Acts 21

Paulʼs Journey to Jerusalem

Acts 21:1–7

1 And it came to pass, that after we had parted 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.

3 Now when we had sighted Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unload its cargo.

4 And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

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.

7 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day.

Paul Visits Philip the Evangelist

Acts 21:8–16

8 And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and stayed with him.

9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

10 And as we stayed there many days, there came down from Judæa a certain prophet, named Agabus.

11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s belt, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this belt, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.

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.

15 And after those days we took up our baggage, and went up to Jerusalem.

16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Cæsarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

Paulʼs Arrival at Jerusalem

Acts 21:17–26

17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

19 And when he had greeted them, he recounted in detail what things God had done among the Gentiles by his ministry.

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:

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.

22 What is it therefore? the multitude must 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 pay their expenses, 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.

25 Concerning the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, except only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.

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 purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

Paul Seized at the Temple

Acts 21:27–36

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,

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.

29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and immediately the doors were shut.

31 And as they were trying to kill him, news came to the commander of the military unit, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

33 Then the commander came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty because of the uproar, he commanded him to be carried into the barracks.

35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the people.

36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

Paul Addresses the Crowd

Acts 21:37–40

37 And as Paul was to be led into the barracks, he said unto the commander, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?

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?

39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city: and, I beseech thee, allow me to speak unto the people.

40 And when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs, and motioned with his hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spoke unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,