Acts 21:33-23:35

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 21:27-40

We have here Paul brought into a captivity which we are not likely to see the end of; for after this he is either hurried from one bar to another, or lies neglected, first in one prison and then in another, and can neither be tried nor bailed. When we see the beginning of a trouble, we know not either how long it will last or how it will issue. I. We have here Paul seized, and laid hold on. 1. He was seized in the temple, when he was there attending the days of his purifying, and the solemn... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 21:27-36

21:27-36 When the seven days were nearly completed and when the Jews from Asia had seen Paul in the temple, they stirred up the whole mob and they attacked him shouting, "Help, men of Israel! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, against the Law and against this place. Furthermore he has brought Greeks into the Temple and defiled this holy place." For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city and they thought that Paul had taken him into the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 21:33

Then the chief captain came near ,.... To the place where the Jews were beating Paul: and took him the Arabic version adds, "from them"; he rescued him out of their hands, as he himself says, Acts 23:27 . And commanded him to be bound with two chains : partly to appease the people, and partly to secure Paul; who, he supposed, had been guilty of some misdemeanour, which had occasioned this tumult; these two chains were put, one on one arm, and the other on the other arm; and were... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 21:33

And took him - With great violence, according to Acts 24:7 , probably meaning an armed force. To be bound with two chains - To be bound between two soldiers; his right hand chained to the left hand of the one, and his left hand to the right of the other. See the note on Acts 12:6 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:15-40

The compromise. The introduction of Christianity into the world while the temple was still standing, and the Law of Moses with all its Levitical and ceremonial ordinances was still in force, might have issued in three ways. 1. All converts to the faith of Jesus Christ from among the Gentiles might have been forced to become Jews, as far as submission to the whole Law was concerned. 2. Or the Old Testament might then and there have been superseded by the New, and the Jewish... 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 21:27-36

The prophecy fulfilled. "Bonds and imprisonment," I. THE TUMULT EXCITED BY ASIATIC JEWS , probably seeking for Paul, with predetermination to destroy him. It was his faithful missionary labors, therefore, which lay at the root of the trouble; he knew it, and it helped him to be strong in faith. Christ would protect his own ambassador. II. THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM WERE UTTERLY FALSE . He raised no opposition to the Law. He never defiled the temple. Trophimus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:27-40

Fanaticism and devotedness. It is impossible not to read these verses with a smile of contempt in view of the folly and guilt of fanaticism, and, at the same time, with a smile of satisfaction in view of the calmness and nobility of Christian zeal. I. THE FOLLY AND THE GUILT OF FANATICISM . 1. Its folly. 2. Its guilt. II. THE EXCELLENCY OF CHRISTIAN DEVOTEDNESS . How admirably the attitude of Paul contrasts with the movements of this excited,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:27-40

Danger and deliverance at Jerusalem. I. THE ACCUSATION AGAINST PAUL . 1. He is represented as an enemy of the Law, like Stephen before him. He has to confront the blind and murderous storm of human passion, more dreadful than the waves of the sea, presently to be encountered. Now is the warning concerning the things to be expected in Jerusalem about to be fulfilled. The sincerest friends of religion have often to incur the charge of being its enemies, the truest worshippers... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 21:33

Laid hold on for took, A.V. ; inquired for. demanded, A.V. Laid hold on ( ἐπελάβετο ); see Acts 17:19 , note. Bound with two chains ; as St. Peter was ( Acts 12:6 ). ἄλυσις means properly "a chain on the hands" as opposed to πέδη , a fetter ( Mark 5:4 ); and therefore the two chains are not to be understood of chains on his hands and feet, with Kuinoel, but, as in the case of Peter, of chains fastening him to a soldier on both hands. read more

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