1 And G1161 it came to pass, G1096 that after G5613 we G2248 were gotten G645 from G575 them, G846 and had launched, G321 we came G2064 with a straight course G2113 unto G1519 Coos, G2972 and G1161 the day following G1836 unto G1519 Rhodes, G4499 and from thence G2547 unto G1519 Patara: G3959
2 And G2532 finding G2147 a ship G4143 sailing over G1276 unto G1519 Phenicia, G5403 we went aboard, G1910 and set forth. G321
3 Now G1161 when we had discovered G398 Cyprus, G2954 G2532 we left G2641 it G846 on the left hand, G2176 and sailed G4126 into G1519 Syria, G4947 and G2532 landed G2609 at G1519 Tyre: G5184 for G1063 there G1566 the ship G4143 was G2258 to unlade G670 her burden. G1117
4 And G2532 finding G429 disciples, G3101 we tarried G1961 there G847 seven G2033 days: G2250 who G3748 said G3004 to Paul G3972 through G1223 the Spirit, G4151 that he should G305 not G3361 go up G305 to G1519 Jerusalem. G2419
5 And G1161 when G3753 we G2248 had G1096 accomplished G1822 those days, G2250 we departed G1831 and went our way; G4198 and they all G3956 brought G4311 us G2248 on our way, G4311 with G4862 wives G1135 and G2532 children, G5043 till G2193 we were out of G1854 the city: G4172 and G2532 we kneeled down G5087 G1119 on G1909 the shore, G123 and prayed. G4336
6 And G2532 when we had taken our leave G782 one of another, G240 we took G1910 G1519 ship; G4143 and G1161 they G1565 returned G5290 G1519 home G2398 again. G5290
7 And G1161 when we G2249 had finished G1274 our course G4144 from G575 Tyre, G5184 we came G2658 to G1519 Ptolemais, G4424 and G2532 saluted G782 the brethren, G80 and abode G3306 with G3844 them G846 one G3391 day. G2250
8 And G1161 the next G1887 day we that were of G4012 Paul's G3972 company G4012 departed, G1831 and came G2064 G2064 unto G1519 Caesarea: G2542 and G2532 we entered G1525 into G1519 the house G3624 of Philip G5376 the evangelist, G2099 which was G5607 one of G1537 the seven; G2033 and abode G3306 with G3844 him. G846
9 And G1161 the same man G5129 had G2258 four G5064 daughters, G2364 virgins, G3933 which did prophesy. G4395
10 And G1161 as we G2257 tarried G1961 there many G4119 days, G2250 there came down G2718 from G575 Judaea G2449 a certain G5100 prophet, G4396 named G3686 Agabus. G13
11 And G2532 when he was come G2064 unto G4314 us, G2248 G2532 he took G142 Paul's G3972 girdle, G2223 and G5037 bound G1210 his own G846 hands G5495 and G2532 feet, G4228 and said, G2036 Thus G3592 saith G3004 the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151 So G3779 shall G1210 the Jews G2453 at G1722 Jerusalem G2419 bind G1210 the man G435 that G3739 owneth G2076 this G3778 girdle, G2223 and G2532 shall deliver G3860 him into G1519 the hands G5495 of the Gentiles. G1484
12 And G1161 when G5613 we heard G191 these things, G5023 both G5037 we, G2249 and G2532 they of that place, G1786 besought G3870 him G846 not G3361 to go up G305 to G1519 Jerusalem. G2419
13 Then G1161 Paul G3972 answered, G611 What G5101 mean ye G4160 to weep G2799 and G2532 to break G4919 mine G3450 heart? G2588 for G1063 I G1473 am G2192 ready G2093 not G3756 to be bound G1210 only, G3440 but G2532 also G235 to die G599 at G1519 Jerusalem G2419 for G5228 the name G3686 of the Lord G2962 Jesus. G2424
14 And G1161 when he G846 would G3982 not G3361 be persuaded, G3982 we ceased, G2270 saying, G2036 The will G2307 of the Lord G2962 be done. G1096
15 And G1161 after G3326 those G5025 days G2250 we took up our carriages, G643 and went up G305 to G1519 Jerusalem. G2419
16 G1161 There went G4905 with G4862 us G2254 also G2532 certain of the disciples G3101 of G575 Caesarea, G2542 and brought G71 with them G3844 one G5100 Mnason G3416 of Cyprus, G2953 an old G744 disciple, G3101 with whom G3739 we should lodge. G3579
17 And G1161 when we G2257 were come G1096 to G1519 Jerusalem, G2414 the brethren G80 received G1209 us G2248 gladly. G780
18 And G1161 the day following G1966 Paul G3972 went in G1524 with G4862 us G2254 unto G4314 James; G2385 and G5037 all G3956 the elders G4245 were present. G3854
19 And G2532 when he had saluted G782 them, G846 he declared G1834 particularly G2596 G1520 G1538 what things G3739 God G2316 had wrought G4160 among G1722 the Gentiles G1484 by G1223 his G846 ministry. G1248
20 And G1161 when they heard G191 it, they glorified G1392 the Lord, G2962 and G5037 said G2036 unto him, G846 Thou seest, G2334 brother, G80 how many G4214 thousands G3461 of Jews G2453 there are G1526 which G3588 believe; G4100 and G2532 they are G5225 all G3956 zealous G2207 of the law: G3551
21 And G1161 they are informed G2727 of G4012 thee, G4675 that G3754 thou teachest G1321 all G3956 the Jews G2453 which are among G2596 the Gentiles G1484 to G575 forsake G646 Moses, G3475 saying G3004 that they G846 ought G4059 not G3361 to circumcise G4059 their children, G5043 neither G3366 to walk G4043 after the customs. G1485
22 What G5101 is it G2076 therefore? G3767 the multitude G4128 must G1163 needs G3843 come together: G4905 for G1063 they will hear G191 that G3754 thou art come. G2064
23 Do G4160 therefore G3767 this G5124 that G3739 we say G3004 to thee: G4671 We G2254 have G1526 four G5064 men G435 which have G2192 a vow G2171 on G1909 them; G1438
24 Them G5128 take, G3880 and purify thyself G48 with G4862 them, G846 and G2532 be at charges G1159 with G1909 them, G846 that G2443 they may shave G3587 their heads: G2776 and G2532 all G3956 may know G1097 that those things, G3754 whereof G3739 they were informed G2727 concerning G4012 thee, G4675 are G2076 nothing; G3762 but G235 that thou thyself G846 also G2532 walkest orderly, G4748 and keepest G5442 the law. G3551
25 As G1161 touching G4012 the Gentiles G1484 which believe, G4100 we G2249 have written G1989 and concluded G2919 that they G846 observe G5083 no G3367 such thing, G5108 save only G1508 that they keep G5442 themselves G846 from G5037 things offered to idols, G1494 and G2532 from blood, G129 and G2532 from strangled, G4156 and G2532 from fornication. G4202
26 Then G5119 Paul G3972 took G3880 the men, G435 and the next G2192 day G2250 purifying himself G48 with G4862 them G846 entered G1524 into G1519 the temple, G2411 to signify G1229 the accomplishment G1604 of the days G2250 of purification, G49 until G2193 that G3739 an offering G4376 should be offered G4374 for G5228 every G1538 one G1520 of them. G846
27 And G1161 when G5613 the seven G2033 days G2250 were almost G3195 ended, G4931 the Jews G2453 which were of G575 Asia, G773 when they saw G2300 him G846 in G1722 the temple, G2411 stirred up G4797 all G3956 the people, G3793 and G2532 laid G1911 hands G5495 on G1909 him, G846
28 Crying out, G2896 Men G435 of Israel, G2475 help: G997 This G3778 is G2076 the man, G444 that teacheth G1321 all G3956 men every where G3837 against G2596 the people, G2992 and G2532 the law, G3551 and G2532 this G5126 place: G5117 and G5037 further G2089 brought G1521 Greeks G1672 also G2532 into G1519 the temple, G2411 and G2532 hath polluted G2840 this G5127 holy G40 place. G5117
29 (For G1063 they had G2258 seen before G4308 with G4862 him G846 in G1722 the city G4172 Trophimus G5161 an Ephesian, G2180 whom G3739 they supposed G3543 that G3754 Paul G3972 had brought G1521 into G1519 the temple.) G2411
30 And G5037 all G3650 the city G4172 was moved, G2795 and G2532 the people G2992 ran together: G1096 G4890 and G2532 they took G1949 Paul, G3972 and drew G1670 him G846 out of G1854 the temple: G2411 and G2532 forthwith G2112 the doors G2374 were shut. G2808
31 And G1161 as they went about G2212 to kill G615 him, G846 tidings G5334 came G305 unto the chief captain G5506 of the band, G4686 that G3754 all G3650 Jerusalem G2419 was in an uproar. G4797
32 Who G3739 immediately G1824 took G3880 soldiers G4757 and G2532 centurions, G1543 and ran down G2701 unto G1909 them: G846 and G1161 when they saw G1492 the chief captain G5506 and G2532 the soldiers, G4757 they left G3973 beating G5180 of Paul. G3972
33 Then G5119 the chief captain G5506 came near, G1448 and took G1949 him, G846 and G2532 commanded G2753 him to be bound with G1210 two G1417 chains; G254 and G2532 demanded G4441 who G5101 he was, G302 G1498 and G2532 what G5101 he had G2076 done. G4160
34 And G1161 some G243 cried G994 one thing, G5100 some another, G243 among G1722 the multitude: G3793 and G1161 when he could G1410 not G3361 know G1097 the certainty G804 for G1223 the tumult, G2351 he commanded G2753 him G846 to be carried G71 into G1519 the castle. G3925
35 And G1161 when G3753 he came G1096 upon G1909 the stairs, G304 so it was, G4819 that he was borne G941 of G5259 the soldiers G4757 for G1223 the violence G970 of the people. G3793
36 For G1063 the multitude G4128 of the people G2992 followed after, G190 crying, G2896 Away G142 with him. G846
37 And G5037 as Paul G3972 was to be G3195 led G1521 into G1519 the castle, G3925 he said G3004 unto the chief captain, G5506 May G1487 G1832 I G3427 speak G2036 G5100 unto G4314 thee? G4571 G1161 Who G3588 said, G5346 Canst thou speak G1097 Greek? G1676
38 Art G1488 not G3756 thou G4771 G686 that Egyptian, G124 which before G4253 these G5130 days G2250 madest an uproar, G387 and G2532 leddest out G1806 into G1519 the wilderness G2048 four thousand G5070 men G435 that were murderers? G4607
39 But G1161 Paul G3972 said, G2036 I G1473 am G1510 G3303 a man G444 which am a Jew G2453 of Tarsus, G5018 a city in Cilicia, G2791 a citizen G4177 of no G3756 mean G767 city: G4172 and, G1161 I beseech G1189 thee, G4675 suffer G2010 me G3427 to speak G2980 unto G4314 the people. G2992
40 And G1161 when he had given G2010 him G846 licence, G2010 Paul G3972 stood G2476 on G1909 the stairs, G304 and beckoned G2678 with the hand G5495 unto the people. G2992 And G1161 when there was made G1096 a great G4183 silence, G4602 he spake G4377 unto them in the Hebrew G1446 tongue, G1258 saying, G3004
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Acts 21
Commentary on Acts 21 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 21
Ac 21:1-16. Sailing from Ephesus, They Land at Tyre, and Thence Sailing to Ptolemais, They Proceed by Land to Cæsarea and Jerusalem.
1. we were gotten—"torn."
from them—expressing the difficulty and pain of the parting.
with a straight course—running before the wind, as Ac 16:11.
unto Coos—Cos, an island due south from Miletus, which they would reach in about six hours, and coming close to the mainland.
the day following unto Rhodes—another island, some fifty miles to the southeast, of brilliant classic memory and beauty.
thence unto Patara—a town on the magnificent mainland of Lycia, almost due east from Rhodes. It was the seat of a celebrated oracle of Apollo.
2. And finding a ship—their former one going no farther, probably.
to Phœnica—(See on Ac 11:19).
went abroad—One would almost think this extracted from a journal of the voyage, so graphic are its details.
3. when we … discovered—"sighted," as the phrase is.
Cyprus, we left it on the left hand—that is, steered southeast of it, leaving it on the northwest.
sailed into—"unto"
Syria, and landed at Tyre—the celebrated seat of maritime commerce for East and West. It might be reached from Patara in about two days.
there the ship was to unlade her burden—which gave the apostle time for what follows.
4-6. finding disciples—finding out the disciples, implying some search. They would expect such, from what is recorded, Ac 11:19. Perhaps they were not many; yet there were gifted ones among them.
who said to Paul … that he should not go up to Jerusalem—(See on Ac 20:23; also see on Ac 21:11-14).
5. they all brought us on our way with wives and children … and we kneeled down on the shore and prayed—(See on Ac 20:36). Observe here that the children of these Tyrian disciples not only were taken along with their parents, but must have joined in this act of solemn worship. See on Eph 6:1.
7. when we had finished our course—completing the voyage
from Tyre, we came—which they would do the same day.
to Ptolemais—anciently called Accho (Jud 1:31), now St. Jean d'Acre, or Acre.
and saluted the brethren, and abode, &c.—disciples gathered probably as at Tyre, on the occasion mentioned (Ac 11:19).
8-10. next day we that were of Paul's company departed—(The words "the were of Paul's company" are omitted in the best manuscripts. They were probably added as the connecting words at the head of some church lessons).
and came to Cæsarea—a run along the coast, southward, of some thirty miles.
Philip the evangelist—a term answering apparently very much to our missionary [Howson], by whose ministry such joy had been diffused over Samaria and the Ethiopian eunuch had been baptized (Ac 8:4-40).
one of the seven—deacons, who had "purchased to himself a good degree" (1Ti 3:13). He and Paul now meet for the first time, some twenty-five years after that time.
9. the same man had four daughters … which did prophesy—fulfilling Joe 2:28 (see Ac 2:18). This is mentioned, it would seem, merely as a high distinction divinely conferred on so devoted a servant of the Lord Jesus, and probably indicates the high tone of religion in his family.
10. tarried there many—"a good many"
days—Finding himself in good time for Pentecost at Jerusalem, he would feel it a refreshing thing to his spirit to hold Christian communion for a few days with such a family.
there came down from Judea—the news of Paul's arrival having spread.
a certain prophet … Agabus—no doubt the same as in Ac 11:28.
11-14. So shall the Jews bind the man that owneth this girdle, &c.—For though the Romans did it, it was at the Jews' instigation (Ac 21:33; Ac 28:17). Such dramatic methods of announcing important future events would bring the old prophets to remembrance. (Compare Isa 20:2, &c.; Jer 13:1, and Eze 5:1, &c.). This prediction and that at Tyre (Ac 21:4) were intended, not to prohibit him from going, but to put his courage to the test and when he stood the test, to deepen and mature it.
12. we and they at that place—the Cæsarean Christians.
besought him—even with tears, Ac 21:13.
not to go to Jerusalem.
13. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart—Beautiful union of manly resoluteness and womanly tenderness, alike removed from mawkishness and stoicism!
I am ready not to be bound only—"If that is all, let it come."
but to die, &c.—It was well he could add this, for he had that also to do.
15, 16. we took up our carriages—"our baggage."
and went up to Jerusalem—for the fifth time after his conversion, thus concluding his third missionary tour, which proved his last, so far as recorded; for though he accomplished the fourth and last part of the missionary plan sketched out (Ac 19:21)—"After I have been at Jerusalem, I must also see Rome"—it was as "a prisoner of Jesus Christ."
16. went with us … and brought with them—rather, "brought us to."
One Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, &c.—not an "aged" disciple, but probably "a disciple of old standing," perhaps one of the three thousand converted on the day of Pentecost, or, more likely still, drawn to the Saviour Himself during His lifetime. He had come, probably, with the other Cyprians (Ac 11:20), to Antioch, "preaching the Lord Jesus unto the Grecians," and now he appears settled at Jerusalem.
Ac 21:17-40. Paul Reports the Events of His Third Missionary Journey—In the Temple, Purifying Himself from a Jewish Vow, He Is Seized by a Mob and Beaten to the Danger of His Life—The Uproar Becoming Universal, the Roman Commandant Has Him Brought in Chains to the Fortress, from the Stairs of Which He Is Permitted to Address the People.
The apostle was full of anxiety about this visit to Jerusalem, from the numerous prophetic intimations of danger awaiting him, and having reason to expect the presence at this feast of the very parties from whose virulent rage he had once and again narrowly escaped with his life. Hence we find him asking the Roman Christians to wrestle with him in prayer, "for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that he might be delivered from them that believed not in Judea," as well as "that his service which he had for Jerusalem (the great collection for the poor saints there) might be accepted of the saints" (Ro 15:30, 31).
17-19. the brethren received us gladly—the disciples generally, as distinguished from the official reception recorded in Ac 21:18.
18. Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present—to "report himself" formally to the acknowledged head of the church at Jerusalem, and his associates in office. See on Ac 15:13. Had any other of the apostles been in Jerusalem on that occasion, it could hardly fail to have been noted.
19. he declared particularly—in detail.
what God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry—as on previous occasions (Ac 14:27; and see Ro 15:15); no doubt referring to the insidious and systematic efforts of the Judaizing party in a number of places to shrivel the Church of Christ into a Jewish sect, and his own counter-procedure.
20-25. they glorified the Lord, &c.—constrained to justify his course, notwithstanding the Jewish complexion of the Christianity of Jerusalem.
21. they are informed … that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles—those residing in heathen countries.
to forsake Moses, &c.—This calumny of the unbelieving Jews would find easy credence among the Christian zealots for Judaism.
23. we have four men—Christian Jews, no doubt.
which have a vow—perhaps kept ready on purpose.
24. be at charges with them—that is, defray the expense of the sacrifices legally required of them, along with his own, which was deemed a mark of Jewish generosity.
25. touching the Gentiles … we have written and concluded that they observe no such things, &c.—This shows that with all their conciliation to Jewish prejudice, the Church of Jerusalem was taught to adhere to the decision of the famous council held there (Ac 15:19-29).
26. to signify—that is, announce to the priest.
the accomplishment of the days of purification, &c.—(See on Nu 6:14-21).
27-30. the Jews … of Asia—in all likelihood those of Ephesus (since they recognized Trophimus apparently as a townsman, Ac 21:29), embittered by their discomfiture (Ac 19:9, &c.).
29. Trophimus—(See on Ac 20:4).
30. took Paul, and drew him out of the temple; and forthwith the doors were shut—that the murder they meant to perpetrate might not pollute that holy place.
31. tidings came—literally, "went up," that is, to the fortress of Antonia, where the commandant resided. See on Ac 21:32. This part of the narrative is particularly graphic.
32. the chief captain—"the chiliarch," or tribune of the Roman cohort, whose full number was one thousand men.
33. commanded him to be bound with two chains—(See on Ac 12:6).
34. some cried one thing—The difficulty would be so to state his crimes as to justify their proceedings to a Roman officer.
to be carried into the castle—rather, perhaps, "the barracks," or that part of the fortress of Antonia appropriated to the soldiers. The fort was built by Herod on a high rock at the northwest corner of the great temple area, and called after Mark Antony.
35, 36. Away with him—as before of his Lord (Lu 23:18; Joh 19:15).
37-40. Art not thou that Egyptian, &c.—The form of the question implies that the answer is to be in the negative, and is matter of some surprise: "Thou art not then?" &c.
38. madest an uproar, &c.—The narrative is given in Josephus [Wars of the Jews, 2.8.6; 13.5], though his two allusions and ours seem to refer to different periods of the rebellion.
39. a citizen of no mean city—(See on Ac 16:37).
40. stood on the stairs—"What nobler spectacle than that of Paul at this moment! There he stood, bound with two chains, ready to make his defense to the people. The Roman commander sits by, to enforce order by his presence. An enraged populace look up to him from below. Yet in the midst of so many dangers, how self-possessed is he, how tranquil!" [Chrysostom (or in his name) in Hackett].
a great silence—the people awed at the permission given him by the commandant, and seeing him sitting as a listener.
in the Hebrew tongue—the Syro-Chaldaic, the vernacular tongue of the Palestine Jews since the captivity.