8. Tyre, 21:1-6 Acts Chapter 21 Acts 21:1 When we had parted from them and had set sail, we ran a straight course to Cos and the next day to Rhodes and from there to Patara; Acts 21:2 and having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. Acts 21:3 When we came in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload its cargo. Acts 21:4 After looking up the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. After looking up the disciples There was a congregation of the Lord s people in Tyre. In Acts 11:19 and 15:3 we see a possible connection as to how this congregation came into existence. It was probably a smaller group as seen in the phrase After looking up which implies some searching took place. we stayed there seven days; There is no explanation as to why Paul waited seven days, but we do know that the brethren were aware of the danger Paul was in. and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. As with Agabus, Acts 21:10-14, these must have received some prophetic word about Paul s situation. This cannot mean that the Holy Spirit did not want Paul to go into Jerusalem. If this were the case He would have listened, Acts 16:6-10. It seems that they knew through the Holy Spirit that Paul was headed into danger and they wanted to stop him. Acts 21:5 When our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until we were out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another. Here we find the fellowship that existed amongst the Christians. The whole congregation saw Paul off and they prayed together. Acts 21:6 Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home again. 280
9. Caesarea, 21:7-14 Acts 21:7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brethren, we stayed with them for a day. Again we find a congregation of the Lord s people. As with Tyre, it is possible this congregation was started some twenty years prior following the persecution of Acts 11:19. It is also possible that Philip founded this work. Acts 21:8 On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. Luke clearly shows that Philip is the man mentioned in Acts 6:1-5. He is also the one who went to Samaria in and proclaimed the gospel, Acts 8:4-24 and studied with the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:25-40. In referring to Philip as the evangelist and one of the seven Luke also establishes that this Philip is not the Apostle Philip, Acts 1:13. Acts 21:9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. Philips daughters had followed his example and were faithful Christians. They were also blessed with the gift of prophecy, Acts 2:17. The fact that they were virgins might indicate their level of devotion to God, 1Cor. 7:25-35 Acts 21:10 As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Agabus is not a common name and so some believe that this is the same Agabus from Acts 11:27-30 who foretold of the coming famine in Jerusalem. Acts 21:11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: 'In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" Agabus establishes that what he says is by the authority of the Holy Spirit. What he does follows the pattern of Old Testament prophets, Ahijah rent his new cloak, (1Kings 11:29ff), Isaiah walked naked and barefoot, (Isa. 20:2ff). Also note that Agabus does not tell Paul not to go to Jerusalem. He tells him what will happen when gets there. Acts 21:12 When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. 281
Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? Paul s heart is breaking because of his deep love for the brethren. He hurt because they hurt, Phil 1:21-26. For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." Paul was not about to let earthly sorrow get in the way of His service to Christ. He was ready to die if need be. Acts 21:14 And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, "The will of the Lord be done!" This is the third time we have seen the brethren begging Paul not to go to Jerusalem. But, Paul never saw the prophetic word from the Holy Spirit as meaning he should keep away from Jerusalem. It seems that the Holy Spirit was simply preparing Paul for what he must face. That is why the conclusion is The will of the Lord be done! 10. Jerusalem, 21:15-17 Acts 21:15 After these days we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem. Acts 21:16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, taking us to Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple of long standing with whom we were to lodge. The phrase a disciple of long standing indicates that Mnason was an early convert, probably one from the beginning. Acts 21:17 After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. All during Paul s journey back to Jerusalem he has been comforted by the brethren, when he arrives in Jerusalem the brethren once again are there for him. What great comfort to know that your brethren are there for you, to help strengthen, support and encourage you. 282
2. In Jerusalem, Caesarea and Rome, 21:17-28:31 A. In Jerusalem, 21:17-23:22 1. The advice of James, 21:17-26 Acts 21:18 And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. Acts 21:19 After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. This is a common practice of Paul. He wanted the brethren to know of the work which was being accomplished in the name of Jesus and that it was God through him who was doing the work. Acts 21:20 And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and 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; Acts 21:21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. We do not have mention of Paul telling the Jews not to circumcise their children. Paul had Timothy circumcised, Acts 16:1-3. Yet he would not have done it as an act of keeping the Old Law, Gal. 5:1-6. Paul would have taught what was agreed upon in Jerusalem in Acts 15. The fact that he had told them to forsake Moses would have been true. He was turning them to Jesus, Gal. 3:1ff. F. LaGard Smith in his Narrated Bible places Galatians right after the Jerusalem counsel of Acts 15. This is around 50 A.D., just before his second missionary journey. Chuck Horner in his WVBS syllabus on Galatians states that Galatians was written after Acts 18:23, and maybe as early as 48 A.D. The point is Galatians was in al likelihood written before Acts 21 and would have already been in circulation by the time Paul arrives in Jerusalem. Indeed Paul was teaching that the Law of Moses was no longer binding, Gal. 3:15-25 The instigators of these things is probably the Jews from Asia, Acts 21:27. Acts 21:22 "What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. Acts 21:23 "Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; Acts 21:24 take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law. 283
Acts 21:25 "But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication." This is in reference to Acts 15 Acts 21:26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself along with them, went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them. This appears to be a Nazarite Vow, Num. 6:9-15. Paul s part was to pay for the four men. The purpose was to possibly show Paul s reverence for the Law. He knew it had been finished in Christ, yet he still respected it coming from God and it s purpose, Rom 10:4 It seems that Paul did keep these Jewish ceremonial rites for the sake of peace and harmony. He would not have violated and Christian principle, not teaching this as commanded for salvation, but only in assisting in the fulfilling of a vow to God, 1 Cor. 9:19-23. 2. Paul s arrest, 21:27-23:22 a. The occasion, 21:27-36 Acts 21:27 When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon seeing him in the temple, began to stir up all the crowd and laid hands on him, Acts 21:28 crying out, "Men of Israel, come to our aid! This is the man who preaches to all men everywhere against our people and the Law and this place; and besides he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place." Acts 21:29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. Acts 21:30 Then all the city was provoked, and the people rushed together, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. Acts 21:31 While they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. This demonstrates the anger of those who do not want to hear the truth. They were so angry they wanted to kill Paul. This also shows the hardness of heart these people had towards God s word, Rom. 10:21 Acts 21:32 At once he took along some soldiers and centurions and ran down to them; and when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 284
Acts 21:33 Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done. We cannot fault the commander for putting Paul in chains. The level of anger displayed by the crowd would have led him to believe Paul had done something terribly wrong. Once Paul was chained he could then find out what was going on. Acts 21:34 But among the crowd some were shouting one thing and some another, and when he could not find out the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. This is your typical out-of-control crowd, mob mentality. Most didn t even know what was going on. They didn t even stop to see if the accusation was true. Acts 21:35 When he got to the stairs, he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob; Acts 21:36 for the multitude of the people kept following them, shouting, "Away with him!" The Jews were not about to let Paul slip through their hands. They continued to press even the soldiers. In the Greek, the phrase away with him indicates the crowd is hysterical. b. Paul s defense, 21:37-22:21 Acts 21:37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, "May I say something to you?" And he *said, "Do you know Greek? Acts 21:38 "Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?" The commander must have thought that Paul was this Egyptian. Paul speaking the Greek language shows he is not an ignorant rebel and that he respects the commander Acts 21:39 But Paul said, "I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people." This would be an honorable distinction and would seem to give some weight to his character and ability to speak to the mob. Acts 21:40 When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, motioned to the people with his hand; and when there was a great hush, he spoke to them in the Hebrew dialect, saying, Speaking in the Hebrew dialect is an act of respect for the people and let s them know he is one of them. 285