You Can’t Circumvent God’s Word

Acts 21:27-39

The Holy Spirit had repeatedly warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem and what would happen if he went. In an effort to avoid the conflict, he had gone through one of the ceremonial cleansings of the practicing Jews.

“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, 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. (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)” (Acts 21:27-29)

Even Paul and the other apostles’ best efforts could not change what God had said would happen. Within a week, some of the Jews who had come to worship from Asia spotted him and began to accuse him, without verifying what was actually happening. The other Jews, already suspicious, quickly joined in.

“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.” (Acts 21:30)

A riot ensued with Paul’s death as the intended outcome. He was forcibly removed from the temple and the doors were closed to prevent further intrusion.

“And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 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.” (Acts 21:31-32)

Because of the constant unrest among the Jews, the Roman army was constantly alert for uprisings. Thanks to their quick response, the mob hesitated to kill Paul and he was detained by the soldiers.

“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. 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. And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people. For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.” (Acts 21:33-36)

Unable to ascertain just what had happened for the tumult, the captain ordered Paul taken in for questioning, but the soldiers were forced to provide protection from the mob calling for his death.

“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? Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?” (Acts 21:37-38)

Initially, the Roman captain had believed Paul to be just another of the rabble rousers who kept the Jews in constant uproar. The mobs actions led him to believe he was the same person who had previously caused a riot. That Paul was educated and spoke his language challenged his assumption.

“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.” (Acts 21:39)

Paul was not aggressive in demanding his rights, just requesting permission to speak after demonstrating that he was not who they thought he was.