Trouble in the Temple — Paul’s Arrest in Jerusalem (Acts 21:18–36)
After a long and emotional journey, Paul finally arrived in Jerusalem. He was excited to visit the believers there and report all the great things God had done. But things didn’t go as planned. In Acts 21:18–36, we see how quickly excitement turned to chaos—and how Paul ended up being arrested.
Let’s take a closer look at what happened.
Meeting with the Church Leaders
When Paul got to Jerusalem, he met with James (the brother of Jesus) and the other church elders. Paul told them all about his missionary journeys—how God had used him to preach the gospel to Gentiles (non-Jews), and how many had come to believe in Jesus.
The leaders were happy and thankful to hear this. But they also had a concern.
A Problem Among the Jewish Believers
Thousands of Jewish people in Jerusalem had also believed in Jesus, but they still followed many of the Jewish laws and customs. Some of them had heard false rumors about Paul. They believed he was telling other Jews to:
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Stop following the Law of Moses
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Stop circumcising their children
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Forget their Jewish traditions
This wasn’t true. Paul didn’t force Jewish believers to give up their customs—he simply taught that faith in Jesus is what saves us, not the law.
But the rumors were spreading, and the church leaders knew it could cause trouble.
A Plan to Keep the Peace
To help calm things down, the leaders asked Paul to join four men who were completing a Nazirite vow—a special time of dedication to God. Paul would go to the temple with them and pay for their sacrifices to show he still respected Jewish customs.
Paul agreed and went to the temple.
False Accusations and a Riot
At first, everything was peaceful. But when some Jews from Asia saw Paul in the temple, they stirred up a crowd. They accused him of:
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Speaking against the Jewish people and the Law
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Disrespecting the temple
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Bringing Gentiles into the temple, which was strictly forbidden
This last part was not true. They had seen Paul earlier with a Gentile named Trophimus in the city and assumed he had brought him into the temple.
The crowd became furious. They grabbed Paul, dragged him out of the temple, and started beating him.
The Roman Soldiers Step In
News of the riot quickly reached the Roman commander in the city. He immediately rushed to the scene with soldiers and officers. When the mob saw the soldiers coming, they stopped beating Paul.
The commander arrested Paul and tied him up with chains, trying to figure out what was going on. People in the crowd were yelling different things—some saying one thing, others shouting something else. It was so confusing that the commander couldn’t get a clear answer.
He decided to take Paul to the fortress for safety and questioning.
But the crowd was so wild that the soldiers had to carry Paul to protect him from being attacked. The mob followed, shouting:
“Kill him!”
What We Can Learn from Acts 21:18–36
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False rumors can cause real damage
People believed lies about Paul, and it led to violence. That’s a reminder to always seek the truth before judging others. -
Following Jesus doesn’t mean life is easy
Paul was faithful to God, but he still faced rejection and pain. Sometimes, doing what’s right means suffering for it. -
God is still in control, even in chaos
Even when everything seemed out of control, God was working through the situation. Paul’s arrest would later lead to more chances to share the gospel with powerful people. -
Respecting others can build bridges
Paul didn’t try to cause a fight about Jewish customs. He was willing to take steps to keep peace where he could—without compromising the truth.
Final Thought:
Paul went to Jerusalem knowing he might suffer—and that’s exactly what happened. But he didn’t regret it. He was living to please God, not people.
When life gets hard because you’re trying to do what’s right, remember: God sees you, and He can use even the hardest moments for His good purpose.
Acts 21:18-36 (WEB)
21:18 The day following, Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present. 19 When he had greeted them, he reported one by one the things which God had worked among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 They, when they heard it, glorified God. They said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law. 21 They have been informed about you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children and not to walk after 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 purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses for them, that they may shave their heads. Then all will know that there is no truth in the things that they have been informed about you, but that you yourself also walk keeping the law. 25 But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written our decision that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled things, and from sexual immorality.”26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purified himself and went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them. 27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place. Moreover, 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, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.30 All the city was moved and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple. Immediately the doors were shut. 31 As they were trying to kill him, news came up to the commanding officer of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 Immediately he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. They, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the commanding officer came near, arrested him, commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what he had done. 34 Some shouted one thing and some another, among the crowd. When he couldn’t find out the truth because of the noise, he commanded him to be brought into the barracks.35 When he came to the stairs, he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd; 36 for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, “Away with him!”