Acts 21

V 1–14: CONCERN Paul travels towards Jerusalem. The disciples at Tyre and a prophet named Agabus at Ptolemais, warn him about going to Jerusalem. Agabus tells him that he will be bound and delivered to the Gentiles. The concern of his fellow believers causes them to plead with Paul not to go, but Paul tells them that he is willing not only to go, but also to die for Christ. They then commit the whole matter to God’s will. V 15–25: COUNSEL Paul meets with and debriefs James, the elders and the brethren at Jerusalem. Certain disciples go with him. He is counselled to go to the temple with devout Jews who have taken a vow. This is for Paul to identify with Judaism as a man with a Jewish heritage, in order to negate the accusation that he is against the law of Moses. The apostles’ previous directions to the Gentiles, however, are confirmed. V 26–29: CONTENTION Paul acts on the counsel of James and the elders and goes with the men to the temple. However, Asian Jews stir up the crowd against him, falsely stating that he has brought an uncircumcised Greek into the temple. V 30–36: CROWD The crowd in the city run at Paul and drag him from the temple. He is rescued by Roman soldiers, who have to carry him away because of the mob. V 37–40: COMPOSURE Paul persuades the commander to let him talk to the crowd, by underlining that he is a Roman citizen. Paul then begins to address the crowd in Hebrew. This is God-given composure in a situation of great crisis and danger.