Acts 21:29 — ExegesisTAB

The verse opens with the imperfect verb ἦσαν {ēs-an} combined with the perfect participle προεωρακότες {proeōrakótes} to convey a pluperfect sense of “had seen before.” The conjunction γὰρ {gár} signals an explanatory continuation from the previous context, introducing the rationale behind the accusation. The participle’s object is Τρόφιμον τὸν Ἐφέσιον {Tróphimon tón Ephésion}, where the adjective functions substantively to identify him as a Gentile from Ephesus. The prepositional phrase ἐν τῇ πόλει σὺν αὐτῷ {en tē pólei sín autō} situates the prior sighting “in the city with him,” referencing Paul in context. The relative pronoun ὃν {hòn} introduces the clause with the main imperfect ἐνόμιζον {enómizon}, indicating an ongoing assumption, while ὅτι {hóti} introduces its content clause. The content clause places εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν {eis tó hierón} before the verb εἰσήγαγεν {eisḗgagen}, foregrounding the sensitive location “into the temple,” followed by the subject ὁ Παῦλος {ho Paûlos}, a typical Greek word order for emphasis on the holy site. The use of “for” preserves the causal link, the pluperfect is rendered with “had earlier seen,” and the modal assumption is maintained as an incorrect inference.