Discovery BoxActs 21:31 
Context21:31 While they were trying 1 to kill him, a report 2 was sent up 3 to the commanding officer 4 of the cohort 5 that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 6
Acts 21:38
Context21:38 Then you’re not that Egyptian who started a rebellion 7 and led the four thousand men of the ‘Assassins’ 8 into the wilderness 9 some time ago?” 10
1 tn Grk “seeking.”
2 tn Or “information” (originally concerning a crime; BDAG 1050 s.v. φάσις).
3 tn Grk “went up”; this verb is used because the report went up to the Antonia Fortress where the Roman garrison was stationed.
4 tn Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). In Greek the term χιλίαρχος (ciliarco") literally described the “commander of a thousand,” but it was used as the standard translation for the Latin tribunus militum or tribunus militare, the military tribune who commanded a cohort of 600 men.
5 sn A cohort was a Roman military unit of about 600 soldiers, one-tenth of a legion.
6 tn BDAG 953 s.v. συγχέω has “Pass. w. act.force be in confusion…ὅλη συγχύννεται ᾿Ιερουσαλήμ 21:31.”
7 tn L&N 39.41 has “οὐκ ἄρα σὺ εἶ ὁ Αἰγύπτιος ὁ πρὸ τούτων τῶν ἡμερῶν ἀναστατώσας ‘then you are not that Egyptian who some time ago started a rebellion’ Ac 21:38.”
8 tn Grk “of the Sicarii.”
sn The term ‘Assassins’ is found several times in the writings of Josephus (J. W. 2.13.3 [2.254-257]; Ant. 20.8.10 [20.186]). It was the name of the most fanatical group among the Jewish nationalists, very hostile to Rome, who did not hesitate to assassinate their political opponents. They were named Sicarii in Latin after their weapon of choice, the short dagger or sicarius which could be easily hidden under one’s clothing. In effect, the officer who arrested Paul had thought he was dealing with a terrorist.
9 tn Or “desert.”
10 tn Grk “before these days.”
