Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 21:31

"And as they were seeking to kill him, tidings came up to the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in confusion." — Acts 21:31 (ASV)

Word of the riot came to the commander of the Roman garrison stationed in the Fortress of Antonia, a building built by Herod the Great to the north of the temple precincts where it could overlook the temple area to the south and the city to the north and west. With some soldiers and centurions, he rushed into the mob and prevented the people from beating Paul further. While the temple police were drawn from the ranks of the Levites (cf. comments on 4:1), the commander of the fortress was a Roman military officer, whose responsibility was to keep peace in the city. He represented Rome’s interests and was to intervene in the affairs of the people on behalf of those interests.