Acts 21:35
What does Acts 21:35 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 21:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 21:35 means
As they reach the stairs, the soldiers have to carry Paul because of the crowd’s violence. The picture is stark: a minister of the gospel borne aloft by soldiers to keep him from being torn apart. His weakness is evident; he cannot walk safely through the throng. Yet God’s purpose has not faltered. The stairs become a pulpit. What looks like humiliation becomes positioning. The violence that necessitates carrying Paul will soon give way to a great silence as he raises his hand to speak. Providence threads rescue, restraint, and readiness into a single moment of testimony.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when he came upon the stairs, so it was that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the crowd;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when he came upon the stairs, so it was that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the crowd;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when he came on to the steps, he was lifted up by the armed men, because of the force of the people;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and when he came upon the steps, it happened he was borne by the soldiers, because of the violence of the multitude,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when he was come to the stairs, it fell out that he was carried by the soldiers, because of the violence of the people.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But when he got upon the stairs it was so that he was borne by the soldiers on account of the violence of the crowd.
Context
This verse follows the commander’s order to bring Paul into the castle (verse 34) and vividly describes the intensity of the situation. The next verse (36) captures the crowd’s cry, “Away with him,” echoing a pattern of rejection toward God’s servants. Verses 37–39 then pivot to an unexpected diplomatic moment: Paul addresses the commander in Greek, dispelling a false identification and securing permission to speak to the people. The stairway becomes the stage for chapter 22’s speech.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 55:9
Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongue; For I have seen violence and strife in the city.
- Psalms 58:2
Nay, in heart ye work wickedness; Ye weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth.
- Jeremiah 23:10
For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pastures of the wilderness are dried up. And their course is evil, and their might is not right;
- Habakkuk 1:2
O Jehovah, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear? I cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save.
- Acts 21:40
And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand unto the people; and when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, saying,
- Genesis 6:11
And the earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 21
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 21.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Baptism
Baptism is a significant act symbolizing new life in Christ, repentance, and identification with his death, burial, and resurrection.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bible Reading
The Bible encourages us to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word to grow in faith and wisdom.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bitterness
Bitterness is a deep-seated resentment that can poison the heart, but God offers healing and freedom through forgiveness.
What the Bible says about…