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Home , Acts 28, Agabus, Mnason

Acts Lesson 28 ➣ Paul Arrested at , 57AD ➣ :1–22:1 Paul approaches Jerusalem ▼The course to Jerusalem Acts 21:1 After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Cos. The next day we went to and from there to . 2 We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. 3 After sighting and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to . We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. ▼The cautions from Christian comrades about Jerusalem The disciples at Tyre and Ptolemais Acts 21:4 Finding the disciples there, we stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. 6 After saying good-by to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home. 7 We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day. Philip and at Caesarea Acts 21:8 Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of , one of the Seven. 9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. 10 After we had been there a number of days, a named Agabus 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 says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Philip the deacon-evangelist

► We last saw Philip in , ministering to the in 33AD. Here we see Philip in 57AD, 24 years later, living in Caesarea.

► Prophetesses in Scripture: Miriam (Exodus 15:20); Deborah (Judges 4:4); Huldah (2 Chronicles 34:22), Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14), ’s wife (Isaiah 8:3), and Anna (Luke 2:36).

► In :17, Peter quotes from 2:28: “In the last days, says, God, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy…”

► Paul writes about prophesying women in 1 Corinthians 11:5: “Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head…” Agabus the prophet

► This same Agabus from Jerusalem had prophesied 11 years earlier at that a “severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world” (:28).

► Both of Agabus’ prophesies came to pass in the pages of the Book of Acts. ▼The commitment to continue to Jerusalem Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord .” 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” Paul’s determination to reach Jerusalem

► He was bringing a love offering from the Gentiles for the poor Jews, a ministry dear to his heart (:17; :25-32; 2 Corinthians 8-9).

► He asked the Romans to pray that he would be delivered from the Jews at Jerusalem (Romans 15:31).

► The Holy Spirit was compelling him to go to Jerusalem, while at the same time warning him that prison and hardships were waiting there (:22-23).

► Believers along the way were warning him about trouble at Jerusalem and urging him “through the Spirit” not to go; even Luke pleaded with Paul not to go.

► Agabus’ prophecy was specific: (1) Paul would be arrested by the Jews at Jerusalem; and (2) Paul would be handed over to the Gentiles.

► Paul knew (1) that God had a plan; (2) that God’s plan often involves difficulty; (3) that God would be faithful to him; (4) that in God’s will was the best place to be. Paul arrives at Jerusalem ▼The reception at Jerusalem Acts 21:15 After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of , where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples. 17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers received us warmly.

► Paul’s arrival was probably shortly before in 57AD–– Paul was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost (Acts 20:16). ▼The report to James Acts 21:18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 When they heard this, they praised God. ▼The rumor among the Jews Acts 21:20 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 for the law. 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from , telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. 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. 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everybody 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.” 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.

► The Jerusalem church grew from 3000 (Acts 2:41) – to 5000 (:4) – to “increased rapidly, and a large number of priests” (:7) – to “many thousands” (Acts 21:20).

► Paul had taken a similar vow in /Cenchrea in :18. ▼The riot at Jerusalem Acts 21:27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, 28 shouting, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple area and defiled this holy place.” 29 (They had previously seen the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple area.) 30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. Paul is arrested at Jerusalem ▼The Roman army’s presence Acts 21:31 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. ▼The rescue and arrest of Paul Acts 21:33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. ▼The rage and anger at Paul Acts 21:35 When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Away with him!” ▼The request for an audience with the people Acts 21:37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied. 38 “Aren’t you the who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the desert some time ago?” 39 Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in , a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.” 40 Having received the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic: 22:1 “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.”

Acts 21:1–22:1 Paul Arrested at Jerusalem 21:1 After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Cos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. 2 We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. 3 After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. 4 Finding the disciples there, we stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. 6 After saying good-by to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

7 We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day. 8 Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. 9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

10 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus 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, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

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 in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

15 After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples.

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

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 for the law. 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. 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. 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everybody 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.”

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.

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, 28 shouting, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple area and defiled this holy place.” 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple area.)

30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him 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.

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

37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, 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 desert some time ago?”

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

40 Having received the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic:

22:1 “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.”

Paul’s Partners in Acts 21 Paul returns to Jerusalem with the following partners: DEFINITELY 1) Luke (Luke refers to himself with first-person plural pronouns 28 times in Acts 21) DEFINITELY 2) Trophimus the Ephesian (Acts 20:4 and Acts 21:29) PROBABLY 3) Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica (Acts 20:4 and :2) MAYBE 4) son of Pyrrhus from Berea (Acts 20:4) MAYBE 5) Secundus from Thessalonica (Acts 20:4) MAYBE 6) from (Acts 20:4) MAYBE 7) from the province of Asia (Acts 20:4) MAYBE 8) Timothy (Acts 20:4) ● Timothy was with Paul at Corinth when Paul wrote Romans (:21). ● Timothy was with Paul at while Paul was under house arrest (Philippians 1:1; 2:19-22; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1:1). ● At some point, Paul left Timothy at when Paul himself was headed into Macedonia (1 Timothy 1:3). Was this in Acts 20:1? – Probably not, because Timothy was in Corinth in Acts 20:3-4, according to Romans 16:21. Was this sometime after Paul’s two-year house arrest in Rome from 60AD-62AD (if Paul was released rather than executed)? This second option helps give rise to the belief in a second Roman imprisonment for Paul which ends with his execution in 65AD. ● CONCLUSION: Timothy’s whereabouts when Paul was arrested at Rome are unknowable. MAYBE 9) Titus was with Paul on Paul’s third missionary journey (2 Corinthians 7:6; 7:13-14; 8:6-23; 12:18). Paul's Haircut at Cenchrea ● Paul's haircut at Cenchrea was part of a vow he had taken, a Jewish custom of vowing an act of thanksgiving to the Lord. ● The details here point to a temporary Nazirite vow, which would have involved three ingredients in Paul's day: 1) the person who vowed would abstain completely from the drinking of alcohol during the period of the vow; 2) he would shave his head completely as a sign to all who saw him (particularly Jews) that he was under a vow to God; 3) he would conclude the vow by visiting the Temple at Jerusalem to present a sacrifice or an offering to the Lord. ● The third regular ingredient to this kind of vow adds to the belief that Paul did indeed make a visit to Jerusalem before returning to Antioch. ● The taking and fulfilling of this vow demonstrates Paul's love of his Jewish heritage, even though he committed his life to reaching Gentiles. ● Paul would participate in a similar vow when pressed by James and the Elders at Jerusalem about 5 years later in 57AD.

A note on Acts 21:38 from the Jewish historian Josephus In Acts 21:38, The Roman commander asked Paul, “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the desert some time ago?” ● Three years earlier, an Egyptian appeared in Jerusalem, claiming to be a prophet, and led a large band of Jews out to the Mount of Olives. ● He instructed the group to wait there at the Mount of Olives until he gave the command. ● At his word, he stated, the walls of Jerusalem would fall down flat. ● When the walls fell, they were to march in, overthrow the Roman garrison, and take possession of the city of Jerusalem. ● The Roman governor Felix sent troops against them, killing several and taking others prisoner. ● The Egyptian self-proclaimed prophet disappeared, leaving his followers feeling duped and very angry. ● Now, the Roman commander assumed Paul might have been that Egyptian who had appeared again.