Charles Box Commentaries
Acts 21 - Introduction
A Strange Compromise In Jerusalem
Paul knew that storms would rage in his life when he reached Jerusalem. However, he was determined to do what he believed to be the will of God. He wanted to preach the gospel to his fellow Jews. He would have that opportunity in Jerusalem at Pentecost.
The spread of the gospel in the early days of the church was a beautiful thing. Where ever Paul went he found small groups of Christians serving the Lord. It is wonderful to travel from place to place and find others that are a faithful part of the church of Christ. You can find people all around the world that share the same mind of Christ as you.
At the house of Philip a prophet, named Agabus "took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles." It was not unusual for Old Testament prophets to dramatize their message.
The arrival of Paul at Jerusalem presented the church with a problem. Acts 21:17-26 provides one of the most perplexing sections of scripture in the Bible. It is amazing that the entire church in Jerusalem had become involved in "Law keeping." The text says, "they are all zealous of the law." When the law was lifted from the back of Gentiles it was lifted from all Christians. I can see no way that James and Paul were innocent in this matter although they likely acted out of ignorance. James should have told those Jewish Christians that neither he, nor Paul were Law keepers. No one should keep the Jewish Law. It has been abolished with the death of Christ.
This business of the vow had taken Paul into the Temple several times. Some Jews from Asia accused Paul of bringing Trophimus, a Gentile, into the Temple. This would have been very unlawful. There was an uproar and Paul was dragged out of the Temple. He was arrested and bound with two chains.
As the soldiers were attempting to get Paul inside the castle he asked for permission to speak to the mob. He was a man of both conviction and courage. When Paul turned to speak complete silence fell on the mob. In the next chapter we will hear his words.