Paragraph 21:31–36

21:31a

While they were trying to kill him: 21:32c indicates that the crowd was beating Paul. They probably used their fists.

21:31b

commander: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as commander means “leader of one thousand.” The Latin phrase is “tribunus militum.” This kind of officer commanded six hundred to a thousand soldiers in the Roman army. This leader would have six to ten centurions under him who each would lead about 100 soldiers. Other ways to translate this word are:

tribune (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
officer (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
commanding officer (NET Bible)

the Roman regiment: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Roman regiment refers to an army unit of six hundred to a thousand soldiers. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the cohort (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the Roman troops (New International Version)
-or-
the Roman army in Jerusalem (New Century Version)

See how you translated this Greek word in 10:1 (“Regiment”).

Roman: This word means “from Rome” or “under submission to the government in Rome.” The Roman people named themselves by their capital city, Rome.

received a report: This clause indicates that someone told the commander. Other ways to translate this clause are:

word came (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
a report was sent to
-or-
someone told/reported

received: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as received is literally “went up.” Here it probably means “went to someone in authority.” The fortress was above the temple area, so someone from the temple area may have actually gone up to the commander. But more likely a lookout in the fortress tower overlooking the temple area descended to tell the commander.

21:31c

was in turmoil: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was in turmoil refers to being angry and disorderly. It is the same Greek word translated as “stirred up” at 21:27c. But here it refers to being angry and disorderly rather than causing others to be angry and disorderly. Other ways to translate this Greek word are:

acted like a mob
-or-
was/were upset and disorderly
-or-
was/were angry and ready to riot

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