Acts 21:31

ἀνέβη φάσις : “tidings came up,” R.V., vividly, of the report which would reach the Roman officer in the tower of Antonia, overlooking and connected with the Temple at two points by stairs. The ἀνέβη seems to indicate that the writer was well acquainted with the locality. Stier supposes that a report was brought to the Roman authorities by the Christians, or the word may refer to an official report. The troops would be in readiness as always during the Festivals in case of riot, Jos., Ant., xx., 5, 3, B.J., v., 5, 8, etc. φάσις : only here in N.T. Blass and Grimm derive it from φαίνω (in classical Greek, especially of information against smugglers, and also quite generally), but in Susannah ver. 55 (Theod.) φάσις is derived by some from φημί, see Speaker's Commentary, in loco, while Grimm classes it there also under the same derivation as here. τῷ χιλ.: “military tribune,” R.V. margin; his thousand men consisted of 760 infantry and 240 cavalry, cf. Acts 23:23, Blass, in loco. This officer who was evidently in command at Fort Antonia is called by Josephus φρούραρχος, Ant., xv., 11, 4, xviii., 4, 3; Schürer, Jewish People, div, ii., vol. ii., p. 55, E.T. τῆς σπείρης, cf. Acts 10:1, “cohort,” R.V. margin. συγκέχυται, see p. 238, and also critical note, “was in confusion,” R.V., lit [362] (so Rhem.).

[362] literal, literally.