23:21a

The Greek conjunction often translated as “therefore” introduces this verse. It introduces the conclusion. 23:21a tells what Paul’s nephew wants the commander to do now that he knows about the plot. For example:

So (New American Standard Bible)

Some English versions translate the contrast here. For example:

but (Revised Standard Version)

Do not let them persuade you: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as let…persuade means “to be persuaded/convinced.” Paul’s nephew did not want the commander to allow the leaders to persuade him to agree to sending Paul to them. Other ways to translate this clause are:

do not be persuaded by them (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Don’t give in to them (New International Version)
-or-
Do not believe them (New Jerusalem Bible)

23:21b

are waiting to ambush him: This phrase indicates that the forty men were at that time waiting somewhere on the way so that they could surprise Paul and the soldiers guarding him and kill him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

hiding along the way ready to ambush him (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
are hiding and waiting to kill Paul (New Century Version)

The Greek verb is in the present tense. But the proposed meeting was not until the next day (23:20b). It is possible for a Greek present tense to describe a future action in some cases. For example:

will be hiding and waiting for him (Good News Translation)

But if the future tense would indicate the wrong meaning, use the present tense.

23:21c

have bound themselves with an oath: Here this phrase is “speak a curse,” as in 23:12 (“bound…with an oath”). Some ways to translate this phrase are:

have bound themselves under a curse
-or-
have asked God to curse them (God’s Word)
-or-
promised with a curse of bad consequences ⌊should they not fulfill it⌋

See how you translated this phrase in 23:12.

have killed him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as killed means “ended the life of” or “destroyed.” It implies that the conspirators wanted to kill Paul. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

do away with him (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
destroy him

In some languages the above examples would not clearly mean “kill.” If that is true in your language, translate as the Berean Standard Bible does. See how you translated this word in 23:15.

23:21d

awaiting your consent: The word consent indicates that the Jews were waiting for the commander to agree to their request to meet with Paul. Other ways to translate this clause are:

waiting for you to permit ⌊the meeting⌋
-or-
waiting for you to allow ⌊them to meet with Paul⌋

Your translation should not indicate or imply that the Jewish leaders were asking for permission to kill Paul.

© 2001, 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.