*Acts 21:18-36
Arriving in Jerusalem, Paul meets with James and the elders but is accused by Jewish Christians of teaching against the Law.
- Meeting with James and the Elders in Jerusalem:
- Paul meets with James and all the elders of the Jerusalem church the day after his arrival.
- He warmly greets them and gives a detailed account of his ministry among the Gentiles and the conversions that have taken place.
- Concerns About Jewish Believers:
- James and the elders express joy over Paul’s successes but also share their concern about thousands of Jewish believers who are zealous for the law.
- They inform Paul that these Jewish believers have been told that he teaches all the Jews living among the Gentiles to forsake the law of Moses, not to circumcise their children, or follow customary practices.
- Proposed Solution for Jewish Concerns:
- To show his respect for the law and pacify the Jewish believers, James and the elders suggest that Paul take part in a purification rite with four other men who have taken a vow.
- They advise Paul to pay for their expenses so that they can shave their heads, and everyone will know that the rumors about him are false and that he himself lives in obedience to the law.
- Paul’s Compliance:
- Paul agrees to the suggestion and joins the men in purifying himself, then enters the temple to give notice of the completion of the purification days and the offering for each of them.
- Paul’s Arrest in the Temple:
- As the seven days of purification are nearing completion, some Jews from Asia, seeing Paul in the temple, stir up the whole crowd and seize him.
- They accuse him of teaching against the people, the law, and the temple. Moreover, they falsely claim he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled the holy place.
- Riot and Intervention by Roman Troops:
- The accusation leads to a riot, and the crowd drags Paul out of the temple, which is then immediately shut.
- As they are trying to kill him, word reaches the commander of the Roman garrison that all of Jerusalem is in an uproar.
- The commander takes soldiers and centurions to the scene, and upon their arrival, the crowd stops beating Paul.
- The commander arrests Paul, binds him with two chains, and asks who he is and what he has done. Amid conflicting accusations by the crowd, the commander cannot ascertain the truth.
- Paul’s Request to the Commander:
- As Paul is being led into the barracks, he asks the commander for permission to speak to the people, which the commander grants after Paul reveals that he is a Roman citizen.
Acts 21:18-36 teaches us that following Jesus may lead to misunderstandings and opposition, but we can remain faithful. Paul faced false accusations and a violent crowd, yet he stayed committed to God’s mission. This reminds us that not everyone will understand or accept our faith, but we should respond with patience and trust in God. We can apply this by standing firm in our beliefs, staying calm when facing criticism, and trusting that God is with us no matter what challenges come our way.
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!”