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Selected Verse: Acts 21:37 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Ac 21:37	King James	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?

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Art not thou that Egyptian, &c.--The form of the question implies that the answer is to be in the negative, and is matter of some surprise: "Thou art not then?" &c.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Art not thou that Egyptian, &c.--The form of the question implies that the answer is to be in the negative, and is matter of some surprise: "Thou art not then?" &c.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
May I speak unto thee? - May I have the privilege of making my defense before thee; or of stating the case truly; the cause of my accusation; of this tumult, etc. Canst thou speak Greek? - Implying that if he could, he might be permitted to speak to him. The Greek language was what was then almost universally spoken, and it is not improbable that it was the native tongue of the chief captain. It is evident that he was not a Roman by birth, for he says Act 22:28 that he had obtained the privilege of citizenship by paying a great sum. The language which the Jews spoke was the Syro-Chaldaic; and as he took Paul to be an Egyptian Jew Act 21:38, he supposed, from that circumstance also, that he was not able to speak the Greek language.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

May I speak unto thee? - May I have the privilege of making my defense before thee; or of stating the case truly; the cause of my accusation; of this tumult, etc.

Canst thou speak Greek? - Implying that if he could, he might be permitted to speak to him. The Greek language was what was then almost universally spoken, and it is not improbable that it was the native tongue of the chief captain. It is evident that he was not a Roman by birth, for he says Act 22:28 that he had obtained the privilege of citizenship by paying a great sum. The language which the Jews spoke was the Syro-Chaldaic; and as he took Paul to be an Egyptian Jew Act 21:38, he supposed, from that circumstance also, that he was not able to speak the Greek language.

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
chief (Greek, "chiliarchos", "the Roman tribune"). There were six such "chief captains" in each legion of 6000 men.

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]

chief

(Greek, "chiliarchos", "the Roman tribune"). There were six such "chief captains" in each legion of 6000 men.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Canst thou speak (γινώσκεις) Lit., dost thou know? So Rev.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Canst thou speak (γινώσκεις)

Lit., dost thou know? So Rev.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
As Paul was about to be brought into the castle - The wisdom of God taught to make use of that very time and place.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

As Paul was about to be brought into the castle - The wisdom of God taught to make use of that very time and place.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Canst thou speak Greek? - Claudius Lysias was not a Roman; he had, as himself informs us, purchased his citizenship of Rome with a great sum of money; (see Act 22:28); and it is very likely that he was but imperfectly acquainted with the Latin tongue; and the tumult that was now made, and the discordant noise, prevented him from clearly apprehending what was said; and, as he wished to know the merit of the cause, he accosted Paul with, ἙλληνιϚι γινωσκεις, Dost thou understand Greek? And when he found that he did understand it, he proceeded to question him as below.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

Canst thou speak Greek? - Claudius Lysias was not a Roman; he had, as himself informs us, purchased his citizenship of Rome with a great sum of money; (see Act 22:28); and it is very likely that he was but imperfectly acquainted with the Latin tongue; and the tumult that was now made, and the discordant noise, prevented him from clearly apprehending what was said; and, as he wished to know the merit of the cause, he accosted Paul with, ἙλληνιϚι γινωσκεις, Dost thou understand Greek? And when he found that he did understand it, he proceeded to question him as below.

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