And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:
And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.
Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.
And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Cesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.
There went with us also certain of the disciples of Cesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,
Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.
And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.
Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.
And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.
And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.
For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.
And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?
But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.
And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,
Acts 21 recounts a pivotal moment in Paul's ministry, marked by both encouragement and foreboding. This chapter details Paul's journey to Jerusalem, fulfilling prophecies of his impending arrest, and sets the stage for his subsequent imprisonment and trials. Despite warnings and pleas from friends, Paul presses forward, driven by the Holy Spirit and a desire to spread the gospel, even at personal cost.
A Journey Fraught with Warnings (Acts 21:1-16)
Paul's journey begins after departing from Miletus (Acts 20:13-38). Accompanied by Timothy, Luke, and others (Acts 20:4), Paul sails to Tyre (Acts 21:1-3). Here, he spends seven days with local believers who, through the Holy Spirit, are aware of the dangers awaiting him in Jerusalem. Distraught, they urge him to avoid the city (Acts 21:4), but Paul remains resolute. This highlights the tension between heeding prophetic warnings and following God's specific call.
Leaving Tyre, the group continues to Ptolemais and then arrives in Caesarea (Acts 21:7-8), where they stay with Philip the evangelist. Philip, one of the first seven deacons (Acts 6:1-6) and known for his zeal in spreading the gospel (Acts 8:4-8, 26-40), welcomes them. Philip has four daughters who possess the gift of prophecy (Acts 21:9), demonstrating that the Spirit bestows spiritual gifts without gender distinction, even though women are restricted from the office of elder/overseer/pastor (1 Timothy 2:11-13).
During their stay, the prophet Agabus arrives from Judea and dramatically foretells Paul's arrest. He binds his own hands and feet with Paul's belt, declaring that the Jews in Jerusalem will bind Paul in the same way and hand him over to the Gentiles (Acts 21:10-11). This vivid prophecy intensifies the group's concern, and they plead with Paul to reconsider his journey (Acts 21:12).
Paul's response is unwavering. He declares his willingness not only to be bound but even to die for the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 21:13). His commitment reflects a heart where eternity is so real that whether he lives or dies doesn't matter as long as the Lord is glorified, echoing Paul's words to the Philippians: "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). Seeing his determination, the group submits to God's will, saying, "The Lord's will be done" (Acts 21:14). This teaches us that even when we can't understand God's reasons, we must submit to His will, just as Paul and Jesus did (Luke 22:42).
Welcomed, Yet Misunderstood (Acts 21:17-26)
Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Paul and his companions are warmly received by the Christian community (Acts 21:15-17). He meets with James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the Jerusalem church, and the elders, sharing news of God's work among the Gentiles (Acts 21:18-19). The elders rejoice at this news (Acts 21:20), but they also express concern about rumors circulating among the Jewish believers.
These rumors accuse Paul of teaching Jewish Christians to abandon the Mosaic Law and customs (Acts 21:21). This was untrue, as Paul’s message was that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone, not through adherence to the law. He even had Timothy circumcised to ease ministry among the Jews (Acts 16:1-3), demonstrating that Jewish customs were not a problem as long as they weren’t relied on for salvation or sanctification (Galatians 5:1-6).
To address these concerns and demonstrate his continued respect for Jewish tradition, the elders suggest that Paul participate in a purification ritual with four men who have taken a Nazirite vow (Acts 21:22-24; Numbers 6:1-21). This vow involved a period of consecration, during which the men abstained from certain foods and drinks, let their hair grow, and avoided contact with the dead. At the end of the vow, they would shave their heads and offer sacrifices at the temple. By publicly associating himself with these men and paying for their sacrifices, Paul would show that he was still observant of Jewish customs (Acts 21:24).
The elders also remind Paul of the letter sent to the Gentiles following the Jerusalem Council (Acts 21:25; Acts 15:22-29), emphasizing the importance of avoiding unnecessary offense to Jewish people so as not to hinder them from believing in Christ, as long as the gospel message wasn't compromised. Paul agrees to their suggestion and begins the purification rites (Acts 21:26).
Arrest and Accusations (Acts 21:27-40)
The situation takes a dramatic turn when Jews from Asia recognize Paul in the temple. They falsely accuse him of defiling the temple by bringing Gentiles into the inner courts, which was strictly forbidden (Acts 21:27-29). They had seen Paul with Trophimus, an Ephesian, in the city and assumed he had brought him into the temple. This sparks a riot, and the crowd seizes Paul and drags him out of the temple, intending to kill him (Acts 21:30-31).
The warnings and prophecies regarding Paul's fate are now being fulfilled (Acts 20:23; 21:4, 10). Paul, however, was prepared, compelled by the Spirit to go and determined to obey (Acts 20:22; 21:13).
Roman soldiers intervene to quell the riot and arrest Paul, preventing the crowd from killing him (Acts 21:31-33). The commander, Claudius Lysias, is unable to determine the cause of the uproar and orders Paul to be bound with chains. As they are leading him away, Paul asks the commander if he can speak to the crowd (Acts 21:37-39). The commander is surprised that Paul speaks Greek and initially mistakes him for an Egyptian rebel.
Paul clarifies that he is a Jew from Tarsus, a citizen of a well-known city, and requests permission to address the people (Acts 21:39-40). Given permission, Paul stands on the steps and gestures for silence, preparing to defend himself against the accusations leveled against him.
This chapter reveals Paul's unwavering commitment to Christ and his willingness to endure suffering for the sake of the gospel. It also highlights the challenges he faced in navigating cultural and religious tensions, seeking to remain true to his calling while avoiding unnecessary offense. Even in the face of danger and false accusations, Paul seizes every opportunity to share his testimony and proclaim the message of salvation.
And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:
And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.
Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.
And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Cesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.
There went with us also certain of the disciples of Cesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,
Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.
And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.
Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.
And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.
And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.
For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.
And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?
But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.
And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,
Acts 21 recounts a pivotal moment in Paul's ministry, marked by both encouragement and foreboding. This chapter details Paul's journey to Jerusalem, fulfilling prophecies of his impending arrest, and sets the stage for his subsequent imprisonment and trials. Despite warnings and pleas from friends, Paul presses forward, driven by the Holy Spirit and a desire to spread the gospel, even at personal cost.
A Journey Fraught with Warnings (Acts 21:1-16)
Paul's journey begins after departing from Miletus (Acts 20:13-38). Accompanied by Timothy, Luke, and others (Acts 20:4), Paul sails to Tyre (Acts 21:1-3). Here, he spends seven days with local believers who, through the Holy Spirit, are aware of the dangers awaiting him in Jerusalem. Distraught, they urge him to avoid the city (Acts 21:4), but Paul remains resolute. This highlights the tension between heeding prophetic warnings and following God's specific call.
Leaving Tyre, the group continues to Ptolemais and then arrives in Caesarea (Acts 21:7-8), where they stay with Philip the evangelist. Philip, one of the first seven deacons (Acts 6:1-6) and known for his zeal in spreading the gospel (Acts 8:4-8, 26-40), welcomes them. Philip has four daughters who possess the gift of prophecy (Acts 21:9), demonstrating that the Spirit bestows spiritual gifts without gender distinction, even though women are restricted from the office of elder/overseer/pastor (1 Timothy 2:11-13).
During their stay, the prophet Agabus arrives from Judea and dramatically foretells Paul's arrest. He binds his own hands and feet with Paul's belt, declaring that the Jews in Jerusalem will bind Paul in the same way and hand him over to the Gentiles (Acts 21:10-11). This vivid prophecy intensifies the group's concern, and they plead with Paul to reconsider his journey (Acts 21:12).
Paul's response is unwavering. He declares his willingness not only to be bound but even to die for the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 21:13). His commitment reflects a heart where eternity is so real that whether he lives or dies doesn't matter as long as the Lord is glorified, echoing Paul's words to the Philippians: "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). Seeing his determination, the group submits to God's will, saying, "The Lord's will be done" (Acts 21:14). This teaches us that even when we can't understand God's reasons, we must submit to His will, just as Paul and Jesus did (Luke 22:42).
Welcomed, Yet Misunderstood (Acts 21:17-26)
Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Paul and his companions are warmly received by the Christian community (Acts 21:15-17). He meets with James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the Jerusalem church, and the elders, sharing news of God's work among the Gentiles (Acts 21:18-19). The elders rejoice at this news (Acts 21:20), but they also express concern about rumors circulating among the Jewish believers.
These rumors accuse Paul of teaching Jewish Christians to abandon the Mosaic Law and customs (Acts 21:21). This was untrue, as Paul’s message was that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone, not through adherence to the law. He even had Timothy circumcised to ease ministry among the Jews (Acts 16:1-3), demonstrating that Jewish customs were not a problem as long as they weren’t relied on for salvation or sanctification (Galatians 5:1-6).
To address these concerns and demonstrate his continued respect for Jewish tradition, the elders suggest that Paul participate in a purification ritual with four men who have taken a Nazirite vow (Acts 21:22-24; Numbers 6:1-21). This vow involved a period of consecration, during which the men abstained from certain foods and drinks, let their hair grow, and avoided contact with the dead. At the end of the vow, they would shave their heads and offer sacrifices at the temple. By publicly associating himself with these men and paying for their sacrifices, Paul would show that he was still observant of Jewish customs (Acts 21:24).
The elders also remind Paul of the letter sent to the Gentiles following the Jerusalem Council (Acts 21:25; Acts 15:22-29), emphasizing the importance of avoiding unnecessary offense to Jewish people so as not to hinder them from believing in Christ, as long as the gospel message wasn't compromised. Paul agrees to their suggestion and begins the purification rites (Acts 21:26).
Arrest and Accusations (Acts 21:27-40)
The situation takes a dramatic turn when Jews from Asia recognize Paul in the temple. They falsely accuse him of defiling the temple by bringing Gentiles into the inner courts, which was strictly forbidden (Acts 21:27-29). They had seen Paul with Trophimus, an Ephesian, in the city and assumed he had brought him into the temple. This sparks a riot, and the crowd seizes Paul and drags him out of the temple, intending to kill him (Acts 21:30-31).
The warnings and prophecies regarding Paul's fate are now being fulfilled (Acts 20:23; 21:4, 10). Paul, however, was prepared, compelled by the Spirit to go and determined to obey (Acts 20:22; 21:13).
Roman soldiers intervene to quell the riot and arrest Paul, preventing the crowd from killing him (Acts 21:31-33). The commander, Claudius Lysias, is unable to determine the cause of the uproar and orders Paul to be bound with chains. As they are leading him away, Paul asks the commander if he can speak to the crowd (Acts 21:37-39). The commander is surprised that Paul speaks Greek and initially mistakes him for an Egyptian rebel.
Paul clarifies that he is a Jew from Tarsus, a citizen of a well-known city, and requests permission to address the people (Acts 21:39-40). Given permission, Paul stands on the steps and gestures for silence, preparing to defend himself against the accusations leveled against him.
This chapter reveals Paul's unwavering commitment to Christ and his willingness to endure suffering for the sake of the gospel. It also highlights the challenges he faced in navigating cultural and religious tensions, seeking to remain true to his calling while avoiding unnecessary offense. Even in the face of danger and false accusations, Paul seizes every opportunity to share his testimony and proclaim the message of salvation.