The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 21
Chapter XXI · Vol. IV, pp. 296–301
1 Paul will not by any means be dissuaded from going to Jerusalem. 9 Philip's daughters prophetesses. 17 Paul cometh to Jerusalem; 27 where he is apprehended, and in great danger, 31 but by the chief captain is rescued, and permitted to speak to the people.
1 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos,1 and the day following unto Rhodes,2 and from thence unto Patara:3
A.D. cir. 61.
1 Coos. An island of the Grecian Archipelago, now called Lango or Stanco.—C.
2 Rhodes. An island on the coast of Asia Minor, celebrated as the site of the Colossus or brazen statue of the heathen Apollo, 70 feet in height, and which stood over the entrance to the harbour. Being thrown down by an earthquake, it lay neglected for centuries, and was at last sold to a Jew, who is said to have loaded 900 mules with the metal. Such are the 'wonders of the world,' such are the gods of heathenism!—C.
3 Patara. A seaport on the coast of Lycia.—C.
2 And finding a ship sailing over unto 4Phenicia,5 we went aboard, and set forth.
4 On the north-west of Canaan, ch.11.19; 15.3. Jos.19.28,29.
5 Phenicia. A variable district lying along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean. Its chief towns, in the time of the New Testament, were Berytus (now Beyrout), Sidon, Sarepta, Tyre, Ptolemais (now Acre), Dora, Cesarea. The Phenicians, by their skill in science, agriculture, manufactures, commerce, and colonization, contributed largely to the civilization of the world; while yet, by their idolatry (so weak, inconsistent, and depraved is human nature!), they contributed almost as largely to its disgrace and ruin.—C.
3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus,6 we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria,7 and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
6 Cyprus. An island in the Mediterranean, 150 miles in length, by 70 in breadth.—C.
a Mat.15.21. Mar.7.24,26. ch.20.3.
7 Syria. An extensive, but variable, district of western Asia, of which Damascus has long been the chief city.—C.
4 And afinding disciples, bwe tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit,8 that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
8 Through the spirit of prophecy they foretold what would happen, and through their own natural feelings they dissuaded him from encountering the danger.—C.
5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way: and they all brought us on our way, cwith wives and children, till we were out of the city: and dwe kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they ereturned home again.
7 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais,9 and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto oCesarea: and we entered into the house of iPhilip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.1
o ch.8.40; 9.30; 18.22.
A.M. cir. 4065. A.D. cir. 61.
i ch.6.5; 8.5,12,26-40. Ep.4.11. 2 Ti.4.5.
1 See note * below.
* Evangelist occurs but twice elsewhere in the New Testament (2 Ti.4.5. Ep.4.11), and seems to denote one who, not having seen the Lord in the flesh, and not having been chosen by the church to the office of an apostle (see Ac.1.21,22), or not being endowed with the miraculous gifts promised to, and conferred on, the apostles, was yet equal to them in qualifications and labours, 2 Ti.4.5, and, consequently, in that dignity which arises not from office, but from the faithful and laborious discharge of ministerial duty. Note, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are commonly called evangelists, as writers of the gospel. Philip, 'one of the seven,' Ac.6.5, has the name 'evangelist,' to distinguish him from Philip the apostle, Mat.10.3, and he was most probably the same who preached Jesus to the Ethiopian, Ac.8.40.—C.
10 And as we tarried mthere many days, there came down from Judæa a certain prophet, named lAgabus.3
l ch.11.28.
m ch.20.23; 11.28.
11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, nThus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.4
n ch.20.23; 21.11.
12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, obesought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
o ver.4. Mat.16.22,23.
13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? pfor I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, qThe will of the Lord be done.Cited in WLC 192
15 And after those days we took up our carriages,2 and went up to Jerusalem.
2 Carriages. The eastern traveller has still to depend for food and accommodation upon what he carries with him. Some of Paul's company may also have been poor, as the Jews often were, and so required to carry their baskets and wares.—C.
16 Therer went with us also certain of the disciples of Cesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of sCyprus, an told disciple, with whom we should lodge.
19 And when he had saluted them, yhe declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
y ch.14.27; 15.4,12; 21.19. Ro.15.18,19. 2 Co.12.12.
20 And when they heard it, they zglorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how amany thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all bzealous of the law:
21 And they are informed3 of thee, cthat thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
3 They were much misinformed; for Paul had strictly conformed to the decision of the apostles and elders (ch.15.22-29), teaching that it was not necessary for the believing Gentiles to be circumcised, while yet he prevailed on Timothy to conform to the Mosaic ordinance, that he might remove all cause of prejudice or offence from the Jews, ch.16.3.—C.
c ch.6.14. Ga.5.1-6.
22 What is it therefore? dthe multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
d ch.15.12,22.
23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: Wee have four men which have a vow4 on them;
e ch.18.18; 21.26. Nu.6.2,13,18.
4 Either with the brethren, whom they had, in charity, received (Ro.14.1-6); or else Nazarites who had vowed (Nu.6) before their conversion, and to whom conscience dictated the literal fulfilment of their vow.—Note in all cases where conscience is concerned, and judgment in doubt concerning the path of duty, let that be chosen where the judgment is clearest and the way most obvious.—C.
24 Them take, and purify5 thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
5 As directed, Nu.6.5,8,9,13-15,18.—C.
25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, gwe have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
A.M. cir. 4065. A.D. cir. 61.
g ch.15.20,29. 1 Co.8.1; 10.19. Ex.34.15. Le.17.14; 3.17; 19.26. De.12.16,23; 15.23. 1 Sa.14.32. Ge.9.4. 1 Co.5.9; 6.9; 7.2. He.13.4. 1 Th.4.3-7.
26 Thenh Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
h 1 Co.9.20. Nu.6.13-20. ch.24.18.
27 And when the seven days were almost ended, ithe Jews which were of Asia,6 when they saw him in the temple, kstirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,
i ch.24.18; 26.21.
6 Of Asia. The original country which finally gave its name to the whole continent. Those Jews were, most probably, of Ephesus. See ver.29.—C.
k ch.13.50; 14.2,5,19; 17.5,13; 18.12; 19.23,26.
28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
l ch.6.13,14; 19.25,26; 24.5; 21.28.
29 (For they had seen before with him in the city nTrophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
n See ch.20.4. 2 Ti.4.20.
30 Ando all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.7
o ch.16.20; 19.29; 17.5; 21.30.
7 To keep Paul from refuge, and the Gentiles from entering, ver.28,29; ch.24.6.
31 Andp as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
p ch.23.27; 24.7.
32 Whoq immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.
q ver.11; ch.20.23. Ep.6.20.
33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be rbound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.
r ch.12.6.
34 Ands some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the tcastle.8
s ch.19.32.
t ch.23.10,16.
8 This castle was Antonia, the barracks of the Roman garrison. It was originally built by the Maccabees, and called Baris, but had its name changed by Herod in honour of Mark Anthony, one of the Roman triumvirs. It was situated at the west angle of the temple, and surrounded by walls of great height, with several fortifications and towers, and was at once a place of equal strength and magnificence.—C.
35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the uviolence of the people.
37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
38 Art not thou9 that Egyptian,1 which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?
9 Not Theudas or Judas, ch.5.36,37; but another, about A.D. 55.
1 It appears from Josephus (Antiq. b. xx., and Jewish Wars, b. ii.), that, in the first or second year of Nero, and while Felix was procurator of Judea, a certain Egyptian persuaded a multitude to follow him to the Mount of Olives, to whom he promised a miraculous overthrow of the walls of Jerusalem. But Felix attacked them, slew 400, took 200 prisoners, and put the Egyptian to flight. The chief captain imagined that in Paul he had found this Egyptian returning to foment new disturbances, as he had done two or three years before. So slow is inquiry!—so speedy is misconception!—C.
39 But Paul said, xI am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city:2 and, I beseech thee, ysuffer me to speak unto the people.
A.M. cir. 4065. A.D. cir. 61.
x ch.9.11,30; 11.25; 22.3,25.
2 Tarsus was an ancient city, having been founded by Sardanapalus, king of Assyria. It was colonized by Greeks in the time of Alexander the Great, and became the capital of Cilicia. Antony gave it the privilege of a free city. Paul was consequently fully justified in the statement he here makes.—P.
Notes
Reflections.—It is delightful to travel about under the special direction and protection of Providence, and in every place to have edifying converse with Christian friends concerning the great things which God has done for us and for his church. And it is comely for Christians to meet and part with cordial affection and solemn prayer. No wonder that loving Christians are averse to think of the sufferings or death of their faithful and useful ministers. But glorious is the fortitude to be ready to suffer anything for Christ, and to be entirely resigned to his will; and yet the tender affections of friends sometimes occasion a greater trial than the fury of enemies.—Entangling weaknesses and strong prejudices remain with real believers. And it is difficult to judge how far we ought to condescend to their infirmity, or to appear zealous for our Christian liberty. It is indeed needless to condescend to ignorant cavillers or obstinate ungodly bigots, who will at any rate rage against us as the servants of Christ. Nothing can be expected in their popular tumults but violence and fury, confusion and injustice. But seasonably God interposes for the preservation of his servants from wicked and unreasonable men, and gives them opportunities to vindicate themselves, plead for the Redeemer, and spread abroad his glorious gospel.