Acts 21: Warnings on the Journey to Jerusalem
1 Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo. 4 And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.
“Coos, Rhodes and Patara are mentioned. Then they sailed over to Phenicia and landed in Tyre.”( Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible)
And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days… “in order to spend a Sabbath with them.” (Wesley Notes) They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. “The Holy Spirit made known to them the dangers to which Paul would be exposed…” (Justin Edwards' Family Bible); and "out of charity, and not by any special command of the Spirit, forewarned him, and desired him not to go up.” (John Trapp Complete Commentary)
I am reminded once again of the Old Testament story of the man of God and the old prophet in 1 Kings 13. The moral of that story was that we must take our orders directly from the Lord Jesus.
Both Paul and these disciples had truth- Paul would suffer and likely die; but Paul had more- he had an overriding burden to go to Jerusalem to testify of the lordship of Jesus Christ to his kinsmen, according to the flesh.
5 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed. 6 When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home.
Leaving these new found disciples on shore, the party with Paul, including Luke, boarded the ship once again. ”We shall one day meet, and never more be separated…. O that day! O that joy!… Let us ripen apace, and hasten to that heavenly home, that glorious panegyris and general assembly, Hebrews 12:23.” (John Trapp Complete Commentary)
7 And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. 8 On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
They greeted the brethren at Ptolemais and stayed for a day with them. And then they travelled to Caesarea and entered the house of Phillip the evangelist, one of the seven- to whom had been committed the care of the widows- and stayed with him. "He was at first but a deacon; but having well used that lower office, he was advanced to this. A fruitful man shall not sit long in a low place: God will call him forth to a higher employment, and make him master of much, that was so ‘faithful in a little’ Luke 16:10.” (John Trapp Commentary)
9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. 10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”
Phillip had four daughters who also served the Lord. Oh, the blessings of the faithful. They stayed there many days for they were closer to their destination of Jerusalem than when in Ephesus... and now they were able to tarry for Pentecost was yet many days ahead.
And a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea to them. “This was no doubt a prophet, in the commonly received sense of the term; and his mode of acting was like that of the ancient prophets, who often accompanied their predictions with significant emblems. Jeremiah was commanded to bury his girdle by the river Euphrates, to mark out the captivity of the Jews. Jeremiah 13:4. For more examples of this figurative or symbolical prophesying, see Jeremiah 27:2, Jeremiah 27:3; Jeremiah 28:4; Isaiah 20:1-6; Ezekiel 4:1-17; 12:1-28, etc.
The Jews will deliver Paul into the hands of the Gentiles - That is, the Romans, for the Jews had not, properly speaking, the power of life and death. And, as Agabus said he should be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles, he showed thereby that they would attempt to destroy his life. This prediction of Agabus was literally fulfilled: see Acts 21:33.”
(Adam Clarke Commentary)
”Here Agabus, who had given a prediction of a great dearth years ago (11:28) comes once more upon the scene…. Here then another warning was given. It was the last and by far the strongest. Did Agabus really speak by the Spirit? The literal fulfillment of his predictive action furnishes the answer.” (Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible)
12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying,
“The will of the Lord be done.”
Acts 21: Paul Submits to the Elders of the Jerusalem Church
15 And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem. 16 Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge. 17 And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; 21 but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 22 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. 24 Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. 25 But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.”
The Jewish brethren were putting the new wine into a old wine skins and it would soon burst asunder. After coming to faith in Jesus, they continued with a high regard for the ceremonial law. And as a part of it, they offered sacrifices, but on their defense: "The Jewish economy was not yet destroyed; nor had God as yet signified that the whole of its observances were done away. He continued to tolerate that dispensation, which was to be in a certain measure in force till the destruction of Jerusalem; and from that period it was impossible for them to observe their own ritual. Thus God abolished the Mosaic dispensation, by rendering, in the course of his providence, the observance of it impossible." (Adam Clarke)
This Mnason with Paul was an early disciple of Jesus- perhaps knowing Him firsthand. He was originally from Cyprus, but was visiting in Caesarea when Paul came through. And apparently, being a resident of Jerusalem, he agreed to host them when they arrived there. Manson likely had the Pentecostal gift of hospitality. AND “The retinue with which Paul now entered Jerusalem was very large. Besides the original seven from Europe, (Acts 20:4,) there were Luke and a number of brethren from Cesarea. They came apparently as an embassy from the Church of the Gentiles, headed by the apostle of the Gentiles, to James, the representative of Christian Judaism at the capital of the religious world. It came bearing the money collections effected by Paul..." (Whedon's Commentary)
At Jerusalem, the brethren received them gladly. (17) ”When we come to the new Jerusalem, the whole court of heaven shall meet us, and greet us with great joy." (Trapp) On the following day, Paul went in, with Luke and the others, to James and the elders. (18) This James is “commonly called the Lord's brother; the only apostle then presiding over the Churches in Judea.” (Wesley Notes) And Paul “rehearsed to them what a gracious work the Lord had wrought in Greece, as he had before recited the great work in Asia minor: Acts 15:4-5.” (Sutcliffe Commentary) (19) They must have been there a very long time! And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord Jesus… rightly giving Him the glory- not Paul.
The Jewish church in Jerusalem also had a praise report! “They — said to him, thou seest, brother Saul, how many thousands of jews there are which believe. The Greek is, myriads, ten thousands.” (Joseph Sutcliffe) And they are all zealous of the law— or Torah of Moses given him on the mount, including the Commandments of God. (20)
The great assembly at Jerusalem would certainly want to meet and hear of the Lord’s working among the Gentiles. And certainly the questions of Paul’s teaching ministry would arise. These brethren had been informed that Paul taught Jews in his party of converts “to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.” (21) Yet: "... we do not find Paul preaching thus to the Jews. It is true that, in his epistles, some of which had been written before this time, he showed that circumcision and uncircumcision were equally unavailable for the salvation, of the soul, and that by the deeds of the law no man could be justified; but he had not yet said to any Jew, forsake Moses, and do not circumcise your children. He told them that Jesus Christ had delivered them from the yoke of the law; but they had, as yet, liberty to wear that yoke, if they pleased. He had shown them that their ceremonies were useless but not destructive; that they were only dangerous when they depended on them for salvation." (Adam Clarke)
To prepare for the meeting, they were asked ”to gratify the believing Jews, by some compliance with the ceremonial law.” At first glance, this seems hypocritical but remember that Paul himself was a Jew and the council in Jerusalem had given him special instructions for Gentile converts only. And he himself was at liberty in matters that were not salvational. Yet concerning such a high regard for the ceremonial law by these Jewish Christians: “It was great weakness to be so fond of the shadows, when the substance was come. The religion Paul preached, tended not to destroy the law, but to fulfil it. He preached Christ, the end of the law for righteousness, and repentance and faith, in which we are to make great use of the law. The weakness and evil of the human heart strongly appear, when we consider how many, even of the disciples of Christ, had not due regard to the most eminent minister that even lived. Not the excellence of his character, nor the success with which God blessed his labours, could gain their esteem and affection, seeing that he did not render the same respect as themselves to mere ceremonial observances. How watchful should we be against prejudices!" (Matthew Henry)
The plan was that Paul— their Jewish brother— would participate in ceremonies at the Jewish temple. He would take four men who had made a Nazarite vow and "be purified with them, and pay their expenses."
”This would involve him purifying himself in the Temple for seven days with them for only then could his offerings be acceptable. And he would thus be sharing in their last week of consecration before they shaved their heads, and presented the hair to God with appropriate sacrifices. It would be a sharing in their consecration but not a strict participation... Yet he would be offering sacrifices and thankofferings and rededicating himself and expressing oneness with these young men.
Bearing the costs of young Nazirites was a recognised form of showing generosity and giving to God among the Jews…. And it was a true kindness, for the offerings that had to be made by a Nazirite could be costly, and many had entered into their dedication in the hope that some noble benefactor would come forward at the end to meet their costs…
And the result would be that all Jewish Christians would recognise that Paul was truly faithful to, and approved of, the customs of the Jews with regard to the Law of Moses… Someone might cavil at the thought of Paul offering sacrifices. But we have reason to believe that he had observed the Passover at Philippi (Acts 20:6)…” (Peter Pett's Commentary)
But it would burst- the Lord Jesus would soon make it all stop by the destruction of the temple at Jerusalem. And "concerning the Gentiles who believe…"(25) A distinction had been made and maintained. “The elders here refer to the decree of the Jerusalem Council, (Acts 15:28-29,) in order to show that not even this compliance would be necessary for Paul’s Gentile attendants, or for any other Gentiles.” (Whedon's Commentary)
Acts 21: Paul Taken by Mob During a Righteous Religious Act
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them. 27 Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29 (For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.
Paul’s desire was peace within the Church of God. And to that end, he ”took the men," "agreeably to the advice which he had received from James and the elders. And the next day, purifying himself with them, according to the rites of the law; entered into the temple, to signify to the priest the accomplishment, that is, their resolution to accomplish the seven days of purification till all the sacrifices should be offered which the Mosaic law required." (Joseph Benson)
"And a strange sight it is to see the Apostle Paul back in the temple, going through these dead ceremonies, which had been ended by the death of the cross. A strange sight to see him, who disclaimed all earthly authority and taught deliverance from the (ceremonial) law and a union with an unseen Christ, submitting once more to the elementary things, as he calls them in his Epistle to the Galatians,'the beggarly elements!' And has not the whole professing church fallen into the same snare?" (Adam Clarke)
The persecutors of Paul at the temple were Jews which came from Asia. They had come to Jerusalem to the feast of Pentecost and they "were implacably set against him wheresoever he went, as Acts 14:19; 17:5.” (Poole) “It is certain that these men were enemies to the name of Christ and of Christians, so that whilst Paul is bent to pacify the faithful, he incurreth the rage of the enemies. Those of Asia are, indeed, the raisers of the tumult; but the minds of all the people were so corrupt with the hatred of him that they all became partners in the fury." (John Calvin) These evildoers disregarded any proof of Paul's respect for the ceremonial law and did not even allow him to make his own defense.
They cried out, “Men of Israel”—“a popular patriotic war cry” (Whedon)— “help!" They had complained of Paul previously. “This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place… (28a) "The unscrupulous agitators who stirred up the mob were false in all of their charges; but a lie serves better than the truth in the mouths of such evil beasts as those whose fury broke against Paul." (Burton Coffman) In fact, Paul "was a most zealous lover of that people, and taught them nothing but the true use and meaning of the law.” (Matthew Poole) ”Notice the similarity of the charge against him to that against Stephen, ch. Acts 6:13." (Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary)- the first martyr. "So Elias was called a troubler, Luther a trumpeter of rebellion, Melancthon a blasphemer of God and his saints, Calvin a Mahometan, Zanchius an Anabaptist, a Swenckfeldian, Novatian, and what not?…
They set their mouths against heaven, and their tongue walketh through the earth, Psalms 73:9.” (John Trapp)
And furthermore, he brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place… (28b) An eye witness would only be able to honestly say that they had seen Paul and Trophimus together in the city. They only supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. But their innuendo spread quickly as fact and grew to more fiction by mob mentality. "Had Trophimus been within [the inner court], their customs might have permitted them to kill him, but to slay Paul could only be murder...” (People's NT) born of hatred and bias based on customs of men built into the design of Herod temple. “Josephus gives us a vivid description of Herod's Temple... This great Temple was designed with a large, outer courtyard where Gentiles were allowed to assemble. Within this outer courtyard was an inner courtyard slightly elevated and barricaded with a three-meter wall, with notices posted that warned Gentiles not to pass beyond this point…” (Everett) — upon threat of death. But by God’s design, given in Exodus 36:8-39:43, those who drew near to the most holy place would only have been in danger of the execution of God's judgement by Yahweh Himself. And you find no such areas so designated in construct of the tabernacle in the wilderness- the model for the house of God.
So it seems that these Jews revealed the dangers to the Church of too high of a regard for ceremonial law and the temple, which were only pictures of a Reality. They exalted these above the the moral code of the Ten Commandments. Paul "was, no doubt, within the inner courts, and was hurried without, and the gates shut, to prevent the pollution of the sacred courts by the shedding of blood. They proposed to slay him when they had dragged him where it could be done without profanation. (v.31) They were willing to murder, but not to profane the temple.” (People's NT)
30 And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut.
“The outcry in the temple reached the ears of some that were without, and these alarmed others; so that the report of a disturbance in the temple soon went through the whole city; and brought people out of their houses, who ran together in great numbers, to see what was the matter: and they took Paul and drew him out of the temple; as unworthy to be in that holy place; and that it might not be defiled with his blood; for their intention was nothing less than to take away his life....
And forthwith the doors were shut; not of themselves, as if there was something miraculous in it, as some have thought, but by the door keepers, the Levites; and which might be done, partly to prevent Paul's returning into it for refuge at the horns of the altar, and partly to keep out the Gentiles from coming in, they were alarmed with.” (John Gill)
But this place in the Holy Scripture teaches “that we must not take it impatiently if at any time our hope be frustrate, and our counsels, which we have taken with a right and holy affection, fall not out well, that our actions may have an happy end. We must attempt nothing but with a good conscience, and according to the Spirit of God. But and if things come not to pass as we would, even then, let that inward feeling uphold us, that we know that God approveth our desire, though it be laid open to the reproaches and mocks of men; neither let it repent us of our gentleness, if at any time the wicked reward us otherwise than we deserve." (Calvin)
Acts 21: Paul Saved By Rome and Allowed to Speak
31 Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks. 35 When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob. 36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, “Away with him!”
The Roman eagle - civil authority— was on it's perch. “There was a tower near the temple, called the tower of Antonia, where a Roman military force was stationed, especially on all the public festal occasions of the Jews, to guard against public disturbances. The chief captain here mentioned was the commander of this guard.” (Abbott's Illustrated New Testament) “And this officer, the military tribune, or chiliarch, having a thousand men under his command in the garrison, lost no time, but took several hundred men with their centurions, or officers, with him and ran down upon the seething mob…” (Kretzmann) “The sight of the approaching military, even before its arrival, checks the violence of the mob. Wonderfully swift of wing is the Roman eagle lighting down upon his prey!” (Whedon's Commentary)
The commander of the garrison “came near and took him, and commanded that he be bound with two chains", ”to show to the enraged multitude that he did not intend to rescue anyone from justice, but to keep the peace.” (Barnes Notes) And "Agabus’ prophecy is fulfilled"-Acts 21:11. (Adam Clarke) And he asked the people who this man was and what he had done, but some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. So he order that he be taken to the barracks (34), to which the angry crowd followed, causing them to have to carry Paul when they approached the stairs. For the multitude followed after, crying out,
“Away with him!”— “that is, kill him.” (Adam Clarke)
37 Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I speak to you?” He replied, “Can you speak Greek? 38 Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”
By the reaction of the multitude, the commander of the garrison thought that Paul was the infamous Egyptian rebel of whom Josephus said was a murderer, assassin, or cut-throat. “of the faction of Judas Gaulonites or Galileus. See Luke 13:1. (Godw. Heb. Antiq.)” (John Trapp) But Paul reports that he is rather a Jew from Tarsus- “no mean city” — “Tarsus was a city of considerable importance, and in some measure a rival to Rome and Athens; and that, because of the services tendered to the Romans by the inhabitants, Julius Caesar endowed them with all the rights and privileges of Roman citizens.” (Adam Clarke) And showing his strange love, Paul desired to speak to the people who had just been trying to kill him— “the last great opportunity that the temple-keepers would ever have to renounce their unbelief and accept the Savior.” (Coffman Commentary)
And thus the Lord Jesus often “seasonably interposes for the safety of his servants, from wicked and unreasonable men; and gives them opportunities to speak for themselves, to plead for the Redeemer, and to spread abroad his glorious gospel.” (Matthew Henry)
40 So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying, 22:1 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.” 2 AND WHEN THEY HEARD THAT HE SPOKE TO THEM IN THE HEBREW LANGUAGE, THEY KEPT ALL THE MORE SILENT. Then he said: 3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, 5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished. 6 Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 8 So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. 10 So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 13 came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. 14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ 17 Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance 18 and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ 19 So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. 20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’”