Acts 21: Paul’s Arrest in Jerusalem (3rd Missionary Journey)

  • Acts 20:22,23: “And now, bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait me.”
    • Acts 21.13: He knew he would be arrested and possibly killed.
  • He stopped at Tyre, Ptolemais, and Caesarea on the way to Jerusalem.
    • Island of Cos was the birthplace of Hippocrates (460 to 377 BC) and the home of the most famous medical school. (Hippocratic Oath).
    • Island of Rhodes was known for its cultivation of Roses. (Derived its name from).
    • Colossus of Rhodes (one of the 7 wonders of the world). 105 Ft. high.
    • They finally boarded a ship sailing for Phoenicia (easy trip to Jerusalem).
      • Tyre was the principle city of Phoenicia (See 1 Kings 5.10).
      • “Looking up” the disciples: Greek for diligently searching. (7 days).
      • The Spirit’s warning was not intended as a prohibition but a preparation of what he could expect when he entered Jerusalem.
    • They kneeled down on the beach and said their good-bye with praying and tears.
  • They stayed one day in Ptolemais and then on to Caesarea.
    • The city was named after Ptolemy II
    • They stayed in Philip’s house (one of the 7 deacons in Acts 6).
      • 9 or more of the brethren stayed with Philip (Hospitality)
    • Paul was willing to “lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15.13).
  • They came to Caesarea (principal seaport of Palestine).
    • Peter preached his first sermon to the Gentiles here. (See Acts 10 and 11).
    • Paul was later imprisoned here for 2 years (Acts 23.31; 24.27).
    • Caesarea was about 60 miles from Jerusalem
    • Prophesy of Agabus (See also Acts 11.28) probably the same prophet.
    • Sometimes personal well-being must be sacrificed for a higher purpose.
    • Jesus told Paul some 20 years earlier (Acts 9.15) that he must bear His name to the Gentiles and before kings.
  • V.17: “After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.”
    • See Romans 15.30, 31: “The brothers received us warmly.”
    • Luke 9.51: “Jesus set His face to go to Jerusalem (So did the Apostle Paul).
  • Paul Tries to Avoid Criticism (Acts 21.18-26).
    • (See Galatians 3.24,25; Romans 7.4; 10.4)
    • What did Paul do here and why did he do it?
    • Meeting probably took place in the home of James (Lord’s ½ brother).
      • See Gal.2.9; Acts 15 ;( James and the other elders).
    • The contributions that were collected (See Acts 4.35) were probably given to the Jerusalem elders at this time.
    • Paul methodically recounted his adventures in the Gentile world.
    • “And they (thousands of Jewish Christians) are all zealous for the Law.”
    • We have heard that you “are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or to walk according to the customs.”
    • Rom.3.20; Gal.2.16; 3.11; 5.4;
    • Traditions are fine unless they contradict the truth (See Matt.15.9).
    • V.22: “What then is to be done?” They did not ask Paul what he thought.
    • The vow of the four men appears to be the Nazirite vow (Num.6.2-8; 18).
    • The Nazarite vow was one of separation and dedication. It could go for periods of 30 days or for a lifetime (Samuel and John the Baptist).
    • Purify himself (See Leviticus 15.1-30).
    • See Acts 15 re: James and the other elders and apostles decision re: the ordinance of the Law.
    • The challenge to “live at peace with all men” (Romans 12.18) without compromising the truth (Proverbs 23.23) is never easy. It was not easy in Jerusalem; it is not easy where you live either.
  • V.27-36: Paul Arrested
    • See Leviticus 15.1-30 for the ceremonial cleansing explanation
    • The Jews from Asia saw Paul in the temple, began to stir up the crowd
    • “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.”
      • Charges based on them having seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul.
    • At each entrance to the inner most part of the temple there was a sign that said, “No man of another nation is to enter within the fence and enclosure around the temple, and whoever is caught will have himself to blame for his death.”
      • Ephesians 2.14 says,: Christ made both groups, Jew and Gentile, into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.”
    • V.30: The city was provoked, they took hold Paul and dragged him out of the temple.
      • They would not hesitate to destroy and innocent man but did not want to defile a piece of property by shedding a man’s blood in the temple!
      • After AD 70 the temple was destroyed by the Romans and ceased to exist