On to Jerusalem

21 After we(A) had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia,(B) went on board and set sail. After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria.(C) We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. We sought out the disciples(D) there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit(E) they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray.(F) After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

We continued our voyage from Tyre(G) and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters(H) and stayed with them for a day. Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea(I) and stayed at the house of Philip(J) the evangelist,(K) one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.(L)

10 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus(M) came down from Judea. 11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says,(N) ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind(O) the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”(P)

12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die(Q) in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”(R) 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up(S) and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”(T)

15 After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem.(U) 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea(V) accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus(W) and one of the early disciples.

Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem

17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters(X) received us warmly.(Y) 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James,(Z) and all the elders(AA) were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles(AB) through his ministry.(AC)

20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous(AD) for the law.(AE) 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses,(AF) telling them not to circumcise their children(AG) or live according to our customs.(AH) 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow.(AI) 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites(AJ) and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved.(AK) Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”(AL)

26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.(AM)

Paul Arrested

27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him,(AN) 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”(AO) 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus(AP) the Ephesian(AQ) in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)

30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul,(AR) they dragged him(AS) from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31 While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.(AT)

33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound(AU) with two(AV) chains.(AW) Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another,(AX) and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.(AY) 35 When Paul reached the steps,(AZ) the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”(BA)

Paul Speaks to the Crowd(BB)

37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks,(BC) he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?”

“Do you speak Greek?” he replied. 38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness(BD) some time ago?”(BE)

39 Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus(BF) in Cilicia,(BG) a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.”

40 After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned(BH) to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic[a]:(BI)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 21:40 Or possibly Hebrew; also in 22:2

Viaje de Pablo a Jerusalén

21 Después de despedirnos de ellos, zarpamos y nos fuimos directamente a Cos, y al día siguiente a Rodas, y de allí continuamos a Pátara. Allí dimos con un barco que se dirigía a Fenicia, así que nos embarcamos en él y zarpamos. Del lado izquierdo pudimos ver Chipre, pero seguimos navegando hacia Siria y arribamos a Tiro, porque el barco tenía que descargar allí. Como allí encontramos a los discípulos, nos quedamos con ellos siete días. Ellos, por medio del Espíritu, le decían a Pablo que no fuera a Jerusalén. Cumplidos los siete días, salimos de la ciudad, y todos nos acompañaron con sus mujeres y sus hijos. En la playa nos pusimos de rodillas y oramos, luego nos abrazamos unos a otros, y subimos al barco. Ellos, por su parte, volvieron a sus casas.

Nosotros seguimos navegando. Salimos de Tiro y arribamos a Tolemaida; allí saludamos a los hermanos y nos quedamos con ellos un día. Al día siguiente, salimos y nos dirigimos a Cesarea; allí nos hospedamos en casa de Felipe(A) el evangelista, que era uno de los siete y que tenía cuatro hijas doncellas que profetizaban. 10 Durante los días que allí permanecimos, un profeta llamado Agabo(B) llegó de Judea, 11 pues venía a vernos. Agabo tomó el cinto de Pablo, se ató con él las manos y los pies, y dijo: «El Espíritu Santo ha dicho: “Así atarán los judíos en Jerusalén al dueño de este cinto, y lo entregarán a los no judíos.”» 12 Al oír esto, nosotros y los de Cesarea le rogamos a Pablo que no fuera a Jerusalén. 13 Pero Pablo respondió: «¿Por qué lloran? ¡Se me parte el corazón! Por el nombre del Señor Jesús, yo estoy dispuesto no sólo a que me aten, sino a que me maten en Jerusalén.» 14 Como no pudimos convencerlo, dejamos de insistir y le dijimos: «¡Que se haga la voluntad del Señor!»

15 Días después hicimos los preparativos y subimos a Jerusalén. 16 Algunos de los discípulos de Cesarea nos acompañaron; consigo llevaron a Mnasón, un antiguo discípulo de Chipre, en cuya casa nos hospedaríamos.

Arresto de Pablo en el templo

17 Cuando llegamos a Jerusalén, los hermanos nos recibieron con mucho gozo. 18 Al día siguiente entramos con Pablo en casa de Jacobo. Allí estaban reunidos todos los ancianos. 19 Después de saludarlos, Pablo les habló de su ministerio, y con mucho detalle les contó lo que Dios había hecho entre los no judíos. 20 Cuando ellos lo oyeron, glorificaron a Dios y le dijeron: «Hermano Pablo, ya hemos visto cuántos miles de judíos han creído, todos ellos celosos de la ley. 21 Lo que aquí se ha sabido es que a los judíos que están entre los no judíos los enseñas a renegar de las enseñanzas de Moisés, y que les dices que no circunciden a sus hijos ni observen nuestras costumbres. 22 ¿Qué dices a esto? Seguramente ya se sabe que has venido, 23 así que te recomendamos hacer lo siguiente: Hay entre nosotros cuatro hombres que están obligados a cumplir un voto. 24 Ve y purifícate con ellos, y paga para que les rasuren la cabeza.(C) Así todos comprenderán que no es cierto lo que supieron acerca de ti, y que también tú obedeces la ley. 25 En cuanto a los creyentes no judíos, nosotros ya les hemos escrito y les recomendamos que no observen nada de esto, sino que se abstengan solamente de comer lo que se sacrifica a los ídolos, que no coman sangre ni animales ahogados, ni incurran en libertinaje sexual.»(D) 26 Pablo tomó consigo a aquellos hombres, y al día siguiente se purificó con ellos y entró en el templo para dar a conocer los días cuando se cumpliría la purificación y se presentaría la ofrenda por cada uno de ellos.

27 Cuando estaban por cumplirse los siete días, unos judíos de la provincia de Asia lo vieron en el templo, así que alborotaron a toda la multitud y lo aprehendieron, 28 al tiempo que gritaban: «¡Varones israelitas, vengan a ayudarnos! Éste es el hombre que por todas partes anda esparciendo sus enseñanzas en contra del pueblo, de la ley y de este lugar. Y no sólo eso, sino que ha metido a unos griegos en el templo, con lo que ha profanado este santo lugar.» 29 Y es que en la ciudad ya habían visto a Pablo con Trófimo,(E) el de Éfeso, y pensaban que Pablo lo había metido en el templo. 30 Así que había mucha inquietud en toda la ciudad; la gente se agolpó y se apoderó de Pablo, y entre todos lo sacaron del templo a rastras, y enseguida cerraron las puertas, 31 pues querían matarlo. Pero se dio aviso al tribuno de la compañía, de que había mucho alboroto en la ciudad de Jerusalén, 32 y éste tomó soldados y centuriones, y se fue tras ellos. Cuando la gente vio al tribuno y a los soldados, dejó de golpear a Pablo. 33 Entonces llegó el tribuno y lo aprehendió, y ordenó que lo encadenaran; luego le preguntó quién era y qué había hecho. 34 Entre la multitud, unos gritaban una cosa, y otros, otra; y como a causa del alboroto el tribuno no podía entender nada con claridad, mandó que lo llevaran a la fortaleza. 35 Al llegar a las gradas, los soldados tuvieron que llevarlo en vilo, pues la multitud estaba muy violenta, 36 y todo el pueblo que venía detrás gritaba: «¡Mátenlo!»

Defensa de Pablo ante el pueblo

37 Cuando estaban por meter a Pablo en la fortaleza, éste le dijo al tribuno: «¿Me permites decirte algo?» Y el tribuno respondió: «¿Sabes griego? 38 ¿Acaso no eres tú aquel egipcio sedicioso, que hace poco se sublevó y llevó al desierto a cuatro mil sicarios?» 39 Pablo le dijo: «No. Soy judío, y nací en Tarso de Cilicia, que no es una ciudad insignificante. Te ruego que me permitas hablar al pueblo.» 40 El tribuno se lo permitió. Entonces Pablo, de pie en las gradas, hizo una señal con la mano al pueblo, para que se callaran. En cuanto hubo silencio, les dijo en arameo:

21 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:

And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.

Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.

And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.

And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.

And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.

16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;

24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.

35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?

38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

Warnings on the Journey to Jerusalem

21 Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo. And finding [a]disciples, we stayed there seven days. (A)They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And (B)we knelt down on the shore and prayed. When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned (C)home.

And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. On the next day we [b]who were Paul’s companions departed and came to (D)Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip (E)the evangelist, (F)who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters (G)who prophesied. 10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named (H)Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, (I)‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”

12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, (J)“What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, (K)“The will of the Lord be done.”

Paul Urged to Make Peace

15 And after those days we [c]packed and went up to Jerusalem. 16 Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.

17 (L)And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to (M)James, and all the elders were present. 19 When he had greeted them, (N)he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles (O)through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all (P)zealous for the law; 21 but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 22 [d]What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. 24 Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may (Q)shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. 25 But concerning the Gentiles who believe, (R)we have written and decided [e]that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from [f]sexual immorality.”

Arrested in the Temple

26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, (S)entered the temple (T)to announce the [g]expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.

27 Now when the seven days were almost ended, (U)the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and (V)laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man (W)who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29 (For they had [h]previously seen (X)Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

30 And (Y)all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. 31 Now as they were (Z)seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the [i]garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 (AA)He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the (AB)commander came near and took him, and (AC)commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another.

So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks. 35 When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob. 36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, (AD)“Away with him!”

Addressing the Jerusalem Mob(AE)

37 Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I speak to you?”

He replied, “Can you speak Greek? 38 (AF)Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”

39 But Paul said, (AG)“I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no [j]mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”

40 So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and (AH)motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the (AI)Hebrew language, saying,

Footnotes

  1. Acts 21:4 NU the disciples
  2. Acts 21:8 NU omits who were Paul’s companions
  3. Acts 21:15 made preparations
  4. Acts 21:22 NU What then is to be done? They will certainly hear
  5. Acts 21:25 NU omits that they should observe no such thing, except
  6. Acts 21:25 fornication
  7. Acts 21:26 completion
  8. Acts 21:29 M omits previously
  9. Acts 21:31 cohort
  10. Acts 21:39 insignificant