Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

But Paul assured the commander that he was not the Egyptian revolutionary; rather, he was from Tarsus. The epithet “no ordinary city,” by which Paul referred to Tarsus, was used by various cities to publicize their greatness; Paul was proud of the city of his birth. The Roman commander, probably impressed by Paul’s courteous composure under such trying circumstances and also hoping to gain some insight into the cause of the riot, gave him permission.

Paul then began his speech to the crowd “in Aramaic” (or “in Hebrew”; see NIV note). Though probably frustrating for the commander, this was appreciated by the crowd and elicited for him a temporary measure of goodwill.