Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 21:40

"And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand unto the people; and when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, saying," — Acts 21:40 (ASV)

Paul stood on the stairs. His position raised him above the people, and his characteristic gesture commanded instant attention.

He spoke, not as they expected in Greek, which was the language of someone who mixed with Gentiles, but in Hebrew or Aramaic, which he had studied at the feet of Gamaliel.

It was a strange scene for that Feast of Pentecost. The speaker's face and form may have been seen from time to time by some during his passing visits to Jerusalem, but there must have been many who had not heard him take any part in public action since the day when, twenty-five years before, he had kept the garments of those who were stoning Stephen.

And now he was there, accused of the very same crimes, making his defense before a crowd as wild and frenzied as the one he had then led.