Acts 21:20: Who are these Jews?

Mike Sangrey mike at sojurn.lns.pa.us
Mon Oct 2 21:13:31 EDT 2000


EIPON TE AUTWi,
    QEWREIS, ADELFE,
       POSAI MURIADES EISIN EN TOIS IOUDAIOIS TWN PEPISTEUKOTWN, KAI PANTES
       ZHLWTAI TOU NOMOU hUPARCOUSIN


Are these IOUDAIOIS fully committed (faithful) Jews?  Or are they Christian 
(believing) Jews?

The NIV implies, if not outright states, the later.

Recall the context that shortly Jews would bind themselves by oath to not eat 
or drink till Paul was dead.  Were these Jews of the same group?  Or were the 
Jews who James was referring to a group within the believing community and 
distinct from those who wished to murder Paul?

Does the grammar lean more one way than the other?  For example, would POSAI 
MURIADES and PANTES, since both are nominative and joined with KAI, usually 
refer to the same referent?  I tend to see POSAI MURIADES as being shifted 
forward for emphasis and then EISIN and hUPARCOUSIN forming sort of a 
structural sandwich.

Thanks ahead of time.
-- 
Mike Sangrey
mike at sojurn.lns.pa.us
Landisburg, Pa.
       Every Christian library should have a plaque which states:
              "There is one book which explains all these."





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