In Acts 21 today Paul finds his way back to Jerusalem. Stopping at the homes of his fellow servants of God for one last visit with each. Acts 21 and verse 1 reads.
Acts 21:1] 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:
[2] And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.
Hard to travel back then, aboard grain ships or other ships of commerce was about the only way to fairy back then.
Acts.21:3] 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.
[4] And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
Loving Paul, they knew that by the Holy Spirit that he would be in danger, not knowing that the Holy Spirit was the one sending him.
Acts 21:5] 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.
[6] And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.
Those that they stayed with while they were there, returned to their homes.
Acts 21:7] And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
Again, Luke is including himself with Paul when he says “We”.
Acts 21:8] 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.
[9] And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
This man Phillip was one of the 7 that included Steven, Acts 7. All seven received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 21:10] 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.
Agabus was indeed a prophet, this would come to pass, but they had no idea that it was the Holy Spirit that was sending Paul to Jerusalem. I will also remind you here that Paul had made a vow of a Nazarite to go to Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost Day.
Acts 21:13] 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.
Notice the “We” again, Luke also tried to persuade him not to go.
Acts 21:15] 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.
This would be the Apostles as well as many of the disciples in Jerusalem.
Acts 21:18] And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
This James would be the half brother of Jesus. Harod killed the Apostle James in Acts 12.
Acts 21:19] And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
The good news of the gentiles receiving the Lord as well.
Acts 21:20] 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:
Paul was zealous also before the Lord struck him down on his way to Damascus.
Acts 21:21] 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.
I have a problem with this, it was Peter who should have corrected these Jews in Jerusalem. Paul was sent to the gentiles with the impression that circumcision was now of the heart. But we must remember many Kenites are among them. And Kenites will always stir up trouble.
Acts 21:22] 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.
Paul of course was circumcised, but that he walked among the gentiles might have been what he was talking about here. Again, Peter should have corrected this also.
Acts 21:25] 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.
Obey the food laws and keep from sacrificing animals, from idols and lewdness.
Acts 21:26] 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 purifcation, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
Pay attention this is important. Paul has now entered into the temple, and will be in the temple for 7 days. What they will accuse him of is a lie. This man has been under a vow of a Nazarite for some time now, and was completing his vow at this time. In other words, you can’t get any cleaner than what Paul is at this moment.
Acts 21:27] 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,
They laid hands on a man of God in God’s temple. How stupid can you get. Only a Kenite can be this stupid.
Acts 21:28] 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.
What? Who did he bring into the temple that was not a Hebrew? They are lying again.
[29] (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
Supposed, but didn’t verify? No, they are lying.
Acts 21:30] 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.
So religious they wanted to kill him, these were not Jews but Kenites.
Acts 21:32] 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.
The Jews are not in charge of Jerusalem, the Romans are. Romans are gentiles, and so are most in Jerusalem at this time. So how is it that they thought they could beat and kill a man, especially Paul, who was a Roman citizen. They are gnashing their teeth at God’s children, these without a doubt are Kenites. These are of that wicked one.
Acts 21:33] 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.
Fulfilling prophesy by Agabus.
Acts 21:34] 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.
When their lies wouldn’t agree with one another, the chief captain brought Paul into the safety of his castle.
Acts 21:35] And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.
Held by the soldiers because he had been beaten and could hardly walk on his own accord.
Acts 21:36] 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?
Paul could speak more languages than most.
Acts 21:38] Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?
No, Paul was not that man.
Acts 21:39] 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.
Needed permission to speak, how then could all the people resist.
Acts 21:40] 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,
Funny the chapter would end here, so will I. We will finish this tomorrow, let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible