ACT 21

Paul Arrives in Jerusalem

1 After we had parted from them, we put out to sea and sailed on a direct course to Cos, then the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.

2 Finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we boarded it and set sail.

3 When Cyprus came into view, we passed it on the left, sailed on to Syria, and landed at Tyre, where the ship was to unload its cargo.

4 We located the disciples and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit, they repeatedly urged Paul not to proceed to Jerusalem.

5 When our time there was finished, we departed and continued our journey. All of them, with their wives and children, accompanied us outside the city. We knelt down on the beach, prayed,

6 and said goodbye to one another. Then we boarded the ship, and they returned to their homes.

7 When we completed the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, where we greeted the believers and stayed with them one day.

8 The next day we departed and came to Caesarea. We entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven, and stayed with him.

9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

10 After we had been there several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.

11 He came to us, took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet with it, and said, "The Holy Spirit declares: 'In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'"

12 When we heard this, both we and the local residents pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.

13 Then Paul responded, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? I am prepared not only to be bound but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

14 Since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent and said, "The Lord's will be done."

15 After these days, we made preparations and went up to Jerusalem.

16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to stay.

Paul Visits James

17 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the believers welcomed us warmly.

18 The following day, Paul went with us to visit James, and all the elders were present.

19 After greeting them, Paul gave a detailed account of everything God had accomplished among the Gentiles through his ministry.

20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law.

21 They have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews living among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or follow our customs.

22 What then should be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.

23 Therefore do what we tell you. We have four men who have taken a vow.

24 Take these men, participate in their purification ceremony, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth to these reports about you, but that you yourself continue to observe the Law.

25 Regarding the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality."

26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he entered the temple to give notice of the date when the purification period would be completed and the offering would be made for each of them.

The Arrest of Paul in the Temple

27 When the seven days were almost completed, some Jews from Asia saw Paul in the temple. They stirred up the entire crowd and seized him,

28 shouting, "Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people, against the Law, and against this place. Furthermore, he has even brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place."

29 (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed Paul had brought him into the temple.)

30 The entire city was aroused, and people came running from all directions. They grabbed Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the gates were shut.

31 While they were trying to kill him, word reached the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in turmoil.

32 He immediately took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. When the crowd saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

33 The commander came up, arrested him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he inquired who he was and what he had done.

34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, others something else. Since he could not determine the facts because of the uproar, he ordered Paul to be brought into the barracks.

35 When Paul reached the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.

36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, "Away with him!"

Paul's Apologia Before the Crowd

37 As they were about to bring Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, "May I say something to you?" The commander replied, "Do you know Greek?

38 Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness?"

39 Paul answered, "I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. Please permit me to speak to the people."

40 When the commander gave permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hand to the people. When there was complete silence, he addressed them in Aramaic:

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ACT 21: AFINT

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