Acts 21

1. Historical/Literary Background

In the previous chapter, Paul explained to the Ephesian elders that he is under the commandment of the Holy Ghost to set sail for Jerusalem even though many have explained to him through prophesy that he would be imprisoned.

Chapter 21 begins with Paul’s itinerary towards Jerusalem, arriving here and there and meeting disciples along the way who all through the Spirit say the same thing regarding the treatment he would experience at the hands of the Jews.   Philip the evangelist from chapter 8 makes a second appearance as Paul lodges with him and his four daughters.  It is during this time a Christian man from Judah visits and reiterates what the Holy Spirit has been communicating, that Paul would be imprisoned by the Jews in Jerusalem.

Once entering Jerusalem, the Christian Jews gladly meet Paul and take him to James, the elder of Jerusalem church.  James councils Paul to visit the temple to alleviate some of the tensions between Paul and the Jews who are still observing the law of Moses.  Paul agrees and of course, this is the means by which Paul is arrested in the temple after some zealous Jews stir up the people against him to kill him.

Paul’s life is spared when the Romans storm and rescue Paul from being beaten to death.  As Paul is being taken away, he asks to speak to the mob, a request that is granted.

2. Theological Observations: What Can We Learn About God?

God is a jealous God who provokes His people, the Jewish nation, to jealousy.  This perhaps is not as clearly stated in this passage as it is foretold in other passages.  But God has long since declared this is what He will do.

Deuteronomy 32:21

²¹  They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God;

They have provoked me to anger with their vanities:

And I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people;

I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

Also, we see God making good on His promise recorded long ago in Deuteronomy.  James said to Paul that here be Jewish men zealous for the law, vv20.  The supposed Paul was trying to destroy the law and to supplant it with his own teaching.  It appears what Jesus told them about the temple being destroyed was not taken into consideration, (See Luke 21:6), or that Jesus Himself is the temple (see John 2:21).   If the temple as they know it is about to be destroyed, and Jesus is now the temple, and the Holy Spirit is being given to the gentile believers the same as the Jewish believers, could they not perceive the direction of God’s leadership?

It seems no one in their community was able to perceive what God was doing, it looks as their zealousness stopped with their perceptions of the law and did not extend to God.   For the most part, the Christian Church in Jerusalem has not sent many to preach the gospel, rather their concerned seems to have been for themselves.  Even with the vision given to Peter, their objection to allowing Gentiles into the body of God’s community must have further provoked God’s anger.

When Paul is seen in the temple by Jews from Asia, the men there are filled with murderous and jealous rage against him after they supposed he brought Gentiles into the temple, an assumption that was acted upon without inquiry, vv28-30.   It appears Paul was left to defend himself unlike in Ephesus where the men at least attempted to shield him from harm, but here Paul is left to face the full rejection of God and the Gospel, for one cannot receive the one while rejecting the other.

Jesus’ statement to Paul in the next chapter clarifies that this is the culmination of the Jew’s rejection and provocation to jealousy, “Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.”

God uses the enemies’ persecution and suffering of his people to provide a witness to life.  Perhaps this would be more of a shocking revelation to a complacent church.  I too battle a mindset that wants to lean into comfort seeking complacency.  Such an attitude is either ignorant or presumptuously ignoring God’s character.  It also leads one to a Christian lifestyle full of sin and compromise.  But since the beginning of the Bible, Satan takes measures to thwart and God takes counter-measures to show His wisdom and power.  God doesn’t simply take countermeasures of His own making but allows the enemy to do all they wish and yet still God gains the victory.

As Paul is traveling towards Jerusalem under command of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 19:21) he is warned through the prophecy of the Holy Spirit several times of persecution that awaits him, vv4, 11.  It is by God’s design that Paul should suffer for the name of Christ, and such things were said of him plainly by Christ Himself (see Acts 9:15-16).  Though not everyone dies a martyr, everyone who follows Christ is called to die to themselves and be prepared for persecution.  It is the backdrop of a witness of persuasion and power (See 1 Thess 1:5-6).

3. How Does Christ Fulfill What is Happening?

Jesus appeased the wrath of God’s jealousy. Jealousy exists between God and His Jewish nation because of the level of commitment God has taken on Himself with them.  Beginning with Abraham, God has covenanted Himself with them and put His own name on the line.  In spite of Israel’s unfaithfulness, God has been faithful, but the idolatries and rejection of the Jews have aroused God’s jealousy.

When jealousy exists in the highest tier of relationship, it’s wrath and anger, as a raging fire, cannot be reasoned with (see Deut. 4:24). It’s likened to a man who has discovered his beloved wife has been unfaithful and has set his anger to the adulterous pair.  It is a wound of the most grievous sort.  God has been wounded in this way and His wrath is set towards his metaphorical adulterous wife (see Deut. 6:15).

The picture communicates the inevitable outcome, a fiery and vengeful divorce (see Isaiah 50:1). It is what anyone would expect when reading the constant adulterous failure of the Old Testament community.  How can there be anything but estrangement between God and people?

The problem that fuels God’s jealousy the sin of infidelity.  Many other such sins such as the one committed in ignorance had sacrifices under the law that put away such transgressions (Ex. Lev. 5:15).  But such sins of presumptuous idolatry and infidelity had no remedy, it was the ultimate sin of unbelief that comes out of a heart that has rejected God (Ex. Numbers 15:30-31).  There it seems to be no other remedy than divorce.

But when the estrangement between God and man seemed to prevail over 400 years of God’s silence.  A window of grace in the highest magnitude was opened, and this was the fullness of grace the apostles became witness to (see John 1:16).  There would be another resolution to God’s jealousy besides judgment and divorce.  Jesus Christ would bear the iniquity of the guilty, thus appeased the fierce wrath of God.  Jesus’ sacrifice would the propitiation of God’s jealousy and secure forever the good standing of all who come to Jesus in repentance and faith (1 John 4:10).

After the Jews reject again the ultimate grace they would ever receive, there is no more sacrifice for sins (see Heb. 10:26).  There is nothing at their temple or anything in their law that would avail them to God or eternal life.

God gains victory through the death and crucifixion of His Son.  This point corresponds with the observation above that God uses the tactics of His enemies to provide a witness.  Ultimately, God would win the victory through a cross the enemies of God would design.  Crucifying the King of Israel might seem like a good way to take the usurp power for oneself, but it is through the death of the King that victory was secured.  It is said that Jesus reigns from the cross and that statement would be true.

4. Application

As we go ourselves and send men, we will prepare ourselves mentally and through prayer by the example of Jesus Christ who suffered for our sake.  We ought to be prepared to offer a witness in the midst of suffering and persecution.  I will take inventory of my life and take back the ground I have surrendered to the pursuit of comfort and complacency, realizing by being indifferent in my lazy boy chair is the reason why many will perish without a witness.