IV. PAUL'S THIRD TOUR (concluded) (18:23-21:16)
M. Agabus Predicts the Imprisonment of Paul (vv. 10-14)
v.10 During the company's stay at Caesarea, a prophet named Agabus came down from Jerusalem. See Acts 11:28 for previous mention of Agabus.
v.11 Agabus bound himself with Paul's girdle as a sign of what would happen to Paul when he went to Jerusalem. These dramatics were not dissimilar to those of Jer. 27:1-11; 28:1-17.
v.12 Paul would not be prevented from going to Jerusalem. Here we see that Luke and the company as well as the brethren at Caesarea try to dissuade him.
v.13 Paul was grateful for the concern of the brethren but he was ready to be bound if need be, even to die if it came to that.
v.14 Since they could not dissuade Paul, the brethren were then re-signed to encourage Paul to do the Lord's will.
N. The Journey from Caesarea to Jerusalem (vv. 15,16)
v.15 Caesarea to Jerusalem- 64 miles. If Jerusalem was to the south how could they go "up?"
v.16 Some of the brethren from Caesarea decide to accompany Paul along with Mnason who has a place of lodging in Jerusalem. What does an "early disciple" mean?
PART FOUR- Paul's Five Year Imprisonment (21:17-28:31)
I. His Imprisonment in Jerusalem (21:17-23:30)
A. His reception by the Elders and their advice 21:17-26
v.17 We will see three sets of Christians mentioned in Jerusalem: 1) "the brethren" 2) "the elders" 3) "the multitude. Paul's reception was a friendly one.
v.18 Once again, this James is the Lord's brother.
v.19 At this meeting Paul gave a detailed report concerning his activities among the Gentiles, since Acts 15. The blessings do come from God but through the ministry of Paul.
v.20 The elders are happy about the progress of the church in the Gentile lands, but warn Paul that many Christians round about Jerusalem were still zealous for the law. Did the Jewish Christians have the right to retain their national customs? Could they impose them on the Gentiles?
v.21 Was this charge being made against Paul true or false? Explain what Paul had been teaching.
v.22 What can be done about Paul's presence in Jerusalem, his presence will surely become known to the Jewish brethren.
v.23 The elders suggest something Paul could do to show that he still held to the national customs. It seems that these four brethren were cleansing themselves from being in contact with a dead body during a vow. Num. 6:2-12
v.24 They suggest that Paul pay the expenses of these brethren. What is the purpose of all of this? How could Paul conscientiously participate in this purification? I Cor. 9:20-23.
v.25 This verse refers to the letter of Acts 15:28-29. The Gentile Christians were not to be put under the law.
v.26 Paul took care of the four men as the elders had suggested. (Refer again to Num. 6:2-12)
B. Paul is Assailed by the Mob and Arrested by the Chief Captain (vv. 27-36)
v.27 Notice where these Jews were from. Could these be some of the same ones who persecuted Paul at Ephesus? The people were stirred to the point of violence.
v.28 Charges made against Paul: 1) teaches against the Jews, 2)the law, 3) the temple, and 4) defiled the temple by bringing Greeks in. Are these charges true?
v.29 This last charge is patently false. They had seen Trophimus with Paul in the city, but not in the temple.
v.30 The mob grows larger as the entire city flocks together. Paul is removed from the temple so that he could not destroy it. The gatekeepers lock the gates to keep the impending riot out of the Jewish Court.
v.31 The intention of the mob was to beat Paul to death. The Roman army official was made aware of the confusion.
v.32 When the mob saw soldiers arriving on the scene, they quit beating Paul. "Ran down upon them" comes from the fact that the soldiers were garrisoned in the Tower of Antonia which was at the NW corner of the Temple courtyard.
v.33 The chief captain had Paul arrested and chained before he even preferred charges against him. The inquiries regarding his identity and his crime seems to be directed to the mob (see next verse).
v.34 Compare to the mob scene in Lu. 23:21. When nothing could be determined the chief captain had Paul taken into the Tower of Antonio.
v.35,36 Paul had to be carried by the soldiers to keep him out of the mobs hands. When the mob realized that they could do him no harm, they wanted him removed from their sight.