As they were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied.
Parallel translations
- WEB As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he asked the commanding officer, “May I speak to you?” He said, “Do you know Greek?
- KJV And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
- NKJV Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I speak to you?” He replied, “Can you speak Greek?
- NASB As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he *said to the commander, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek?
- NLT As Paul was about to be taken inside, he said to the commander, “May I have a word with you?” “Do you know Greek?” the commander asked, surprised.
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
As he is about to enter the barracks, Paul politely asks to speak and surprises the commander by addressing him in Greek. His cultured speech overturns the officer's assumptions.
Overview
Lysias is startled that this supposed rabble-rouser speaks educated Greek. Paul's composure and courtesy under pressure model the gentleness and wisdom Christians are to show even toward those who hold them captive (1 Peter 3:15). God equips Paul to seize the moment for further testimony.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Acts 19:30Paul wanted to go before the assembly, but the disciples would not allow him.
- 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.
- Acts 21:19Paul greeted them and recounted one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
- Luke 21:15For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
- Matt 10:18–20On My account, you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
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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.
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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.