Acts 21:24-39

24 The belief of the circumcisionists, based on tangible evidence, such as signs and wonders, was of a very different quality from that of Paul's epistles. In our Lord's day "many believe in [into] His name, beholding His signs which He did. Yet Jesus Himself did not entrust Himself to them... for He knew what was in mankind" (Joh_2:23-25). So the myriad believers in Jerusalem were still zealous for the law and circumcision and the traditional observances. Their belief did not hinder them from hating the apostle and sending emissaries to undo his work among the nations. That Paul's real danger lay in the circumcisionists is evident not only from the warning of the elders and the precautionary measures they proposed, but from his own prayer to be rescued from the stubborn (not the unbelievers) in Judea (Rom_15:31). Those who submitted to James' leadership could not tolerate Paul.

24 It was considered an act of piety to defray the expense of the sacrifices offered by the Nazarites at the completion of their vow, especially if the men were too poor to provide them (Nu.6). Paul himself was not rich, but it was probably agreed that some of the contribution he had brought for the poor could be used for this purpose. By thus publicly associating himself with this ceremonial it was hoped he would be able to disarm the prejudice against him. Paul's course in this matter cannot be condemned. Up to this time he became a Jew to the Jews. He could circumcise Timothy, because of the prejudice of the Jews, at the same time making it evident that circumcision was nothing. Ceremonial observances were nothing, only as they might be used to conciliate those who clung to them. It is the motive rather than the act which determines what is right and what is wrong.

27 As it was the season of Pentecost, Jews from all parts of the world were in Jerusalem to keep the festival. Much stress has been laid upon the first Pentecost, when the gospel of the kingdom was first proclaimed by the apostles. What a contrast is this Pentecost, when the chief herald of the kingdom is hated by the believers and nearly put to death through their opposition! 28 While all the charges against Paul were false literally, they had some foundation in spirit, just as the accusation that our Lord had threatened to destroy the temple and raise it again in three days was false, yet true in the deepest sense. In his epistle to the Romans he had shown that maintaining and discharging law is what matters, not resting in law. He had led some Jewish and many gentile believers, in spirit, into the very holy of holies. Yet in fact he had not led Trophimus beyond the central wall of the barrier (Eph_2:14) called the "soreg," which forbade the nearer approach of any except those of Jewish blood. He insisted that the law was holy and just and good (Rom_7:12) and maintained the special privileges of the people of the covenant (Rom_9:4-5). The plan to conciliate the Christian Jews ends in a disaster which shows that Paul and the legalists are incompatible.

30 Since the whole city was stirred and the people ran together, it is evident that the myriads of Jews who believed sided with their unbelieving countrymen against Paul. This is not so strange as it appears, for even to this day the bitterness of religious controversy leads those with far less between them than there was between Paul and the Judaisers to act in much the same manner. A supposed heretic is not given the consideration which is granted an unbeliever. Religion, especially that which lays stress upon ritual, has radically vitiated the standard of human morals. Paul came to them with much alms and immense spiritual wealth, all of which they spurned as their fathers had spurned his Lord.

31 The fortress of Antonia was at the northwestern corner of the temple area, with turrets which overlooked all the temple courts, so that any disturbance could be immediately reported to the captain. Hence the mob did not have time to kill Paul before the soldiers rushed down and took him out of their hands.

33 As the captain could not find out who Paul was he came to the conclusion that he was the Egyptian impostor who had recently led an insurrection, and concerning whom both the soldiers and the populace were still somewhat excited.