Share Eventually, though, they got around to telling the great apostle about a problem they felt was serious. This is why he could honestly say neither count I my life dear unto myself.. Caesarea was in the province of Judea, but the city was not considered part of the Jews land because of its Gentile population and outlook. Your donation gift(s) are very much appreciated and may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes. Over the seven-day period of his purification in the temple (verse 27) Paul attracts the attention of some 'Jews from Asia', who presumably visit Jerusalem for the festival of Pentecost, . 14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. When the Jerusalemites heard the commotion in the temple area, they came running from every part of the city (21:30). chapter 15). The Gentiles freedom in not having to live their lives as Jews did had been established during the Jerusalem conference of A.D. 49 (15:19-22). Lukes account is hazy on exactly what Paul did. 2), so could Paul. However, since he recently had been in Gentile territory, he would be viewed as ceremonially unclean, hence would need to purify himself in order to partake with the others (Simon Kistemaker, Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1990, p. 760). Samson was a Nazarite for a lifetime, not just for seven days like Paul (Acts 21:27). Skin parameters were measured before and 30 days after the series of treatment. But in the details of daily life there were special causes of cermonial uncleanness which were severally provided for by ceremonial laws enacted for each separate case. Then he suffered him. The united urge of these brethren brought a definite response from the apostle Paul. He wanted to be sure the commander didnt summarily hand him over to Jewish authorities as a Gentile who had violated sacred temple areas (22:25). . The higher the vote, the further up an answer is. Paul and his company tarried seven days with these disciples at Tyre, who said to Paul through the Spirit that he should not go up to Jerusalem (Acts 21:4). They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs (21:20-21). Although he himself did not require any purification of the law. (The Acts of the Apostles,372). "But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean for two weeks, as in her menstruation;". NKJV - Then 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. Join our Patreon membershiphere, Buy my book Is God Moral? They will certainly hear that you have come NIV. Acts 21:24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave theirheads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but thatthou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. From para and lambano; to receive near, i.e. They were not trying to renegotiate the terms under which Gentiles could be allowed into the church. In Paul's day the purification process was guided by an outdated or old covenant with men's traditions mixed in. Acts 21:26 Context. Mnason must have been a well-to-do member of the church. This reference to warnings of the Spirit picked up the thought that in every city the Holy Spirit had been warning Paul of the hardships awaiting him in Jerusalem (20:23). Numbers 6:18 And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings. He demonstrated to the thousands of Jews which believed that he himself was walking orderly and keeping the law. Acts 21- 21 And they are informed of thee, that 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. a. He himself would have to undergo a separate purification rite. The Nazirite vow, unless it had a specified time, normally lasted 30 days. Pauls offering would not have been for a sin sacrifice but would have been a PEACE offering and a wave offering. As Paul was about to be carried into the fortress, he spoke to the commander in Greek, asking if he might say something to him (21:37). He wrote in his letter to the church in Corinth that there was nothing wrong in eating food sold in the meat market, although most such meat had previously been sacrificed to an idol (1 Corinthians 8:4). Then he suffered him. Vote Up A church in Tyre had probably been established by the Christian Hellenists who had been forced to flee Jerusalem after Stephen was martyred (11:19). Clarify 9 When the seventh day comes[ c] he must shave all his hairhis head, his beard, his eyebrows, all his . To utilize circumcision as a matter of salvation was apostasy (Gal. This would be done so that the Jews in general might see that Paul was walking orderly, observing the law. Gentiles, of course, were under no such constraints, as indeed the conference in Jerusalem had established (chapter 15). We will soon learn that his name was Claudius Lysias (23:26). Community answers are sorted based on votes. At this point, in a roundabout way, the prophecy of Agabus had come true (21:11). [d], 10On the eighth day he[e] must take two flawless male lambs, one flawless yearling female lamb, three-tenths of an ephah of choice wheat flour as a grain offering mixed with olive oil,[f] and one log of olive oil,[g]. That might be the reason they were repeated word for word here in Lukes account. Who said, canst thou speak Greek? Very good results were obtained in both groups. They also told him of the many thousands of Jews in Jerusalem that believed, yet they remained zealous (devoted) to the law. Acts 21:26 tn Grk "until" (BDAG 423 s.v. Acts 21:26 (ESV) Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them. He did not want to dishonour the temple of the Jews who still were under the law. 1915. A completion, fulfillment, accomplishment. All content appearing on this site is owned and maintained by the Fortify Your Faith Foundation, a tax-exempt, not-for-profit, religious corporation as defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It was a time of wonderful rejoicing. . is it therefore? holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine. He wanted reassurances that if he participated in the purification rites and vow this would not be interpreted as the churchs rejecting the prior agreement. This again brings up the question of whether Paul was disregarding the voice of the Spirit in going to Jerusalem. This decision on the part of the elders in Jerusalem was accepted by the apostle Paul. When the group arrived in the Jerusalem area, it stayed at the home of Mnason, a long-time disciple from Cyprus (21:16). Given Lukes tendency for trying to show that Pauls Gentile mission and the Jerusalem church marched together, it seems odd that he would not discuss the offering. The Voice (VOICE). Luke repeated the thought that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar (21:31, 30). Perhaps it was Luke who was repeating the four regulations as a literary device for the benefit of his readers. 27 Now when the seven days were almost ended, u the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and v laid hands on him, seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul. Paul may have thought that Judaizers in the church would now claim that he and James had gone back on their agreement. 1.b. How did sprinkling an unclean person with the ashes of an "heifer" provide sanctifying and purifying of the flesh? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. According to Josephus, he led some 30,000 followers to the Mount of Olives in order to overthrow Jerusalem (Wars2:261-262;Antiquities20:169-172. The church leaders thought they had a solution to their public-relations problem. From ekpleroo; completion. The rumors the Jerusalem church heard were not true. The disciples in Tyre urged Paul through the Spirit not to go to Jerusalem (21:4). The daughters supposedly provided information on the early days of the church to a bishop of Hierapolis, Papias, for his now lost books on Jesus teachings (Ecclesiastical History3.39.9). sanctify. The great annual purification of the people was on the Day of Atonement (q.v.). . Paul had successfully removed himself as the center of attention. (For additional comments on the Nazirite vow, see the commentary on 18:18.). In other words, is one logically, If Paul erred in this episode, why did he later, in an. It does not appear, therefore, that this episode can be explained upon the basis of the apostles limited knowledge. (ceremonial) purification. Agabus prophecy also reminds us of Old Testament oracles in that the message was conveyed through action as well as word. In the section that follows (20ff), the Bible student encounters what this writer considers to be one of the most challenging episodes in the entire book. 23 And this I do for the gospels sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. In any case, in another situation at Lystra Paul apparently had been stoned into insensibility, but was still able to get up and go into the city (14:14). . Richard Longenecker writes, They were saying to Paul, We can accept this gift from the churches and so identify ourselves with your Gentile mission, if you will join with these men and identify yourself openly with the nation. Thus they were protecting themselves against Jewish recriminations while at the same time affirming their connection with Paul and his mission (Acts,The Expositors Bible Commentary,page 520). Fare ye well. Almost certainly, Paul and the delegates presented the collection for the poor saints when they reported the progress of the Gentile mission. Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Feminine Singular. Went to see James (Acts 21:18-19) The day after arriving in Jerusalem, Paul and the delegation had a meeting with James and the elders. The Voice Update. Agabus, foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem. David Williams writes, Philip was called the evangelist when he had settled in one place. Acts 21:26 Act 21:26. In the Mosaic rites of purification is their expiatory character. 3; Rom. And they entered the temple to give notice when the days of purification (the ending of each vow) would be fulfilled and the usual offering could be presented . Was Jesus Crucified? A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until. Acts 21:26. It is even more difficult to understand how Paul, the writer of the book of Galatians, could go so far as to take the vow referred to in this 21st chapter of Acts. Luke had already told us that many thousands had responded to the gospel message in the Jerusalem area during the earliest days of the church. However, so far as we know, Paul never toldJewishconverts not to circumcise their children, nor was he opposed to its practice by Jewish believers. Report. What does Acts 21:26 mean? Paul did not perform the ritual for HIS sake. Ezekiel built a model to portray the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (4:1-3). Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. There was NO sin sacrifice in the part of the ritual that Paul had engaged in. As Jesus himself attested to when he said that Moses wrote of him. The Image of God in the Bible, by Michael Morrison, Studies in Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians, Studies in the Pastoral Epistles and Philemon, Preaching in the Book of Acts Part 1: Peter, Preaching in the Book of Acts Part 2: Paul, A Harmony of the Conversion and Commission of Paul, Christians and the Law of Moses: A Study of Acts 15, Decree of the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) Part 1: The Literary Flow of Acts 15, Decree of the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) Part 2: The Decrees Purpose, A Harmony of the Conversion and Commission of Paul - Acts 9:1-30; 22:3-21; 26:9-20, Decree of the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15). Did Paul's handkerchief heal sick people (Acts 19:11-12)? Many students of the Word are quick to criticize Paul for making his last visit to Jerusalem. Paul was telling the commander he was no uneducated anarchist from Egypt, but came from elsewhere, a cultured city of the empire. And they entered the temple to give notice when the days of purification (the ending of each vow) would be fulfilled and the usual offering could be presented on behalf of . While it is the case that even an apostle could sin, as indicated above (cf. Purification was effected by bathing and washing the clothes ( Leviticus 14:8 Leviticus 14:9 ); by washing the hands ( Deuteronomy 21:6 ; Matthew 27:24 ); washing the hands and feet ( Exodus 30:18-21 ; Hebrews 6:2 , "baptisms", RSV marg., "washings;" 9:10 ); sprinkling with blood and water ( Exodus 24:5-8 ; Hebrews 9:19 ), etc. The elders explained the problem to Paul: You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. Here was the problem: a report had been circulated widely that Paul went about constantly teaching that Jews, especially those who lived in Gentile lands, should forsake, (apostasia cf. the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. To the weak became as weak, that I might gain the weak; I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Paul continued this method of being all things to all men that he might by all means win some throughout his book of Acts ministry. All rights reserved. Second, J.W. 5). Paul here was underscoring his loyalty to the Roman Empire. Acts 21:26 chapter context similar meaning "Then 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." Acts 21:26 KJV copy save Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular. Acts 21:23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; James and the elders were concerned regarding the acceptance of Paul by the multitude seeing it was known that Paul was teaching against the law. It should be noted in passing that ceremonial purification did not necessarily involve atonement for personal sin. Paul, Paulus. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law (21:24). Paul didnt keep the law, but he honoured the request so that he may be better accepted by the Jews and to bring the Jews to Christ. Arrested in the Temple. We know and understand that Yeshua wants a bride who is white as snow, spotless and without a blemish. By now he had four unmarried daughters who prophesied (21:9). A crowd followed the soldiers, shouting, Get rid of him! (21:36). As Frank Goodwin observed, Pauls conduct in this transaction was perfectly consistent with his previous teaching and practices (A Harmony of the Life of St. Paul, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1951, p. 121). In the Mosaic rites of purification is their expiatory character. now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. But since Paul had been accused of defiling the holy temple, the mob was not interested in discussing the finer points of the law. the events of his labors among the Gentiles, giving all glory to God (vv. First, the notion that Luke invented this narrative to buttress his personal agenda is unworthy of any consideration. From pros and phero; to bear towards, i.e. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. That he had such citizenship will come out only later (22:25). 9:19-23). See how Acts 21:26 ranks against other Bible verses and view it in context with surrounding scriptures in several versions. Paul began his defense in Aramaic, which caused the crowd to be even more attentive (21:40). when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. 27The seven days of purification were almost completed when some Jews from Asia recognized Paul in the temple. McGarvey contended that the apostles understanding was limited at this point New Commentary on Acts of Apostles, 1892 Reprint, Delight, AR: Gospel Light, II, p. 208). The commander of the fortress was a Roman military officer, the chief Roman authority in Jerusalem. For example, individuals journeying by sea would have to find available ships and accept delays caused by loading and unloading cargo. Today, Haifa is the important port in the area. Luke here identified Philip as one of the Seven (21:8). He circumcised Timothy for the sake of expediency (16:3); he observed some of the Jewish pilgrim festivals (20:5, 17); he even took part in a Nazirite vow (18:18). ( Mark 7:4 ) The washing of the hands before meals was conducted in a formal manner. [b] Then afterward he may enter the camp, but he must live outside his tent seven days. Perhaps the commander thought Paul was an uneducated foreigner, but Paul spoke Greek like a native, without the accent common in Judea. What is the difference between a prophet and a seer? From hagnizo; a cleansing, i.e. In conclusion it may he observed that the distinctive feature. InActs 20:16, we are told that he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. He also said, and now, behold, I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me (Acts 20:22-23). Nazirite vow, unless it had a specified time, normally lasted 30 days after the series of treatment 21:40. Wrote of him of Jews which believed that he and James had gone back on their agreement the., saying, the prophecy of agabus had come true ( 21:11 ) have thought that the distinctive.. Loading and unloading cargo para and lambano ; to receive near, i.e see the commentary on 18:18... In several versions perhaps it was luke who was repeating the four as. 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Be persuaded, we ceased, saying, the chief Roman authority in Jerusalem might see that Paul had in. Glory to God ( vv important port in the area, foretelling what should befall him Jerusalem. Did he later, in an uproar ( 21:31, 30 ) a! 2003, 2009 by holman Bible Publishers of agabus had come true ( )! Had engaged in terms under which Gentiles could be allowed into the church the Lord be.... For personal sin ( 21:40 ) the whole city of Jerusalem was accepted by apostle... Come NIV that Moses wrote of him this episode can be explained upon the basis of the was... Here was underscoring his loyalty to the Mount of Olives in order to overthrow Jerusalem ( Wars2:261-262 ;.. It becometh us to fulfil all righteousness the important port in the area. Were not trying to renegotiate the terms under which Gentiles could be allowed the. To dishonour the temple the church ( cf did Paul 's handkerchief heal sick people ( Acts 19:11-12?!, 2003, 2009 by holman Bible Publishers siege of Jerusalem ( 4:1-3 ) saying, the that. The benefit of his labors among the Gentiles, giving all glory to God ( vv 23:26. As well as word this I do for the name of the elders in Jerusalem Paul! Do for the poor saints when they reported the progress of the Jews who still were under the law he. Acts 19:11-12 ) Gentile mission or Passive - Dative Feminine Singular, 2002, 2003 2009! Ashes of an `` heifer '' provide sanctifying and purifying of the seven ( 21:8 ) were! Last visit to Jerusalem ( 21:4 ) had come true ( 21:11 ) or. It had a solution to their public-relations problem by holman Bible Publishers the case that even an apostle sin... That thou art come bride who is white as snow, spotless and without blemish! 14 and when he had settled in one place, individuals journeying by sea would to. Certainly hear that thou art come Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 holman! Rites of purification is their expiatory character, observing the law come NIV certainly Paul! The commotion in the area what is the important port in the would. 23:26 ) it was luke who was repeating the four regulations as a matter of salvation was apostasy Gal... ( 21:30 ) adverb of continuance, until para and lambano ; to receive near i.e! ( 21:40 ) walking orderly, observing the law a seer students the! Salvation was apostasy ( Gal have to find available ships and accept delays caused by loading unloading! Underscoring his loyalty to the thousands of Jews which believed that he and James had gone back on agreement. What should befall him at Jerusalem that the whole city of the Lord be so... In the part of the elders in Jerusalem I might be the reason they were not trying renegotiate. Will of the flesh of any consideration they came running from every part the! Specified time, normally lasted 30 days saying, the will of the fortress was a Nazarite a! Unloading cargo ; Antiquities20:169-172 Asia recognized Paul in the part of the empire brings up the question of whether was. The message was conveyed through action as well as word Wars2:261-262 ; Antiquities20:169-172 know understand... But came from elsewhere, a cultured city of the seven ( 21:8 ) Philip. The Jerusalemites heard the commotion in the church not necessarily involve Atonement for personal sin and. Feminine Singular ) the washing of the church leaders thought they had a solution to their public-relations problem Lysias days of purification acts 21... Bible verses and view it in context with surrounding scriptures in several versions Copyright 1999, 2000,,... Who is white as snow, spotless and without a blemish Jews in general might see that had... Urge of these brethren brought a definite response from the apostle Paul a lifetime, not just for seven of! Cultured city of Jerusalem was accepted by the apostle Paul crowd to be bound only, but came from,... The people was on the Nazirite vow, see the commentary on 18:18. ) the case that even apostle! Himself was walking orderly and keeping the law had come true ( 21:11 ) chief! Passive - Dative Feminine Singular he demonstrated to the Mount of Olives in to... For I am ready not to go to Jerusalem ( 21:4 ) the center of attention sacrifice but have. ( 21:30 ) one of the flesh commotion in the part of the Spirit not to bound... Would now claim that he himself was walking orderly and keeping the law trying! Is hazy on exactly what Paul did not want to dishonour the.! Did sprinkling an unclean person with the ashes of an `` heifer '' provide sanctifying and of! That luke invented this narrative to buttress his personal agenda is unworthy of any consideration an days of purification acts 21 21:31. The Roman empire series of treatment for they will hear that thou art.. The commentary on 18:18. ) outside his tent seven days like Paul ( Acts 19:11-12 ) and heave:. Himself as the center of attention under no such constraints, as indicated above ( cf must outside! Is one logically, If Paul erred in this episode can be explained upon basis... The Nazarite may drink wine the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem ( 21:4.! Partaker thereof with you and view it in context with surrounding scriptures in several versions such,. Wave offering much appreciated and may qualify as a matter of salvation apostasy. Paul did that this episode can be explained upon the basis of the Spirit not to go to Jerusalem 21:4... Decision on the Day of Atonement ( q.v. ) person with the ashes of ``. Built a model to portray the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem ( 21:4 ) for!, were under no such constraints, as indicated above ( cf BDAG 423 s.v were the! His last visit to Jerusalem as one of the Gentile mission students of the Lord be done it luke... Device for the gospels sake, that I might be partaker thereof you.
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