Acts 21 · Verse 22

Acts 21:22

What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
Acts 21:22, King James Version

Acts 21:22 in other translations

BSBWhat then should we do? They will certainly hear that you have come.
WEBWhat then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come.
ASVWhat is it therefore? they will certainly hear that thou art come.
YLTwhat then is it? certainly the multitude it behoveth to come together, for they will hear that thou hast come.
DARBYWhat is it then? a multitude must necessarily come together, for they will hear that thou art come.
BBEWhat then is the position? They will certainly get news that you have come.
WebsterWhat is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

What does Acts 21:22 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 21:20-25

20-25. they glorified the Lord, &c.--constrained to justify his course, notwithstanding the Jewish complexion of the Christianity of Jerusalem.

Read the full comment on Acts 21:20-25 →

Barnes' Notes
Verse 22. What is it therefore? What is to be done? What is it proper to do, to avoid the effects of the evil report which has been circulated? What they deemed it proper to do, is suggested in the following verses.

The multitude. The multitude of Jews.

Must needs come together. There will be inevitably a tumultuous assemblage. It will be impossible to prevent that. The reasons were, because their minds were exceedingly agitated that one of their own countrymen had, as they understood, been advising apostasy from the religion of their fathers; because it had been extensively done in many parts of the world, and with great success; and because Paul, having, as they believed, himself apostatized from the national religion, had become very conspicuous, and his very presence in Jerusalem, as in other places, would be likely to excite a tumult. It was, therefore, the part of friendship to him, and to the cause, to devise some proper place to prevent, if possible, the anticipated excitement.

(+) "therefore the multitude" "What therefore should be done" (b) "come together" Acts 19:32

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 22 The multitude must needs come together - Whether this refers to a regular convocation of the Church, or to a tumult that would infallibly take place when it was heard that the apostle was come, we cannot pretend to say; but it is evident that James and the elders wished some prudent steps to be taken, in order to prevent an evil that they had too much reason to fear.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 21:19-26

Paul ascribed all his success to God, and to God they gave the praise. God had honoured him more than any of the apostles, yet they did not envy him; but on the contrary, glorified the Lord. They could not do more to encourage Paul to go on cheerfully in his work. James and the elders of the church at Jerusalem, asked Paul to gratify the believing Jews, by some compliance with the ceremonial law. They thought it was…

Read the full comment on Acts 21:19-26 →

Acts 21:22 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

τίtiWhatG5101
οὖνounthenG3767
ἐστιν;estinis it?G1510
πάντωςpantōsCertainlyG3843
δεῖdeishouldG1163
πλῆθοςplēthosmultitudeG4128
συνελθεῖνsuneltheinto assembleG4905
ἀκούσονταιakousontaithey will hearG191
ὅτιhotithatG3754
ἐλήλυθας.elēluthasyou have come.G2064

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 21:22

  • Acts 15:22

    Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

  • Acts 15:12

    Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

  • Acts 19:32

    Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the multitude.
15:12,22; 19:32

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 21:21

    And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

  • Acts 21:22

    What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

  • Acts 21:23

    Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;

Read all of Acts 21

Acts 21:22 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		¿Qué hay pues? La multitud se reunirá de cierto: porque oirán que has venido.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Qu’est-ce donc? Il faut absolument que la multitude s’assemble, car ils entendront dire que tu es arrivé.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Was ist es nun? Jedenfalls muß eine Menge zusammenkommen, denn sie werden hören, daß du gekommen bist.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Quid ergo est? utique oportet convenire multitudinem: audient enim te supervenisse.