ἐπὶ τοὺς�, upon the stairs. The noun is common in the LXX. (cf. 1 Kings 10:19-20, &c.) but not in classical Greek. It occurs Herod. II. 125.

The stairs mentioned here are the flight of steps leading from the Temple area up to the tower where the soldiers were stationed. They were not covered in, for St Paul is able to address the multitude while standing on them (Acts 21:40).

διὰ τὴν βίαν τοῦ ὄχλου, by reason of the violence of the crowd. The people pressed on St Paul with all the more fury because they saw that he was now to be taken out of their hands. Hence it came to pass, that some of the soldiers were obliged, in order to keep him safe, to lift him from his feet and carry him up till he was out of reach, their comrades meanwhile keeping back the people from the foot of the stairs.

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Old Testament