Acts 21:23-24 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:17-26

Paul and the Levitical usages. Paul's gospel was that of salvation by Christ Jesus alone, as contrasted with the principle of salvation by legal obedience. But he did not contend against the Law and against Mosaism as such—only against the doctrine that the observance was indispensable to salvation. The spirit of evangelical freedom made him tolerant of the observance in the case of born Jews, while at the same time he contended for the emancipation of the Gentile Christians from the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:18-26

Relations between disciples. Our Lord has said, " By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" ( John 13:35 ). It was of the very last importance that, in the early days of Christianity, there should be inward harmony and outward concord among the disciples of Jesus. Division would have been grave disaster, if not irreparable defeat. But with the strongest reasons for desiring unanimity and a complete understanding, we have to face— I. GREAT... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:20-25

The perils of over-caution. For the details of these verses, reference must be made to the exegetical portion of this Commentary. We should fully understand: 1. The intense enmity of the Judaizing party against St. Paul. 2. The opportunity of increasing that enmity found in the fact that many of St. Paul's enemies from Asia and Europe were present in Jerusalem at this time, attending the feast. 3. The difficulty of the Christian leaders, who had not openly broken with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:20-39

The pastor and elders of the Church not infallible. There may be considered to be some uncertainty as to the exact merits of the remarkable case which the history reproduces in this passage, but without rendering any verdict, pronouncing any opinion, or even offering any suggestion. In the room that is accordingly allowed for option, it is believed that the following positions, as they are certainly maintainable in themselves, are also to be impressed on us by the present history:— I. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:23

Which have a vow ; meaning emphatically the vow of a Nazarite. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:24

These for them, A.V.; for them for with them, A.V.; shall know for may know, A.V.; there is no truth in the things, etc., for those things … are nothing, A.V.; hare been for were, A.V.; keeping for and keepest, A.V. As regards the transaction recommended by James, Kypke (quoted by Meyer) says, "It was a received thing among the Jews, and was reckoned an act of eminent piety, for a rich man to undertake to bear, on behalf of poor Nazarites, the expense of those... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 21:23

We have four men - There are with us four men. It is evident that James and the elders meant to say that these men were connected with them in the Christian church; and the fact shows that the Christians at Jerusalem did not disregard the institutions of Moses, and had not been so far enlightened in the doctrines of Christianity as to forsake yet the ceremonial rites of the Jews.Which have a vow on them - Which have made a vow. See the notes on Acts 18:18. From the mention of shaving the head... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 21:24

Them take - Take with you. Join yourself with them.And purify thyself with them - Join them in observing the forms of purification prescribed by the Law of Moses in the observance of the vow of the Nazarite. The purifying here refers to the vows of sanctity which the Nazarites were to observe. They were to abstain from wine and strong drink; they were to eat no grapes, moist or dried; they were to come near no dead body, nor to make themselves “unclean” for their father, mother, brother, or... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 21:22-25

Acts 21:22-25. What is it therefore Which may not be apprehended on such an occasion? Or, what is to be done? the multitude must needs come together They will certainly be gathered together in a tumultuous manner, unless they be some way pacified. For they will hear that thou art come And will immediately form their judgment of the truth or falsehood of the information they have received, by what they discover in thy present behaviour, of regard or disregard to the Mosaic ceremonies. ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 21:17-26

21:17-23:35 JERUSALEM FINALLY REJECTS THE GOSPELDanger in Jerusalem (21:17-26)Over the previous ten years the church in Jerusalem had become narrower in its outlook. As leaders of broader outlook such as Peter, John and Barnabas moved out to other areas, the Jewish Christians left in Jerusalem slipped back into legalism. At the Jerusalem meeting of Chapter 15, James and his like-minded fellow elders had successfully defended the Gentiles, but they now had little influence over the members at... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:17-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:18-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:20-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:20-39

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:24

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 21:23

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 21:24

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 21:22-25

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 21:17-26

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