Acts 21:31

“And as they went about to kill him, etc.] In the manner as zealots did, without bringing him before any court of judicature, without any charge, trial, and condemnation: tidings came unto the chief captain of the band; the Roman band of soldiers, who were placed near the temple, to keep the peace of the city, and persons in order; and who were more especially needful, at such a time as the feast of Pentecost, when there was such a great concourse of people in the city, and indeed always were in arms at such times f1106; this chief captain was Claudius Lysias, as appears from (<442326>Acts 23:26) to him the report of the disturbance was brought; or as it is in the Greek text, the “fame…”

“tidings came--literally, "went up," that is, to the fortress of Antonia, where the commandant resided. See on Act 21:32. This part of the narrative is particularly graphic.”

“And as they went about to kill him - Greek: they seeking to kill him. This was evidently done in a popular tumult, as had been done in the case of Stephen, Acts 7:0: They could not pretend that they had a right to do it by law. Tidings came - The news, or rumour came; he was told of it. The chief captain of the band - This band or body of Roman soldiers was stationed in the castle Antonia, on the north of the temple. This was built by John Hyrcanus, high priest of the Jews, and was by him called Baris. It was beautified and strengthened by Herod the Great, and was called Antonia in honor of his friend, Mark Antony. Josephus describes this castle as consisting of four towers, one of which…”

“And as they went about to kill him - It was a rule among the Jews, that any uncircumcised person who came into the inner temple, might be stoned without farther process. And they seemed to think Paul, who brought such in thither, deserved no better treatment. Word came to the tribune - A cohort or detachment of soldiers, belonging to the Roman legion, which lodged in the adjacent castle of Antonia, were stationed on feast days near the temple, to prevent disorders. It is evident, Lysias himself was not present, when the tumult began. Probably he was the oldest Roman tribune (or colonel) then at Jerusalem. And as such he was the commanding officer of the legion quartered at the castle. Acts…”

“21:31 commander: Or tribune, a Roman officer who commanded 1,000 men.”

“as: Act 22:22, Act 26:9, Act 26:10; Joh 16:2; Co2 11:23-33 chief: Act 23:17, Act 24:7, Act 24:22, Act 25:23; Joh 18:12 that all: Act 21:38, Act 17:5, Act 19:40; Kg1 1:41; Mat 26:5; Mar 14:2 Acts 21:32”