Acts 21:26 - Exposition

Went for entered, A.V.; declaring the fulfillment for to signify the accomplishment, A.V.; the offering was for that an offering should be, A.V. Paul took the men . St. Paul's acquiescence in James's advice is an instance of what he says of himself ( 1 Corinthians 9:20 ), and is in accordance with his conduct in circumcising Timothy ( Acts 16:3 ). But that he did not attach any intrinsic importance even to circumcision, and much less to the minor Jewish ceremonies, is clear from such passages as Romans 1:28 , Romans 1:29 ; 1 Corinthians 7:19 ; Galatians 5:6 ; Galatians 6:15 ; Philippians 3:3 , etc. Purifying himself with them , etc. ( ἁγνισθεὶς ); see note on verse 24. James's advice had been τούτους παραλαβὼν ἁγνίσθητι σὺν αὐτοῖς : in obedience to that advice St. Paul now παραλαβὼν τοὺσἄνδρας σὺν αὐτοῖς ἁγνισθεὶς εἰσήει εἰς τὸ ἱερόν . What was the particular form by which a person who wished to associate himself with others under a Nazaritic vow (note on verse 24) did so is not known; nor how long before the expiration of the vow such association must be made. But from the mention of "seven days" in verse 27 (which is the number named in Numbers 6:9 , in case of an accidental uncleanness), it seems highly probable that "seven days" was the term during which a person must have conformed to the Nazaritic vow to entitle him to "be at charges," as well, perhaps, as the time during which Nazarites, at the end of their vow, had to undergo special purification. Declaring the fulfillment , etc. The vow of the four men had been for at least thirty days (the minimum period of such vow); but whatever length of time it had been for, such time would have expired by the end of the seven days, and probably long before. We know not how long they might have been waiting for some one to "be at charges" for them, and provide the sacrifices, without which they could not shave their heads and accomplish their vow. But it is obvious that some notice must be given to the priests in the temple of the day when one or more Nazarites would present themselves at "the door of the tabernacle of the congregation," to offer the prescribed offerings. And this accordingly Paul and the four did. διαγγέλλων means "notifying," or "declaring," to the priests ( Exodus 9:16 [ LXX ., answering to the Hebrew רפֵּסַ ]; Romans 9:27 ; Joshua 6:9 , LXX . [10, A.V., "bid"]). Until the offering was offered , etc. This is interpreted in two ways. Meyer makes "until" depend upon "the fulfillment of the days," so as to define that fulfillment as not taking place till the offering was offered. Wieseler makes "until" depend upon "he entered into the temple," with the idea supplied, "and remained there," or "came there daily;" supposing that it was the custom for Nazarites to finish up their time of separation by passing the last seven days, or at least being present daily, in "the court of the women, where was the apartment appropriated to the Nazarites". If, however, with Howson, Lewin and others, we understand the word ἀγνίζεσθαι , in verses 24 and 20, not generally of taking the Nazarite vow, but of certain special purifications at the close of a Nazaritic vow, which lasted seven days immediately before the offerings were made and the head shaven, then a very easy and natural rendering of the words follows: "Notifying their intention of now completing the seven days of their purification, until the offering for each of them was offered." Alford, in loc ., justifies by examples the aorist indicative προσηνέχθη , instead of the subjunctive, which is more usual. Lewin thinks that St. Paul had taken a Nazaritic vow after his escape from death at Ephesus, or at Corinth; but there is no evidence of this, and it is hardly consistent with James's advice. Renan thinks it doubtful whether or no Paul took the Nazaritic vow at all, but inclines to this as the best interpretation.