The Parable of the Sower^(A)(B)(C)

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house^(D) and sat by the lake. ² Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat^(E) and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. ³ Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred,^(F) sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.”^(G)

¹⁰ The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

¹¹ He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven^(H) has been given to you,^(I) but not to them. ¹² Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.^{(J) 13} This is why I speak to them in parables:

¹⁴ In them is fulfilled^(L) the prophecy of Isaiah:

¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.^{(N) 17} For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see^(O) but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

¹⁸ “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the message about the kingdom^(P) and does not understand it, the evil one^(Q) comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.^{(R) 22} The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth^(S) choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²³ But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”^(T)

The Parable of the Weeds

²⁴ Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like^(U) a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

²⁷ “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

²⁸ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

²⁹ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”^(V)

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast^(W)(X)

³¹ He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like^(Y) a mustard seed,^(Z) which a man took and planted in his field. ³² Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”^(AA)

³³ He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like^(AB) yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds^[b] of flour^(AC) until it worked all through the dough.”^(AD)

³⁴ Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.^{(AE) 35} So was fulfilled^(AF) what was spoken through the prophet:

The Parable of the Weeds Explained

³⁶ Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable^(AH) of the weeds in the field.”

³⁷ He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.^{(AI) 38} The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one,^{(AJ) 39} and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest^(AK) is the end of the age,^(AL) and the harvesters are angels.^(AM)

⁴⁰ “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. ⁴¹ The Son of Man^(AN) will send out his angels,^(AO) and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. ⁴² They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.^{(AP) 43} Then the righteous will shine like the sun^(AQ) in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.^(AR)

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like^(AS) treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.^(AT)

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like^(AU) a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The Parable of the Net

⁴⁷ “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like^(AV) a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds^(AW) of fish. ⁴⁸ When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. ⁴⁹ This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous^{(AX) 50} and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.^(AY)

⁵¹ “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

⁵² He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

A Prophet Without Honor^(AZ)

⁵³ When Jesus had finished these parables,^(BA) he moved on from there. ⁵⁴ Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue,^(BB) and they were amazed.^(BC) “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. ⁵⁵ “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?^(BD) Isn’t his mother’s^(BE) name Mary, and aren’t his brothers^(BF) James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶ Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” ⁵⁷ And they took offense^(BG) at him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”^(BH)

⁵⁸ And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

John the Baptist Beheaded^(BI)

14 At that time Herod^(BJ) the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus,^{(BK) 2} and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist;^(BL) he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

³ Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison^(BM) because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,^{(BN) 4} for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”^{(BO) 5} Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.^(BP)

⁶ On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much ⁷ that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. ⁸ Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” ⁹ The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted ¹⁰ and had John beheaded^(BQ) in the prison. ¹¹ His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. ¹² John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it.^(BR) Then they went and told Jesus.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand^(BS)(BT)

¹³ When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them^(BU) and healed their sick.^(BV)

¹⁵ As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

¹⁶ Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

¹⁷ “We have here only five loaves^(BW) of bread and two fish,” they answered.

¹⁸ “Bring them here to me,” he said. ¹⁹ And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.^(BX) Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ²⁰ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ²¹ The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water^(BY)(BZ)

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.^(CA) Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,”^(CB) they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage!^(CC) It is I. Don’t be afraid.”^(CD)

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”^(CE) he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”^(CF)

³⁴ When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. ³⁵ And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him ³⁶ and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak,^(CG) and all who touched it were healed.

Paul in Ephesus

19 While Apollos^(A) was at Corinth,^(B) Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus.^(C) There he found some disciples ² and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit^(D) when^[a] you believed?”

They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

³ So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”

“John’s baptism,” they replied.

⁴ Paul said, “John’s baptism^(E) was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”^{(F) 5} On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.^{(G) 6} When Paul placed his hands on them,^(H) the Holy Spirit came on them,^(I) and they spoke in tongues^[b](J) and prophesied. ⁷ There were about twelve men in all.

⁸ Paul entered the synagogue^(K) and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.^{(L) 9} But some of them^(M) became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way.^(N) So Paul left them. He took the disciples^(O) with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. ¹⁰ This went on for two years,^(P) so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia^(Q) heard the word of the Lord.^(R)

¹¹ God did extraordinary miracles^(S) through Paul, ¹² so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured^(T) and the evil spirits left them.

¹³ Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits^(U) tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus^(V) whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” ¹⁴ Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. ¹⁵ One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” ¹⁶ Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

¹⁷ When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus,^(W) they were all seized with fear,^(X) and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. ¹⁸ Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. ¹⁹ A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.^{[c] 20} In this way the word of the Lord^(Y) spread widely and grew in power.^(Z)

²¹ After all this had happened, Paul decided^[d] to go to Jerusalem,^(AA) passing through Macedonia^(AB) and Achaia.^(AC) “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.”^{(AD) 22} He sent two of his helpers,^(AE) Timothy^(AF) and Erastus,^(AG) to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia^(AH) a little longer.

The Riot in Ephesus

²³ About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.^{(AI) 24} A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. ²⁵ He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business.^{(AJ) 26} And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus^(AK) and in practically the whole province of Asia.^(AL) He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.^{(AM) 27} There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

²⁸ When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”^{(AN) 29} Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius^(AO) and Aristarchus,^(AP) Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia,^(AQ) and all of them rushed into the theater together. ³⁰ Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples^(AR) would not let him. ³¹ Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.

³² The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another.^(AS) Most of the people did not even know why they were there. ³³ The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned^(AT) for silence in order to make a defense before the people. ³⁴ But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”^(AU)

³⁵ The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians,^(AV) doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? ³⁶ Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. ³⁷ You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples^(AW) nor blasphemed our goddess. ³⁸ If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen^(AX) have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls.^(AY) They can press charges. ³⁹ If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. ⁴⁰ As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” ⁴¹ After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

Through Macedonia and Greece

20 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples^(AZ) and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia.^{(BA) 2} He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, ³ where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him^(BB) just as he was about to sail for Syria,^(BC) he decided to go back through Macedonia.^{(BD) 4} He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus^(BE) and Secundus from Thessalonica,^(BF) Gaius^(BG) from Derbe, Timothy^(BH) also, and Tychicus^(BI) and Trophimus^(BJ) from the province of Asia.^{(BK) 5} These men went on ahead and waited for us^(BL) at Troas.^{(BM) 6} But we sailed from Philippi^(BN) after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas,^(BO) where we stayed seven days.

Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas

⁷ On the first day of the week^(BP) we came together to break bread.^(BQ) Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. ⁸ There were many lamps in the upstairs room^(BR) where we were meeting. ⁹ Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. ¹⁰ Paul went down, threw himself on the young man^(BS) and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!”^{(BT) 11} Then he went upstairs again and broke bread^(BU) and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. ¹² The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

¹³ We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. ¹⁴ When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. ¹⁵ The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus.^{(BV) 16} Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus^(BW) to avoid spending time in the province of Asia,^(BX) for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem,^(BY) if possible, by the day of Pentecost.^(BZ)

¹⁷ From Miletus,^(CA) Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders^(CB) of the church. ¹⁸ When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you,^(CC) from the first day I came into the province of Asia.^{(CD) 19} I served the Lord with great humility and with tears^(CE) and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.^{(CF) 20} You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything^(CG) that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. ²¹ I have declared to both Jews^(CH) and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance^(CI) and have faith in our Lord Jesus.^(CJ)

²² “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem,^(CK) not knowing what will happen to me there. ²³ I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me^(CL) that prison and hardships are facing me.^{(CM) 24} However, I consider my life worth nothing to me;^(CN) my only aim is to finish the race^(CO) and complete the task^(CP) the Lord Jesus has given me^(CQ)—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.^(CR)

²⁵ “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom^(CS) will ever see me again.^{(CT) 26} Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you.^{(CU) 27} For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.^{(CV) 28} Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock^(CW) of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.^(CX) Be shepherds of the church of God,^[e](CY) which he bought^(CZ) with his own blood.^{[f](DA) 29} I know that after I leave, savage wolves^(DB) will come in among you and will not spare the flock.^{(DC) 30} Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples^(DD) after them. ³¹ So be on your guard! Remember that for three years^(DE) I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.^(DF)

³² “Now I commit you to God^(DG) and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance^(DH) among all those who are sanctified.^{(DI) 33} I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.^{(DJ) 34} You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.^{(DK) 35} In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

³⁶ When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.^{(DL) 37} They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.^{(DM) 38} What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again.^(DN) Then they accompanied him to the ship.^(DO)

On to Jerusalem

21 After we^(DP) had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. ² We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia,^(DQ) went on board and set sail. ³ After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria.^(DR) We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. ⁴ We sought out the disciples^(DS) there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit^(DT) they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. ⁵ When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray.^{(DU) 6} After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

⁷ We continued our voyage from Tyre^(DV) and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters^(DW) and stayed with them for a day. ⁸ Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea^(DX) and stayed at the house of Philip^(DY) the evangelist,^(DZ) one of the Seven. ⁹ He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.^(EA)

¹⁰ After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus^(EB) came down from Judea. ¹¹ Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says,^(EC) ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind^(ED) the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”^(EE)

¹² When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³ Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die^(EF) in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”^{(EG) 14} When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up^(EH) and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”^(EI)

¹⁵ After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem.^{(EJ) 16} Some of the disciples from Caesarea^(EK) accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus^(EL) and one of the early disciples.

Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem

¹⁷ When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters^(EM) received us warmly.^{(EN) 18} The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James,^(EO) and all the elders^(EP) were present. ¹⁹ Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles^(EQ) through his ministry.^(ER)

²⁰ When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous^(ES) for the law.^{(ET) 21} They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses,^(EU) telling them not to circumcise their children^(EV) or live according to our customs.^{(EW) 22} What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, ²³ so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow.^{(EX) 24} Take these men, join in their purification rites^(EY) and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved.^(EZ) Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. ²⁵ As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”^(FA)

²⁶ The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.^(FB)

Paul Arrested

²⁷ When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him,^{(FC) 28} shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”^{(FD) 29} (They had previously seen Trophimus^(FE) the Ephesian^(FF) in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)

³⁰ The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul,^(FG) they dragged him^(FH) from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. ³¹ While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. ³² He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.^(FI)

³³ The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound^(FJ) with two^(FK) chains.^(FL) Then he asked who he was and what he had done. ³⁴ Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another,^(FM) and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.^{(FN) 35} When Paul reached the steps,^(FO) the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. ³⁶ The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”^(FP)

Paul Speaks to the Crowd^(FQ)

³⁷ As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks,^(FR) he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?”

“Do you speak Greek?” he replied. ³⁸ “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness^(FS) some time ago?”^(FT)

³⁹ Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus^(FU) in Cilicia,^(FV) a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.”

⁴⁰ After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned^(FW) to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic^[g]:^(FX)