Acts 21
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Paul Travels By Ship To Tyre, Where He Is Again Warned Not To Go To Jerusalem
21 And when it came about that having withdrawn[a] from them we put-to-sea, having run-a-straight-course we came to Cos, and on the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And having found a ship crossing-over to Phoenicia, having boarded, we put-to-sea. 3 And having sighted Cyprus, and having left it behind on the left, we were sailing to Syria. And we came down to Tyre, for there the ship was unloading its cargo. 4 And having found the disciples, we stayed there seven days— who were telling Paul through the Spirit not to be setting-foot in Jerusalem. 5 But when it came about that we finished the days, having gone out, we were proceeding—everyone accompanying us, with wives and children, as far as outside the city. And having put down our knees on the beach, having prayed, 6 we said-farewell to one another. And we went-up into the ship, and those ones returned to their own things.
When Paul Arrives In Caesarea, Agabas The Prophet Foretells Imprisonment
7 And we, having completed[b] the voyage from Tyre, arrived in Ptolemais. And having greeted the brothers, we stayed with them one day. 8 And having gone-out on the next day, we came to Caesarea. And having entered into the house of Philip the evangelist (being one of the seven[c]), we stayed with him 9 (and this one had four virgin daughters prophesying!). 10 And while we were staying-on for more days, a certain prophet from Judea, Agabus by name, came down. 11 And having come to us, and having taken Paul’s belt, having bound his own feet and hands, he said, “These things says the Holy Spirit: ‘In this manner the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man whose belt this is, and hand him over into the hands of the Gentiles’”. 12 And when we heard these things, both we and the local-residents were begging that he not be going up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul responded, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus”. 14 And he not being persuaded, we were quiet, having said, “Let the Lord’s will be done”.
Paul Arrives In Jerusalem
15 And after these days, having made-preparations, we were going up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, bringing[d] us to Mnason— a certain Cyprian, an old disciple, with whom we might lodge. 17 And we having come-to-be in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly.
Paul Meets James. They Formulate a Plan For His Acceptance Among The Jews
18 And on the following day Paul was going in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 And having greeted them, he was describing individually each of the things which God did among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And the ones, having heard it, were glorifying God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of the ones having believed there are among the Jews! And they are all zealots[e] for the Law. 21 And they were informed about you— that you are teaching all the Jews[f] throughout the nations apostasy from Moses, saying that they should not be circumcising their children, nor walking in their customs. 22 What, then, is to be done? They will surely hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do this which we tell you: There are four men with us having a vow upon themselves. 24 Having taken along these men, be purified together-with them. And spend[g] money for them, so that they will shave[h] the head. And everyone will know that there is nothing true of the things which they have been informed about you, but even you yourself are walking-in-line[i], keeping the Law. 25 But concerning the Gentiles having believed— we wrote-to them, having determined that they should guard-themselves as to food-sacrificed-to-an-idol and blood and the strangled thing and sexual immorality”.
While Executing The Plan, Paul Is Recognized By Ephesian Jews And Attacked
26 Then Paul— having taken along the men on the next day, having been purified together-with them— was going into the temple, giving-notice as to the completion of the days of purification, until which time the offering was offered for each one of them. 27 But as the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia[j], having seen him in the temple, were stirring-up the whole crowd. And they put their hands on him, 28 crying-out, “Men, Israelites, help! This is the man teaching everyone everywhere against our people and the Law and this place. And furthermore, he also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled this holy place”. 29 For they had previously-seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they were supposing that Paul brought into the temple. 30 And the whole city was set-in-motion, and a running-together of the people took place. And having taken-hold-of Paul, they were dragging him outside of the temple. And immediately the doors were shut.
The Romans Swoop Down And Take Paul Into Custody
31 And while they were seeking to kill him, a report went up to the commander[k] of the [Roman] cohort[l] that all Jerusalem was stirred-up— 32 who at-once, having taken along soldiers and centurions[m], ran down upon them. And the ones, having seen the commander and the soldiers, ceased striking Paul. 33 Then having drawn-near, the commander took-hold-of him. And he ordered that he be bound with two chains. And he was inquiring as to who he might be and what he has done. 34 But other[n] ones in the crowd were calling-out another thing. And he not being able to know the certainty of it because of the uproar— he ordered that he be brought into the barracks. 35 But when he[o] came-to-be on the stairs, it happened that he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd— 36 for the multitude of the people were following, crying-out, “Take him away”.
Paul Asks To Speak To The Mob
37 And being about to be brought into the barracks, Paul says to the commander, “Is it permissible for me to say something to you?” And the one said, “You know Greek? 38 Then are you not the Egyptian— the one before these days having caused-an-upset[p] and led out into the wilderness the four-thousand men of the Assassins[q]?” 39 And Paul said, “I am a Jewish man from-Tarsus[r] of Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city— and I beg you, permit me to speak to the people”. 40 And he having permitted it, Paul, standing on the stairs, motioned with his hand to the people. And a great silence having come about, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:
Footnotes
- Acts 21:1 Or, been parted.
- Acts 21:7 Or, continued.
- Acts 21:8 That is, the seven chosen in 6:5.
- Acts 21:16 Or, bringing Mnason with them.
- Acts 21:20 That is, these Jewish believers are zealously holding on to their Jewish way of life derived from the Law.
- Acts 21:21 That is, the Jewish believers to whom Paul had ministered. These in Jerusalem did not object to Paul teaching the Gentile believers in the manner described next, but to his teaching the Jewish believers to abandon their Jewish customs.
- Acts 21:24 That is, pay their expenses. This was perceived as a good deed for a Jew.
- Acts 21:24 These four would cut off their hair upon completion of their vow, as Paul did in 18:18.
- Acts 21:24 That is, with his Jewish heritage.
- Acts 21:27 The plan may have worked with the local Jewish Christians, but when these Jews from Asia (Ephesus) aroused the Jews against Paul, the believers could do nothing.
- Acts 21:31 Or, tribune, a commander of 600-1000 men, to whom centurions reported. He reported to the procurator, who for this man was Felix (23:24).
- Acts 21:31 See Mt 27:27.
- Acts 21:32 That is, commanders of 100 men.
- Acts 21:34 The one with whom the commander was inquiring was saying one thing, but others in the crowd were shouting different things.
- Acts 21:35 That is, Paul.
- Acts 21:38 Or, caused-a-revolt.
- Acts 21:38 Or, the Sicarii. This was a Jewish nationalist group that used assassination against their political opponents.
- Acts 21:39 Tarsus was the capital city of the province of Cilicia.
Hechos 21
Dios Habla Hoy
Viaje de Pablo a Jerusalén
21 Cuando dejamos a los hermanos, nos embarcamos y fuimos directamente a Cos, y al día siguiente a Rodas, y de allí a Pátara. 2 En Pátara encontramos un barco que iba a Fenicia, y en él nos embarcamos. 3 Al pasar, vimos la isla de Chipre, y dejándola a mano izquierda seguimos hasta Siria. Y como el barco tenía que dejar carga en el puerto de Tiro, entramos allí. 4 Encontramos a los creyentes, y nos quedamos con ellos siete días. Ellos, advertidos por el Espíritu, dijeron a Pablo que no debía ir a Jerusalén. 5 Pero pasados los siete días, salimos. Todos, con sus mujeres y niños, nos acompañaron hasta fuera de la ciudad, y allí en la playa nos arrodillamos y oramos. 6 Luego nos despedimos y subimos al barco, y ellos regresaron a sus casas.
7 Terminamos nuestro viaje por mar yendo de Tiro a Tolemaida, donde saludamos a los hermanos y nos quedamos con ellos un día. 8 Al día siguiente salimos y llegamos a Cesarea. Fuimos a casa de Felipe el evangelista, que era uno de los siete ayudantes de los apóstoles, y nos quedamos con él. 9 Felipe tenía cuatro hijas solteras, que eran profetisas. 10 Ya hacía varios días que estábamos allí, cuando llegó de Judea un profeta llamado Agabo. 11 Al llegar ante nosotros tomó el cinturón de Pablo, se sujetó con él las manos y los pies, y dijo:
—El Espíritu Santo dice que en Jerusalén los judíos atarán así al dueño de este cinturón, y lo entregarán en manos de los extranjeros.
12 Al oír esto, nosotros y los de Cesarea rogamos a Pablo que no fuera a Jerusalén. 13 Pero Pablo contestó:
—¿Por qué lloran y me ponen triste? Yo estoy dispuesto, no solamente a ser atado sino también a morir en Jerusalén por causa del Señor Jesús.
14 Como no pudimos convencerlo, lo dejamos, diciendo:
—Que se haga la voluntad del Señor.
15 Después de esto, nos preparamos y nos fuimos a Jerusalén. 16 Nos acompañaron algunos creyentes de Cesarea, quienes nos llevaron a casa de un hombre de Chipre llamado Mnasón, que era creyente desde hacía mucho tiempo y que iba a darnos alojamiento.
Pablo visita a Santiago
17 Cuando llegamos a Jerusalén, los hermanos nos recibieron con alegría. 18 Al día siguiente, Pablo fue con nosotros a visitar a Santiago, y allí estaban también todos los ancianos. 19 Pablo los saludó, y luego les contó detalladamente las cosas que Dios había hecho por medio de él entre los no judíos. 20 Cuando lo oyeron, alabaron a Dios. Dijeron a Pablo:
—Bueno, hermano, ya ves que entre los judíos hay muchos miles que han creído, y todos ellos insisten en que es necesario seguir la ley de Moisés. 21 Y les han informado que a todos los judíos que viven en el extranjero tú les enseñas que deben renegar de la ley de Moisés, y les dices que no deben circuncidar a sus hijos ni seguir nuestras costumbres. 22 ¿Qué hay de esto? Pues sin duda la gente va a saber que has venido. 23 Lo mejor es que hagas lo siguiente: Hay aquí, entre nosotros, cuatro hombres que tienen que cumplir una promesa. 24 Llévalos contigo, purifícate junto con ellos y paga sus gastos, para que ellos puedan hacerse cortar el cabello. Así todos verán que no es cierto lo que les han dicho de ti, sino que, al contrario, tú también obedeces la ley. 25 En cuanto a los que no son judíos y han creído, ya les hemos escrito nuestra decisión: no deben comer carne que haya sido ofrecida a los ídolos, ni sangre, ni carne de animales estrangulados, y deben evitar los matrimonios prohibidos.
Arresto de Pablo en el templo
26 Entonces Pablo se llevó a los cuatro hombres, y al día siguiente se purificó junto con ellos; luego entró en el templo para avisar cuándo terminarían los días del cumplimiento de la promesa, es decir, cuándo cada uno de ellos tendría que presentar su ofrenda.
27 Estando ya por terminar los siete días, unos judíos de la provincia de Asia vieron a Pablo en el templo y alborotaron a la gente. Se lanzaron contra Pablo, 28 gritando: «¡Israelitas, ayúdennos! Éste es el hombre que anda por todas partes enseñando a la gente cosas que van contra nuestro pueblo, contra la ley de Moisés y contra este templo. Además, ahora ha metido en el templo a unos griegos, profanando este Lugar santo.»
29 Decían esto porque antes lo habían visto en la ciudad con Trófimo de Éfeso, y pensaban que Pablo lo había llevado al templo.
30 Toda la ciudad se alborotó, y la gente llegó corriendo. Agarraron a Pablo y lo arrastraron fuera del templo, cerrando inmediatamente las puertas. 31 Estaban a punto de matarlo, cuando al comandante del batallón romano le llegó la noticia de que toda la ciudad de Jerusalén se había alborotado. 32 El comandante reunió a sus soldados y oficiales, y fue corriendo a donde estaba la gente. Cuando vieron al comandante y a los soldados, dejaron de golpear a Pablo. 33 Entonces el comandante se acercó, arrestó a Pablo y mandó que lo sujetaran con dos cadenas. Después preguntó quién era y qué había hecho. 34 Pero unos gritaban una cosa y otros otra, de modo que el comandante no podía aclarar nada a causa del ruido que hacían; así que mandó llevarlo al cuartel. 35 Al llegar a las gradas del cuartel, los soldados tuvieron que llevar a Pablo a cuestas, debido a la violencia de la gente; 36 porque todos iban detrás, gritando: «¡Muera!»
Discurso de Pablo ante el pueblo
37 Cuando ya iban a meterlo en el cuartel, Pablo le preguntó al comandante del batallón:
—¿Puedo hablar con usted un momento?
El comandante le contestó:
—¿Sabes hablar griego? 38 Entonces, ¿tú no eres aquel egipcio que hace algún tiempo comenzó una rebelión y salió al desierto con cuatro mil guerrilleros?
39 Pablo le dijo:
—Yo soy judío, natural de Tarso de Cilicia, ciudadano de una población importante; pero, por favor, permítame usted hablar a la gente.
40 El comandante le dio permiso, y Pablo se puso de pie en las gradas y con la mano hizo callar a la gente. Cuando se hizo silencio, les habló en hebreo, diciendo:
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
Dios habla hoy ®, © Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas, 1966, 1970, 1979, 1983, 1996.