Devine Scripture

Acts 21:30

What does Acts 21:30 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 21:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 21:30 means

The uproar spreads through the city; people rush together, seize Paul, and drag him out of the temple. The doors are shut, likely to prevent further disturbance within the sacred precincts. Holiness becomes a pretext for violence outside. The scene turns from religious order to civic chaos in moments. The very place Paul honored becomes the backdrop for his humiliation. Yet the shutting of the doors also marks a transition: Paul’s ministry in the temple is over for now; his witness will move into the public square and, under Roman custody, before authorities who would not otherwise hear him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And all the city was moved, and the people ran together; and they laid hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and straightway the doors were shut.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And all the city was moved, and the people ran together; and they laid hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and straightway the doors were shut.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And all the town was moved, and the people came running together and put their hands on Paul, pulling him out of the Temple: and then the doors were shut.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

All the city also was moved and there was a running together of the people, and having laid hold on Paul, they were drawing him out of the temple, and immediately were the doors shut,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he whole city was in an uproar: and the people ran together. And taking Paul, they drew him out of the temple: and immediately the doors were shut.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the whole city was moved, and there was a concourse of the people; and having laid hold on Paul they drew him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut.

Context

This verse follows the accusation and supposition of verses 28–29, showing their immediate and explosive effect. The mob removes Paul from the temple and closes the doors. Verse 31 reveals the crowd’s intent to kill him, which prompts the Roman commander’s intervention. Verses 32–34 depict the soldiers’ rescue and Paul’s binding, while verses 35–36 highlight the crowd’s continued violence and cry of “Away with him.” The narrative shifts decisively from temple controversy to Roman oversight.

v.29For they had before seen with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.

v.30This passage

v.31And as they were seeking to kill him, tidings came up to the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in confusion.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 2:3

    And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:26

    in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

  • Luke 4:29

    and they rose up, and cast him forth out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong.

  • Acts 26:21

    For this cause the Jews seized me in the temple, and assayed to kill me.

  • Acts 19:29

    And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel.

  • 2 Kings 11:15

    And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth between the ranks; and him that followeth her slay with the sword. For the priest said, Let her not be slain in the house of Jehovah.

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