, God's plan for Paul and the early church continues to unfold. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty even in tumultuous times.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 21</a> <a href="/q/how_to_biblically_respect_others.htm">What are examples of miracles in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/was_paul,_a_jew,_fluent_in_greek.htm">Acts 21:37–40 – How plausible is it that Paul, a “Jew of Tarsus,” was fluent in Greek and immediately recognized as such by a Roman commander?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_israelites_get_and_move_metals.htm">How could the Israelites realistically acquire and transport the vast amounts of gold, silver, and bronze mentioned in Exodus 38:24-31 while wandering in the desert?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_israelites_gather_offerings.htm">Numbers 7:1-3: How could the Israelites, while wandering in the wilderness, assemble such large quantities of metals and animals for offerings?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(38) Art not thou that Egyptian?--The Greek has an illative particle which is wanting in the English: Art not thou then that Egyptian? This was the inference drawn by the chief captain from the fact that his prisoner spoke in Greek. The Egyptian was a false prophet, who a short time before this, under the procuratorship of Felix, had led 30, 000 men (?) to the Mount of Olives, promising them that they should see Jerusalem destroyed (Jos. Ant. xx. 8, ? 6; Wars, ii. 13, ? 5). His followers were routed by Felix, but he himself escaped; and the chief captain infers from the tumult raised by a Greek-speaking Jew, that the Egyptian must have reappeared. Probably this was one of the vague reports in the confused clamour of the multitude. The words of the question have, however, been taken, on grammatical grounds, in a different sense: Thou art not, then, that Egyptian? as though his speaking Greek had changed the chiliarch's previous impression. Against this, however, there is the fact that an Egyptian Jew, coming from the very land of the Septuagint, would naturally speak Greek, and the inference that St. Paul was not the Egyptian because he knew that language would hardly be intelligible.Four thousand men that were murderers.--Josephus, as has been said, gives a much larger number, but his statistics, in such cases, are never to be relied on. The word for murderer (sicarii, literally, dagger-bearers) was applied to the cut-throat bands who about this period infested well-nigh every part of Palestine, and who differed from the older robbers in being, like the Thugs in India, more systematically murderous (Jos. Wars, ii. 13, ? 3). In the siege of Jerusalem, their presence, sometimes in alliance with the more fanatic of the zealots, tended to aggravate all its horrors.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 38. - Art thou not then the for art not thou that, A.V.; stirred up to sedition for madest an uproar, A.V.; led for leddest, A.V.; the four thousand men of the Assassins for four thousand men that were murderers, A.V. Art thou not then, etc.? or as Meyer, "Thou art not then;" either way implying that Lysias had concluded that he was the Egyptian, but had now discovered his mistake. The Egyptian, etc. He whom Josephus calls (' Bell. Jud.,' it. 13:5) "the Egyptian false prophet," and relates that, having collected above thirty thousand followers, he advanced from the desert to the Mount of Olives, intending to overpower the Roman garrison and make himself tyrant of Jerusalem, with the help of his δορυφόροι, or body-guard, who might very probably be composed of the Assassins or Sicarii, mentioned in the text. Stirred up to sedition (ἀναστατώσας) The difference between the A.V. and the R.V. is that the former takes the verb in an intransitive sense, "to make an Uproar," the latter in a transitive sense, governing the "four thousand men." In the only two other places were it occurs in the New Testament (<a href="/acts/17-6.htm">Acts 17:6</a>; <a href="/galatians/5-12.htm">Galatians 5:12</a>) it is transitive. It is not a classical word. The four thousand men. Josephus, in the above-cited passage, reckons the followers of the Egyptian impostor at above thirty thousand. But such discrepancies are of no account, partly because of the known looseness with which numbers are stated, and Josephus's disposition to exaggerate; partly because of the real fluctuation in the numbers of insurgents at different periods of an insurrection; and partly because it is very possible that a soldier like Lysias would take no count of the mere rabble, but only of the disciplined and armed soldiers such as these Sicarii were. It may be added that Josephus himself seems to distinguish between the rabble and the fighting men, because, though in the 'Bell. Jud.,' it. 13:5 he says that Felix attacked or took prisoners "most of his followers," in the 'Ant. Jud.,' 20. 8:6 he makes the number of slain "four hundred," and of prisoners "two hundred" - a very small proportion of thirty thousand. The Egyptian had premised his deluded followers that the walls of Jerusalem would fall down like those of Jericho. It is not known exactly in what year the insurrection took place, but it was, as Renan says, "pen de temps auparavant" ('St. Paul,' p. 525). The Egyptian himself contrived to run away and disappear; hence the thought that he was the author of this new tumult at Jerusalem. The Sicarii were a band of fanatical murderers, who, in the disturbed times preceding the destruction of Jerusalem, went about armed with daggers, and in broad daylight and in the public thoroughfares murdered whoever was obnoxious to them. Among others they murdered the high priest Jonathan at the instigation of Felix (Josephus, 'Ant. Jud.,' 20. 6:7; 'Bell. Jud.,' 2, 13:3). <a href="/commentaries/acts/21-38.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>“Aren’t εἶ (ei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. you σὺ (sy) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Egyptian Αἰγύπτιος (Aigyptios) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_124.htm">Strong's 124: </a> Egyptian. From Aiguptos; an Eyyptian or inhabitant of Egyptus. who ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. incited a rebellion ἀναστατώσας (anastatōsas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_387.htm">Strong's 387: </a> From a derivative of anistemi; properly, to drive out of home, i.e. to disturb. some time ago πρὸ (pro) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4253.htm">Strong's 4253: </a> A primary preposition; 'fore', i.e. In front of, prior to. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. led ἐξαγαγὼν (exagagōn) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1806.htm">Strong's 1806: </a> To lead out, sometimes to death, execution. From ek and ago; to lead forth. four thousand τετρακισχιλίους (tetrakischilious) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5070.htm">Strong's 5070: </a> Four thousand. From the multiplicative adverb of tessares and chilioi; four times a thousand. members ἄνδρας (andras) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_435.htm">Strong's 435: </a> A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man. of the τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. ‘Assassins’ Σικαρίων (Sikariōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4607.htm">Strong's 4607: </a> An assassin, murderer, bandit; one of the Sicarii. Of Latin origin; a dagger-man or assassin; a freebooter. into εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. wilderness?” ἔρημον (erēmon) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2048.htm">Strong's 2048: </a> Lonesome, i.e. waste. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/21-38.htm">Acts 21:38 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/21-38.htm">Acts 21:38 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/21-38.htm">Acts 21:38 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/21-38.htm">Acts 21:38 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/21-38.htm">Acts 21:38 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/21-38.htm">Acts 21:38 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/21-38.htm">Acts 21:38 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/21-38.htm">Acts 21:38 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/21-38.htm">Acts 21:38 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/21-38.htm">Acts 21:38 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/21-38.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 21:38 Aren't you then the Egyptian who before (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/21-37.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 21:37"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 21:37" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/21-39.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 21:39"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 21:39" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>