1Paul journeying to Jerusalem calleth at the house of Philip the evangelist, whose four daughters prophesied. 10Agabus foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem, he will not be dissuaded from going thither. 17Arriving at Jerusalem, he is persuaded to purify himself in the temple, 27where he is set upon by the Jews of Asia, and in danger of losing his life in an uproar, but is rescued by the chief captain, and carried to the castle in chains; 37he requesteth, and is permitted, to speak to the people.
1AND it came to pass, that after we were 1gotten from them, and 2had launched, we came with a straight course unto 3Coos, and the day following unto 4Rhodes, and from thence unto 5Patara:
1 Gr. drawn away; namely, as a father from his children.
2 See Acts 16:11 and 18:21.
3 An island in the Mediterranean Sea between Crete and Caria, where the famous physician Hippocrates and the painter Apelles were born.
4 A very famous island with a city of the same name, over against Lycia; where that large brazen image stood, which was reckoned amongst the seven wonders of the world.
5 A city on the main land of Lycia, situated by the sea, and the chief city of Lycia.
2And finding a ship 6sailing over unto 7Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.
6 That is, that would sail over.
7 See of this land, Acts 11:19 and 15:3.
3Now when we had 8discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at 9Tyre: for there 10the ship was to unlade her burden.
8 Or, had gotten in sight.
9 The capital city of Phoenicia. See thereof, Mat. 11:21.
10 That is, men of the ship.
4And finding 11disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul 12through the Spirit, thata he should 13not go up to Jerusalem.
11 Some think that here the believers are called disciples, who were not yet in an established church, and brethren, they who were in such a church.
12 That is, by a special revelation of the Holy Ghost.
a verse 12; Acts 20:23.
13 That is, that great perils and afflictions would befall him at Jerusalem, wherefore, out of love to him and by their own impulsion, they counseled him not to go up.
5And when we had 14accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, 15with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we 16kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
14 Namely, with waiting until another ship would again sail off.
15 A sign of great love to their teacher.
16 See Acts 20:36.
6And when we had taken our leave 17one of another, we took ship; and they returned 18home again.
17 That is, with mutual embracing, had taken leave and farewell one of another, Acts 20:1.
18 Or, each to their own house, John 19:27.
7And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to 19Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
19 A city by the Mediterranean Sea, below Tyrus, heretofore called Accho, Judges 1:31; Pliny, lib. 5, cap. 19, so named after a king of Egypt.
8And the next day we that were of 20Paul’s company departed, and came unto 21Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of Philipb22the evangelist, which was one of the 23seven; and 24abode with him.
20 Gr. they who were about Paul, Acts 13:13.
21 Namely, of Palestine, see Acts 10:1.
b Acts 6:5; 8:29.
22 That is, one of those who were sent forth here and there by the apostles to preach the Gospel and to confirm the churches; Eph. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:5. Otherwise they are commonly called in particular evangelists, who wrote the four Gospels.
23 Namely, deacons, Acts 6:5.
24 That is, lodged.
9And the same man had four daughters, virgins, whichc did 25prophesy.
c Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17.
25 That is, had the gift to foretell things to come. For to interpret the Scripture openly before the church is forbidden to women, 1 Cor. 14:34 and 1 Tim. 2:12, unless we would exempt this as an extraordinary example.
10And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.d
d Acts 11:28.
11And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and 26bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man thate owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands 27of the Gentiles.
26 As such the prophets used outward signs to set forth their prophecies, that they might the better be imprinted in the hearts of men. See Isa. 20:2; Jer. 13:1 and 27:2; Ezek. 12:5.
e verse 33; Acts 20:23.
27 Namely, first of the Roman Governor, and afterwards of the cruel Emperor Nero.
12And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, 28besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
28 This they did out of love to Paul, as verse 4.
13Then Paul answered, Whatf mean ye to weep and 29to 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.
f Acts 20:24.
29 Or, to make weak, and as it were stamp in pieces, Psalm 51:17.
14And when he would not be persuaded, we 30ceased, saying, Theg will of the Lord be done.
30 Or, kept still, without entreating him anymore.
g Mat. 6:10; Luke 11:2; 22:42.
15And after those days we 31took up our carriages,h and went up to Jerusalem.
31 Or, we packed our things.
h baggage, goods, burdens.
16There 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.
17And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us 32gladly.
32 Or, very willingly, kindly.
18And the day following Paul went in with us unto 33James; and all 34the elders were present.
33 Namely, the apostle, the son of Alphæus, Acts 15:13; Gal. 1:19.
34 That is, the rulers of the church.
19And when he had saluted them, he declared 35particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
35 Gr. according to every point.
20And when they heard it, they 36glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many 37thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all 38zealous of the law:
36 Or, praised.
37 Gr. ten thousands.
38 Namely, thinking that the ceremonial law must yet be observed, and not understanding yet that the same is abolished by Christ.
21And they are 39informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles 40to forsake 41Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk 42after the customs.
39 The Greek word properly signifies to be instructed with a lively voice; Luke 1:4.
40 Gr. falling away. This was a slander against Paul; for, although he taught that the ceremonies of the Old Testament were fulfilled by Christ and in that respect abolished, nevertheless he taught not that men should reject the law of Moses, nor that the weak Jews, who did not yet understand this, should be compelled for that time to neglect the ceremonies, especially seeing he himself for the weak ones’ sake had circumcised Timothy; Acts 16:3.
41 That is, of the law, written by Moses.
42 That is, to observe the ceremonies of the law.
22What is it therefore? 43the multitude must needs 44come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
43 Namely, of the church from whom the elders are distinguished.
44 That is, be called together.
23Do therefore this that we say to thee: 45We have four men which 46have 47a vow on them;
45 Other, There are amongst us.
46 Gr. having a vow upon them, or over themselves.
47 Namely, of the Nazarites. See of them in Num. 6:2, etc., and Acts 18 on verse 18.
24Them take, and 48purify thyself with them, and be 49at 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 50keepest 51the law.
48 Or, sanctify; namely, accomplishing and laying aside the vow of the Nazarite by shaving your head, and offering sacrifices, to show that you are not a despiser of the law. This counsel they give in the hope that Paul would thereby take away the ill reports scattered abroad concerning him that he was a despiser of the law and to prevent greater danger of restlessness in the church; and was not unlawful in itself, although the event showed that it was not sufficient to quiet the Jews. But nevertheless Paul’s modesty is to be commended, that he carried such respect to the eldership that he would not despise their counsel, but follow it for the sake of the weak. See 1 Cor. 9:20.
49 Namely, which were to be made for sacrifice and otherwise, which are described in Num. 6:19, 21.
50 Or, observest; which Paul did for a while among the weak Jews, the better to win them.
51 Namely, of the ceremonies.
25As touching the Gentiles 52which believe, wei have 53written and 54concluded that they observe 55no such thing, savej only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and fromk blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
52 That is, who have embraced the Christian religion.
i Acts 15:23.
53 Gr. sent, that is, written and sent an epistle. See Acts 15:20, etc.
54 Gr. judged.
55 Namely, what concerns the ceremonial law.
j Exod. 20:3; 1 Cor. 8:1.
k Gen. 9:4.
26Thenl Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, 56to signify the accomplishment of 57the days of purification, until that 58an offering should be offered for every one of them.
l Acts 24:6.
56 Namely, to the priests.
57 Gr. the fulfillment of the days of purification, that is, that the time of their vow was expired, and that they wanted to lay aside the same according to the law, Num. 6:13; Acts 24:18.
58 Namely, which are described in Num. 6:13, 14, etc.
27And 59when the 60seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were 61of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, 62stirred up 63all the people, and laid hands on him,
59 Or, as.
60 Namely, of the feast of Pentecost. See Acts 20:16.
61 That is, who, living in Asia and as it seems at Ephesus, were come up to Jerusalem to the feast, who in Asia also contrived oftentimes much evil against Paul, Acts 14:17, 18, persons very rebellious and envious against Paul, Acts 17:5.
62 Gr. mingled.
63 Or, all the multitude, namely, who were there present.
28Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where 64against the people, and the law, and 65this place: and further brought 66Greeks also 67into the temple, and hath 68polluted this holy place.
64 These accusations were also laid to the charge of Christ and Stephen, Mat. 26:61; Acts 6:13.
65 Namely, the temple, or also the city.
66 That is, uncircumcised (persons).
67 Namely, further inwards than it was lawful for the unholy (persons) to come, Luke 18:13.
68 Gr. made common; that is, unclean. See Acts 10:14, 15.
29(For they had seen before with him in the city 69Trophimusm an Ephesian, whom they 70supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
69 This man, though he had embraced the Christian religion, was nevertheless uncircumcised and no proselyte.
m Acts 20:4; 2 Tim. 4:20.
70 Which, notwithstanding, was not so; but they thought so, because he followed Paul everywhere.
30And 71all the city was moved, 72and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him 73out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.
71 That is, all the inhabitants of the city.
72 Gr. and there came a concourse of the people.
73 Namely, in order that the temple (as they thought) would no more be profaned by him; or, that it might not be defiled with his blood, seeing they had purposed to do away with him, verse 31.
31And as they went about to kill him, 74tidings came unto 75the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was 76in an uproar.
74 Gr. the report, the saying.
75 Gr. commander over a thousand, colonel, who had command over the garrison, as also hereafter in the following chapters.
76 Gr. was mingled together, was in confusion.
32Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down 77unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.
77 Or, towards them.
33Thenn the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with 78two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.
n verse 11.
78 Namely, one to the hands and one to the feet, as Agabus had foretold in verse 11.
34And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the 79certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the 80castle.
79 Namely, what the matter was; Acts 22:30.
80 Gr. parembole; which was a place within Jerusalem, on the north of the temple, compassed about with walls, and fortified as a fort or castle, where the Roman garrison had their barracks; and was called after a Roman General Antonia. Josephus, de bello Jud. lib. 6, cap. 6.
35And when he came upon 81the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.
81 Namely, over which men went up to the fort, which was situated on a hill.
36For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, 82Awayo with him.
82 That is, kill him.
o Luke 23:18; John 19:15; Acts 22:22.
37And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, 83May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak 84Greek?
83 Or, if it be lawful for me; namely, to speak, then I will speak something.
84 Although Paul was a Jew or Hebrew, yet he spoke to the commander in Greek, which language was very common, and learned by many Romans.
38Art not thou 85that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness 86four thousand men that were 87murderers?
85 Namely, who, about three years before, under the governor Felix had brought the people into an uproar, and himself had escaped. See of him in Josephus, Antiq. lib. 20, cap. 6, 7 and de bello Jud. lib. 2, cap. 12.
86 Which afterwards increased unto thirty-thousand, as Josephus writes.
87 Gr. men of murderers. Or, of them that carried short weapons or murdering instruments, of whom Josephus relates strange things.
39But Paul said, I am a 88man which am a Jew ofp Tarsus, a city 89in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.
88 Gr. human being.
p Acts 9:11, 30.
89 This is added for distinction from another Tarsus in Bithynia.
40And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and 90beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,
90 See Acts 12:17; 13:16; 19:33.