Acts 21:27-33 ESV
Acts 21:34-39 ESV
ACTS 21:40 (Paul speaks to the crowd)
Acts 23:11 ESV
Acts 28:25-28 ESV
Acts 28:29-31 ESV
The Apostle Paul was Hebrew born and bred. At that time it was somewhat common for men to become a Roman citizen by serving the Roman government in a special military branch. Paul however, was born a Roman Citizen. Both of his parents were Roman Citizens.
We read in Acts 21:27-33, “When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains.”
Talk about mob violence!
Paul was in the Temple and the Jews (his own people) drummed up charges against him by telling lies. They said Paul brought Greeks into the Temple because at one time they saw him in the city talking to a man from Ephesus. Now mind you, they did not see Paul in the Temple with this man. They only saw Paul speaking to him in the city.
The Jews (remember Paul was Jewish) stirred up the crowd in the city and told lies about Paul.
The crowd seized Paul and dragged him out of the Temple.
The original Jews who stirred up the crowd had every intention of killing Paul. But, the Roman Commander of the soldiers heard about the mob and he decided to get involved. As soon as the soldiers showed up, the mob stopped beating Paul.
Even though the Commander didn’t know why the mob was beating Paul they bound him in chains and asked him to identify himself and tell what he had done.
At this point we aren’t sure Paul knew what the mob was accusing him of doing. The mob had not been disbursed so they were standing by yelling about Paul. However…there was not a clear consensus about that (which is often the case with a mob).
In Acts 21:34-39 we are told, “Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!” As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”
Probably because of the chaos, the Commander ordered Paul be taken to the barracks. At one point the soldiers had to carry Paul because the mob was violent and the mob was shouting insults at Paul.
Once in the barracks Paul could speak to the Romans. They assumed he was some a Egyptian who had been causing trouble. When Paul had a chance to speak, he was able to identify himself as a Jew from Tarsus.
We’re not sure why, but Paul asked if he could address the mob.
That was an interesting twist. As the story continues Paul did address the crowd, and he spoke to them in Hebrew (Acts 21:40). When Paul spoke to the crowd we realize he saw the whole scene as an opportunity to tell them about Jesus. Paul wasn’t pleading for himself. He was telling his Hebrew brothers about Jesus…who by the way was also Hebrew.
Later we are told in Acts 23:11, “The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
Wow. After the whole mob thing the Lord appeared to Paul and basically told him since he testified about him (Jesus) in Jerusalem, he would now go do the same in Rome. Once again, Paul considered it an opportunity to speak to a crowd and tell them about Jesus.
Without hesitation, Paul’s intent and purpose was to tell the good news about Jesus. Always.
Later in Acts 28:25-28 we read,
“Paul had made one statement:
“The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
“‘Go to this people, and say,“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed;lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their earsand understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’
Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
After repeated attempts, beatings, and even on danger of death, Paul did everything possible to tell his Jewish brothers about Jesus. When his message fell on deaf ears he gave the message of Jesus to the gentiles.
In Acts 28:29-31 we are told, “He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”
No one knows exactly when or how Paul died. Experts believe he was possible martyred by Nero around 64 A.D.
Spiritual Practice: Diligent
Paul WAS diligent about sharing the Gospel message. How does that relate to you?
In God, Deborah
Commentaires