Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
As they were seeking to kill him (zhtountwn autwn). Genitive absolute of zhtew, to seek, without autwn (they). This was their real purpose.
Tidings (fasiv). From fainw, to show. Old word for the work of informers and then the exposure of secret crime. In LXX. Here only in the N.T.
Came up (anebh). Naturally in the wild uproar. The Roman guard during festivals was kept stationed in the Tower of Antonia at the northwest corner of the temple overlooking the temple and connected by stairs (verse Acts 21:35).
To the chief captain (tw xiliarxw). Commander of a thousand men or cohort (Mark 15:16). His name was Claudius Lysias.
Of the band (thv speirhv). Each legion had six tribunes and so each tribune (chiliarch) had a thousand if the cohort had its full quota. See on Acts 10:1; Acts 27:1. The word is the Latin spira (anything rolled up). Note the genitive speirhv instead of speirav (Attic).
Was in confusion (sunxunnetai). Present passive indicative of sunxunnw (see verse Acts 21:27, sunexeon). This is what the conspirators had desired.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Acts 21:31:
John 18:12
Acts 2:6
Acts 21:20
Acts 21:27
Acts 21:32
Acts 24:6
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