BSB ACTs Chapter 21

Paul’s Journey to Jerusalem

21 After we had torn ourselves away from them, we sailed directly to Cos, and the next [day] on to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 Finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we boarded [it] [and] set sail. 3 [After] sighting Cyprus and passing south of it we sailed on to Syria and landed at Tyre, [where] the ship was to unload [its] cargo.

4 We sought out the disciples [in Tyre] [and] stayed [with them] seven days. Through the Spirit [they] kept telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 5 But when our time [there] had ended, we set out on our journey. All [the disciples], with [their] wives and children, accompanied us out of the city and knelt down on the beach to pray [with us]. 6 [And] after we had said our farewells we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

7 [When] we had finished [our] voyage from Tyre, we landed at Ptolemais, [where] we greeted the brothers [and] stayed with them for a day.

Paul Visits Philip the Evangelist

8 Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was [one] of the Seven.[fn] 9 [He] had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

10 After we had been there several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his [own] feet and hands, [and] said, The Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand [him] over to [the] Gentiles.’ ” 12 When we heard this, we and the [people] there pleaded with [Paul] not to go up to Jerusalem.

13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 [When] he would not be dissuaded, we quieted down [and] said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

15 After these days, we packed up [and] went on to Jerusalem. 16 [Some] of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us, [and] they took us to stay at the home of Mnason [the] Cypriot, an early disciple.

Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem

17 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us joyfully. 18 The next [day] Paul went in with us to [see] James, and all the elders were present. 19 [Paul] greeted them [and] recounted one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

20 When they heard [this], they glorified God. Then they said to [Paul], “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. 21 But they are under the impression that you teach all [the] Jews who [live] among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise [their] children [or] observe [our] customs. 22 What then should [we do]? They will certainly hear that you have come.

23 Therefore do what we advise you. There are four men with us who have taken a vow. 24 Take these [men], purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so {they can have} [their] heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth [to these] rumors about you, but [that] you also live in obedience to the law.

25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written [to them] our decision [that] they must abstain from [food] sacrificed to idols, [from] blood, [from] the meat of strangled animals, and [from] sexual immorality.”

26 [So] the next day Paul took the men [and] purified himself along with them. [Then] he entered the temple to give notice of the date [when their] purification would be complete [and] the offering would be made for each of them.

Paul Seized at the Temple

27 When the seven days were almost over, [some] Jews from [the province of] Asia[fn] saw [Paul] at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, 28 crying out, “Men [of] Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against [our] people and [against our] law and [against] this place. Furthermore he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, [and] they assumed that Paul had brought [him] into the temple.

30 The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul [and] dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. 31 [While] they were trying to kill him, the commander of the [Roman] regiment[fn] received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil. 32 Immediately he took [some] soldiers and centurions [and] ran down to [the crowd]. [When the people] saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

33 The commander came up [and] arrested [Paul], ordering that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.

34 [Some] in the crowd were shouting one thing, [and] [some] another. And [since] [the commander] could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that [Paul] be brought into the barracks. 35 When [Paul] reached the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob. 36 For the crowd that followed [him] kept shouting, “Away with him!”

Paul Addresses the Crowd

37 [As] they were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” [he] replied. 38 Aren’t you the Egyptian who incited a rebellion some time ago and led four thousand members of the Assassins into the wilderness?”

39 But Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen [of] no ordinary city. Now I beg you to allow me to speak to the people.”

40 Having received permission, Paul stood on the steps [and] motioned to the crowd A great hush came over [the crowd], [and] he addressed [them] in Hebrew