Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Acts 22:2 - 22:2

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Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Acts 22:2 - 22:2


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_22:2

2And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet; and he said,

Act_22:2 "Hebrew dialect" This refers to Aramaic. All of the places in the Gospels where Jesus' actual words are recorded are in Aramaic. This was a cognate language to ancient Hebrew. It was the language of the Persian Empire. The Jews learned it while under their control. For example, in Nehemiah 8, where Ezra read the Law of Moses in Hebrew, Levites had to interpret it into Aramaic for the people (cf. Neh_8:7).

"they became even more quiet" Paul's polite introduction, combined with his fluent Aramaic and the fact that many in this mob knew him or knew of him, caused an immediate, surprising calm. They wanted to hear what he had to say—a perfect preaching opportunity to the leaders of Judaism.