Meanwhile the assembly was in turmoil. Some were shouting one thing and some another, and most of them did not even know why they were there.
Parallel translations
- WEB Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn’t know why they had come together.
- KJV Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
- NKJV Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
- NASB So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together.
- NLT Inside, the people were all shouting, some one thing and some another. Everything was in confusion. In fact, most of them didn’t even know why they were there.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The assembly was in chaos, with people shouting different things and most not knowing why they had gathered.
Overview
Luke's wry observation exposes the irrationality of the mob, swept up in confusion rather than reasoned grievance. The disorder undercuts any claim that justice or true piety drove the riot. It quietly vindicates the Christians as the calm, blameless party in the uproar.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Acts 21:34Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, and some another. And since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks.
- Luke 7:24–26After John’s messengers had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?
- Acts 19:29Soon the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.
- Acts 19:40For we are in jeopardy of being charged with rioting for today’s events, and we have no justification to account for this commotion.”
- Matt 11:7–9As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 19:32 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.