Acts 21

Journey to Jerusalem

1 After saying our goodbyes, we set sail, heading straight to Cos, then to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.

2 We found a ship going to Phoenicia, hopped on, and set out.

3 We passed Cyprus on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed in Tyre because the ship had to unload cargo there.

4 We found some disciples in Tyre and stayed with them for seven days. They warned Paul through the Spirit not to go to Jerusalem.

5 When it was time to leave, everyone, men, women, and kids, walked us out of the city. We all knelt on the beach, prayed,

6 Said our goodbyes, and got on the ship while they headed back home.

7 From Tyre, we sailed to Ptolemais, greeted the believers there, and stayed with them for a day.

8 The next day, we went to Caesarea and stayed at Philip the Evangelist’s house. He was one of the seven deacons.

9 Philip had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.

10 While we were there, a prophet named Agabus rolled up from Judea.

11 He took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet, and said, “The Holy Spirit says this is how the Jews in Jerusalem will tie up the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.”

12 Hearing this, we and the people there begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem.

13 But Paul was like, “Why are you all crying and breaking my heart, I am ready to not only be locked up but to die in Jerusalem for Jesus.”

14 Since he would not listen, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

15 After that, we packed up and headed to Jerusalem.

16 Some believers from Caesarea came with us and brought us to stay with Mnason, an old disciple from Cyprus.

Paul in Jerusalem

17 When we got to Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters welcomed us warmly.

18 The next day, Paul and the crew went to see James, and all the elders were there.

19 Paul greeted them and told them everything God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

20 They praised God but said, “Listen, Paul, thousands of Jews here have believed, and they are all about keeping the law.

21 But they have heard rumors that you are teaching Jews who live among the Gentiles to ditch Moses, telling them not to circumcise their kids or follow our customs.

22 So what is the plan, They are going to hear you are here.

23 Here is what we think: We have got four men who have taken a vow.

24 Join them, pay for their heads to be shaved, and go through the purification process with them. That will show everyone you still respect the law.

25 As for Gentile believers, we already told them to avoid food sacrificed to idols, blood, meat from strangled animals, and sexual immorality.”

26 Paul agreed. The next day, he joined the men, purified himself, and went to the temple to give notice of the days for the vow and the offering to be made.

Paul Arrested

27 When the seven days were almost up, some Jews from Asia saw Paul in the temple. They stirred up the crowd and grabbed him,

28 Yelling, “This is the guy who has been teaching everyone against our people, the law, and this place. Plus, he brought Greeks into the temple and defiled it!”

29 (They had seen Paul with Trophimus, a Gentile, and assumed he brought him into the temple.)

30 The whole city was in chaos. People dragged Paul out of the temple, and the gates were shut.

31 They were about to kill him when word got to the Roman commander that the city was wilding.

32 The commander took soldiers and rushed down to the mob. When they saw the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

33 The commander arrested Paul, chained him up, and tried to figure out who he was and what he did.

34 The crowd was shouting all kinds of stuff, so the commander could not get the truth. He ordered Paul to be taken to the barracks.

35 When they got to the stairs, the soldiers had to carry Paul because the mob was going crazy.

36 The crowd kept yelling, “Get rid of him!”

37 As they were about to take Paul into the barracks, he said to the commander, “Can I say something?” The commander said, “You speak Greek,

38 Are you not that Egyptian who started a revolt and led 4,000 terrorists into the wilderness?”

39 Paul said, “Nah, I am a Jew from Tarsus, a citizen of no small city. Let me speak to the people.”

40 The commander gave him permission. Paul stood on the steps, motioned for silence, and addressed the crowd in Hebrew.