Lesson Forty-Two: Paul Arrested in Jerusalem

Supplementary Materials

Paul's Report to James and the Elders (21:17-20) Aspect Details Initial reception (v. 17) "The brethren received us gladly" — warm welcome from Jerusalem Christians The meeting (v. 18) Paul met with James and "all the elders" — formal meeting with Jerusalem leadership; no apostles mentioned except James (the Lord's brother) Paul's report (v. 19) "Declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry" — detailed account of third journey Their response (v. 20a) "They glorified the Lord" — appropriate response; recognized God's work The situation (v. 20b) "Thousands of Jews... believe... all zealous of the law" — massive Jewish Christian community still observing Torah

Note: The Greek word translated "thousands" is myriades (literally "tens of thousands" or "myriads"). This indicates a very large Jewish Christian community in Jerusalem — still worshipping in the temple, keeping the Law, but believing Jesus was the Messiah.

The Problem: Rumors About Paul (21:21) "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." The Accusation The Reality Paul teaches Jews to forsake Moses Paul taught that salvation is by grace through faith, not by keeping the Law — but he never told Jews to abandon their customs

The Accusation The Reality Paul tells Jews not to circumcise their Paul circumcised Timothy (Acts 16:3)! He children said circumcision was neither here nor there (1 Cor. 7:18-19; Gal. 5:6) Paul tells Jews not to walk after the customs Paul himself kept Jewish customs (18:18 — vow; 20:16 — Pentecost); he became "as a Jew" to Jews (1 Cor. 9:20)

The core issue: Paul taught that the Law was not necessary for SALVATION — neither for Jews nor Gentiles. This was misrepresented as teaching Jews to ABANDON their customs. There's a difference between "the Law cannot save you" and "stop being Jewish."

The Suggestion: The Nazirite Vow (21:22-26) Element Explanation Four men with a vow Probably a Nazirite vow (Numbers 6); involved abstaining from wine, not cutting hair, avoiding corpses "Purify thyself with them" Paul would undergo purification rituals, perhaps because he had been in Gentile lands "Be at charges with them" Pay for their offerings — expensive (lambs, grain, wine); considered a pious act to sponsor others' vows "Shave their heads" The culmination of the Nazirite vow (Numbers 6:18); done at the temple Purpose "All may know... that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law" — public demonstration Gentiles unchanged James reaffirmed the Jerusalem Council decision (Acts 15) — Gentiles were not required to keep the Law

Did Paul compromise? Some see this as inconsistent with Galatians. But Paul's principle was "to the Jews I became as a Jew" (1 Cor. 9:20). He never taught that Jewish customs were wrong — only that they weren't required for salvation. Participating in a vow didn't contradict his gospel.

The Riot: Asian Jews Attack Paul (21:27-32)

The Temple Warning Inscription Stone inscriptions in the temple warned Gentiles not to enter the inner courts. Two such inscriptions have been found by archaeologists. One reads:

"No foreigner is to enter within the balustrade and enclosure around the temple. Whoever is caught will have himself to blame for his death which follows." This was a capital offense — the Romans even allowed Jews to execute Gentile trespassers. The accusation against Paul was extremely serious, but it was based on assumption, not fact.

Roman Intervention (21:31-40)

assassins (sicarii) into the wilderness; Felix defeated him but he escaped Paul's Greek (v. 37) The tribune was surprised Paul spoke Greek; expected an uneducated revolutionary Paul's identity (v. 39) "A Jew of Tarsus... a citizen of no mean city" — educated Roman citizen from a prominent city Paul's request (v. 39-40) Permission to address the crowd! Even in chains, Paul wanted to preach The Hebrew tongue (v. 40) Probably Aramaic — the common language of Palestinian Jews; would gain their attention

The Third Missionary Journey: Summary

Aspect Details Duration Approximately AD 53-57 (about 4 years) Major center Ephesus — about 3 years; all Asia heard the word Key events Apollos; 12 rebaptized; miracles; sons of Sceva; magic books burned; Demetrius riot; Eutychus raised; farewell at Miletus; warnings en route Letters written 1 Corinthians (Ephesus), 2 Corinthians (Macedonia), Romans (Corinth), possibly Galatians Collection Major project — gathering funds from Gentile churches for Jerusalem poor; symbol of unity Ending Jerusalem — arrest in the temple; Paul never free again (but would preach to governors, kings, and Caesar)

Key Cross-References

Part 3 Complete! With this lesson, we complete Part 3 of our study: Paul's Missionary Journeys (Acts 13:1-21:16). Lessons 24-41 (18 lessons) have covered three remarkable journeys spanning perhaps 10-12 years, during which the gospel spread from Antioch across Asia Minor, into Europe, and established churches throughout the Roman world. Part 4 (Lessons 42-53) will cover Paul's arrest, trials, and journey to Rome — the witness "unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Lessons from Acts 21:17-40 1. Unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians required sensitivity and effort. 2. Paul's flexibility in non-essential matters showed wisdom — "to the Jews I became as a Jew." 3. False accusations based on assumptions can cause great harm. 4. God used Roman soldiers to save Paul's life — His sovereignty over all authorities. 5. Even in chains, Paul looked for opportunities to preach — his first thought was the gospel. 6. God's prophetic warnings were fulfilled exactly — bonds, Gentile hands, yet preservation for continued witness.