Acts 21:38 Meaning and Explanation
“Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The commander asks whether Paul is the Egyptian who recently led a rebellion of four thousand assassins into the wilderness.
What Does Acts 21:38 Mean?
The tribune's question reveals what he had assumed: that Paul was a notorious Egyptian who had lately stirred up a revolt, leading four thousand armed men, called assassins, out into the wilderness. He had taken Paul for a known fugitive and terrorist.
The mistake explains the chains and the rough handling. To Rome, Paul looked like a dangerous rebel. Yet the misjudgment is about to be corrected, and the truth of who Paul is will give him a hearing. God often allows His servants to be misread for a moment, only to use the clearing of the record as the very opening for testimony.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 21:38
What does Acts 21:38 mean?
The commander asks whether Paul is the Egyptian who recently led a rebellion of four thousand assassins into the wilderness.