Parallel Verses
An Understandable Version
As Paul was being brought into the headquarters building, he said to the commander, "Can I speak with you?" The commander replied [with surprise], "You know the Greek language?
New American Standard Bible
As Paul was about to be brought into
King James Version
And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
Holman Bible
As he was about to be brought into the barracks, Paul said to the commander, “Am I allowed to say something to you?”
He replied, “Do you know Greek?
International Standard Version
Just as Paul was about to be taken into the barracks, he asked the tribune, "May I say something to you?"
A Conservative Version
and as Paul was going to be brought into the fort, he says to the chief captain, Is it permitted for me to speak to thee? And he said, Thou know Greek?
American Standard Version
And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he saith unto the chief captain, May I say something unto thee? And he said, Dost thou know Greek?
Amplified
Just as Paul was about to be taken into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” And the man replied, “Do you know Greek?
Anderson New Testament
But as Paul was about to be led into the fortress, he said to the officer: May I speak to you? He replied: Do you understand Greek?
Bible in Basic English
And when Paul was about to be taken into the building, he said to the chief captain, May I say something to you? And he said, Have you a knowledge of Greek?
Common New Testament
As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, "May I say something to you?" And he said, "Do you know Greek?
Daniel Mace New Testament
just as he was entring into the castle, Paul said to the officer, may I be favour'd with a word? you can speak Greek then, said he?
Darby Translation
But as he was about to be led into the fortress, Paul says to the chiliarch, Is it allowed me to say something to thee? And he said, Dost thou know Greek?
Goodspeed New Testament
Just as they were going to take him into the barracks, Paul said to the colonel, "May I say something to you?" "Do you know Greek?" the colonel asked.
John Wesley New Testament
And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he said to the chief captain, May I speak to thee?
Julia Smith Translation
And being about to be brought into the camp, Paul says to the captain of a thousand, Is it lawful for me to speak anything to thee? and he said, Hast thou knowledge in Greek?
King James 2000
And as Paul was to be led into the barracks, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto you? Who said, Can you speak Greek?
Lexham Expanded Bible
And [as he] was about to be brought into the barracks, Paul said to the military tribune, "Is it permitted for me to say something to you?" And he said, "Do you know Greek?
Modern King James verseion
And as Paul was about to be led into the fortress, he said to the chiliarch, Is it lawful for me to say a thing to you? And he said, Do you know Greek?
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
And as Paul should have been carried into the castle; He said unto the high captain, "May I speak unto thee?" Which said, "Canst thou speak Greek?
Moffatt New Testament
Just as he was being taken into the barracks, Paul said to the commander, "May I say a word to you?" "You know Greek!" said the commander.
Montgomery New Testament
Just as he was about to be taken into the barracks, Paul said to the tribune, "May I speak to you?"
NET Bible
As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commanding officer, "May I say something to you?" The officer replied, "Do you know Greek?
New Heart English Bible
As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he asked the commanding officer, "May I speak something to you?" He said, "Do you know Greek?
Noyes New Testament
And as he was about to be led into the castle, Paul saith to the chief captain, May I speak to thee? And he said, Canst thou speak Greek?
Sawyer New Testament
And being about to be carried into the fortress, Paul said to the chiliarch, May I have permission to speak to you? And he said, Do you understand Greek?
The Emphasized Bible
But, when he was on the point of being taken into the castle, Paul saith unto the captain - Is it allowed me, to say somewhat unto thee? And he said - With Greek, art thou acquainted?
Thomas Haweis New Testament
And when he was just ready to be carried into the fortress, Paul said to the military tribune, May I be permitted to speak a word to thee? And he said, Dost thou know Greek?
Twentieth Century New Testament
Just as he was about to be taken into the Fort, Paul said to the Commanding Officer: "May I speak to you?" "Do you know Greek?" asked the Commanding Officer.
Webster
And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said to the chief captain, May I speak to thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
Weymouth New Testament
When he was about to be taken into the barracks, Paul said to the Tribune, "May I speak to you?" "Do you know Greek?" the Tribune asked.
Williams New Testament
As he was about to be taken into the barracks, Paul said to the colonel, "May I say something to you?" The colonel asked, "Do you know Greek?
World English Bible
As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he asked the commanding officer, "May I speak to you?" He said, "Do you know Greek?
Worrell New Testament
And, when about to be led into the castle, Paul says to the chief captain, "May I say something to you?" And he said, "Do you know Greek?
Worsley New Testament
And as Paul was going to be led into the castle, he said to the tribune, May I be allowed to speak a word to thee? And he said, Canst thou speak Greek?
Youngs Literal Translation
And Paul being about to be led into the castle, saith to the chief captain, 'Is it permitted to me to say anything unto thee?' and he said, 'Greek dost thou know?
Themes
Claudius lysius » A roman military officer
Language » Mentioned in scripture » Greek
Interlinear
References
Word Count of 36 Translations in Acts 21:37
Verse Info
Context Readings
Paul Permitted To Address The Crowd
36 for the crowds that followed were [pressing in on them] shouting, "Kill him." 37 As Paul was being brought into the headquarters building, he said to the commander, "Can I speak with you?" The commander replied [with surprise], "You know the Greek language? 38 Are you not the Egyptian who, awhile back, stirred up a revolt and led four thousand of the 'Dagger Men' out into the wilderness?"
Names
Cross References
Matthew 10:18-20
Yes, you will [even] be brought in front of governors and kings for being loyal to me. [This will give you an opportunity] for witnessing to them [as well] as to the [unconverted] Gentiles.
Luke 21:15
for I will give you a mouth [i.e., the ability to speak properly] and wisdom [i.e., the knowledge of what to say], which none of your opponents will be able to resist or speak against.
Acts 19:30
And when Paul decided to go before the crowd [to talk with them], the disciples would not allow him.
Acts 21:19
And after greeting them Paul reported one by one the things that God had brought about among the Gentiles through his ministry.
Acts 21:34
From the crowd, some shouted one thing and some another. When the commander could not hear what was being said because of the noise, he ordered Paul to be taken into the battalion headquarters.