Acts 21:1-40

Explore the Bible
Professor of Religion, University of Mobile

Staying the Course
Acts 21:1–40

Signs of Trouble in Jerusalem (1­–16)
Paul continued to wind his way to Palestine. In chapter 20 Luke recounted Paul’s last farewell to the Ephesians. In his words to the Ephesians, Paul expressed eagerness to arrive in Jerusalem before the day of Pentecost (20:16). After sailing from Patara, the last stop in Asia Minor, Paul spent seven days in Tyre. Tyre lay within 150 miles of Jerusalem.

Beginning here, Paul received two ominous warnings of the danger that awaited in Jerusalem. Christians in Tyre instructed Paul to avoid Jerusalem (4). Paul received further warning from Agabus. Agabus communicated his message through prophetic enactment. Such dramatic messages remind the reader of the prophetic actions of Jeremiah and other biblical prophets.

Agabus took Paul’s own belt and used it to act out Paul’s future binding. Again, Paul was urged not to go to Jerusalem. Paul responded, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart?” He never entertained thoughts of canceling the trip, even though he understood it could cost him his life.

Hostile Reactions and Concessions (17–26)
The report of the gospel’s success among the gentiles brought a favorable response from the believers in Jerusalem. In spite of their praise to God, they were also concerned about the fevered pitch of Jewish nationalism in the city. Paul’s instructions to gentile converts had included minimal attention to ritual law, as recorded in Acts 15:19-20 and repeated in this chapter (verse 25). His opponents exaggerated the teaching by spreading word that Paul taught all Jews living among gentiles to forsake Moses (that is, the commandments and precepts included in the first five books of the Bible), to forego circumcision and to disregard customary Jewish practices (sometimes known as the “oral law”). This made it seem as though Paul himself had ceased practicing Judaism.

Nothing could have been further from the truth, yet Paul agreed to assume the obligations of the Nazarite vow with four other Jewish men. This concession would show Paul’s full confidence in Jewish life and practice.

The Confrontation in the Temple (26–36)
Jews visiting Jerusalem from Asia Minor identified Paul in the temple. In this case the accusations assumed their most extreme form. According to their accusations, Paul taught “everyone everywhere” to oppose the Jews, the Torah and the temple.

The accusers claimed that Paul had previously brought a gentile acquaintance with him into the restricted area of the temple. They dragged Paul from the temple. The violence was so great, the doors between the temple proper and the court of the gentiles were closed to shut it out. The mob would have beaten Paul to death if the Roman tribune had not intervened. Paul was arrested and bound (in accord with Agabus’ prediction). The soldiers protected Paul from further violence only with great difficulty.

Paul Prepares to Make His Defense (37–40)
When Paul asked permission to speak to the tribune, the tribune became aware of his misidentification of Paul (37). Perhaps this confusion had saved Paul’s life. The tribune (named Claudius Lysias in Acts 23:26) presumed he was arresting an Egyptian revolutionary. Paul identified himself both as a Jew and as a Roman citizen. At this point Claudius Lysias allowed Paul to defend himself. To his Jewish persecutors Paul would speak not in Greek or Aramaic, but in Hebrew. Paul’s words, recorded in the following chapter, will both further the understanding of the gospel and add to his incrimination. In keeping with Jesus’ sacrifice before him, Paul gave up his freedom in order to advance the cause of the gospel. Luke was certainly aware that this account of Paul’s experience echoed the account of Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem which was recorded in the Gospel of Luke. Both Jesus and Paul were compelled to go to the town, to endure the actions of violent enemies, and to face death on behalf of the message. Paul, like other apostles, remained faithful in spite of the personal cost and won the honor accorded to him in this comparison of his suffering to the suffering of Jesus.