Acts 21 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Acts 21 in 5 Minutes

WHEN:

• The events of Acts 21 probably occurred between 55-57 A.D.

CHARACTERS:

• Paul (Saul) – An Apostle who was working in Asia Minor planting churches.

• Agabus – A prophet from Judea (see also Acts 11:28).

• Philip the Evangelist – Probably the same Philip whose work is highlighted in Acts 8.

• James – A leader in the church of Jerusalem, likely the brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55).

• Roman Tribune – Roman soldier in Jerusalem who saved Paul from an angry mob.

WHERE:

• At the opening of this chapter, Paul departed Miletus and sailed to Tyre. Leaving Tyre, he travelled to Caesarea and remained their “many days” before departing for Jerusalem.

OUTLINE:

• PAUL TRAVELS TO TYRE AND CAESAREA (21:1-9):

  • Paul left Miletus and sailed past Cyprus to the city of Tyre in Phoenicia.

  • He stayed with the disciples 7 days, and they urged him not to go to Jerusalem because trouble awaited him there.

  • But Paul was determined to leave, so at the end of the 7 days, they accompanied him to his ship as it prepared to sail for Caesarea.

  • After a quick stop in Ptolemais, Paul’s ship arrived in Caesarea, and he received hospitality in Philip the evangelist’s house.

  • He stayed with Philip and his 4 daughters for “many days.”

• THE PROPHECY OF AGABUS AND THE JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM (21:10-16):

  • A prophet named Agabus came from Judea and prophesied that if Paul went to Jerusalem, he would be bound hand and foot by the Jews and handed over to the Gentiles.

  • Hearing this, Paul’s friends urged him not to go, but he was determined.

  • Paul went to Jerusalem accompanied by some of the disciples from Caesarea.

• PAUL VISIT’S JAMES AND PURIFIES HIMSELF IN THE TEMPLE (21:17-26):

  • After arriving in Jerusalem, Paul went to see James and the elders.

  • He told them about all the work God had accomplished through him and his friends.

  • James and the elders were worried about Paul’s reputation among the Jews in Jerusalem.

  • The Jews were angry at Paul because they heard he taught Jews to “forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to” Jewish customs.

  • To squelch the rumors and to show that Paul lived in “observance of the law,” James asked Paul to join 4 men who had taken a vow and were purifying themselves in the Temple.

• THE ROMANS SEIZE PAUL FROM AN ANGRY MOB OF JEWS (21:27-40):

  • Some Jews from Asia found Paul in the Temple and stirred up a crowd by saying he didn’t respect the Jewish Law and had brought Gentiles into the Temple.

  • “Then all the city was stirred up” and they dragged Paul out of the Temple.

  • The Jews wanted to kill him, but the Roman tribune took Paul from them.

  • The tribune arrested Paul and asked the crowd who he was and what crimes he had committed.

  • When the Jews offered him no clarity, he ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks.

  • But Paul asked for permission to speak to the crowd, which the tribune granted.

  • Standing on the steps of the barracks, Paul motioned to the people and addressed them in their native language (Hebrew).

APPLICATION:

• It is easier to walk into dangerous situations when you know Jesus is on your side.

• Paul knew Jerusalem would be dangerous, but he was convicted to go anyway.

• When we are confident Jesus is safeguarding our souls, we will no longer be controlled by fear, but by conviction.

• “Our rest is in heaven, our rest is not here, then why should we tremble when trials draw near? Be still and remember the worst that can come, but shortens our journey and hastens us home.” – Lyric from Glorious Christ

• Hebrews 13:5a-6 - …for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”