Acts 21:29
New International Version
(They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)

New Living Translation
(For earlier that day they had seen him in the city with Trophimus, a Gentile from Ephesus, and they assumed Paul had taken him into the Temple.)

English Standard Version
For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

Berean Standard Bible
For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

Berean Literal Bible
For it was they having previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they were supposing that Paul had brought into the temple.

King James Bible
(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

New King James Version
(For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

New American Standard Bible
For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they thought that Paul had brought him into the temple.

NASB 1995
For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

NASB 1977
For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

Legacy Standard Bible
For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

Amplified Bible
For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul, and they assumed that he had brought the man into the temple [beyond the court of the Gentiles].

Christian Standard Bible
For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple complex.

American Standard Version
For they had before seen with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.

Contemporary English Version
Some of them thought that Paul had brought Trophimus from Ephesus into the temple, because they had seen them together in the city.

English Revised Version
For they had before seen with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They had seen Trophimus from Ephesus with him in the city earlier and thought Paul had taken him into the temple courtyard.

Good News Translation
They said this because they had seen Trophimus from Ephesus with Paul in the city, and they thought that Paul had taken him into the Temple.)

International Standard Version
For they had earlier seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him and assumed that Paul had taken him into the Temple.

Majority Standard Bible
For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

NET Bible
(For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him previously, and they assumed Paul had brought him into the inner temple courts.)

New Heart English Bible
For they had previously seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

Webster's Bible Translation
(For they had seen before with him in the city, Trophimus, an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

Weymouth New Testament


World English Bible
For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian, with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for they had seen before Trophimus, the Ephesian, in the city with him, whom they were supposing that Paul brought into the temple.

Berean Literal Bible
For it was they having previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they were supposing that Paul had brought into the temple.

Young's Literal Translation
for they had seen before Trophimus, the Ephesian, in the city with him, whom they were supposing that Paul brought into the temple.

Smith's Literal Translation
(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian whom they thought that Paul had brought into the temple.)
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
(For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

Catholic Public Domain Version
(For they had seen Trophimus, an Ephesian, in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)

New American Bible
For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him and supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

New Revised Standard Version
For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For they had previously seen Troph’imus, the E-phe’sian, with him in the city, and they thought he had entered into the temple with Paul.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For they had seen Trophimos the Ephesian with him before in the city and they were assuming that he had entered The Temple with Paulus.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For, before this time, they had seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, with him in the city, whom they supposed Paul had brought into the temple.

Godbey New Testament
For they saw Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they supposed that Paul led into the temple.

Haweis New Testament
(for they had before seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they imagined that Paul had introduced into the temple.)

Mace New Testament
(for having seen Trophimus an Ephesian with him in the city, they imagin'd Paul had conducted him into the temple.)

Weymouth New Testament


Worrell New Testament
(For they had previously seen with him in the city Trophimus, the Ephesian, whom they were supposing that Paul brought into the temple).

Worsley New Testament
(For they had before seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they thought Paul had brought into the temple.)

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul Seized in the Temple
28crying out, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everywhere against our people and against our law and against this place. Furthermore, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” 29For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.…

Cross References
Acts 19:26-27
And you can see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in nearly the whole province of Asia, this Paul has persuaded a great number of people to turn away. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. / There is danger not only that our business will fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited and her majesty deposed—she who is worshiped by all the province of Asia and the whole world.”

Acts 24:5-6
We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

Acts 6:13-14
where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. / For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

Acts 16:20-21
They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil / by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.”

Acts 18:13
“This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said.

Acts 22:22
The crowd listened to Paul until he made this statement. Then they lifted up their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He is not fit to live!”

Acts 25:7-8
When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove. / Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”

Acts 26:21
For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me.

Acts 28:17
After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.

Mark 14:58
“We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple, and in three days I will build another that is made without hands.’”

John 2:19-21
Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” / “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” / But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body.

Matthew 26:61
and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

1 Kings 21:10-13
But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” / So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel had instructed in the letters she had written to them. / They proclaimed a fast and gave Naboth a seat of honor among the people. ...

Nehemiah 6:6-7
that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, / and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.”

Jeremiah 26:8-11
and as soon as he had finished telling all the people everything the LORD had commanded him to say, the priests and prophets and all the people seized him, shouting, “You must surely die! / How dare you prophesy in the name of the LORD that this house will become like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted!” And all the people assembled against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD. / When the officials of Judah heard these things, they went up from the king’s palace to the house of the LORD and sat there at the entrance of the New Gate. ...


Treasury of Scripture

(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

Trophimus.

Acts 20:4
And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

2 Timothy 4:20
Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

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Area City Ephesian Ephesus Idea Paul Previously Supposed Supposing Temple Trophimus Troph'imus
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Area City Ephesian Ephesus Idea Paul Previously Supposed Supposing Temple Trophimus Troph'imus
Acts 21
1. Paul calls at the house of Philip, whose daughters prophesy.
10. Agabus, foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem,
13. he will not be dissuaded from going thither.
17. He comes to Jerusalem;
27. where he is apprehended, and in great danger, but by the chief captain is rescued;
37. and requests, and is permitted to speak to the people.














For they had previously seen
This phrase indicates a past observation that influenced the present situation. The Greek word for "previously" (προεωράκασιν) suggests a prior event that is now impacting the current narrative. Historically, this reflects the tension between Jewish customs and the emerging Christian movement. The Jews in Jerusalem were vigilant about maintaining the sanctity of the temple, and any perceived breach was taken seriously.

Trophimus the Ephesian
Trophimus was a Gentile believer from Ephesus, a city known for its significant pagan influence and the famous Temple of Artemis. His presence with Paul highlights the inclusive nature of the Gospel, which transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries. The mention of "Ephesian" underscores the cultural and religious diversity within the early church and the challenges it faced in integrating Gentile believers.

with him in the city
The city referred to is Jerusalem, a central hub of Jewish religious life. The presence of a Gentile with Paul in Jerusalem would have been noteworthy, given the city's strong Jewish identity. This phrase emphasizes the public nature of their association, which was visible to many and thus subject to scrutiny and misinterpretation.

and they assumed
The Greek word for "assumed" (νομίζω) implies a belief or supposition without evidence. This reflects a common human tendency to jump to conclusions based on incomplete information. In the context of Acts, it illustrates the misunderstandings and false accusations that Paul often faced, particularly from those who were resistant to the message of Christ.

that Paul had brought him into the temple
The temple in Jerusalem was a sacred space with strict regulations about who could enter. Gentiles were allowed only in the outer court, and bringing one into the inner areas was a serious offense. This assumption was a grave accusation against Paul, reflecting the deep-seated fears and prejudices of the Jewish leaders. It also highlights the tension between the old covenant, represented by the temple, and the new covenant in Christ, which opened the way for all people to approach God.

(29) Trophimus an Ephesian.--See Note on Acts 20:4. His face was naturally familiar to those who had come from the same city. They had seen the two together in the streets, possibly near the entrance of the Temple, and, hatred adding wings to imagination, had taken for granted that St. Paul had brought his companion within the sacred enclosure.

Verse 29. - Before seen for seen before, A.V.; the Ephesian for an Ephesian, A.V. Trophimus (see Acts 20:4). Having seen him with St. Paul in the city, they concluded that he had come with him into the temple.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

they had
ἦσαν (ēsan)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

previously seen
προεωρακότες (proeōrakotes)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4308: From pro and horao; to behold in advance, i.e. to notice previously, or to keep in view.

Trophimus
Τρόφιμον (Trophimon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5161: Trophimus, a Christian of Ephesus in Asia. From trophe; nutritive; Trophimus, a Christian.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Ephesian
Ἐφέσιον (Ephesion)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2180: Ephesian, of Ephesus. From Ephesos; an Ephesian or inhabitant of Ephesus.

with
σὺν (syn)
Preposition
Strong's 4862: With. A primary preposition denoting union; with or together.

him
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

city,
πόλει (polei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.

[and] they assumed
ἐνόμιζον (enomizon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3543: From nomos; properly, to do by law, i.e. To accustom; by extension, to deem or regard.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

Paul
Παῦλος (Paulos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.

had brought
εἰσήγαγεν (eisēgagen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1521: To lead in, bring in, introduce. From eis and ago; to introduce.

[him]
ὃν (hon)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

temple.
ἱερὸν (hieron)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2411: Neuter of hieros; a sacred place, i.e. The entire precincts of the Temple.


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Acts 21:28
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