KJV: Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
YLT: And Paul having risen, and having beckoned with the hand, said, 'Men, Israelites, and those fearing God, hearken:
Darby: And Paul, rising up and making a sign with the hand, said, Israelites, and ye that fear God, hearken.
ASV: And Paul stood up, and beckoning with the hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken:
| Ἀναστὰς | Having risen up |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ἀναπηδάω Sense: to cause to rise up, raise up. |
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| Παῦλος | Paul |
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Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: Παῦλος Sense: Paul was the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the NT, the 4 Pauline epistles. |
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| κατασείσας | having made a sign |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: κατασείω Sense: to shake down, throw down. |
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| τῇ | with the |
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Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| χειρὶ | hand |
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Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular Root: χείρ Sense: by the help or agency of any one, by means of any one. |
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| εἶπεν | he said |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: λέγω Sense: to speak, say. |
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| Ἄνδρες | Men |
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Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Plural Root: ἀνήρ Sense: with reference to sex. |
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| Ἰσραηλῖται | Israelites |
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Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Plural Root: Ἰσραηλίτης Sense: an Israelite, one of the race of Israel, a name to be held in honour. |
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| οἱ | those |
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Parse: Article, Vocative Masculine Plural Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| φοβούμενοι | fearing |
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Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Vocative Masculine Plural Root: φοβέομαι Sense: to put to flight by terrifying (to scare away). |
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| τὸν | - |
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Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| Θεόν | God |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: θεός Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities. |
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| ἀκούσατε | listen |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural Root: ἀκουστός Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf. |
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Greek Commentary for Acts 13:16
The Jewish custom was to sit while speaking (Luke 4:20), but the Greek and Roman was to stand (Acts 17:22). It is possible as Lewin (Life of St. Paul, Vol. 1, p. 141) suggests that here Paul stepped upon the platform and then took his seat as he began to speak or he may have followed the Greek and Roman custom. Paul is the leader now and the more gifted speaker (Acts 14:12), so that he responds to the courteous invitation of the rulers. [source]
First aorist active participle of κατασειω kataseiō old verb to shake down, a dramatic gesture for quiet and order like Peter in Acts 12:17 and Paul on the steps of the tower of Antonia (Acts 21:40). And ye that fear God (και οι ποβουμενοι τον τεον kai hoi phoboumenoi ton theon). Evidently large numbers of these Gentiles like Cornelius in Caesarea were present. They offered Paul a great opportunity for reaching the purely pagan Gentiles. This (verses 16-41) is the first full report of a sermon of Paul‘s that Luke has preserved for us. He is now a practised preacher of the gospel that he began proclaiming at Damascus, that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah of promise and the Saviour of the whole world both Jew and Gentile if they will only believe on him and be saved. It is possible that Paul here based his sermon on the passages of the law and the prophets that had just been read. He uses two words from the lxx, one in Acts 13:19 from Deuteronomy 1:31 ετροποπορησεν etrophophorēsen (as a nursing-father bare he them), the reading of many old MSS. and the one preferred by the American Committee, the other in Acts 13:17 from Isaiah 1:2 υπσωσεν hupsōsen (exalted). At any rate it is clear that Paul spoke in Greek so that all could understand his sermon. He may have written out notes of this sermon afterwards for Luke. The keynotes of Paul‘s theology as found in his Epistles appear in this sermon. It is interesting to observe the steady growth of Paul‘s Christology as he faced the great problems of his day. Here we see Paul‘s gospel for the Jews and the God-fearers (Gentiles friendly to the Jews). [source]
Evidently large numbers of these Gentiles like Cornelius in Caesarea were present. They offered Paul a great opportunity for reaching the purely pagan Gentiles. This (verses 16-41) is the first full report of a sermon of Paul‘s that Luke has preserved for us. He is now a practised preacher of the gospel that he began proclaiming at Damascus, that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah of promise and the Saviour of the whole world both Jew and Gentile if they will only believe on him and be saved. It is possible that Paul here based his sermon on the passages of the law and the prophets that had just been read. He uses two words from the lxx, one in Acts 13:19 from Deuteronomy 1:31 ετροποπορησεν etrophophorēsen (as a nursing-father bare he them), the reading of many old MSS. and the one preferred by the American Committee, the other in Acts 13:17 from Isaiah 1:2 υπσωσεν hupsōsen (exalted). At any rate it is clear that Paul spoke in Greek so that all could understand his sermon. He may have written out notes of this sermon afterwards for Luke. The keynotes of Paul‘s theology as found in his Epistles appear in this sermon. It is interesting to observe the steady growth of Paul‘s Christology as he faced the great problems of his day. Here we see Paul‘s gospel for the Jews and the God-fearers (Gentiles friendly to the Jews). [source]
See on Acts 12:17. [source]
See on Acts 3:12. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 13:16
First aorist active participle of ανοιγω anoigō or νυμι ̇numi The whole group rushed out to the courtyard this time to make sure. They were amazed (εχεστησαν exestēsan). The frequent second aorist active (intransitive) indicative of εχιστημι existēmi Acts 12:17 There were probably loud exclamations of astonishment and joy. Beckoning with the hand First aorist active participle of kataseiō old verb to signal or shake down with the hand (instrumental case cheiri). In the N.T. only in Acts 12:17; Acts 13:16; Acts 19:33; Acts 21:40. The speaker indicates by a downward movement of the hand his desire for silence (to hold their peace, sigāin present active infinitive, to keep silent). Peter was anxious for every precaution and he wanted their instant attention. Declared (diēgēsato). First aorist middle of diēgeomai old verb to carry through a narrative, give a full story. See also Acts 9:27 of Barnabas in his defence of Saul. Peter told them the wonderful story. Unto James and the brethren Dative case after apaggeilate (first aorist active imperative). Evidently “James and the brethren” were not at this meeting, probably meeting elsewhere. There was no place where all the thousands of disciples in Jerusalem could meet. This gathering in the house of Mary may have been of women only or a meeting of the Hellenists. It is plain that this James the Lord‘s brother, is now the leading presbyter or elder in Jerusalem though there were a number (Acts 11:30; Acts 21:18). Paul even terms him apostle (Galatians 1:19), though certainly not one of the twelve. The twelve apostles probably were engaged elsewhere in mission work save James now dead (Acts 12:2) and Peter. The leadership of James is here recognized by Peter and is due, partly to the absence of the twelve, but mainly to his own force of character. He will preside over the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15:13). To another place (eis heteron topon). Probably Luke did not know the place and certainly it was prudent for Peter to conceal it from Herod Agrippa. Probably Peter left the city. He is back in Jerusalem at the Conference a few years later (Acts 15:7) and after the death of Herod Agrippa. Whether Peter went to Rome during these years we do not know. He was recognized later as the apostle to the circumcision (Galatians 2:7; 1 Peter 1:1) and apparently was in Rome with John Mark when he wrote the First Epistle (1 Peter 5:13), unless it is the real Babylon. But, even if Peter went to Rome during this early period, there is no evidence that he founded the church there. If he had done so, in the light of 2 Corinthians 10:16 it would be strange that Paul had not mentioned it in writing to Rome, for he was anxious not to build on another man‘s foundation (Romans 15:20). Paul felt sure that he himself had a work to do in Rome. Unfortunately Luke has not followed the ministry of Peter after this period as he does Paul (appearing again only in chapter Acts 15). If Peter really left Jerusalem at this time instead of hiding in the city, he probably did some mission work as Paul says that he did (1 Corinthians 9:5). [source]
First aorist active participle of kataseiō old verb to signal or shake down with the hand (instrumental case cheiri). In the N.T. only in Acts 12:17; Acts 13:16; Acts 19:33; Acts 21:40. The speaker indicates by a downward movement of the hand his desire for silence (to hold their peace, sigāin present active infinitive, to keep silent). Peter was anxious for every precaution and he wanted their instant attention. Declared (diēgēsato). First aorist middle of diēgeomai old verb to carry through a narrative, give a full story. See also Acts 9:27 of Barnabas in his defence of Saul. Peter told them the wonderful story. Unto James and the brethren Dative case after apaggeilate (first aorist active imperative). Evidently “James and the brethren” were not at this meeting, probably meeting elsewhere. There was no place where all the thousands of disciples in Jerusalem could meet. This gathering in the house of Mary may have been of women only or a meeting of the Hellenists. It is plain that this James the Lord‘s brother, is now the leading presbyter or elder in Jerusalem though there were a number (Acts 11:30; Acts 21:18). Paul even terms him apostle (Galatians 1:19), though certainly not one of the twelve. The twelve apostles probably were engaged elsewhere in mission work save James now dead (Acts 12:2) and Peter. The leadership of James is here recognized by Peter and is due, partly to the absence of the twelve, but mainly to his own force of character. He will preside over the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15:13). To another place (eis heteron topon). Probably Luke did not know the place and certainly it was prudent for Peter to conceal it from Herod Agrippa. Probably Peter left the city. He is back in Jerusalem at the Conference a few years later (Acts 15:7) and after the death of Herod Agrippa. Whether Peter went to Rome during these years we do not know. He was recognized later as the apostle to the circumcision (Galatians 2:7; 1 Peter 1:1) and apparently was in Rome with John Mark when he wrote the First Epistle (1 Peter 5:13), unless it is the real Babylon. But, even if Peter went to Rome during this early period, there is no evidence that he founded the church there. If he had done so, in the light of 2 Corinthians 10:16 it would be strange that Paul had not mentioned it in writing to Rome, for he was anxious not to build on another man‘s foundation (Romans 15:20). Paul felt sure that he himself had a work to do in Rome. Unfortunately Luke has not followed the ministry of Peter after this period as he does Paul (appearing again only in chapter Acts 15). If Peter really left Jerusalem at this time instead of hiding in the city, he probably did some mission work as Paul says that he did (1 Corinthians 9:5). [source]
No “and” in the Greek, just the present middle participle, “gospelizing you.” They are not gods, but evangelists. Here we have Paul‘s message to a pagan audience without the Jewish environment and he makes the same line of argument seen in Acts 17:21-32; Romans 1:18-23. At Antioch in Pisidia we saw Paul‘s line of approach to Jews and proselytes (Acts 13:16-41). [source]
Old verb κατασειω kataseiō to shake down, here the hand, rapidly waving the hand up and down to get a hearing. In the N.T. elsewhere only in Acts 12:17; Acts 13:16; Acts 21:40 where “with the hand” (τηι χειρι tāi cheiri instrumental case) is used instead of την χειρα tān cheira (the accusative). [source]
Dramatic oratorical gesture (not for silence as in Acts 12:17; Acts 13:16) with the chain still upon it (Acts 26:29) linking him to the guard. First aorist active participle of εκτεινω ekteinō to stretch out. [source]
Of the worshipping proselytes described in Acts 13:16, Acts 13:25 as “those who fear God” (cf. Acts 16:14) employed usually of the uncircumcised Gentiles who yet attended the synagogue worship, but the word προσηλυτοι prosēlutoi Yet the rabbis used it also of proselytes of the gate who had not yet become circumcised, probably the idea here. In the N.T. the word occurs only in Matthew 23:15; Acts 2:10; Acts 6:5; Acts 13:43. Many (both Jews and proselytes) followed Imperfect active of peithō either descriptive (were persuading) or conative (were trying to persuade). Paul had great powers of persuasion (Acts 18:4; Acts 19:8, Acts 19:26; Acts 26:28; Acts 28:23; 2 Corinthians 5:11; Galatians 1:10). These Jews “were beginning to understand for the first time the true meaning of their national history” (Furneaux), “the grace of God” to them. [source]
Old adjective from ομοιος homoios (like) and πασχω paschō to experience. In the N.T. only here and James 5:17. It means “of like nature” more exactly and affected by like sensations, not “gods” at all. Their conduct was more serious than the obeisance of Cornelius to Peter (Acts 10:25.). υμιν Humin is associative instrumental case. And bring you good tidings (ευαγγελιζομενοι euaggelizomenoi). No “and” in the Greek, just the present middle participle, “gospelizing you.” They are not gods, but evangelists. Here we have Paul‘s message to a pagan audience without the Jewish environment and he makes the same line of argument seen in Acts 17:21-32; Romans 1:18-23. At Antioch in Pisidia we saw Paul‘s line of approach to Jews and proselytes (Acts 13:16-41). That ye should turn from these vain things He boldly calls the worship of Jupiter and Mercury and all idols “vain” or empty things, pointing to the statues and the temple. Unto the living God (επι τεον ζωντα epi theon zōnta). They must go the whole way. Our God is a live God, not a dead statue. Paul is fond of this phrase (2 Corinthians 6:16; Romans 9:26). Who made The one God is alive and is the Creator of the Universe just as Paul will argue in Athens (Acts 17:24). Paul here quotes Psalm 146:6 and has Genesis 1:1 in mind. See also 1 Thessalonians 1:9 where a new allegiance is also claimed as here. [source]
Genitive absolute of the second aorist active participle of προβαλλω proballō old verb to push forward as leaves in the spring (Luke 21:30). In the N.T. only in these two passages. Alexandria had already disgraceful scenes of Jew-baiting and there was real peril now in Ephesus with this wild mob. So Alexander was pushed forward as the champion to defend the Jews to the excited mob. He may be the same Alexander the coppersmith who did Paul much evil (2 Timothy 4:14), against whom Paul will warn Timothy then in Ephesus. “The Jews were likely to deal in the copper and silver required for the shrines, so he may have had some trade connexion with the craftsmen which would give him influence” (Furneaux). Beckoned with the hand (κατασεισας την χειρα kataseisas tān cheira). Old verb κατασειω kataseiō to shake down, here the hand, rapidly waving the hand up and down to get a hearing. In the N.T. elsewhere only in Acts 12:17; Acts 13:16; Acts 21:40 where “with the hand” (τηι χειρι tāi cheiri instrumental case) is used instead of την χειρα tān cheira (the accusative). Would have made a defence unto the people Imperfect active, wanted to make a defence, tried to, started to, but apparently never got out a word. Απολογεισται Apologeisthai (present middle infinitive, direct middle, to defend oneself), regular word for formal apology, but in N.T. only by Luke and Paul (twice in Gospel, six times in Acts, and in Romans 2:15; 2 Corinthians 12:19). [source]
Some MSS. have περι peri (concerning). Paul is allowed to speak in his own behalf. No charges are made against him. In fact, Festus has admitted that he has no real proof of any charges. Stretched forth his hand (εκτεινας την χειρα ekteinas tēn cheira). Dramatic oratorical gesture (not for silence as in Acts 12:17; Acts 13:16) with the chain still upon it (Acts 26:29) linking him to the guard. First aorist active participle of εκτεινω ekteinō to stretch out. Made his defence Inchoative imperfect of απολογεομαι apologeomai (middle), “began to make his defence.” This is the fullest of all Paul‘s defences. He has no word of censure of his enemies or of resentment, but seizes the opportunity to preach Christ to such a distinguished company which he does with “singular dignity” (Furneaux). He is now bearing the name of Christ “before kings” (Acts 9:15). In general Paul follows the line of argument of the speech on the stairs (chapter Acts 22). [source]
On this use of ει ei in a direct question, see note on Acts 1:6. Literally “Do these things hold thus?” A formal question by the high priest like our “Do you plead guilty, or not guilty?” (Furneaux). The abrupt question of the high priest would serve to break the evident spell of the angelic look on Stephen‘s face. Two charges had been made against Stephen (1) speaking against the holy temple, (2) changing the customs which Moses had delivered. Stephen could not give a yes or no answer to these two charges. There was an element of truth in each of them and a large amount of error all mixed together. So he undertakes to explain his real position by the historical method, that is to say, by a rapid survey of God‘s dealing with the people of Israel and the Gentiles. It is the same method adopted by Paul in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:16.) after he had become the successor of Stephen in his interpretation of the universal mission of Christianity. If one is disposed to say that Luke made up this speech to suit Stephen‘s predicament, he has to explain how the style is less Lukan than the narrative portions of Acts with knowledge of Jewish traditions that a Greek would not be likely to know. Precisely how Luke obtained the data for the speech we do not know, but Saul heard it and Philip, one of the seven, almost certainly. Both could have given Luke help about it. It is even possible that some one took notes of this important address. We are to remember also that the speech was interrupted at the end and may not include all that Stephen meant to say. But enough is given to give us a good idea of how Stephen met the first charge “by showing that the worship of God is not confined to Jerusalem or the Jewish temple” (Page). Then he answers the second charge by proving that God had many dealings with their fathers before Moses came and that Moses foretold the coming of the Messiah who is now known to be Jesus. It is at this point (Acts 7:51) that Stephen becomes passionate and so powerful that the wolves in the Sanhedrin lose all self-control. It is a great and masterful exposition of the worldwide mission of the gospel of Christ in full harmony with the Great Commission of Christ. The apostles had been so busy answering the Sadducees concerning the Resurrection of Christ and maintaining their freedom to teach and preach that they had not pushed the world-wide propaganda of the gospel as Jesus had commanded after they had received the Promise of the Father. But Stephen had proclaimed the same message of Christ and was now facing the same fate. Peter‘s mind had been enlightened by the Holy Spirit so that he could rightly interpret Joel and David in the light of Pentecost. “So Stephen read the history of the Old Testament with new eyes in the light of the life and death of Jesus” (Furneaux). [source]