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Paul Travels By Ship To Tyre, Where He Is Again Warned Not To Go To Jerusalem

21 And when it came about that having withdrawn[a] from them we put-to-sea, having run-a-straight-course we came to Cos, and on the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. And having found a ship crossing-over to Phoenicia, having boarded, we put-to-sea. And having sighted Cyprus, and having left it behind on the left, we were sailing to Syria. And we came down to Tyre, for there the ship was unloading its cargo. And having found the disciples, we stayed there seven days— who were telling Paul through the Spirit not to be setting-foot in Jerusalem. But when it came about that we finished the days, having gone out, we were proceeding—everyone accompanying us, with wives and children, as far as outside the city. And having put down our knees on the beach, having prayed, we said-farewell to one another. And we went-up into the ship, and those ones returned to their own things.

When Paul Arrives In Caesarea, Agabas The Prophet Foretells Imprisonment

And we, having completed[b] the voyage from Tyre, arrived in Ptolemais. And having greeted the brothers, we stayed with them one day. And having gone-out on the next day, we came to Caesarea. And having entered into the house of Philip the evangelist (being one of the seven[c]), we stayed with him (and this one had four virgin daughters prophesying!). 10 And while we were staying-on for more days, a certain prophet from Judea, Agabus by name, came down. 11 And having come to us, and having taken Paul’s belt, having bound his own feet and hands, he said, “These things says the Holy Spirit: ‘In this manner the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man whose belt this is, and hand him over into the hands of the Gentiles’”. 12 And when we heard these things, both we and the local-residents were begging that he not be going up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul responded, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus”. 14 And he not being persuaded, we were quiet, having said, “Let the Lord’s will be done”.

Paul Arrives In Jerusalem

15 And after these days, having made-preparations, we were going up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, bringing[d] us to Mnason— a certain Cyprian, an old disciple, with whom we might lodge. 17 And we having come-to-be in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly.

Paul Meets James. They Formulate a Plan For His Acceptance Among The Jews

18 And on the following day Paul was going in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 And having greeted them, he was describing individually each of the things which God did among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And the ones, having heard it, were glorifying God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of the ones having believed there are among the Jews! And they are all zealots[e] for the Law. 21 And they were informed about you— that you are teaching all the Jews[f] throughout the nations apostasy from Moses, saying that they should not be circumcising their children, nor walking in their customs. 22 What, then, is to be done? They will surely hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do this which we tell you: There are four men with us having a vow upon themselves. 24 Having taken along these men, be purified together-with them. And spend[g] money for them, so that they will shave[h] the head. And everyone will know that there is nothing true of the things which they have been informed about you, but even you yourself are walking-in-line[i], keeping the Law. 25 But concerning the Gentiles having believed— we wrote-to them, having determined that they should guard-themselves as to food-sacrificed-to-an-idol and blood and the strangled thing and sexual immorality”.

While Executing The Plan, Paul Is Recognized By Ephesian Jews And Attacked

26 Then Paul— having taken along the men on the next day, having been purified together-with them— was going into the temple, giving-notice as to the completion of the days of purification, until which time the offering was offered for each one of them. 27 But as the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia[j], having seen him in the temple, were stirring-up the whole crowd. And they put their hands on him, 28 crying-out, “Men, Israelites, help! This is the man teaching everyone everywhere against our people and the Law and this place. And furthermore, he also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled this holy place”. 29 For they had previously-seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they were supposing that Paul brought into the temple. 30 And the whole city was set-in-motion, and a running-together of the people took place. And having taken-hold-of Paul, they were dragging him outside of the temple. And immediately the doors were shut.

The Romans Swoop Down And Take Paul Into Custody

31 And while they were seeking to kill him, a report went up to the commander[k] of the [Roman] cohort[l] that all Jerusalem was stirred-up— 32 who at-once, having taken along soldiers and centurions[m], ran down upon them. And the ones, having seen the commander and the soldiers, ceased striking Paul. 33 Then having drawn-near, the commander took-hold-of him. And he ordered that he be bound with two chains. And he was inquiring as to who he might be and what he has done. 34 But other[n] ones in the crowd were calling-out another thing. And he not being able to know the certainty of it because of the uproar— he ordered that he be brought into the barracks. 35 But when he[o] came-to-be on the stairs, it happened that he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd— 36 for the multitude of the people were following, crying-out, “Take him away”.

Paul Asks To Speak To The Mob

37 And being about to be brought into the barracks, Paul says to the commander, “Is it permissible for me to say something to you?” And the one said, “You know Greek? 38 Then are you not the Egyptian— the one before these days having caused-an-upset[p] and led out into the wilderness the four-thousand men of the Assassins[q]?” 39 And Paul said, “I am a Jewish man from-Tarsus[r] of Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city— and I beg you, permit me to speak to the people”. 40 And he having permitted it, Paul, standing on the stairs, motioned with his hand to the people. And a great silence having come about, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:

Footnotes

  1. Acts 21:1 Or, been parted.
  2. Acts 21:7 Or, continued.
  3. Acts 21:8 That is, the seven chosen in 6:5.
  4. Acts 21:16 Or, bringing Mnason with them.
  5. Acts 21:20 That is, these Jewish believers are zealously holding on to their Jewish way of life derived from the Law.
  6. Acts 21:21 That is, the Jewish believers to whom Paul had ministered. These in Jerusalem did not object to Paul teaching the Gentile believers in the manner described next, but to his teaching the Jewish believers to abandon their Jewish customs.
  7. Acts 21:24 That is, pay their expenses. This was perceived as a good deed for a Jew.
  8. Acts 21:24 These four would cut off their hair upon completion of their vow, as Paul did in 18:18.
  9. Acts 21:24 That is, with his Jewish heritage.
  10. Acts 21:27 The plan may have worked with the local Jewish Christians, but when these Jews from Asia (Ephesus) aroused the Jews against Paul, the believers could do nothing.
  11. Acts 21:31 Or, tribune, a commander of 600-1000 men, to whom centurions reported. He reported to the procurator, who for this man was Felix (23:24).
  12. Acts 21:31 See Mt 27:27.
  13. Acts 21:32 That is, commanders of 100 men.
  14. Acts 21:34 The one with whom the commander was inquiring was saying one thing, but others in the crowd were shouting different things.
  15. Acts 21:35 That is, Paul.
  16. Acts 21:38 Or, caused-a-revolt.
  17. Acts 21:38 Or, the Sicarii. This was a Jewish nationalist group that used assassination against their political opponents.
  18. Acts 21:39 Tarsus was the capital city of the province of Cilicia.

On to Jerusalem

21 After we(A) had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia,(B) went on board and set sail. After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria.(C) We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. We sought out the disciples(D) there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit(E) they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray.(F) After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

We continued our voyage from Tyre(G) and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters(H) and stayed with them for a day. Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea(I) and stayed at the house of Philip(J) the evangelist,(K) one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.(L)

10 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus(M) came down from Judea. 11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says,(N) ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind(O) the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”(P)

12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die(Q) in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”(R) 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up(S) and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”(T)

15 After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem.(U) 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea(V) accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus(W) and one of the early disciples.

Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem

17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters(X) received us warmly.(Y) 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James,(Z) and all the elders(AA) were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles(AB) through his ministry.(AC)

20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous(AD) for the law.(AE) 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses,(AF) telling them not to circumcise their children(AG) or live according to our customs.(AH) 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow.(AI) 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites(AJ) and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved.(AK) Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”(AL)

26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.(AM)

Paul Arrested

27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him,(AN) 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”(AO) 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus(AP) the Ephesian(AQ) in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)

30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul,(AR) they dragged him(AS) from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31 While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.(AT)

33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound(AU) with two(AV) chains.(AW) Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another,(AX) and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.(AY) 35 When Paul reached the steps,(AZ) the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”(BA)

Paul Speaks to the Crowd(BB)

37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks,(BC) he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?”

“Do you speak Greek?” he replied. 38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness(BD) some time ago?”(BE)

39 Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus(BF) in Cilicia,(BG) a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.”

40 After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned(BH) to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic[a]:(BI)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 21:40 Or possibly Hebrew; also in 22:2

21 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:

And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.

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.

And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.

And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.

And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus 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.

12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for 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, The will of the Lord be done.

15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.

16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

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.

20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

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.

22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;

24 Them take, and purify 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.

25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we 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.

26 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.

27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

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.

29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

30 And 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.

31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

32 Who 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.

33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

34 And 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 castle.

35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

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 thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,