Paul goes up to Jerusalem. He is apprehended by the Jews in the temple.
21:1. And when it came to pass that, being parted from them, we set
sail, we came with a straight course to Coos, and the day following to
Rhodes: and from thence to Patara.
21:2. And when we had found a ship sailing over to Phenice, we went
aboard and set forth.
21:3. And when we had discovered Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand,
we sailed into Syria, and came to Tyre: for there the ship was to
unlade her burden.
21:4. And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to
Paul, through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
21:5. And the days being expired, departing we went forward, they all
bringing us on our way, with their wives and children, till we were out
of the city. And we kneeled down on the shore: and we prayed.
21:6. And when we had bid one another farewell, we took ship. And they
returned home.
21:7. But we, having finished the voyage by sea, from Tyre came down to
Ptolemais: and saluting the brethren, we abode one day with them.
21:8. And the next day departing, we came to Caesarea. And entering
into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we
abode with him.
The evangelist. . .That is, the preacher of the gospel; the same that
before converted the Samaritans, and baptized the eunuch, chap. 8.,
being one of the first seven deacons.
21:9. And he had four daughters, virgins, who did prophesy.
21:10. And as we tarried there for some days, there came from Judea a
certain prophet, named Agabus.
21:11. Who, when he was come to us, took Paul's girdle: and binding his
own feet and hands, he said: Thus saith the Holy Ghost: The man whose
girdle this is, the Jews shall bind in this manner in Jerusalem and
shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
21:12. Which when we had heard, both we and they that were of that
place desired him that he would not go up to Jerusalem.
21:13. Then Paul answered and said: What do you mean, weeping and
afflicting my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but to die
also in Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus.
21:14. And when we could not persuade him, we ceased, saying: The will
of the Lord be done.
21:15. And after those days, being prepared, we went up to Jerusalem.
21:16. And there went also with us some of the disciples from Caesarea,
bringing with them one Mnason a Cyprian, an old disciple, with whom we
should lodge.
21:17. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us
gladly.
21:18. And the day following, Paul went in with us unto James: and all
the ancients were assembled.
21:19. Whom when he had saluted, he related particularly what things
God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
21:20. But they hearing it, glorified God and said to him: Thou seest,
brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews that have
believed: and they are all zealous for the law.
21:21. Now they have heard of thee that thou teachest those Jews, who
are among the Gentiles to depart from Moses: saying that they ought not
to circumcise their children, nor walk according to the custom.
21:22. What is it therefore? The multitude must needs come together:
for they will hear that thou art come.
21:23. Do therefore this that we say to thee. We have four men, who
have a vow on them.
21:24. Take these and sanctify thyself with them: and bestow on them,
that they may shave their heads. And all will know that the things
which they have heard of these are false: but that thou thyself also
walkest keeping the law.
Keeping the law. . .The law, though now no longer obligatory, was for a
time observed by the Christian Jews: to bury, as it were, the synagogue
with honour.
21:25. But, as touching the Gentiles that believe, we have written,
decreeing that they should only refrain themselves from that which has
been offered to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from
fornication.
21:26. Then Paul took the men and, the next day being purified with
them, entered into the temple, giving notice of the accomplishment of
the days of purification, until an oblation should be offered for every
one of them.
21:27. But when the seven days were drawing to an end, those Jews that
were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the
people and laid hands upon him, crying out:
21:28. Men of Israel, help: This is the man that teacheth all men every
where against the people and the law and this place; and moreover hath
brought in Gentiles into the temple and hath violated this holy place.
21:29. (For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him.
whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
21:30. And he whole city was in an uproar: and the people ran together.
And taking Paul, they drew him out of the temple: and immediately the
doors were shut.
21:31. And as they went about to kill him, it was told the tribune of
the band that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
21:32. Who, forthwith taking with him soldiers and centurions, ran down
to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they left off
beating Paul.
21:33. Then the tribune, coming near, took him and commanded him to be
bound with two chains: and demanded who he was and what he had done.
21:34. And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude. And
when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him
to be carried into the castle.
21:35. And when he was come to the stairs, it fell out that he was
carried by the soldiers, because of the violence of the people.
21:36. For the multitude of the people followed after, crying: Away
with him!
21:37. And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he saith to
the tribune: May I speak something to thee? Who said: Canst thou speak
Greek?
21:38. Art not thou that Egyptian who before these days didst raise a
tumult and didst lead forth into the desert four thousand men that were
murderers?
21:39. But Paul said to him: I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen
of no mean city. And I beseech thee, suffer me to speak to the people.
21:40. And when he had given him leave, Paul standing on the stairs,
beckoned with his hand to the people. And a great silence being made,
he spoke unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying: