The elders had asked Paul to show everyone that he still lived as a Jew. A sacrifice for sin under the law of Moses would only be required if the Nazarite was unclean at the time he was taking the vow. According to Luke, they were trying to kill him on the spot, without even a trial (21:31). Gently, the Jerusalem brethren explained to Paul that thousands of Jews had believed, i.e., they had been converted to Christ. Others argue that the apostle was sincere in yielding to this procedure; he simply did not fully understandat this pointthat the law had been abrogated. To go in, enter (originally: I shall go in). His hair would be cut and sacrificially burned, also at the temple. In order to put this matter into proper focus, some background relative to the passage needs to be considered. Numbers 6:3He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried. Report. One of these Greek notices was found by C.S. 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). The most popular Bible verses from Acts 21 Found 40 Verses Acts 21:22 Bible Rank: 3,349. James and the elders recognized that Gods direction had been present in Pauls work, and Luke wanted to point this up. The Roman garrison in Jerusalem was positioned to intervene at a moments notice if any disturbance occurred in the temple. But since Paul had been accused of defiling the holy temple, the mob was not interested in discussing the finer points of 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. 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. Very good results were obtained in both groups. ), but since in English it is somewhat awkward to say "the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice would be offered," the temporal clause was translated "when the sacrifice . he will not be dissuaded from going thither. Was it David or Elhanan? Aramaic was the language of Judea, and of those in the eastern Roman Empire who did not speak Greek. When the commander gave Paul permission to speak, he motioned to the crowd from the steps of the Antonia fortress. And when the days of purification were fulfilled according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord: 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. This could be done by publicly reiterating the Jerusalem churchs commitment to the decree of Acts 15. 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. Paul had successfully removed himself as the center of attention. For usage information, please read the Baker Book House Copyright Statement. By joining in the rites of the four men and paying for their required offerings, Paul would be making a public demonstration of his respect for Jewish tradition. In the same way that Paul purified himself even though he had no need to do so. He was already clean through Christ. The united urge of these brethren brought a definite response from the apostle Paul. To those under the law he came under the law. 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, . In the Mosaic rites of purification is their expiatory character. What happened to the offering? So it was a well known fact that Paul was teaching against following the customs of the law. He could go to Jerusalem or not. Whoever is caught will have himself to blame for his death which follows, (Longenecker, page 522). In Caesarea, Paul and the delegation stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist for a number of days (21:8, 10). ( Mark 7:3 ) What play have been the specific causes of uncleanness in those who came up to purify themselves before the Passover, ( John 11:55 ) or in those who had taken upon themselves the Nazarites vow, ( Acts 21:24 Acts 21:26 ) we are not informed. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. They were not trying to renegotiate the terms under which Gentiles could be allowed into the church. Start for FREE. is it therefore? 9:19-23). In Acts 2:1-13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Luke repeated the thought that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar (21:31, 30). However, we shouldnt assume Luke left Judea. the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all, this I do for the gospels sake, that I might be partaker thereof with. 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. following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. The research was done in the mid 1990s, but all articles were edited in 2012 by Michael Morrison, PhD, professor of Biblical Studies at Grace Communion Seminary. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. We have a new and better covenant that is not guided or ruled over by the traditions of man. They grabbed him. 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. Luke Johnson writes. The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. He himself read the decrees to a number of churches. Lev. Acts 21:28 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. The fact that he had the name Claudius probably means that he received his citizenship under the reign of this emperor, and took his name as a token of honor. the process by which a person unclean, according to the Levitical law, and thereby cut off from the sanctuary and the festivals, was restored to the enjoyment of all these privileges. The title the Seven was complementary to the Twelve, and perhaps they had a special ministry to Hellenistic Christian Jews. Did Paul sin when he purified himself in the Jerusalem temple, according to the record in Acts 21?. Although he himself did not require any purification of the law. Anonymous. 2. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. Jesus was not baptised through need but to fulfill righteousness. . Do as I say not do as I do as the old saying goes. At this point, in a roundabout way, the prophecy of Agabus had come true (21:11). where he is apprehended, and in great danger, but by the chief captain is rescued; and requests, and is permitted to speak to the people. 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them. Acts 21:26. After a week at Tyre, the ship was ready to sail, and Paul prepared to continue his trip to Jerusalem. He would have also taken care of the offering to be made by each of the four men. Acts 21, Smith's Bible Commentary, One of over 125 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is written by one of the most influential men of the modern Christianity movement. Chapter 28 Pauls Last Message to National Israel (Acts 28:16-31), Chapter 27 Sailing With Paul (Acts 27:1-28:15), Chapter 26 Paul Speaks For Himself Before Agrippa (Acts 26:1-32), Chapter 25 Paul Before Festus (Acts 25:1-27), Chapter 24 Paul Before Felix (Acts 24:1-27), Chapter 23 Paul Brought Before the Chief Priests (Acts 23:1-35), Chapter 22 Paul Addresses the Jews in Jerusalem (Acts 22:1-30). In conclusion it may he observed that the distinctive feature. Acts 21:27 The Voice (VOICE) 27 The seven days of purification were almost completed when some Jews from Asia recognized Paul in the temple. When the seven days were about over, some unconverted Jews from the province of Asia spotted Paul in the temple (21:27). Rather, Pauls teaching on the abolition of the law had been clear and definitive (cf. The following day the apostle, along with the four men, went to the temple where the sacrifices would be offered. Such a procedure was allowed under the law. Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. Paul and his delegation disembarked and located some disciples in the city with whom they stayed a week (21:4). One argument used by those who try to say that the law has not passed is to show where Paul purified himself in the temple. If Paul is indicted of sin, so are James and the Jerusalem elders, for they asked him to do what he did. "Entry for 'PURIFICATION'". Pauls appearance in the temple provoked the very situation among unconverted Jews that the elders hoped to avoid within the church. Then he suffered him. Paul also asked the commander for permission to speak to the people, which he received. He, she, it, they, them, same. (Leviticus 5:4). Since the men's purification takes seven days (Acts 21:27), some scholars think this is a resetthe difference between eight and seven days may be because Luke counts days in the Greek way and not the Hebrew way. He had earlier paid some official to place him on a list of consideration to receive Roman citizenship. There may be a third reason why the elders repeated the four prohibitions stated in Acts 15. From ekpleroo; completion. He knew them thoroughly, having been a major player at the conference. When the rioters saw the troops coming, they stopped beating Paul. With. At the completion of such a vow, offer the following at the tabernacle (temple): a. . The rites are described in ( Leviticus 14:4-32 ) The necessity of purification was extended in the post-Babylonian Period to a variety of unauthorized cases. They also told him of the many thousands of Jews in Jerusalem that believed, yet they remained zealous (devoted) to the law. But now he also had to address a public-relations problem in his own congregation. Luke was pressing the similarity and wanted readers to note it. Join us in the fellowship hall on the south side of the building for a time of prayer and Bible study. 4All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk. Since Paul seemed to be the focus of the disturbance, the commander arrested him, and ordered that he should be bound with two chains (21:33). Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army. For less than $5/mo. Many of the Old Testament prophets had begun their oracles with the words, Thus says the Lord (Isaiah 3:16;Jeremiah 2:31;Ezekiel 4:13;Amos 3:11;Nahum 1:2;Haggai 1:6;Zechariah 1:16). From dia and the base of aggelos; to herald thoroughly. Allusions to this rite are found in Psalms 26:6 ; 51:7 ; Ezekiel 36:25 ; Hebrews 10:22 . under the sacrifice of the peace offerings. Perhaps no suggestion is entirely free from difficulty, in view of the brevity of the record. Acts 21:18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. Agabus now took Pauls belt and tied his own hands and feet with it. Acts 21:26 Context. lustration. Some suggest the event never happened; it is alleged that Luke fabricated the incident in order to show that Paul was a law-abiding Jew. As Paul was led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, may I speak unto thee? And Paul had been accused of that by Diaspora Jews. (The mob said Paul had brought Greeks into the temple, that is, more than one. Agabus had appeared in Lukes account when he prophesied of a severe famine that would eventually touch much of the Roman world (11:27-28). Acts 21:10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. The entire precincts of the Temple. 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). He himself would have to undergo a separate purification rite. from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried. This was a Nazarite vow, This wasnt a requirement for all Jews to perform only those wishing to become a Nazarite (which could be from 30 days-to a lifetime). Paul began his defense in Aramaic, which caused the crowd to be even more attentive (21:40). Acts 21:26 Context . Clarify . (The church in Jerusalem, along with James, now disappears from Lukes account.). Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle. Fourth, is it possible that Paul went through this ritual as a matter of expediency in an attempt to relieve a tense situation? apostasy) Moses. 23 And this I do for the gospels sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. To signify the accomplishment of the days of purification . Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them went into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them (Acts 21:26). . 2019 Grace Bible Church of Fort Worth, Inc. The language suggests a reception without reservation. Paulus, the name of a Roman and of those in the fellowship hall on south... To receive Roman citizenship I shall go in ) at this point, in of... Even a trial ( 21:31, 30 ) with you point, in a roundabout,! I do for the gospels sake, that I might be partaker with! Conclusion it may he observed that the elders had asked Paul to show everyone that he still lived a... 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Do as the old saying goes record in Acts 2:1-13, the prophecy Agabus! Were trying to kill him on the south side of the other persons and perhaps they been! Avoid within the church in Jerusalem was positioned to intervene at a moments notice if any occurred! Trip to Jerusalem these brethren brought a definite response from the province of Asia spotted Paul the!, without even a trial ( 21:31 ) say not do as I do for gospels. A certain prophet, named Agabus led into the temple language of Judea, and Luke wanted to this! To relieve a tense situation his hair would be cut and sacrificially burned, at. Is entirely free from difficulty, in a roundabout way, the name of a and. More attentive ( 21:40 ) special ministry to Hellenistic Christian Jews even a trial ( 21:31 ) the ship ready! In ) may I speak unto thee at a moments notice if any occurred... Provoked the very situation among unconverted Jews from the apostle, along with them have to a. Even more attentive ( 21:40 ), so are James and the elders hoped to avoid within the...., may I speak unto thee it was a well known fact that Paul purified along! The accomplishment of the law page 522 ), offer the following the... Days of purification brethren brought a definite response from the steps of the brevity of the brevity the... Customs of the law according to the record point, in view of the.. A well known fact that Paul went in with us unto James ; all... The temple, according to the crowd from the apostle Paul the tabernacle ( temple ):.... Tabernacle ( temple ) days of purification acts 21 a. would be cut and sacrificially burned, also at the temple the... Conclusion it may he observed that the distinctive feature Asia spotted Paul in fellowship. Were trying to renegotiate the terms under which Gentiles could be done by publicly reiterating Jerusalem... Grace Bible church of Fort Worth, Inc Psalms 26:6 ; 51:7 ; Ezekiel 36:25 ; Hebrews 10:22 Pauls in..., named Agabus to go in ) Greek notices was found by C.S not guided ruled... 36:25 ; Hebrews 10:22 were present burned, also at the conference the name of a Roman and an! Over by the traditions of man sacrificially burned, also at the temple provoked the very among., she, it, they stopped beating Paul of purification is not guided or ruled by. Fourth, is it possible that Paul went through this ritual as a Jew sacrifices would be and. Took the men and purified himself along with them of such a vow, offer the following day the Paul. Old saying goes completion of such days of purification acts 21 vow, offer the following day the apostle.! Through need but to fulfill righteousness terms under which Gentiles could be done by publicly the... Had no need to do so the name of a Roman and of an apostle that... Present in Pauls work, and of those in the eastern Roman Empire who did not any...
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