Original Text
καταβὰς δὲ ὁ Παῦλος ἐπέπεσεν αὐτῷ καὶ συμπεριλαβὼν εἶπε· Μὴ θορυβεῖσθε· ἡ γὰρ ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ ἐστιν.
Literal English Translation
But Paul went down, fell upon him, and embracing him said, “Do not be alarmed, for his soul is in him.”
Urgent Movement and Physical Compassion
The aorist participle καταβάς (“having gone down”) describes Paul’s descent, likely from an upper floor. The verb ἐπέπεσεν (aorist active indicative of ἐπιπίπτω) literally means “fell upon.” This combination is dramatic and recalls Old Testament prophetic gestures (cf. 1 Kings 17:21, Elijah and the dead child). In Classical Greek, ἐπιπίπτω can suggest aggression or urgency—here it denotes compassionate immediacy.
Embrace as Action and Assurance
συμπεριλαβὼν – This rare compound participle (from συμπεριλαμβάνω) means “having embraced” or “having wrapped around.” The prefix συν- (“with”) adds warmth and closeness. It is physically expressive and emotionally rich—Paul doesn’t just speak; he holds. In Classical Greek, such physical verbs are more common in poetry and dramatic scenes (cf. Euripides, Sophocles) than in historical prose. Luke uses it to bridge physical action with spiritual consequence.
Commanding Calm in the Crowd
Μὴ θορυβεῖσθε – Present middle/passive imperative 2nd person plural of θορυβέομαι, “to make a commotion,” “to be disturbed.” This was a common verb in both Classical and Koine Greek, often used of emotional unrest or public uproar (cf. Xenophon, Anabasis). Here, Paul calms the alarmed crowd with apostolic authority and composure.
Life Within: A Theological Statement
ἡ γὰρ ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ ἐστιν – The word ψυχή (“soul, life”) can mean the life-force or the person’s animating essence. The verb ἐστιν is present indicative—his soul is in him. In Classical texts, this phrase would imply that the person is not dead but barely alive. In Luke’s writing, it can have theological weight: divine preservation, not merely biological observation. The structure emphasizes presence and hope—“his soul is (still) within him.”
Moment-by-Moment Grammar
| Phrase | Form | Sense | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| καταβὰς | Aorist participle | Descent with purpose | Marks urgency |
| ἐπέπεσεν | Aorist indicative | Immediate physical response | Reenacts prophetic pattern |
| συμπεριλαβών | Aorist participle | Intimate embrace | Embodied compassion |
| θορυβεῖσθε | Present imperative | Ongoing disturbance | Paul speaks peace |
| ψυχὴ… ἐστιν | Noun + present verb | Life is present | Affirms divine preservation |
Closing Perspective
This verse moves swiftly—from descent to embrace, from crowd to calm. The Greek blends physical realism with prophetic echo. Paul’s verbs are tactile: he goes down, he falls, he embraces, he speaks. But it is the last verb—ἐστιν—that seals the moment. The soul is still within him. Life, still present. Grace, still working.
