Acts Chapter 21: Paul’s Journey to Jerusalem and Arrest


Summary
Acts 21 narrates Paul’s travel to Jerusalem, his warm reception by believers, and his arrest in the temple amid false accusations, marking a turning point in his ministry. The chapter unfolds in several key scenes:
  1. Journey to Jerusalem (21:1–16): Paul sails from Crete, stopping at Cos, Rhodes, Patara, Tyre, Ptolemais, and Caesarea. In Tyre, disciples urge Paul through the Spirit not to go to Jerusalem, fearing danger. In Caesarea, prophet Agabus binds his hands and feet with Paul’s belt, predicting his arrest by Jews and delivery to Gentiles. Despite pleas, Paul resolves to face suffering, and companions accompany him to Jerusalem.
  2. Paul’s Arrival and Meeting (21:17–26): In Jerusalem, Paul is warmly received by James and the brother of Jesus and the elders. He reports his Gentile ministry, and they praise God but note Jewish believers’ concerns that Paul teaches against Moses. To ease tensions, Paul joins four men in a Nazirite vow, purifying himself and paying expenses, showing respect for Jewish customs.
  3. Arrest in the Temple (21:27–36): As Paul’s purification ends, Asian Jews falsely accuse him of defiling the temple by bringing Gentiles inside. The mob seizes him, but the Roman tribune intervenes, arresting Paul to prevent a riot. Paul asks to address the crowd as he’s led away.
  4. Paul’s Request to Speak (21:37–40): Mistaken for an Egyptian rebel, Paul clarifies he’s a Jew from Tarsus and speaks in Aramaic, gaining permission to address the crowd, setting the stage for his defense.
Cross-References
  • Journey and Warnings:
    • Acts 20:22–23: Paul’s Spirit-led resolve to face affliction.
    • Luke 9:51: Jesus’ resolve to go to Jerusalem.
    • Acts 11:28: Agabus’ earlier prophecy.
    • Jeremiah 32:8: Prophetic symbolic acts.
  • Paul in Jerusalem:
    • Acts 15:4: Paul’s earlier report to Jerusalem leaders.
    • Numbers 6:1–21: Nazirite vow regulations.
    • 1 Corinthians 9:20: Paul’s adaptability to Jews.
  • Temple Arrest:
    • Acts 24:5–6: Accusations of temple desecration.
    • Luke 23:1–2: False charges against Jesus.
    • Acts 18:13: Similar accusations in Corinth.
  • Paul’s Identity:
    • Acts 22:3: Paul’s Jewish credentials.
    • Acts 16:37: Paul’s Roman citizenship.
    • John 18:31: Roman intervention in Jewish disputes.
  • General Theme:
    • Acts 23:11: Jesus’ promise of Paul’s testimony in Rome.
    • Philippians 1:12: Trials advance the gospel.
Theological Meaning
Acts 21 is rich with theological themes that highlight Paul’s obedience and God’s plan:
  • Obedience to God’s Call: Paul’s resolve to face suffering in Jerusalem (21:13) mirrors Jesus’ determination (Luke 9:51), showing commitment to God’s will despite cost (Philippians 3:8).
  • Prophetic Guidance: Agabus’ prophecy (21:11) and disciples’ warnings (21:4) confirm the Spirit’s role in preparing Paul, yet his choice reflects human agency in God’s plan (Acts 20:24).
  • Unity and Compromise: Paul’s participation in the Nazirite vow (21:24–26) demonstrates his flexibility to preserve church unity, prioritizing mission over personal stance (Romans 14:19; 1 Corinthians 9:19–23).
  • False Accusations: The unfounded charge of temple defilement (21:28) parallels Jesus’ trials, showing opposition to God’s work, yet God uses it to advance the gospel (Psalm 35:11; Acts 24:13).
  • God’s Providence: Paul’s arrest by Romans (21:33) protects him from the mob, fulfilling Jesus’ promise that he will testify in Rome (Acts 23:11; Romans 8:28).
  • Gospel’s Advance: Paul’s trials begin his path to Rome, illustrating that persecution cannot halt God’s mission (Acts 1:8; 2 Timothy 2:9).
Questions and Answers
  1. Why did the disciples in Tyre urge Paul not to go to Jerusalem (21:4)?
    • Through the Spirit, they foresaw danger for Paul (21:4; Acts 20:23). Their urging reflected concern, but Paul’s resolve showed his submission to God’s will (21:13; Acts 9:16).
  2. What was Agabus’ prophetic act with Paul’s belt (21:10–11)?
    • Agabus bound himself with Paul’s belt, symbolizing Paul’s arrest by Jews and handover to Gentiles (21:11). Such acts were common in prophetic ministry (Jeremiah 13:1–11; Acts 11:28).
  3. Why did Paul agree to join the Nazirite vow (21:23–26)?
    • To counter rumors that he rejected Moses (21:21), Paul joined the vow to show respect for Jewish customs, promoting unity among Jewish believers (21:24; 1 Corinthians 9:20).
  4. What was the false accusation against Paul in the temple (21:27–29)?
    • Asian Jews claimed Paul brought Trophimus, a Gentile, into the temple’s inner courts, defiling it (21:28–29). This was untrue, based on seeing Trophimus elsewhere (Acts 20:4; Acts 24:18).
  5. Why did the crowd become violent over the accusation (21:30–31)?
    • Temple purity was sacred to Jews, and defilement was a grave offense (21:28; Numbers 19:20). The mob’s zeal reflected religious fervor, escalating to a riot (Acts 7:57–58).
  6. How did the Roman tribune save Paul (21:31–33)?
    • Hearing of the riot, the tribune and soldiers intervened, stopping the mob from killing Paul (21:32). They arrested him for safety, unsure of his crime (21:33; Acts 23:27).
  7. Why was Paul mistaken for an Egyptian rebel (21:38)?
    • The tribune confused Paul with an Egyptian who led a revolt (circa AD 54; Josephus, Wars 2.13.5), assuming he was a troublemaker due to the riot (21:38; Acts 5:36–37).
  8. Why did Paul speak in Aramaic to the crowd (21:40)?
    • Aramaic was the crowd’s native tongue, ensuring clarity and connection (21:40; Acts 22:2). It calmed them, allowing Paul to share his testimony (John 19:20).
Additional Notes for Readers
  • Historical Context: Paul’s journey (21:1–15) occurred around AD 57, during Pentecost (Acts 20:16). Jerusalem was tense, with Jewish-Roman conflicts rising (Josephus, Wars 2.12). The Nazirite vow (21:23) involved purification and offerings (Numbers 6:14–15). The temple’s Gentile barrier (21:28) bore warnings of death for violators (Josephus, Antiquities 15.11.5). The tribune, likely Claudius Lysias (Acts 23:26), maintained order in Jerusalem’s Roman garrison.
  • Cultural Questions: Readers might wonder why Paul was urged not to go (21:4, 12). Prophetic warnings tested his resolve, like Jesus’ (Luke 22:42). The vow’s expense (21:24) showed Paul’s generosity. Asian Jews (21:27) were from Ephesus, hostile from prior encounters (Acts 19:9). The Egyptian rebel (21:38) was a known messianic figure, explaining the tribune’s error.
  • Application: Acts 21 calls believers to follow God’s call despite risks, seek unity through humility, and trust His protection in persecution. It encourages bold testimony amid opposition (1 Peter 4:14).
Back to blog