Page 100 - Acts Student Textbook

them to cease weeping for him because it was breaking his heart. Their conduct was adding to the
burden and making the problems even more difficult for him. The others saw that he would not
change his mind, so they ceased trying and resigned themselves to accept whatever the Lord’s will
might be in the matter.

The phrase "The will of the Lord be done” (21:14) is a PRESENT MIDDLE IMPERATIVE, used in the sense of a
prayer. God did have a plan and purpose for Paul's life. Paul felt he knew God's will even in the face
of specific and reoccurring prophecy about the problems which lay ahead. Paul must have felt that
these prophecies were for his spiritual and mental preparation and not a prohibition.

Paul arrives in Jerusalem (21:15, 16)!

After a period of some days, they packed and completed their journey to Jerusalem. Some of the
disciples from Caesarea accompanied them. Included was a man from Cyprus named Mnason. He
had been a disciple from early days, and they were to lodge in his house. Note again that Christians
did at times own houses and used them quite hospitably especially to lodge traveling preachers. It is
interesting the little details that are often omitted from stories yet are sometimes included. We
would expect that the travelers had luggage or baggage (see ASV), and here we are told this was the
case. This was the end of Paul’s third preaching trip. From this point, as far as the record in Acts
shows, he traveled only as a prisoner.

The power to endure false accusations (21:17-36)

The group moved Caesarea to Jerusalem (21:15-17), 64 miles overland. They arrived in May 27, A.D.
57, eve of Pentecost (20:16). This was the Fifth post-conversion visit to Jerusalem: 9:26; 11:30; 15:4;
18:22.

When the group arrived at Jerusalem, the brethren there greeted them gladly (20:18-19). We are not
here told of the delivering of the gifts from the churches for the needy saints, though other passages
explain that this was a main purpose of this trip (cf. 24:17; Rom. 15:25-28). On the next day, Paul had
a meeting with James and the elders of the church. Paul made a similar report to James in 15:12.
Clearly, Christians in those days were interested in the spread of the gospel elsewhere, and we
should be likewise. And note that the work of preaching to Gentiles was of special interest to these
Jewish Christians. James is the half-brother of Jesus and the respected leader of the Jerusalem
Church (cf. Acts 12:17; 15:13; Gal. 2:9).

We are told in 21:18 that " all the elders were present". Notice that there is no mention of the
Apostles. Apparently they were on mission trips out of the country, or maybe they were dead. Uttly
here suggests that “this use of the term "elders" reflects its Jewish usage (cf. 4:5,8,23; 6:12; 11:30;
15:2,4,6,22,23; 16:4; 23:14; 24:1,25; 25:15; Heb. 11:2; James 5:14), not its later use by the church for
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pastors (cf. 14:23; 20:17,18,23; 1 Tim. 5:17,19; Titus 1:5; 1 Pet. 5:1; 2 John 1; 3 John 1).”

How was Paul received by the Jerusalem Church?

21:19 Some commentators think that Paul received a cool reception and that the money from the
Gentile churches was not appreciated. Here is their line of reasoning. (1). Paul stayed at a Hellenistic
Jew's home, not one of the leaders of the Jerusalem church. (2). There is no expression of gratitude
for the gift. It is not even mentioned. (3). the leadership immediately tell Paul how disliked he is
among thousands in the Jerusalem church. (4). the church is never said to have supported Paul in
prison or at his trials. It must be said that there was conflict and confusion about Paul's message and

53 Ibid, (21:18)
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