Acts 21
21
Paul Arrives in Jerusalem
1 And it occurred that, when we parted from them, we sailed away; and running a straight course, we came to Cos and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went on board and sailed away. 3 And when we sighted Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to offload its freight. 4 And we remained there seven days after we found out the disciples, who repeatedly told Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. 5 And it occurred that, when our days were ended, we departed and went on our way, and they all, together with wives and children, accompanied us as far as outside the city. And bowing our knees on the beach and praying, 6 we said farewell to one another and went on board the ship, and they returned to their own homes.
7 And when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. And after greeting the brothers, we stayed one day with them. 8 And on the following day, we departed and came to Caesarea. And when we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters, who prophesied. 10 And while we were staying for many days, a certain prophet, Agabus by name, came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘In this manner, the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man to whom this belt belongs, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” 12 And when we heard these things, both we and the local residents urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul responded, “What are you doing, weeping and crushing my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die in Jerusalem for the sake of the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we refrained from speaking further, saying, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
15 So after these days, we were duly prepared and started on our way up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea also went together with us, bringing us to a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge as guests.
Paul Visits James
17 And when we came to Jerusalem, the brothers gladly received us. 18 And on the subsequent day, Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 And having greeted them, he started to relate one after the other the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they started to glorify God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews who have believed, and they are all zealous upholders of the Law. 21 And they have been informed about you that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to abandon Moses,* telling them not to circumcise their children or to walk according to our customs. 22 What then is to be done?* Surely they will hear that you have come. 23 Therefore, do this that we say to you: We have four men who are under a vow.* 24 Take these men and purify yourself together with them, and pay their expenses in order that they may shave their heads. By this act,* all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been informed about you, but you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law. 25 But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter, having decided they should avoid what has been sacrificed to idols, and blood, and what has been strangled, and sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul took the men on the following day, and after he had purified himself with them, went into the temple,* giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered on behalf of each of them.
The Arrest of Paul in the Temple
27 Now when the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia who had seen him in the temple started to throw all the crowd into disorder, and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the Law and this place. And moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has profaned this holy place.” 29 (For they had previously noticed Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they assumed that Paul had brought into the temple.) 30 And the entire city was stirred up, and there was a convergence of the people. And they seized Paul and dragged him outside of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. 31 And while they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the military tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in a state of disorder. 32 He immediately took with him soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And having seen the military tribune and the soldiers, they discontinued beating Paul. 33 Then the military tribune approached, and seized him and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he started to inquire who he was and what it was that he had done. 34 But some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And since he was not able to ascertain the fact because of the uproar, he ordered to bring him into the barracks. 35 And when he came to the steps, it happened that he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the crowd of the people was following them, crying out, “Away with him!”
Paul's Apologia Before the Crowd
37 And as he was about to be led into the barracks, Paul said to the military tribune, “Is it permitted for me to say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38 Then you are not the Egyptian, who before these days, instigated a rebellion and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?” 39 But Paul said, “I am a Jewish man,* from Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. Now I ask you, permit me to speak to the people.” 40 So when he permitted him, Paul, having stood on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying,
Notes
21 Greek apostasy/abandonment of Moses
22 Greek What then is it?
23 Greek who have a vow upon themselves
24 The phrase By this act is not found in the Greek text, but is added here based on context for the purpose of clarification
26 Or outer courts of the temple. So also vv. 27,30
39 Greek Jewish
Currently Selected:
Acts 21: AFINTLIT
Highlight
Copy
Compare
Share
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Copyright © 2026 Michael Adeyemi Adegbola. This Scripture text is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0).
