And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. This verse when context and understanding is applied does not support the notion that anyone must follow the law of Moses and it certainly doesnt teach that Gentile believers today must conform to the law of Moses in any way. 23 And this I do for the gospels sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. New English Translation (NET). It must also be noted that Paul did NOT actually complete the ritual anyway. the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. 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 thingsoffered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. Paul may have thought that Judaizers in the church would now claim that he and James had gone back on their agreement. Acts 21:27-29 MSG When the seven days of their purification were nearly up, some Jews from around Ephesus spotted him in the Temple. All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED. "and she shall remain in the blood of her purification for sixty-six days.". In order to put this matter into proper focus, some background relative to the passage needs to be considered. Francis D. Nichol, Ed., The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Washington, DC: Review & Herald, 1957, p. 405). The commander tried to ascertain what Paul had done to cause such a riot. We should note that Agabus prophecy contained no command that Paul should break off his journey and not go to Jerusalem. The Voice Update. "THE BOOK OF ACTS" Paul's Perplexing Purification (21:17-26) . undergo an eight day purification - Num 6:9-12 3. 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, s entered the temple t to announce the 7 expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them. Paul responded by saying to the commander, I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city (21:39). Join us in the auditorium for a time of praise and singing and the study of Gods Word. Seclusion for 66 Days. This probably meant that Paul was handcuffed to a soldier on either side of him, much in the manner of Peter (12:6). NKJV - Skin parameters were measured before and 30 days after the series of treatment. This decision on the part of the elders in Jerusalem was accepted by the apostle Paul. From hagnos; to make clean, i.e. Agabus now took Pauls belt and tied his own hands and feet with it. Luke again demonstrated his accuracy in details. Uncleanness from touching a dead body ( Numbers 19:11 ; Hosea 9:4 ; Haggai 2:13 ; Matthew 23:27 ; Luke 11:44 ). This was the fifth (and final) time Paul had visited the city since he left on his journey of persecution for Damascus (9:1ff). Ezekiel built a model to portray the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (4:1-3). Gal. Verse Acts 21:26. Acts 21 is the twenty-first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The apostle had written clearly on the matter of the laws abrogation in other letters that were composed before this incident. Almost certainly, Paul and the delegates presented the collection for the poor saints when they reported the progress of the Gentile mission. . The us referred to Luke and the delegates from the Gentile churches who had brought the relief fund to the mother church. So it was a well known fact that Paul was teaching against following the customs of the law. Paul then met with James and the elders and told them of his ministry to the gentiles. The ship continued south, and the next day Pauls party reached Caesarea, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) south of Ptolemais. Most likely the church would have liked to help Paul, but it was powerless to intervene. James was the leader and spokesperson of the Jerusalem church, just as he was during the landmark conference of A.D. 49 (15:13). A completion, fulfillment, accomplishment. , yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. They said: Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. It was also the Roman provincial capital of Judea. Luke reminded us he was traveling with Paul by inserting another we into the narration. Pauls decision was apparently in his own hands. "Entry for 'PURIFICATION'". 4All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk. The case of the high priest and of the Nazarite ( Leviticus 21:1-4 Leviticus 21:10 Leviticus 21:11 ; Numbers 6:6 Numbers 6:7 ; Ezekiel 44:25 ). We will learn later that the Roman military contingent in the city could afford to send some 470 soldiers to escort Paul to Caesarea, so it must have been at full strength (23:23). He may have used this time to gather information for the writing of his Gospel and the early chapters of Acts. Vote Up When the commander gave Paul permission to speak, he motioned to the crowd from the steps of the Antonia fortress. From there the party docked at the coastal city of Patara. Paul and his company tarried seven days with these disciples at Tyre, who said to Paul through the Spirit that he should not go up to Jerusalem (Acts 21:4). They apparently had concluded that Paul opposed any sort of connection with the Hebrew system, which was not true. religious corporation as defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave, heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but. There are probably logical explanations for both situations, but Luke chose not to discuss these things in order to keep his account brief and moving along. Do as I say not do as I do as the old saying goes. The charter still stood, with the exceptions set down at the conference. the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. (Leviticus 5:4). Perhaps the commander thought Paul was an uneducated foreigner, but Paul spoke Greek like a native, without the accent common in Judea. 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them. Inspiration, Authority, and Reliability of the Bib Timeless Truths in Cultural Clothing, by Michael M Is there a Best Version of the Bible? But in the details of daily life there were special causes of cermonial uncleanness which were severally provided for by ceremonial laws enacted for each separate case. ), but since in English it is somewhat awkward to say "the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice would be offered," the temporal clause was translated "when the sacrifice . From eis and eimi; to enter. He had a large enough home, as well as the resources, to host not only Paul but also his delegation (and perhaps the disciples from Caesarea). Such a procedure was allowed under the law. When they arrived at Jerusalem, the brethren received them gladly (Acts 21:15-17). 2:22), even though the act of bearing a child is not sinful. Deepen your knowledge of Scripture. This move on his part was in perfect harmony with his testimony found inI Corinthians 9:19-22For though I am free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. "Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them went into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them" (Acts 21:26). Jeremiah shattered a clay jar to show how God would cause Jerusalem to be destroyed (19:1-13). Meanwhile, some in the mob were still trying to get at Paul, so he had to be carried by the soldiers into the fortress (21:35). From ekpleroo; completion. (The mob said Paul had brought Greeks into the temple, that is, more than one. Paul in fact made no offering at all. Who said, canst thou speak Greek? 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Most of this series was written by Paul Kroll, a journalist working for Grace Communion International. Less than $5/mo! This question being settled, Pauls company took up their luggage and went with him unto Jerusalem. NET Bible copyright 1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. It is wholly barren of evidence. ( Mark 7:4 ) The washing of the hands before meals was conducted in a formal manner. 7; Gal. Why did Paul purify himself at the Temple? Arrested in the Temple. Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular. Jesus cleansed himself when he had no need to do so when he was baptised by John. is it therefore? Here is Lukes record of the incident in question. The Seven Days of Purification. 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 purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them" (Acts 21:18-26). Study Materials to help with your Bible study, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7zBKawK9iRYdUgxIiIbZJg. Acts 21:26, NASB: Then Paul took along the men, and the next day, after purifying himself together with them, he went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them. Lukes account is hazy on exactly what Paul did. He took some soldiers, and they ran into the crowd to disperse it (21:32). He had earlier paid some official to place him on a list of consideration to receive Roman citizenship. It was near the time for that ritual to be consummated by a purification ceremony in the temple. Paul began his defense in Aramaic, which caused the crowd to be even more attentive (21:40). A sacrifice for sin under the law of Moses would only be required if the Nazarite was unclean at the time he was taking the vow. . following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. Acts 21:26 Context. 2 Cor. Josephus wrote that there was a stone wall separating the Court of the Gentiles from the inner courts reserved for Jews alone (Josephus,Wars5:193-194). 17,21,39). Luke Johnson writes. In the same way that Paul purified himself even though he had no need to do so. 2023 Fortify Your Faith Foundation. Many allege that Paul, in a moment of weakness, knowingly sinned, yielding to the pressure. He could go to Jerusalem or not. What happened to the offering? One was itinerant, the other local (Acts,363). Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Fare ye well. As Paul was about to be carried into the fortress, he spoke to the commander in Greek, asking if he might say something to him (21:37). All content appearing on this site is owned and maintained by the Fortify Your Faith Foundation, a tax-exempt, not-for-profit, religious corporation as defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell. This was a reference to the letter that the Elders had written years earlier where at the council of Jerusalem it had been disputed whether the gentiles who were coming to Christ should be made to conform to the Jewish law. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. This was a Nazarite vow, This wasnt a requirement for all Jews to perform only those wishing to become a Nazarite (which could be from 30 days-to a lifetime). Today, we would put such information in a footnote. However, when Paul said he was a citizen of Tarsus, he wasnt appealing to his Roman citizenship. These words from the lips of the Spirit bound apostle seemed to settle the question which was in the minds of his co-workers and the other disciples. The essence of purification, in all eases, consisted in the use of water, whether by way of ablution or aspersion; but in the majora delicta of legal uncleanness, sacrifices of various kinds were added and the ceremonies throughout bore an expiatory character. General Editor. Another Jew might associate himself with a Nazirite by paying for his offering, something that was regarded as a devout deed. The next day the ship sailed southwest to the island of Rhodes. Moses stands for the Old Testament economy. 20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. Clearly that was not Pauls purpose in this temple ritual. But in the details of daily life there were special . So they asked him to perform this ritual in a hope to appease the Jews who would come to see him. Unclean for 2 Weeks. Associate with oneself; by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn. The fact that the four men were to have their heads shaved at the end of their vow period indicates they were undertaking a Nazirite vow (Numbers 6:1-21). the process by which a person unclean, according to the Levitical law, and thereby cut off from the sanctuary and the festivals, was restored to the enjoyment of all these privileges. Paul had successfully removed himself as the center of attention. Lukes main concern with the Jerusalem trip was to show his readers that Paul continued to receive the blessing of the mother church in Jerusalem. 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. According to Josephus, he led some 30,000 followers to the Mount of Olives in order to overthrow Jerusalem (Wars2:261-262;Antiquities20:169-172. Surprisingly, everyone quieted down. Then he suffered him. when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. And like the Jerusalem leaderships response to Peters defense of his Gentile initiative, we find the brothers giving glory to God, (11:18), which is Lukes signal for a recognition of Gods visitation. (They were in Jerusalem for Pentecost, as in 2:5.) Acts 21:26-28. 27The seven days of purification were almost completed when some Jews from Asia recognized Paul in the temple. He knew them thoroughly, having been a major player at the conference. Perhaps, then, this was the distinction (or one of them) between evangelists and apostles. Understand the meaning of Acts 21:26 using all available Bible versions and commentary. The Jew alone was taught by the use of expiatory offerings to discern to its fullest extent the connection between the outward sign and the inward fount of impurity. Luke repeated the thought that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar (21:31, 30). But Paul was adamant that he was going to Jerusalem and would not only be willing to be bound for the name of the Lord but he was willing to die for it. Vote Up Rather, the Holy Spirit seemed only to be giving Paul some advance warning about what to expect when he got to Jerusalem, so that he would not be taken off his guard. . First, the notion that Luke invented this narrative to buttress his personal agenda is unworthy of any consideration. They felt constrained to explain again that no such demands would be made of Gentile believers. Some so claim, but is this a necessary conclusion? A church in Tyre had probably been established by the Christian Hellenists who had been forced to flee Jerusalem after Stephen was martyred (11:19). Lysias had a Greek name, and he had probably advanced through the ranks of the Roman army. Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? Neuter of hieros; a sacred place, i.e. He came from an important city in the empireand was proud of being one of its citizens. Certain of the disciples of Caesarea also accompanied him. For the sake of unity and to help the Jerusalem church, Paul agreed to follow its urging and join the purification rites of the four believers. - 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 purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them. Do therefore this that we say to thee: we have four men which have a vow on them; 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. A footnote as defined under Section 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) the. 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days of purification acts 21