Acts 21
Dort1 From Miletus Paul travels forward towards Syria, and cometh to Tyre. 4 The Disciples there disswade him from his journey to Jerusalem, but in vain. 5 He goes forth to Ptolomais, and from thence to Cesarea, where he abideth some daies at the house of Philip the Evangelist whose four daughters prophecyed. 10 Agabus foretelleth hi hands at Jerusalem, wherefore the brethren intreat him even with tears to tarry from thence, 13 but understanding that he was ready even to dye for Christs sake, they submit o the will of God. 15 He cometh to Jerusalem he goeth unto James and relateth to him and the Elders, what God had done for him, 20 by whose counsel, he with four men who had a vow, goeth into the Temple to sanctifie himself, 27 where he is seen by certain Jews of Asia, who raise an uproar against him and seek to kill him, 31 but is by the Romane Governour taken from them, and brought into the Camp, 39 of whom he gets leave to speak unto the people.
1. And as it came to pass that we were parted, [Gr.drawn off, namely, as a Father from his children] and sayled away from them [see Acts 16:11.and 18. 12.] we ran forth right, and came unto Coos, [an Island in the Mediterranean Sea betwixt Crete and Caria, where the famous Physician Hippocrates and the Painter Apelles were born] and the next (day) to Rhodes, [a very famous Island with a City of the same name, over against Lycia, where that great Image stood, which was reckoned amongst the seven wonders of the world] and from thence to Patara. [a city on the firm Land of Lycia, lying by the Sea, and the chief City of Lycia.]
2. And having found a ship that sailed over [That is, that should sail over] to Phoenicia, [see of this land Acts 11:19.and 15. 3.] we went thereinto and sailed off.
3. And when we had gotten Cyprus in sight [Or had discovered] and left it on the left- (hand) we sayled towards Syria and arrived at Tyre, [the chief City of Phoenicia. See thereof Matthew 11:21.] for the Ship [that is, shipmen] was there, to unload her burden.
4. And having found the Disciples, [Some think that believers are here called Disciples, which were not yet in a setsed Church, and brethren, they that were in such a Church] we abode there seven daies: who said unto Paul through the Spirit, [that is, by a special revelation of the Holy Ghost] that he should not go up to Jerusalem. [that is, that great perils and afflictions should befall him at Jerusalem, wherefore out of love to him and of their own head they counselled him not to go up.]
5. Now when it came to pass that we had passed over these daies, [Namely, with waiting until another ship should again sail off] we went out, and travelled (forward) and they all conducted us with wives and children [a token of great love to their Teacher] forth out of the City: and kneeling down on the shore [see Acts 20.v.36. we prayed.
6. An when we had saluted one another, [That is, with mutual embracing, had taken leave and farewell one of another, Acts 20:1.] we went into the ship: but they returned (each) unto his own. [that is, unto his house, John 19:27.]
7. Now we having finished the voyage from Tyre, arrived at Ptolomais, [A City by the midland Sea, below Tyrus, heretofore called Acco, Judges 1:31. Plin. Lib. 5.cap. 19.so re-named from a King of Egypt] and having saluted the brethren, abode one day with them.
8. And the next (day) Paul and we that were with him [Gr.they that were about Paul, Acts 13:13.] went thence and came unto Cesarea, [namely, of Palestine, see Acts 10:1.] and being gone into the house of Philip the Evangelist [that is one of them who were sent forth here and there by the Apostle, to preach the Gospel, and to confirm the Churches, Ephes. 4. 11. 2. Tim. 4. 5. Otherwise they are called Evangelists in special, who wrote the four Gospels] (who was (one) of the seven) [namely, Deacons, Acts 6:5.] we abode with him. [that is, lodged.]
9. Now he had four daughters (yet) virgins, which prophecyed: [That is, had the gift to foretell things to come. For o interpret the Scripture openly before the Church is forbidden women, 1 Cor. 14. 34.and 1 Tim. 2. 12.except we would exempt this as an extraordinary example.
10. And when we had tarried (there) many daies, there came down a certain Prophet from Judea by name Agabus.
11. And he came unto us, and took Pauls girdle, and having bound his own hands and feet [So the Prophet used with outward signs, to set forth their predictions, that they might the better be imprinted in the hearts of men. See Isaiah 20:2. Jeremiah 13:1.and 27. 2. Ezekiel 12:5. Said, this saith the Holy Ghost, the man whose girdle this is, shall the Jews thus binde at Jerusalem, and deliver over into the hands of the Gentiles. [namely, first of the Romane Governour, and afterward of the cruel Emperour Nero.]
12. Now when we heard this, both we and they that of that place, besought that he would not go up to Jerusalem. [This they did as out of love to Paul, as v. 4.
13. But Paul answered, what do ye that ye weep, and make my heart eak? [Or break, and as it were stamp in pieces, Psalms 51:19.] For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to dye at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
14. And when he would not be disswaded, we held ourselves content [Or quiet, without intreating him any more] saying, the will of the Lord be done.
15. And after those daies we amde us ready, [Or we packed our things] and went yup to Jerusalem.
16. And with us went also (some) of the Disciples of Cesarea, bringing (with them) a certain (man called) Mnason of Cyprus, and old Disciple, with whom we should lodge.
17. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. [Or very willingly, kindly.]
18. And the following (day) Paul went in with us unto James: [Namely, the Apostle the son of Alpheus, Acts 15:13. Galatians 1:19.] and all the Elders [that is, the Governours of the Church] were come thither.
19. And when he had saluted them, he related from point to point, [Gr.according to every point] what God had done amongst the Heathen by his ministry.
20. And they having heard (that,) praised [Or glorified] the Lord: and asid unto him, thou seest brother how many thousand of Jews [Gr.ten thousands] there are which believe, and they are all zealots of the Law. [namely, thinking that the Ceremonial Law must yet be observed, and not understanding yet that the same is abolished by Christ.]
21. And they are Informed concerning thee [The Greek word properly signifies to be instructed with a lively voice, Luke 1:4.] that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to fall away [Gr.falling away. [This was a slander against Paul: for although he taught that the Ceremonies of the old Testament were fulfilled by Christ, and in that respect abolished; yet nevertheless he taught not that men should not reject the Law of Moses, nor that the weak Jews which did not yet understand this, should be compelled for that time to neglect the ceremonies, especially seeing he himself for the weak ones sake, had circumcised Timothy, Acts 16:3.] from Moses, [that is, from the Law set down by Moses] saying that they should not circumcise the children, nor walk after the manners (of the Law) [that is, to observe the ceremonies of the Law.]
22. What is (to be done) therefore? It is altogether needful that the multitude [Namely, of the Church from whom the Elders are distinguished] come together? [that is, be called together] for they will hear that thou art come.
23. Do therefore that which we say unto thee: we have [Otherwise, there are amongst us] four men which have made a vow [Gr.having a vow upon them, or over themselves, namely, of the Nazarites. See of them Num 6.and heretofore Acts 18:18.]
24. Take these unto thee, and sanctifie thy self with them [Or purifie, namely, accomplishing and laying aside the Nazariteship, by shearing thine head, and offering sacrifices, to shew that thou art no contemner of the Law. This counsel they give, in hope that Paul should thereby take away the ill reports scattered abroad concerning him that he was a contemner of the Law, and to prevent greater of unquiteness in the Church, and was not unlawful in it self, although the event shewed that it was not sufficient to quiet the Jews. But nevertheless Paul’s modestry is to be commended, that he carried such respect to the Eldership that he would not despise their counsel, but follow it for the sake of the weak. See 1 Cor. 9. 20.] and be at expenses with them, [namely, which were to be made for sacrifice and otherwise, which are described, Numbers 6:19. &c.] that they may shave their heads: and all may know that there is nothing in that whereof they are informed concerning thee, but that thou walkest (so) that thou thy self also observes [Gr.keepest, which Paul did for a while among the weak Jews, the better to win them] the Law. [namely, of ceremonies.]
25. But concerning the Gentiles which believed [That is, who embraced the Christian Religion] we have written, [Gr.sent, i.e. written and sent an Epistle. See Acts 15:20. &c.] and found good [Gr.judged] that they should observe no such thing, [namely, what concerns the ceremonial Law] save that they keep themselves from that which is offered to Idols, and from blood, and from that which is strangled, and from fornication.
26. Then Paul took the men with him, and the next day being sanctified with them, he went into the Temple, and declared [namely, to the Priests] that the days of sanctification were fulfilled, [Gr.the fulfilling the daies of purification, i.e. that the time of their vow was expired, and that they would lay aside the same according to the Law, Num. 6.v. 13. Acts 24:18,] (remaining there) until the offering [namely, which is described, Num. 6.v. 13. 14.&c.] was offered up for every one of them.
27. Now when [Or as] the seven daies [namely, from the feast of Pentecost. See Acts 20:16.] were ready to be finished, the Jews of Asia [that is, who dwelling in Asia, and as it seems at Ephesus, were come up to Jerusalem to the feast: who also oftentimes in Asia contrived much evil against Paul, Acts ch. 14. 17, 18.persons very rebellious and envious against Paul, Acts 17:5.] saw him in the Temple and disturbed [Gr. Mingled] all the people [or all the multitude, namely, which was there present] and laid hands on him.
28. Crying, ye men of Israel, come to help, this is the man that teacheth every (man) every where, against the people and the Law [Those accusations were also laid to the charge of Christ and Stephen, Matthew 26:61. Acts 6:13.] and this place, [namely, the Temple or else the City] and besides this he hath also brought Greeks [that is, uncircumcised (persons)] into the Temple [namely, further in, then it was lawfull for the unholy to come, Luke 18:13.] and hath profaned [Gr.made common, i.e. unclean. See Acts 10, 14, 15.] this holy place.
29. For they had before seen Trophimus the Ephesian [This man though he had embraced the Christian Religion, was nevertheless uncircumcised and no Proselyte] with him in the City, whom they thought that Paul had brought into the Temple. [which notwithstanding was not so: but they thought so, because he followed Paul every where.]
30. And the whole City [That is, all the inhabitants of the City] was moved, and the people ran together: [Gr.and there came a concourse of the people] and they caught Paul, and drew him out of the Temple, [namely, because the same (as they thought) should no more be profaned by him: or that the Temple might not be defiled with his blood, seeing they had purposed to make him away, v. 31.] and immediately the doors were shut.
31. And as they sought to kill him, the report [Gr.the saying, the tidings] came to the Commander of the band, [Gr. Commander over a thousand, Colonel, who had command over the Garrison, as also hereafter in the following chapters] that all Jerusalem was in a hurly burly. [Gr.was mingled together, was in confusion.]
32. Who immediately took him Souldiers and Centurions, and ran down unto them; [Or towards them] now they seeing the commander and the souldiers, ceased from heating of Paul.
33. Then the Commander drew neer and took him, and commanded that (he) should be bound with two chains, [Namely, one on the hands and one on the feet, as Agabus had foretold v.11.] and asked who he was, and what he had done.
34. And among the multitude (the one) cryed (this) the other somewhat else: But when he could not know the certainty, [Namely, what the matter was, Acts 22:30.] by reason of the tumult, he commanded that he should be brought into the Camp. [Gr. Parembole, which was a place within Jerusalem, on the North of the Temple, compassed about with walls, and fortified as a Fort or Castle, where the Romane Garrison had their Leaguer: and was called after the Romane General, Antonia. Josephus de bello Jud.lib.6.cap.6.]
35. And when he was come on the stairs, [Namely over which men went up to the Fort, which lay on a hill] it happened that he was born of the Souldiers, by reason of the violence of the multitude.
36. For the multitude of the people followed crying out, away with him. [That is, kill him.]
37. And as Paul was (now) to be brought into the Camp, he said unto the Commander, is it lawfull for me to speak something unto thee? [Or if it be lawfull for me, namely, to speak, then I will speak somewhat] and he said, knowest thou Greek? [although Paul were a Jew or Hebrew, yet he spake to the Commander in Greek, which language was very common, and learned by many Romanes.]
38. Art not thou the Egyptian, [Namely, which about three years before, under the Governour Felix, had brought the people into an uproar, and was sted himself. See of him Joseph. Antiq.lib. 20.cap. 6.7.and de bello Jud.lib.2.cap.12.] which before these daies raised an uproar, and led forth into the wilderness the four thousand [who afterwards increased unto thirty thousand, as Josephus writes] murderers. [Gr.men-murderers. Or of them that carried short weapons or murdering instruments, of whom Josephus relates strange things.]
39. But Paul said, I am a Jewish man [Gr.humane person (homo)] of Tarsus, a Citizen of no ignoble City in Cilicia, [that is, added for distinction from another Tarsus in Bithynia] and I bessech thee permit me to speak unto the people.
40. And when he had permitted it, Paul standing on the stairs, beckned with the hand unto the people. [See Acts 12:17.and 13. 16.and 19. 33.] and when there was great quietness, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue saying,